Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn images and artwork released

Screenshots demonstrate a return to Tolkien-esque fantasy for Square Enix's latest adventure.

Square Enix has released the first screenshots of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn for PS3 and PC. The online role-playing game is set on the planet of Hydaelyn and sees players team up to take on a multitude of monsters and hostile forces as the ‘Garlean Empire masses its troops for invasion, while the native beastmen tribes summon their deities.’

The screenshots also demonstrate the PlayStation 3 user interface (UI) which has been created to make logical use of the button configuration of the console’s controllers. The UI is set to be fully customisable and so allow players to set up a button configuration perfect for their personal playing style, one of the shots even suggesting the presence of a XMB style crossbar that PS3 users will be so familiar with.

Square Enix claims the control scheme has been ‘designed with traditional Final Fantasy game controls in mind, to give the game a classic RPG feel,’ presumably to ease fans of the franchise into what it almost certain to be a more complex experience than that of the offline Final Fantasy games.

Amongst the screenshots are images of the magaical Primals, said to have a ‘big part to play’ in the game’s storyline, as well as examples of a few of the armour sets available for the Chocobo mounts available as transport for your chosen character.

No release date has yet been confirmed for Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn but it’s expected at some point next year.