music & sound
Square Enix Announces, Releases Song Summoner For iPod
Posted by Michael McWhertor at 9:40 AM on July 8, 2008
Square Enix has announced and subsequently released Song Summoner: The Unsung Heroes a music-themed role-playing game for the iPod. It's available right now via iTunes for the low, low price of $US 4.99. As Ziggy, you'll battle the Mechanical Militia with your band of Tune Troopers, soldiers that you create with your iPod library, in an attempt to save the world or win your freedom or address some other pressing matter.
Song Summoner uses a "tactics-based battle system" and is controlled via the iPod's click wheel. Your Tune Troopers allies can also be "powered up" by listing to the tracks used to create them. Sound cool? If your answer is "YES!", then make your way to the press release, after the break.
SQUARE ENIX ANNOUNCES SONG SUMMONER: The Unsung Heroes, a Full-Scale Role-Playing Game for iPod, Now Available on iTunes
LOS ANGELES (July 7, 2008) - Square Enix, Inc., the publisher of Square Enix™ interactive entertainment products in North America, announced the release of SONG SUMMONER™:
The Unsung Heroes, on sale at the iTunes® Store worldwide (www.itunes.com) and available for play in English and Japanese on the iPod nano with video, iPod classic and fifth generation iPod.
SONG SUMMONER: The Unsung Heroes is a Role-Playing Game that transforms your iPod® songs into powerful "Tune Troopers" that you can control in battle! As the protagonist Ziggy, you will embark on an epic journey to rescue your brother from the clutches of the Mechanical Militia! Intriguing characters, an epic story and a tactics-based battle system combine for a rich RPG experience previously only available on home and handheld game consoles.
SONG SUMMONER: The Unsung Heroes
Publisher: Square Enix, Inc.
Platform: iPod nano with video, iPod classic and fifth generation iPod\
Genre: Role-Playing
Launch Date: July 8, 2008
Price: 4.99 USD (iTunes Store download)Story
From the days of old, Melodica was a land of music, a land of freedom. The people sang, played and danced to the music they so cherished. Until one day, they came -- the Mechanoids, who enhanced their bodies with machinery. Those who were tempted by greed and power willingly gave away their souls for bodies of steel, forsaking their humanity to become cold, emotionless automatons. Now, they seek to destroy all that do not embrace their way of life.But there is hope on the horizon. There are those who are fated to stand against the tyranny of the machines -- the Superstars, who can turn sound into lethal weapons, and the Conductor, also known as the Song Summoner, who can summon powerful warriors born of music.
In their most desperate hour, Melodica awaits the arrival of their new Song Summoner...
Game Features
- Transform your iPod songs into "Tune Troopers" to combat the evil Mechanical Militia.
- Tune Trooper types and abilities are determined by the songs used to create them.
- Your Tune Troopers can be powered up even outside of the game--just by listening to the songs you used to create them!
- Control Ziggy, a "Conductor" that creates warriors out of music, and guide him through his journey to save his brother Zero from the Mechanical Militia.
- Experience a turn-based tactics battle system, divided into player and enemy phases where each side takes turns manoeuvring their forces.
- Deploy the right troopers at the right time, and use contraptions found on the map effectively to achieve victory in battle!
- iPod Click Wheel allows players to play the game as easily as selecting music.About Square Enix Co., Ltd. and Square Enix, Inc.
Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix), with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content including interactive entertainment software and publications in Asia, North America and Europe. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises -FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 85 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 43 million units worldwide - under one roof. Square Enix is one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
Square Enix, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Co., Ltd. with offices in Los Angeles, California. It handles operations in North America, including development, localisation, marketing, and publishing of Square Enix titles. More information on Square Enix can be found on the Internet at http://www.square-enix.com.

Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
Archaotic
Posted 11:06 AM 8/7/08
@archibaldleech:
I wish Tactics on PSP had a clone of Freddie Mercury wielding a giant sword made of bones.
Speaking of FFT, why is it that ever since the first game came out, Square is totally incapable of writing a mature storyline in any of their tactical RPGs? It's like writing that first one drained any and all creative or mature juice from the team.
Archaotic
archibaldleech
Posted 10:59 AM 8/7/08
*sticks with FFT on PSP*
archibaldleech
Netnavi
Posted 10:58 AM 8/7/08
@wild homes is non-canonical: crap. Oh well. Tactics DS it is then.
Netnavi
Netnavi
Posted 10:57 AM 8/7/08
@Himiko: You mean creative zen ? I do want that one too. I just can't justify buying anything right now. Money is tight now and I could make due with older tech that doesn't die right away (stupid iPod harddrive) I'll just use my walkman and use cassettes. lol. or not. I don't need PMPs that badly just now, but the games are an apealling factor. Though not much that I want to spend 1 to 250 bucks for.
I don't know...my mind flip flops but I always have to think about my wallet.
Netnavi
wild homes is non-canonical
Posted 10:56 AM 8/7/08
@mjpm, Netnavi, BassForever: The Touch and the iPhone use a completely separate API for software than the original iPods, including the video models. Unless they've got a build of this running on the Cocoa Touch API, this thing isn't going to work on the Touch or the first- or second-gen iPhones even after the 2.0 (1.2.0) firmware update. This game isn't going to be in the App Store, unless it's a Cocoa Touch build.
wild homes is non-canonical
Netnavi
Posted 10:53 AM 8/7/08
So we have to wait for that 3g Iphone to drop? I guess I'll hold off on buying any ipod anything for about a month. The games do eventually go to the touch right? I don't want to buy a nano when I could get a nice big screen on the touch.
Anyway, maybe I should just buy tactics advanced 2.
Netnavi
Archaotic
Posted 10:53 AM 8/7/08
I'm glad someone got my tip (even if I didn't exactly send it in, thanks WH!). I downloaded this game, it's pretty interesting...
The character classes are fucking hilarious, regardless of the game's anime cliche-ridden plot. Any game that lets you use a brawler character named "Original Gangsta" that's a white dude in rap clothes is automatic win, regardless of the rest of it all.
Now I just need to recharge my iPod's batteries so I can play a little more.
Archaotic
Himiko
Posted 10:50 AM 8/7/08
@Netnavi: got a creative neeon 2, srew that too!
Himiko
mjpm
Posted 10:44 AM 8/7/08
@Netnavi:
Not until Friday at the earliest. Remember? iPhone 2.0? Apps?
mjpm
Chupakun
Posted 10:43 AM 8/7/08
Not bad at all. Square-Enix seem to be into the whole innovation thing nowadays. What with The World Ends With You and all.
Chupakun
gr8asianman
Posted 10:42 AM 8/7/08
Wow quite interesting. Character creation reminds me of monster rancher. I really hope it gets a release for the iTouch/iPhone touch screen would be amazing.
gr8asianman
Netnavi
Posted 10:41 AM 8/7/08
Soo...no iPod touch?
Netnavi
egyptomix
Posted 10:41 AM 8/7/08
This sounds pretty amazing but I have a Zune.
*waits till more people buy one*
We really need the support at this point.
egyptomix
tk.
Posted 10:39 AM 8/7/08
I would not be surprised if Squeenix had something up their sleeve when the App Store (for the iPhone/Touch) goes live in a few days.
tk.
ggodo
Posted 10:34 AM 8/7/08
All I know is that my Crazy Train Troopers will be enormous, and I don't even have an ipod.
ggodo
Struct09
Posted 10:32 AM 8/7/08
My Metallica Tune Troopers would be way too overpowered
Struct09
Karisu-Zero
Posted 10:32 AM 8/7/08
Wow!! SE scores big points for this! It's fresh, it's a good concept, and it's cheap. Win, win, win!!
Karisu-Zero
Xenigma
Posted 10:32 AM 8/7/08
If I ever do get an Ipod, I'll be getting this. Sounds awesome, if a bit strange, and at $5 looks cheap enough to try.
Xenigma
BassForever
Posted 10:31 AM 8/7/08
Good thing I held of on picking up an Iphone, will be buying one that is compatible with this title. Never thought I'd want to play an Ipod game.
BassForever
BauerStyle
Posted 10:30 AM 8/7/08
is it just me or are ipod games rediculously cool? seriously if i didnt have metal gear acid 1+2 to finish id pick this up right away, but ill just have to do that when im done with those two
BauerStyle
dead_red_eyes
Posted 10:29 AM 8/7/08
@wild homes is non-canonical:
What?! That sucks it won't work on the iPhone, and only the newer iPods. Yargh!
Good to see that you guys picked this tip up!
dead_red_eyes
TheCleaningGuy
Posted 10:29 AM 8/7/08
Crap. I really wish I had an ipod other than a mini or (on June 11th) my iPhone.
TheCleaningGuy
SolidOni
Posted 10:28 AM 8/7/08
I'd much rather companies like Square do this more often, rather than release cell phone games all the time. FF Agito XIII will never be played by me simply because it's on a damn cellphone.
SolidOni
JChaos
Posted 10:28 AM 8/7/08
If this isn't the last we hear about this, I will be absolutely shocked.
JChaos
supershavin
Posted 10:28 AM 8/7/08
Curse my I-touch. CURSE IT!
supershavin
thejakeman: visit my site!
Posted 10:28 AM 8/7/08
:-0
thejakeman: visit my site!
Nukkus
Posted 10:27 AM 8/7/08
holy crap that is freaking awesome!
Nukkus
Crosswayboy
Posted 10:27 AM 8/7/08
While the character designs look a little generic, it's still pretty surprising to see S-E making a game for the iPod. The concept seems a little confusing on paper, maybe in hand it'll make more sense to me.
Crosswayboy
KeroseneClimax
Posted 10:25 AM 8/7/08
Well, at least I know this game is going to have good music.
KeroseneClimax
wild homes is non-canonical
Posted 10:25 AM 8/7/08
This thing looks really, really hot. The trailer on iTMS looks sweet. Too bad it won't work on mah iPhone. Boo!
wild homes is non-canonical
Terance!
Posted 10:23 AM 8/7/08
Needs a Zune release somehow.
I kid, I kid.
Terance!
Babylonian
Posted 10:23 AM 8/7/08
This actually seems like a really cool concept. It takes an obvious idea for an iPod game like Harmonix's Phase and shoehorns it into another genre, Puzzle-Quest-style.
Babylonian
M
Posted 11:32 AM 8/7/08
I'm surprised that for a game with this much (supposed) depth, it only costs $5. You know, cause it's Square-Enix. That said, I might download this.
M
Cerbo
Posted 11:31 AM 8/7/08
@Interstella5555: Don't know how to get a link from the iTunes store, but it should turn up if you do a search for "Song Summoner".
@Archaotic: For the record, this comment single-handedly sold me on the game.
Cerbo
evilmregg
Posted 11:31 AM 8/7/08
Ahh, tempting! That would make this the second game I've ever bought for my iPod (the first being Phase, of course).
evilmregg
LostToys
Posted 11:28 AM 8/7/08
Robots and humans working together? Nooooooo!
LostToys
Kimbeegrin
Posted 11:17 AM 8/7/08
I would buy this, if I owned an iPod that is.
Kimbeegrin
NexusSIX
Posted 11:17 AM 8/7/08
@Interstella5555: I can answer your question, if you can answer mine.
NexusSIX
Interstella5555
Posted 11:14 AM 8/7/08
Can someone post a iTunes link for this? I can't seem to find it on the iTMS. Thanks! (oh yeah, w/ the app store drop on Fri this should be coming to the iPhone/Pod Touch
Interstella5555
Solitary_Satellite
Posted 11:10 AM 8/7/08
Not available yet in European iTunes Stores....
might be an US exclusive?
Solitary_Satellite
NexusSIX
Posted 11:08 AM 8/7/08
ARGGGGH! I downloaded this game, and I have to sync it in order to put the game in my ipod. Now, here is the problem. I lost all my previous games on my ipod. Does anyone know how to retrieve them, ie. are all the games we've purchased still free? or do i have to rebuy them?
Mind you, I've had to reformat my comp, so the games are not in the computer, but I am still using the same ID for itunes.
NexusSIX
Archaotic
Posted 11:55 AM 8/7/08
@kinglink:
I already have it. It's out.
Archaotic
kinglink
Posted 11:52 AM 8/7/08
I'll be buying this. But sounds like it's not out yet... July 8th != Now.
kinglink
Archaotic
Posted 11:50 AM 8/7/08
@Nightshift Nurse: Mile High Colonic:
Yeah, for 5 bucks you really can't complain about this one. It even lets you use its own built-in soundtrack or overlay your own music on top of it. For an IPOD game at that price, it's a really interesting idea.
I just wish it wasn't such a massive battery drainer.
Archaotic
phnord
Posted 11:48 AM 8/7/08
@Sqrfrk: Most iPod games work like this - they for some reason never announce them until their release. I think this is something that Apple imposes, although I don't see the logic behind it.
phnord
Nightshift Nurse: Mile High Colonic
Posted 11:47 AM 8/7/08
It's actually pretty cool...and fun.
Graphics are nice, what you'd expect from a good looking DS game.
SRPGs work surprisingly well with the click wheel.
I'm not very far into it at all, but I can honestly say it's worth the price of admission...definitely a good way to pass time on the commute.
Nightshift Nurse: Mile High Colonic
ThatSpecialSomeone
Posted 11:40 AM 8/7/08
sounds stupid as hell
ThatSpecialSomeone
Archaotic
Posted 11:38 AM 8/7/08
@Cerbo:
Seriously, reading the character class listing was a series of "WTF!?" and "OH. MY. GOD." moments for me. By the time I was done reading, I was sold on it too.
I turned the FFVII: Advent Children version of One Winged Angel into a technologically enhanced sword fighter wearing a suit made of CYBERSPACE.
This game reminds me of Aerosmith's Generation X, only minus the retarded Aerosmith part. And the light gun.
...okay, minus all the bad stuff.
Archaotic
Michael McWhertor
Posted 11:38 AM 8/7/08
@Interstella5555: Here's the link.
[phobos.apple.com]
It's in the story now as well. :)
Michael McWhertor
Sqrfrk
Posted 11:34 AM 8/7/08
Where the hell did this thing come from? That was one of the most blindsiding press releases I've seen in a while.
Sqrfrk
Nightshift Nurse: Mile High Colonic
Posted 12:08 PM 8/7/08
@Archaotic: It's probably too much to hope for, but I'm now keeping my fingers crossed that Ogre Battle: March of the Black Queen gets ported to the iPod.
Nightshift Nurse: Mile High Colonic
Poormojo
Posted 12:04 PM 8/7/08
I'd love to buy it, but it doesn't work on my 4th generation iPod.
Poormojo
chugger1992
Posted 12:35 PM 8/7/08
I had $5.90 left in my account from my last gift card. Perfect! Just bought it now.
chugger1992
Archaotic
Posted 12:26 PM 8/7/08
@Nightshift Nurse: Mile High Colonic:
The original game? That might be a little hard to do with the click wheel.
...now Tactics Ogre, maybe...that could work.
Archaotic
everybest
Posted 1:05 PM 8/7/08
That's kind of cool. I'd buy it if I had an ipod.
everybest
kylenalepa
Posted 1:00 PM 8/7/08
This looks awesome!
kylenalepa
Nightshift Nurse: Mile High Colonic
Posted 12:54 PM 8/7/08
@Archaotic: I dunno if it'd be that hard...it's not like the SNES original had analog control on the maps. It might not wind up being perfect, but I think the click wheel would at least be serviceable. On the other hand, the button commands in conjunction with the map navigation might be problematic.
The menu navigation...well we've seen that in action in Song Summoner and it works great.
Beyond that it's just gotten me thinking about how well a lot of 8- and 16-bit era RPGs (and even a couple adventure games) would work on the iPod.
Nightshift Nurse: Mile High Colonic
Solitary_Satellite
Posted 1:33 PM 8/7/08
iTunes Stores in Europe have it now available!
Solitary_Satellite
.em.
Posted 1:30 PM 8/7/08
I didn't know IPods could do such I thing.
It's neat.
.em.
spikespeigel
Posted 1:17 PM 8/7/08
Purchasing now. Can't wait to see what kind of soldiers I generate with Neutral Milk Hotel's In The Aeroplane Over The Sea.
spikespeigel
Lord Thayer
Posted 1:59 PM 8/7/08
I came into this to spill some serious haterade on this, but shall walk away impressed instead. Leave it to Square-Enix.
Oh, and also:
"Robots and humans working together? Noooooooo!"
Lord Thayer
Wolfrider31
Posted 1:56 PM 8/7/08
"I know! Let's release an awesome RPG on hardware that's two generations old!" SquareEnix FTW!
Wolfrider31
Tigerfog
Posted 1:53 PM 8/7/08
I'll get it!!
Though I hope that the Ipod Nano Video'S version won't be too dumbed down due to lower resolution...
Tigerfog
mienai
Posted 2:58 PM 8/7/08
So far, I like this, even if it drains the battery like whoa.
More to come when I have it plugged in.
mienai
Cronnos
Posted 4:02 PM 8/7/08
I hope this is ported to Xbox Live Arcade... I would probably pay 800 points for an enhanced port.
Cronnos
オースティン3D
Posted 3:59 PM 8/7/08
So this sounds so awesome I'm actually going to go buy it right now. Very interesting idea.
オースティン3D
Alazar
Posted 4:13 PM 8/7/08
Sounds cool, I'll get that as soon as I get home. :>
Alazar
karasu is my homeboy
Posted 4:39 PM 8/7/08
As much as I'd love to bring my PSP on my commute to work, it's to big (I don't carry a bag, just my pockets). Same for DS.
This is great, though. I always have my little square nano with me. Thanks for the heads up.
karasu is my homeboy
TheCrimsonOrder
Posted 11:35 PM 8/7/08
Great idea but no iTouch/iPhone support? Weak!
TheCrimsonOrder
fenderfuel08
Posted 1:16 AM 9/7/08
@TheCrimsonOrder: Bummer, I was wrong. None of these games work with the newer iPods. 5th generation is old school at this point. Weak indeed...I hope Apple fixes this eventually and updates these games for their newer products.
fenderfuel08
fenderfuel08
Posted 1:07 AM 9/7/08
@TheCrimsonOrder: 5th generation ipods are the iTouch models I believe. I'd look it up online, but I'm betting that this game will work just fine as it says it will work not only with nanos and videos but also the 5th generations!
fenderfuel08
fenderfuel08
Posted 1:02 AM 9/7/08
Ok, now the media needs to start posting reviews on these games!
fenderfuel08
demonknightinuyasha
Posted 12:57 AM 9/7/08
i consider my mac book pro to be a very large "ipod" and it eve has itunes....GET ON IT SQUARE! >.>
demonknightinuyasha
PsycheE
Posted 1:35 AM 9/7/08
Sounds like Audiosurf portable.
With my last iteration of the mini, I hopped over to Samsung and picked up the touch screen for 150 dollars.
Bring it over!.
PsycheE
karasu is my homeboy
Posted 3:56 AM 9/7/08
So I've played it for over an hour so far.
The story is awful, but the game is pretty fun. A lot of managing, the wheel can be pretty annoying to use and the music to trooper system doesn't work as well as you want it to(it feels more random than anything) but it's a nice way to pass the commute with something so small.
It's reminiscent of Pocket Kingdom: Own The World, if anyone here played that. Except for the actual battles. The gameplay surrounding the battles is pretty similar.
karasu is my homeboy
brightcrazystar
Posted 5:07 AM 9/7/08
I am buying an iPod today. not for this. HOWEVER, I want to make sure the one I get will play this.
I have some questions:
What file formats will not work. It keeps saying iPod songs can be converted. Is that a specific format?
Will sound recordings, podcasts, or my own music work?
Will this convert music based on ultradian rhythms?
What are the factors (tempo, frequency, interval, etc?) that it uses to develop your units?
As a tactics enthusiast, with my own music and such:
This ROCKS!!!
brightcrazystar
omfg_its_dally
Posted 7:50 AM 9/7/08
@wild homes gets retconned!:
Yeah anyway. iPhone needs games damnit.
omfg_its_dally
mienai
Posted 9:32 AM 9/7/08
@karasu is my homeboy: "The story is awful, but the game is pretty fun." Like that's any different from any other SE title?
mienai
HappyWulf
Posted 3:04 AM 13/7/08
@NexusSIX: In your iTunes, Your games will show up under the Applications tab, and your bought songs will be under the Purchased tab.
HappyWulf