Final Fantasy XIII is due in Japan later this year. And in North America during Spring, 2010. But when can Europeans (and by extension, Australians) get their hands on it?

Do they dare to hope for a speedier turnaround? After all, the last core Final Fantasy title, FFXII, was released in Europe a whole year after it was out in Japan.

Well, Europeans, best keep hoping, because Final Fantasy XIII director Motomu Toriyama told us today that as far as the European version of the game goes, they're targeting a 2010 release.

Not the 2011 release comedians/pessimists would have picked, which is why we're passing this on, but 2010 can still mean "late 2010". Which would, again, be a whole year later than the Japanese release.

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