Crisis Core was released in the US today on March 25, 2008. Best Buy retailers are offering an exclusive metal plated UMD case included with the game at regular price. Online orders are all backordered at this point. According to an exclusive interview with Mr. Tabata provided by Square-Enix Members, there will be a "harder" mode.
"Tabata: It has been our experience that games released in Western markets are generally of higher difficulty than those released in Japan, so the harder difficulty level was added to make sure that hardcore players are satisfied with the game experience."
