English Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII contains additional challenges (update: confirmed for NA)

And by English I mean British (PAL) version of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. In the press release announcing the limited edition version of Crisis Core for Europe it also mentions “additional gameplay challenges not included in the original Japanese version.” This includes a more difficult, hard mode. Since the press release did not say additional gameplay challenges not included in the original Japanese version or North American version, I’m confident we will see the extra content on March 25 when Zack’s tale is told in North America.

On the other hand, Europe seems to get a pretty sweet deal for waiting for the Q2 2008 Crisis Core release date. A hardcover art book and a slip case beats out the headphones Japan got for pre-ordering Crisis Core.

Update: I asked a representative from Square Enix about hard mode and it will be in the North American version of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. Additionally, if you’re looking for special cover art pick Crisis Core up at Best Buy. This is nearly the same foil wrapped package Japan got as part of the Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII bundle. And by nearly I mean it’s the same except it says “T” for Teen instead of CERO B and the Square Enix logo is aligned to the right.