FFVII is still his proudest achievement, though.

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII screenshot

As if fans weren't excited enough at the prospect of playing Final Fantasy XIII, producer Yoshinori Kitase has fuelled the hype train even further by saying it'll be the greatest Final Fantasy game ever created.

And he should know. Kitase was the director of Final Fantasy VII, released on the PlayStation in 1997, a game considered by many to be the greatest Final Fantasy ever made.

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Speaking to VideoGamer.com in an interview to be published tomorrow, Kitase, who was in London to promote Dissidia: Final Fantasy, a PSP-exclusive fighting game set to mark the 20 year anniversary of the Final Fantasy franchise, said of Final Fantasy XIII: "I'm convinced it will be the best Final Fantasy game."

However, Kitase still counts Final Fantasy VII as his proudest achievement and favourite game in the series, and blonde spiky-haired pin-up Cloud as his favourite Final Fantasy character.

He said: "I've been involved with the Final Fantasy series since Final Fantasy 5. In those days Final Fantasy had not recorded such remarkable success abroad, outside Japan. Probably after VII, maybe it became a really strong title globally, and that situation hasn't changed up to now. Now other Final Fantasy games are widely played globally by lots of people.

"OK sometimes we receive quite critical comments from players, as well as nice comments! But that kind of situation, how widely it is played across the world, would have been completely unimaginable. That is something I am very proud of."

Dissidia: Final Fantasy is due out for the PSP this autumn. Be sure to check out our hands-on preview here. And don't forget to check back tomorrow for the full interview with Kitase.

What do you think? Will Final Fantasy XIII be the best Final Fantasy game ever made? Let us know in the comments section below.