Tag: Square Enix - Page 30
News Square Enix Reflects on Final Fantasy XV in New Developer Diary
A royal thank you!
Final Fantasy XV has gone through some significant changes since it first launched on PlayStation 4 back in November 2016 after a tortuous ten year development cycle. We could drag on about how some of the game's downloadable content falls short, or how it feels like it concludes what should have been a complete game on launch...
News Kingdom Hearts III Release Date Might Not Be Announced at E3 After All
We goofed
Square Enix revealed Kingdom Hearts III's main theme and a new trailer at the D23 Expo in Tokyo last weekend, but it was also falsely reported that a release date for the game would be announced at E3 this year. Forgive us for getting excited at an announcement of an announcement via a Tweet, but it turns out that this was actually a bit...
Review Dissidia Final Fantasy NT (PS4)
Shut the hell up, kupo
There are few franchises in video gaming quite like Final Fantasy. After three decades, the series has spawned more iconic characters and cities than most other franchises could hope to achieve in twice as long. The appeal, therefore, of a game like Dissidia Final Fantasy NT should be self-explanatory: take a bunch of...
News Kingdom Hearts III Gets a Fantastical New Trailer, Confirms a Bunch of Things
Monster mash
Disney's D23 Expo Japan, starting today, could be the site of an announcement concerning Kingdom Hearts III. The Kingdom Hearts Twitter account teased an appearance at the expo, leading many to speculate whether another trailer or even a release date could be revealed in Tokyo. Kingdom Hearts III's current 2018 release date
News Final Fantasy VII Remake Has Undergone Some Big Visual Changes, Reports Say
But we can't see them
Reports coming out of Japan (handily compiled by Gematsu) say that Final Fantasy VII Remake has been altered quite a bit since we last saw it -- at least visually. Apparently, the characters who appeared in past trailers have been redesigned, and a few screenshots of the game were shown off at a recent art exhibition...
News Unsurprisingly, Dragon Quest XI Won't Be Launching Before April in the West
Square Enix confirms
Well what do you know, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age won't be heading West before April. Crazy, huh? Who saw that one coming? Wall Street Journal reporter Takashi Mochizuki brings word from Square Enix's latest earnings conference, stating on Twitter that the publisher is eyeing fiscal year 2018 when...
News Donnie Yen Announces Sleeping Dogs Movie Role
Clear the Wei
After rumours early last year that a Sleeping Dogs movie was in the works, everyone's favourite Donnie Yen has recently announced on his Instagram page that he'll indeed be taking up the role of undercover officer Wei Shen. The acclaimed Hong Kong actor - who should be best known for his role in xXx: Return of Xander Cage, a film we'll...
News Hyper Light Drifter Designer Leaves Square Enix Montreal After Game Cancellation
"The business strategy of the studio shifted"
Former Hyper Light Drifter designer Teddy Diefenbach today announced on his personal website that he has voluntarily vacated Square Enix Montreal after the publisher terminated his team's project. He describes in his post that it was a "dream role", but that the "business strategy of the studio shifted"...
Memory is reconstructive
It's one thing to make a game in the style of a classic 90s role-playing title, but it’s another thing entirely to make one that matches the heart and focus of those beloved titles of yesteryear. Lost Sphear marks Tokyo RPG Factory’s second attempt at rekindling a spark of the past as the developer continues to pump out...
News Sonic the Hedgehog Creator Yuji Naka Spin Dashes Square Enix
Aw, yeah – this is happenin’
Video game icon Yuji Naka – the former boss of Sonic Team and the lead programmer of the original Sonic the Hedgehog games – has announced that he joined Square Enix in January. “I’m joining game development as before, and strive to develop games at Square Enix,” he said. “I aim to develop an enjoyable...
News Final Fantasy VII Remake Artwork Emerges at Exhibition
Actual images
It’s been a while since we heard anything about Final Fantasy VII Remake after the project was rebooted internally, but Square Enix has debuted some new artwork as part of a 30th anniversary exhibition in Tokyo. The images – photographed by press prior to the show opening – reveal Midgar, as well as the iconic church area.
News New Tomb Raider Movie Trailer Reveals a Child's Destiny
Daddy issues
That new Tomb Raider movie is very much still on track for a 16th March release, so here’s Alicia Vikander in a vest doing her best English accent. This latest trailer reveals a little more about the plot, which appears to be sticking quite closely to the 2013 reboot. In fact, a handful of the set-pieces teased in the two minute clip...
News Life Is Strange: Before the Storm Breaks Hearts at Retail in March
Update: Bonus episode Farewell launches 6th March
The tragic tale of Chloe and Rachel’s whirlwind romance will reach retail on 6th March, as Square Enix packages up its episodic prequel Life Is Strange: Before the Storm. There are a ridiculous three versions available, so stick with us or we’ll give you some classic Miss Price lip. First and...
News Final Fantasy XV Royal Edition Confirmed, Contains Brand New Content
The royal treatment
You may remember that, about a week ago, the ESRB rated Final Fantasy XV Royal Edition, with speculation that it was some sort of all-in-one package. Well, it turns out this was exactly right. The Royal Edition combines the original game with all of its Season Pass content, which includes Episode Gladiolus, Episode Prompto,...
News Dissidia Final Fantasy NT Open Beta Is Out Now on PS4
Don't diss it
If the Dragon Ball FighterZ beta isn't enough to keep you occupied this weekend, then you may want to check out the other test run that's happening. Also available to download now from the PlayStation Store, the Dissidia Final Fantasy NT open beta comes in at around a rather hefty 18GB, but the best part is that you don't have to...
News Final Fantasy VII Remake's Production Is Making Progress
Please be excited
We’re nearing three years since Final Fantasy VII Remake’s reveal at Sony’s infamous E3 2015 press conference, but as has become customary with anticipated Square Enix projects, we haven’t heard a whole lot since. We were treated to a chunk of gameplay at PlayStation Experience a few months later, but then the publisher...
News Dissidia Final Fantasy NT Teases the Identities of 6 Additional DLC Characters
Place your bets
Dissidia Final Fantasy NT will be adding to its playable character roster via downloadable content. We've known that's going to be the case for a while, but Square Enix has now given us very vague clues as to who the six additional fighters will be. And by very vague, we mean the publisher has given us their sex and a hint at what...
News Dissidia Final Fantasy NT Blasts Into Open Beta This Week on PS4
The final countdown
Dissidia Final Fantasy NT is breaking its limit with an open beta this week on PlayStation 4. Anyone on Sony's system will be able to head on over to the PlayStation Store to get it downloaded, and the good news is that it's set to last quite a while. The beta kicks off on the 12th January -- that's this Friday -- and lasts until...
News Don't Expect to Unlock Dissidia Final Fantasy NT's Platinum Trophy
Ouch
Every now and then, developers like to show their disdain for system-wide achievement systems by concocting impossible Trophy sets. The studio behind Dissidia Final Fantasy NT is one such team, as its trinkets look downright disgustingly difficult. You’ll need to, for example, win a whopping 30 ranked matches without taking a single point of...
News Some Kind of Final Fantasy XV Complete Edition Leaked Through Ratings Board
Royalty
It looks like Final Fantasy XV will be repackaged as some sort of complete edition in the near future, according to a recent ESRB rating for "Final Fantasy XV Royal Edition". The rating board's description doesn't really give us anything to go on, but we assume this'll bundle the base game along with all of its already released...
The empire strikes back
An old school Square role-playing game filled with funny looking sprites and turn based tactical battles, Romancing SaGa 2 introduces itself to a new generation on PlayStation 4 and Vita. Unlike Final Fantasy, Romancing SaGa was never able to find its footing here in the West, mainly because we didn't get a...
News Square Enix Partners with Amazon to Host Dissidia Final Fantasy NT Tournament
Fantasy Finals
The Dissidia Final Fantasy NT Fantasy Finals tournament isn't just a mouthful - it's also an official competition taking place in a couple of weeks time. On 17th January, Square Enix will be hosting the tournament alongside online retailer behemoth Amazon, where streamers will be duking it out for your viewing pleasure. That's not...
Soapbox NieR: Automata Has the Best Credits Sequence of 2017
Stay till the end
NieR: Automata is bursting with bonkers moments, so it’s only fitting that it should bring out a wrecking ball for its finale. After three full playthroughs of its campaign (each revealing different endings and routes to its finish line) the title decides that enough is enough – and instead of simply breaking the fourth-wall,...
Review Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (PS4)
Divided we fall
Republished on Wednesday 27th December 2017: We're bringing this review back from the archives following the announcement of January's PlayStation Plus lineup. The original text follows. Like 2011's Deus Ex: Human Revolution, new-gen sequel Deus Ex: Mankind Divided is a jack of all trades, but a master of none...
Review Life Is Strange: Before the Storm - Episode 3: Hell Is Empty (PS4)
Star crossed
Considering that Life Is Strange: Before the Storm's final instalment is all about the consequences lies can have on our lives, we'll be honest from the outset: Hell Is Empty is awkwardly paced. The third and final entry in Deck Nine’s prequel short story feels like it’s got a lot to say, resulting in an episode that tries...
News Deus Ex Developer Eidos Montreal Moving Towards Online Experiences
Marvel-ous
The developer behind the most recent Deus Ex games, Eidos Montreal, has today released a new vision statement outlining the studio’s direction moving forward. Going against the grain of its own recent history, studio head David Anfossi says that “online experiences” will be a key part of the company's future. Here’s what he had to...
Review Final Fantasy XV: Episode Ignis (PS4)
Knife to see you
Square Enix saved the best party member episode for last with Final Fantasy XV: Episode Ignis. The latest add-on is another two-or-so-hour romp mostly made up of combat, but it slots into the existing story of Final Fantasy XV a lot more naturally than its predecessors. What's more, Ignis probably has the most enjoyable...
Review Star Ocean: The Last Hope (PS4)
Another drop in the ocean
For a series that has seemingly always lived in the shadow of its publisher’s older siblings, we sure are getting a lot of Star Ocean at the moment; we’ve now had three series entries on PlayStation 4 within the last 18 months. Despite its obvious qualities, the PS2 classic re-release of Star Ocean: Till the End of Time...
News Final Fantasy XV Patch 1.20 Available on PS4, Lets You Switch Characters
It's a big one, though
As promised, Final Fantasy XV's December update is here, and the highlight is that it gives you the option of switching between all four party members in combat. On top of that, it adds some new tunes to the car radio from Final Fantasy XV: Comrades and the upcoming Episode Ignis. Speaking of which, the patch also...
Guide Dissidia Final Fantasy NT - All Characters and Summons
Confirmed playable roster
As a series, Final Fantasy is fit to burst with memorable characters -- and a lot of them happen to feature in Dissidia Final Fantasy NT. The PlayStation 4 brawler has a sizeable roster of many recognisable faces, but just who has made the cut? We've put together this handy little guide to let you know whether...
News Dissidia Final Fantasy NT's New Trailer Showcases Every Playable Character
All 28 of them
Dissidia Final Fantasy NT isn't too far away now, launching at the end of next month. As such, you can expect a barrage of marketing from Square Enix over the next few weeks, starting with this new roster trailer. The two-minute video manages to cram in footage of every single playable character, so if you need a refresher...
News Old School Square JRPG Romancing SaGa 2 Is Remastered on PS4, Vita Next Week
Love is in the air
Some sweet, sweet news for fans of old school Japanese role-playing games: Square Enix is bringing Romancing SaGA 2 to the PlayStation 4 next week as a fully enhanced remaster. The original game launched all the way back in 1993 for the SNES. Since then, it's been released on a bunch of Nintendo systems such as the Wii U and the...
News Square Enix Confirms New Tomb Raider, Lara Croft's Defining Adventure Begins in 2018
"Won't be long between reveal and when you can play"
There’s a new Tomb Raider game in development, and Square Enix doesn’t want you to know just yet, but it’s called Shadow of the Tomb Raider. How do we know? Because it leaked months ago: Eidos Montreal is making it while Crystal Dynamics keeps itself occupied with The Avengers. Sorry for the...
News JRPG Lost Sphear's Free Demo Is Out Now on PS4
Lost and found
Lost Sphear is due out on PlayStation 4 next month, but if you want a quick taste of Tokyo RPG Factory's upcoming turn based title before its release, then you'll want to head over to the PlayStation Store. Search around and you'll find the game's free demo, which weighs in at just 1GB. Lost Sphear comes from the same studio...
News Life Is Strange: Before the Storm Will Make Your Christmas Complete
Final episode out 20th December
Chloe Price and Rachel Amber’s story will come to a conclusion in Life Is Strange: Before the Storm’s third and final episode Hell Is Empty on 20th December. Here’s what publisher Square Enix has had to say about the instalment so far: “As her friendship with Rachel reaches new heights of emotion, Chloe...
News Dissidia Final Fantasy NT Has the Flashiest Opening Movie on PS4
Final fantastic
Outside of anime-based titles, fighters, and a handful of Japanese role-playing games, it feels like opening movies are becoming less and less common. Fortunately, Dissidia Final Fantasy NT is here to pick up the slack with what we think is probably the flashiest opening movie on the PlayStation 4. Just look at all those explosions...
News Ashly Burch, Hannah Telle to Reprise Life Is Strange Roles for Bonus Episode
Chloe and Max back together
With the voice acting strike over, Ashly Burch will reprise her role as Chloe Price in Life Is Strange: Before the Storm’s bonus episode, Farewell. Hannah Telle – who played Max Caulfield in the original series – will also return, marking a comeback of sorts. Rhianna DeVries adopted the role of Chloe for the main...
News It Never Ends, Final Fantasy XV Getting 'At Least' 3 More DLC Story Episodes in 2018
Noct again
We've been writing about Final Fantasy XV for what feels like an eternity, from the day it was announced -- then titled Final Fantasy Versus XIII -- all the way until now. The game's been out for a year at this point, but Square Enix simply refuses to move on. The publisher's peppered it with updates, downloadable content, and even...
News Final Fantasy XV's December Update Will Let You Switch Between Party Members
Dibs on Ignis
Final Fantasy XV is now one year old, and although we may not be the biggest fans of what Square Enix has added to the game over the last 12 months, we have to give the publisher props for the continued support. The game's getting yet another update in December, and it's potentially the biggest game-changer of them all. Next month's...
News Final Fantasy XV: Comrades Update Promises Improved Loading Times
Let's hope it works
Square Enix will be updating Final Fantasy XV: Comrades on the 12th December, the publisher has announced. Patch 1.1.0 will apparently fix a handful of bugs and improve the expansion's load times. That latter part is potentially great news. We were quite critical of Comrades in our review, and that was mostly due to the co-op...
News 2018 Will Be a 'Big Year' for Final Fantasy, Says Square Enix Boss, Teasing New Games
More Noctis?
Shinji 'Please Be Excited' Hashimoto has stated that 2018 will prove to be "a big year for Final Fantasy". The Square Enix producer lets the tease loose in an interview with Edamame Arcade Channel, which you can watch in full above. So, what's happening with the beloved franchise next year? Well, we already know that Dissidia...
News Thank God, Star Ocean: The Last Hope Has a Japanese Voice Option on PS4
Phew
Good news for those of you who plan on picking up Star Ocean: The Last Hope on PlayStation 4: the game comes with optional Japanese audio. Why is that such a big deal, you may ask? Well, it's no secret that the English voices range from passable to downright abysmal. And when we say abysmal, we mean it -- it's truly terrible at times. If you...
Review Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV (PS4)
Carp diem
You know Square Enix spent too much money making Final Fantasy XV when it releases a standalone angling spin-off for PlayStation VR. The Japanese company’s peculiarly malleable role-playing game has cast its net wide, but Monster of the Deep may just be its most successful diversion yet – even if there are inconsistencies in the...
News You Can't Escape Noctis, Here He Is in New Dissidia Final Fantasy NT Gameplay
Noct again
Have you heard? Noctis is going to be in Tekken 7. Crazy! He's also just appeared in Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV. Mental! Oh, and in case you forgot, he's due to star in Dissidia Final Fantasy NT, too. There's just no escaping this stylish prince. Square Enix has released a new gameplay trailer for its upcoming brawler,...
News Deus Ex Certainly Isn't Dead According to Square Enix CEO
Eidos Montreal is just busy
Since the release of Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, there's been a lot of speculation over the future of the series. The 2016 sequel was well received by critics, but it struggled to resonate with a larger audience. Not too long after, developer Eidos Montreal was assigned to different projects, leading to rumours that...
News Star Ocean: The Last Hope Looks Like a Slick PS4 Remaster in This Launch Trailer
Starry eyed
Star Ocean: The Last Hope is launching digitally on PlayStation 4 tomorrow, so Square Enix has wheeled out the all-important launch trailer for its latest remaster. We reckon the game's looking pretty slick, running at 60 frames per second in full HD on Sony's current-gen system. On PS4 Pro, it'll support 4K, too. The Last Hope...
Hardware Review PS4 Slime Controller - Taking the PS4's Strangest Pad for a Spin
Prime slime?
Ladies and gentlemen, we present you the most bizarre PlayStation peripheral we've ever laid our sweaty hands on: the HORI Dragon Quest Slime Controller. This Japan-exclusive PlayStation 4 controller takes the form of a slime -- a monster from Square Enix's Dragon Quest series. For those who don't know, the slime is essentially the...
Hands On Will Monster of the Deep's Final Fantasy Fishing Reel You In?
Hook, line, and stinker?
For a game that’s always looked like a bit of a gag, Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV is surprisingly fleshed out. Packing a story mode, alongside multiple FFXV-esque hunts, there’s a lot to do in this PlayStation VR powered angling adventure. And while the quality is admittedly a bit inconsistent, you may find that...
News That Final Fantasy XII News Square Was Teasing? The Sky Pirate's Den Returns in New PS4 Patch
Plus a free PS4 theme
Square Enix has revealed the news that "will make fans of Final Fantasy XII happy", and no, it's not a Switch version. In fact, it's a relatively small addition, but we're glad that it's making a return. Okay, so Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age will be receiving a new PlayStation 4 patch tomorrow -- that's the 22nd...
Review Final Fantasy XV: Comrades (PS4)
Inactive Time Battle
Unceremoniously tucked away under the downloadable content option on the game's main menu, Final Fantasy XV: Comrades is a full co-op-based expansion that takes place near the end of Final Fantasy XV's story. Without spoiling anything, it details the events of the world's darkest period, where humanity struggles to survive in a...
