Each Sq. Enix Sport in Improvement
In 2003 two of Japan’s most prolific online game publishers, Sq. and Enix, joined forces,
In 2003 two of Japan’s most prolific online game publishers, Sq. and Enix, joined forces, bringing traditional RPG sequence Remaining Fantasy and Dragon Quest below the identical roof. Practically 20 years later, these franchises stay two pillars of Sq. Enix — pillars on which it has constructed a various, ever-expanding portfolio of video games.
Between new releases and surprising bulletins, 2022 has already been a memorable yr for Sq.: Triangle Technique and Stranger of Paradise are two of the yr’s best-reviewed video games at IGN, whereas Kingdom Hearts 4 is arguably the yr’s most shocking recreation announcement (to this point).
With much more promising initiatives on the horizon, we’re exploring Sq.’s growth pipeline to present you an entire image of what’s to return within the months and years forward. This checklist solely contains formally introduced video games (no reported or rumored initiatives) in growth for consoles and/or PC (no cell video games included for now, nor are we together with expansions or updates to present video games). Click on by means of the gallery beneath or proceed scrolling for our full checklist of the 14 recognized video games in growth at Sq. Enix.
Extra on video games in growth:
Dwell a Dwell
Dwell a Dwell, the beforehand Japan-exclusive SNES RPG from 1994, is coming west for the primary time in July. The western launch has been overhauled graphically in Sq.’s signature HD-2D model, which provides 3D results to pixelated backgrounds and character sprites.
Dwell a Dwell tells seven separate tales that includes seven completely different protagonists and time durations, spanning prehistoric instances to the distant future, that may be performed in any order.
Entrance Mission Remakes
Nintendo and Sq. are additionally collaborating on remakes of Entrance Mission 1st and Entrance Mission 2, the primary two entries in Sq.’s tactical JRPG sequence. The primary remake is due out this summer time; the second has but to obtain a launch window.
Entrance Mission 1st is about in 2090, in a world the place armies make use of big robots referred to as Wanzers to do their combating. The remake encompasses a “fashionable mode with improved controls,” in addition to a “absolutely reorchestrated” model of the unique soundtrack.
Entrance Mission 2 takes place 12 years after the primary. The remake will mark the primary time the sequel has been launched outdoors of Japan. (Entrance Mission 1st was unique to Japan from its preliminary launch in 1995 till 2007 when it was ported to Nintendo DS.)
Forspoken
A promising new IP coming from Sq. later this yr, Forspoken is an open-world action-RPG with an isekai narrative idea: predominant character Frey is unexpectedly transported from modern-day New York Metropolis into Athia, a fantastical world of magic and legendary creatures.
All through Frey’s journey to return dwelling, she’ll be taught magical talents that help in each fight and traversal.
Forspoken’s all-star writing group contains Gary Whitta (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Amy Hennig (Uncharted), Todd Stashwick (Uncharted), and Allison Rymer (Shadowhunters). On the technical facet, the group is aiming to create the “highest high quality visuals ever” for an open-world recreation.
Forspoken was initially due out in Might, although it has since been delayed to October 11. It will likely be a PS5 console unique for not less than two years.
The DioField Chronicle
Revealed in the course of the newest PlayStation State of Play, The DioField Chronicle is an all-new tactical RPG. The brand new IP combines traditional real-time technique gameplay with fashionable 3D artwork and animations. The “epic story of battle and honor” options “fantasy, medieval, and modern-day influences,” based on Sq..
The sport consists by Ramin Djawadi and Brandon Campbell, greatest recognized for his or her work on Sport of Thrones. The duo’s earlier online game credit embrace Gears 5 and Amazon’s New World.
Star Ocean: The Divine Supply
Star Ocean: The Divine Supply is the most recent entry in Sq.’s 25-year-old action-RPG franchise — the primary since 2016’s Integrity and Faithlessness. The Divine Supply options two protagonists — area captain Raymond and crown princess Laeticia — with particular person but related narratives.
Sq. has but to disclose a lot concerning the action-RPG, although primarily based on its debut trailer, gamers can count on aerial traversal, fast-paced fight, and interplanetary exploration.
Valkyrie Elysium
One other upcoming action-RPG from Sq. is Valkyrie Elysium, a brand new entry within the writer’s long-running Valkyrie sequence. Regardless of thematic and gameplay ties to the sequence’ earlier video games, Elysium might be “a brand-new standalone journey,” based on Sq..
The story is about “within the distant previous, in a world the place Ragnarok – the Finish Occasions – looms giant upon the realms.” The playable character is described as an “emissary of redemption” tasked with “the salvation of a doomed world.”
Remaining Fantasy 16
Additionally in growth at Sq. is the following mainline Remaining Fantasy recreation, Remaining Fantasy 16. Introduced as a PS5 unique, the following Remaining Fantasy is shifting away from the sci-fi aesthetic of Remaining Fantasy 15 and Remaining Fantasy 7 Remake and towards one thing rooted deeper in fantasy.
Solely a month after the sport’s announcement, Sq. introduced “fundamental growth and state of affairs manufacturing” had already been accomplished. Lower than a yr later, in July 2021, Sq. mentioned the story and English voiceover work was almost full as nicely. Nevertheless, as a result of ongoing pandemic, Remaining Fantasy 16 growth was delayed by “nearly half a yr,” and Sq. has but to announce a launch window.
Set in Valisthea, a land of six realms “studded with colossal mountains of glittering crystal referred to as Mothercrystals,” Remaining Fantasy 16 stars a trio of protagonists: Clive, Joshua (Clive’s youthful brother), and Jill (an in depth childhood buddy of the brothers, raised alongside them as a ward).
Remaining Fantasy 14 director Naoki Yoshida, who serves as a producer on Remaining Fantasy 16, beforehand introduced Sq.’s intention to disclose extra info this spring.
Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake
The primary of three console/PC Dragon Quest video games introduced as a part of the sequence’ thirty fifth anniversary celebration is an HD-2D remake of Dragon Quest 3. It is the second HD-2D recreation Sq. has in growth following the Dwell a Dwell re-release. The model was beforehand popularized by Sq. with Octopath Traveler and extra lately Triangle Technique.
Whereas solely Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D is official, sequence creator Yuji Horii has additionally expressed curiosity in remaking the sequence’ first two video games in the identical vein, based on Nintendo Life.
Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Destiny
Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Destiny was formally introduced alongside DQ 3 HD-2D Remake in Might 2021. Whereas neither platforms nor a launch window have been revealed, Sq. introduced it’s focusing on a simultaneous worldwide launch for The Flames of Destiny.
Sequence creator Yuji Horii, who’s labored on each Dragon Quest recreation all through the franchise’s 35-year historical past, is as soon as once more concerned with Dragon Quest 12. Horii says The Flames of Destiny might be darker in tone than earlier Dragon Quest video games and have notable adjustments to its conventional battle system.
Dragon Quest 12 is being developed within the lately launched Unreal Engine 5.
Dragon Quest Treasures
Along with the HD-2D remake and the following core Dragon Quest recreation, Sq. Enix is creating a derivative referred to as Dragon Quest Treasures. Little is thought about Treasures past its premise: It’s a treasure-hunting RPG starring childhood variations of Dragon Quest 11’s Mia and Erik.
Remaining Fantasy 7 Remake Half 2
Improvement on Half 2 of Sq.’s multipart Remaining Fantasy 7 Remake is underway. Simply three months after the discharge of Half 1 in April 2020, Sq. confirmed it had entered full growth on the sequel. Improvement was affected by COVID-19, although producer Yoshinori Kitase mentioned he doesn’t count on it to have “a huge impact in the long run.”
Whereas Remake, in some methods, veered from the story of the unique, Kitase mentioned the story received’t be “drastically” completely different shifting ahead. Situation author Kazushige Nojima added, “For me, I create situations that comply with the final move of the unique story however with the idea that the way in which issues are offered or how occasions happen may be barely completely different.”
Whereas we will look to the unique FF7 for the place the story will possible go following the celebration’s departure from Midgar, one of many solely concrete narrative particulars we’ve for Half 2 is that the villain Sephiroth will play a significant function: “Within the unique recreation, Sephiroth didn’t make an look within the part of the story informed [in Final Fantasy 7 Remake], however we modified it to have him seem from the beginning, with a view to place him enjoying an essential function over the entire of the Remake challenge,” mentioned Kitase. “Sephiroth performs a significant half within the ongoing story of the following recreation.”
FF7 Remake got here to PS5 as Remaining Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade in mid-2021. The upgraded model was accompanied by new, Yuffie-focused DLC. Nevertheless, inventive director Tetsuya Nomura mentioned the group has no additional plans for DLC till the sequel is completed.
As for what number of components the remake will in the end encompass, Kitase mentioned, “We have now a tough concept on that, however it’s not been utterly determined but.”
Kingdom Hearts 4
Kingdom Hearts 4 was unexpectedly introduced throughout a twentieth anniversary occasion for the franchise in April. The reveal trailer reveals off a extra practical Sora — together with appearances from Donald, Goofy, and Strelitzia — on this planet of Quadratum, “a big, expansive metropolis is about in a stunning, practical world that’s not like something you’ve seen earlier than within the Kingdom Hearts.”
Kingdom Hearts 4 marks the start of a brand new storyline throughout the sequence referred to as The Misplaced Grasp Arc. As theorized by IGN’s resident Kingdom Hearts knowledgeable Jonathon Dornbush, the title of the brand new narrative arc is probably a reference to a personality named the Grasp of Masters, who seemingly seems within the trailer alongside one other hooded determine, although it might produce other meanings as nicely.
The most recent Sq. Enix-Disney collaboration may additionally, for the primary time, take gamers to a galaxy far, distant; Kingdom Hearts 4’s debut trailer could embrace a fast shot of an AT-ST foot, probably hinting on the sequence’ first-ever Star Wars part.
There’s presently no launch window for KH4, although Sq. famous the Unreal Engine 5 challenge remains to be in “early growth.” The sequence’ final entry, Kingdom Hearts 3, was launched in 2019. Its sole DLC, Re Thoughts, was subsequently launched in early 2020.
Up to date to mirror launched video games. Tomb Raider has additionally been eliminated, as it’s not a Sq. Enix franchise; the IP was bought to Embracer Group, together with a number of different Sq.-owned IPs and studios, for $300 million.