Overview
- Website
- square-enix.com
- Average Review Score
- 7.25/10
- Average Game Rating
- 7.91/10
Review SaGa Emerald Beyond (Switch) - Diverse But Dull RPG Boosted By Excellent Combat
Junction system
The SaGa titles are part of a series that started life as Final Fantasy Legend, named to capitalise on Square’s blossoming juggernaut. Despite being separate creative endeavours, the two franchises have grown up together. While never achieving the superstar status of its sibling, SaGa has carved its own niche over the years. The...
Gotta scout 'em all
While Pokémon has long been the undisputed king of the monster-catching RPG niche, there have always been other releases that have offered up their own distinct take on that unique brand of recruitment gameplay. Megami Tensei, for example, pioneered the concept with ‘Demon Negotiation’ in 1987 and Dragon Quest took a crack...
Review Star Ocean: The Second Story R (Switch) - One Of The Very Best RPGs Of The Year
Come sail on a different sea of stars
The Star Ocean series has always occupied a weird spot in Square’s massive catalogue. This sci-fi-focused JRPG series started off relatively strong, but the last few entries have been middling at best and just plain not good at worst. Nonetheless, those earlier games were really something at the time, and...
The jump hasn't been smooth
The Dragon Quest series is no stranger to spin-off titles, but few are as confusing as Infinity Strash: Dragon Quest The Adventure of Dai. This action RPG is based on an anime adaptation of a manga based on the world of Dragon Quest, but it is never clear who the game is designed to appeal to. The few things it does well...
Six not-so-final Final Fantasies
Few series are as beloved as Final Fantasy, and given how many re-releases, remakes, and remasters we’ve gotten over the years, Square Enix knows this. Often these remakes and re-releases have questionable quality and design choices that diehard fans lament. Enter the Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remaster, which...
More blessing than curse
If you’ve not heard of Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo, then don’t worry. Although this curious visual novel is receiving a worldwide release on the Switch eShop, its reveal was specifically earmarked for the Japanese Nintendo Direct back in February. So while we were undoubtedly smitten over Metroid Prime...
Review Octopath Traveler II - A Confident Follow-Up And One Of Switch's Finest RPGs
Eight roads diverged in a wood, and I... well, I took them all!
A year after the Switch released, Team Asano—who made its name on the Bravely Default games on 3DS—released Octopath Traveler for the Switch. The fascinating HD-2D art style immediately grabbed people’s attention, while the clever implementation of classic JRPG gameplay quickly...
Review Theatrhythm Final Bar Line (Switch) - A Magical Musical Romp Through Final Fantasy History
Feel the Theatrhyhm
If there’s one thing pretty much everyone can agree on, it’s that the Final Fantasy series has some incredible music. With a 35-year legacy and around 100 games bearing the Final Fantasy moniker, it’s not surprising that the music from the series is some of the most recognisable in video game history. Theatrhythm, then, is...
Mini Review PowerWash Simulator - Scrubs Up Well On Switch
Hashtag satisfying
In 1998, The Simpsons made a throwaway gag about Bart refusing to perform yard work at home for his mother, then demanding she let him join the queue for the yard work simulator at a local fairground. It’s funny because who would develop a virtual experience of a chore? Moreover, who would want to actually play it? So anyway,...
ACTIVATING COMBAT MODE
In the mid-2000s, Nintendo may have easily dominated the handheld gaming space with the DS and its incredible lineup, but never let it be said that the PSP didn’t have its fair share of absolute bangers. One of the most memorable PSP titles was Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core, a prequel to one of the greatest games Square’s...
News PowerWash Simulator's New Paid DLC Will Let You Scrub Shrek's Swamp Next Month
Do the roar
After being revealed in last month's Indie World showcase, FuturLab and Square Enix have today announced that PowerWash Simulator's paid Shrek DLC will be making a mess on Switch on 10th October. Adding to a long list of impressive PowerWash collaborations with the likes of
News Romancing SaGa 2 3D Remake Scores A Switch eShop Demo
Progress carries over to the full game
Square Enix's Switch release Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven (a 3D remake of the original 1993 role-playing game) has today received a brand new eShop demo. It's available now and will allow you to transfer your save data over to the full game when it arrives on 24th October 2024. Here's a bit about...
News 'The Art Of Bravely Default II: 201X-2021' Is Getting An English Release In 2025
Courtesy of Dark Horse
Square Enix's Bravely Default series is absolutely stunning to look at, so you might be pleased to hear the art book based on the Switch release is now on its way to the West. 'The Art of Bravely Default II 201X-2021' was originally released in Japan and now Dark Horse Books has announced it will be localising it. It will...
News Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Has Officially Gone Gold, Out This November
That's a wrap!
After originally being revealed in 2021, Square Enix's highly anticipated release Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake has finally gone gold ahead of its release later this year. To mark this occasion, the official Dragon Quest account on social media put out a special photo, featuring the father of the se
News Final Fantasy Creator Considers Square Enix & Nintendo His "Hometown"
"I am truly happy just to be able to send my child out into the world once again"
Hironobu Sakaguchi needs no introduction. As the father of the Final Fantasy franchise, he's the mind behind one of the most successful and popular JRPG series of all time. With FANTASIAN Neo Dimension reuniting Sakaguchi-san with Square Enix, he's spoken about how...
News Fantasian Neo Dimension Will Let You Listen To Final Fantasy Music In Combat
Let the battles begin!
Previously exclusive to Apple Arcade, Fantasian Neo Dimension is coming to Switch (and other consoles) later in 2024 as an expanded version of Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi's RPG. And while we're still waiting for a specific release date, hands-on previews for the game have dropped and given us some new information...
News Square Enix Reveals New Character Art For Every Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Job Class
Including the new Monster Wrangler class
With the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake release date (14th November) fast approaching, Square Enix is doing everything it can to keep our hype levels sky-high. And it's working. Today, the publisher has revealed full character art for all nine vocations you can recruit into your party (plus the Hero class,...
News Final Fantasy XIV Online Director Reiterates Interest In A Nintendo Release
"We are having discussions"
Final Fantasy XIV Online director and producer Naoki Yoshida (also known as Yoshi-P) has recently reiterated interest in bringing Square Enix's massive multiplayer RPG to a Nintendo system in the future. Speaking to Gamereactor at Gamescom 2024 recently, he acknowledged fan requests and mentioned how the team was working...
News Fantasian Neo Dimension Rated By The ESRB
Square Enix is publishing this enhanced version
During Nintendo's June Direct, Square Enix announced an enhanced version of Mistwalker's turn-based Apple Arcade RPG Fantasian on multiple platforms including the Switch. FANTASIAN Neo Dimension (from the creator of the Final Fantasy series Hironobu Sakaguchi) has now been rated by the ESRB, and it's...
News Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Physical Edition Getting Wide Retail Release
Not just a fantasy
Square Enix is releasing a second run of physical copies for the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series, and it'll be available on both the Square Enix store and in select retailers from 8th October 2024. Called the FINAL FANTASY Pixel Remaster Anniversary Edition, this new retail version comes with a sticker sheet and is available...
News Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake New Story Segments Will Focus On Your Father
Plus we get a new look at the world
Square Enix has revealed more details on Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, which include the new story sections that are being introduced in the remake and an overview of the world. Shared on Famitsu (via Gematsu), Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake will feature "several new scenes" that will focus on Ortega, who is the...
News Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Switch Series On Sale For A "Limited Time"
Don't miss the summer sale
In case you missed it, Square Enix has reminded fans that its Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series, featuring six iconic adventures, is currently discounted for a "limited time" on the Switch. This special summer sale brings each game and the entire bundle down to the following prices, or your regional equivalent: -...
News Dragon Quest Creator On The Challenge Of Silent Protagonists In Modern Gaming
"If you make a protagonist who just stands there, they will look like an idiot"
The silent protagonist is a hotly debated topic among RPG enthusiasts. Usually acting as a stand-in for the player, this character is usually the lead, although they have no (or very little) dialogue, and can only interact with characters through basic dialogue options...
News PowerWash Simulator Celebrates Second Anniversary With New Free Content Update
Featuring two brand new maps
PowerWash Simulator is having a blast in celebration of its second anniversary as developer FuturLab has released a fresh free content update containing two new mucky maps. Titled 'Muckingham Files 3', this update includes an all-new aquarium environment and a submarine, both of which were voted for by the PowerWash...
News New Octopath Traveler Art Celebrates Game's 6th Anniversary On Switch
Time flies
Believe it or not, the magnificent RPG Octopath Traveler recently celebrated its 6th anniversary, having originally launched on the Nintendo Switch on 13th July 2018. To celebrate, the development team has released a new piece of artwork from designer Yoshio Watanabe on social media. Translated, the post reads: "Octopath Traveler...
Video What Order Should You Play Kingdom Hearts?
Here are two suggestions from Square Enix
Square Enix surprised Switch owners in more ways than one when it dropped cloud versions of the Kingdom Hearts series on the hybrid system a few years back. If you still haven't played these games, and are wondering where exactly to start, Square Enix is now offering two suggestions following the recent...
News Square Enix And Nintendo Co-Dev Reports Losses After Multiple Projects Cancelled
Tose has worked on series like Final Fantasy and Paper Mario
2024 has been a challenging year for the video game industry and it seems Japanese developer Tose (a team that's worked on countless Nintendo projects since the Famicom era and also helped out Square Enix over the years) has experienced some financial losses due to multiple projects being...
News Final Fantasy Creator Isn't Interested In Revisiting The Franchise
"I almost live in Final Fantasy XIV"
Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi has confirmed in a recent interview with Bloomberg (thanks, VGC) that he is not interested in revisiting the franchise. Granted, given that he left Square Enix in 2003 to establish Mistwalker, this shouldn't necessarily come as much of a shock, but what
News Here's Your First Look At The Gex Trilogy For Nintendo Switch
"Go to LRG for some GEX, baby"
Back in July last year, the Gex Trilogy was officially announced for the Nintendo Switch, confirming three of his retro games Gex (1995), Gex: Enter the Gecko (1998) and Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko (1999) would be returning. In case you missed this init
News Acclaimed PS1 Hit 'Fear Effect' Is Coming To Switch In 2025
"Of all the sensations, pain is the purest"
Once thought lost to time, Kronos Digital Entertainment's PlayStation cult hit Fear Effect is at last getting a rerelease in 2025, and it's coming to Switch. Limited Run Games announced that the 2000 action-adventure, which is known for its striking cel-shaded visuals and motion video, as part of its LRG3...
News Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Seems To Be Teasing A New Job Class
The trailer and Collector's Edition give some hints
How are all of the RPG fans doing after that Nintendo Direct, hey? One of the highlights of the show was Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, which made its long-awaited return after years of silence. We got music, a new trailer, and a release date of 14th November. We also know some new features are...
News Romancing SaGa 2 Is Getting A Full-Blown 3D Remake, And It Looks Gorgeous
The Seven take revenge this October
You'd be forgiven for thinking that today's Nintendo Direct was a co-production between Nintendo and Square Enix, what with the plethora of reveals from both companies. And Square Enix's final announcement from today's Direct was a surprise — a full remake of SNES RPG Romancing SaGa 2, which comes to Switch on...
Hands On Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Is Much More Than A Pretty Picture
The host with the Baramost
Square Enix recently invited us to check out the upcoming Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake — both at its London HQ and at Summer Game Fest — to see how it plays. Below, both Jim and Alana have some detailed thoughts on their time with the game. First up, Jim paints us a picture... Square Enix's Dragon Quest III HD-2D...
News Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Finally Gets Release Date, I & II Remakes Confirmed
The wait is almost over
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake was teased a few weeks ago by Square Enix, but during today's Nintendo Direct, we got oh, so much more news than just the one game. First up, Dragon Quest III HD-2D will be launching on Switch on 14th November 2024. This one was initially revealed in the Dragon Quest 35th anniversary...
News Surprise! Mistwalker's Fantasian Is Coming To Switch
Update: With a new name
Update [Tue 18th Jun, 2024 15:20 BST]: Well, would you look at that? Fantasian is indeed coming to Switch later this year. Revealed during the Nintendo Direct, Fantasian Neo Dimension brings Hironobu Sakaguchi's turn-based RPG from Apple Arcade to consoles. Square Enix, where the Final Fantasy creator originally worked, is...
News PowerWash Simulator's New Paid DLC Will Let You Scrub Shrek's Swamp Next Month
Do the roar
After being revealed in last month's Indie World showcase, FuturLab and Square Enix have today announced that PowerWash Simulator's paid Shrek DLC will be making a mess on Switch on 10th October. Adding to a long list of impressive PowerWash collaborations with the likes of
News Romancing SaGa 2 3D Remake Scores A Switch eShop Demo
Progress carries over to the full game
Square Enix's Switch release Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven (a 3D remake of the original 1993 role-playing game) has today received a brand new eShop demo. It's available now and will allow you to transfer your save data over to the full game when it arrives on 24th October 2024. Here's a bit about...
News 'The Art Of Bravely Default II: 201X-2021' Is Getting An English Release In 2025
Courtesy of Dark Horse
Square Enix's Bravely Default series is absolutely stunning to look at, so you might be pleased to hear the art book based on the Switch release is now on its way to the West. 'The Art of Bravely Default II 201X-2021' was originally released in Japan and now Dark Horse Books has announced it will be localising it. It will...
News Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Has Officially Gone Gold, Out This November
That's a wrap!
After originally being revealed in 2021, Square Enix's highly anticipated release Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake has finally gone gold ahead of its release later this year. To mark this occasion, the official Dragon Quest account on social media put out a special photo, featuring the father of the se
News Final Fantasy Creator Considers Square Enix & Nintendo His "Hometown"
"I am truly happy just to be able to send my child out into the world once again"
Hironobu Sakaguchi needs no introduction. As the father of the Final Fantasy franchise, he's the mind behind one of the most successful and popular JRPG series of all time. With FANTASIAN Neo Dimension reuniting Sakaguchi-san with Square Enix, he's spoken about how...
News Fantasian Neo Dimension Will Let You Listen To Final Fantasy Music In Combat
Let the battles begin!
Previously exclusive to Apple Arcade, Fantasian Neo Dimension is coming to Switch (and other consoles) later in 2024 as an expanded version of Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi's RPG. And while we're still waiting for a specific release date, hands-on previews for the game have dropped and given us some new information...
News Square Enix Reveals New Character Art For Every Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Job Class
Including the new Monster Wrangler class
With the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake release date (14th November) fast approaching, Square Enix is doing everything it can to keep our hype levels sky-high. And it's working. Today, the publisher has revealed full character art for all nine vocations you can recruit into your party (plus the Hero class,...
News Final Fantasy XIV Online Director Reiterates Interest In A Nintendo Release
"We are having discussions"
Final Fantasy XIV Online director and producer Naoki Yoshida (also known as Yoshi-P) has recently reiterated interest in bringing Square Enix's massive multiplayer RPG to a Nintendo system in the future. Speaking to Gamereactor at Gamescom 2024 recently, he acknowledged fan requests and mentioned how the team was working...
News Fantasian Neo Dimension Rated By The ESRB
Square Enix is publishing this enhanced version
During Nintendo's June Direct, Square Enix announced an enhanced version of Mistwalker's turn-based Apple Arcade RPG Fantasian on multiple platforms including the Switch. FANTASIAN Neo Dimension (from the creator of the Final Fantasy series Hironobu Sakaguchi) has now been rated by the ESRB, and it's...
News Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Physical Edition Getting Wide Retail Release
Not just a fantasy
Square Enix is releasing a second run of physical copies for the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series, and it'll be available on both the Square Enix store and in select retailers from 8th October 2024. Called the FINAL FANTASY Pixel Remaster Anniversary Edition, this new retail version comes with a sticker sheet and is available...
News Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake New Story Segments Will Focus On Your Father
Plus we get a new look at the world
Square Enix has revealed more details on Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, which include the new story sections that are being introduced in the remake and an overview of the world. Shared on Famitsu (via Gematsu), Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake will feature "several new scenes" that will focus on Ortega, who is the...
News Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Switch Series On Sale For A "Limited Time"
Don't miss the summer sale
In case you missed it, Square Enix has reminded fans that its Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series, featuring six iconic adventures, is currently discounted for a "limited time" on the Switch. This special summer sale brings each game and the entire bundle down to the following prices, or your regional equivalent: -...
News Dragon Quest Creator On The Challenge Of Silent Protagonists In Modern Gaming
"If you make a protagonist who just stands there, they will look like an idiot"
The silent protagonist is a hotly debated topic among RPG enthusiasts. Usually acting as a stand-in for the player, this character is usually the lead, although they have no (or very little) dialogue, and can only interact with characters through basic dialogue options...
News PowerWash Simulator Celebrates Second Anniversary With New Free Content Update
Featuring two brand new maps
PowerWash Simulator is having a blast in celebration of its second anniversary as developer FuturLab has released a fresh free content update containing two new mucky maps. Titled 'Muckingham Files 3', this update includes an all-new aquarium environment and a submarine, both of which were voted for by the PowerWash...
News New Octopath Traveler Art Celebrates Game's 6th Anniversary On Switch
Time flies
Believe it or not, the magnificent RPG Octopath Traveler recently celebrated its 6th anniversary, having originally launched on the Nintendo Switch on 13th July 2018. To celebrate, the development team has released a new piece of artwork from designer Yoshio Watanabe on social media. Translated, the post reads: "Octopath Traveler...
Video What Order Should You Play Kingdom Hearts?
Here are two suggestions from Square Enix
Square Enix surprised Switch owners in more ways than one when it dropped cloud versions of the Kingdom Hearts series on the hybrid system a few years back. If you still haven't played these games, and are wondering where exactly to start, Square Enix is now offering two suggestions following the recent...
News Square Enix And Nintendo Co-Dev Reports Losses After Multiple Projects Cancelled
Tose has worked on series like Final Fantasy and Paper Mario
2024 has been a challenging year for the video game industry and it seems Japanese developer Tose (a team that's worked on countless Nintendo projects since the Famicom era and also helped out Square Enix over the years) has experienced some financial losses due to multiple projects being...
News Final Fantasy Creator Isn't Interested In Revisiting The Franchise
"I almost live in Final Fantasy XIV"
Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi has confirmed in a recent interview with Bloomberg (thanks, VGC) that he is not interested in revisiting the franchise. Granted, given that he left Square Enix in 2003 to establish Mistwalker, this shouldn't necessarily come as much of a shock, but what
News Here's Your First Look At The Gex Trilogy For Nintendo Switch
"Go to LRG for some GEX, baby"
Back in July last year, the Gex Trilogy was officially announced for the Nintendo Switch, confirming three of his retro games Gex (1995), Gex: Enter the Gecko (1998) and Gex 3: Deep Cover Gecko (1999) would be returning. In case you missed this init
News Acclaimed PS1 Hit 'Fear Effect' Is Coming To Switch In 2025
"Of all the sensations, pain is the purest"
Once thought lost to time, Kronos Digital Entertainment's PlayStation cult hit Fear Effect is at last getting a rerelease in 2025, and it's coming to Switch. Limited Run Games announced that the 2000 action-adventure, which is known for its striking cel-shaded visuals and motion video, as part of its LRG3...
News Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Seems To Be Teasing A New Job Class
The trailer and Collector's Edition give some hints
How are all of the RPG fans doing after that Nintendo Direct, hey? One of the highlights of the show was Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake, which made its long-awaited return after years of silence. We got music, a new trailer, and a release date of 14th November. We also know some new features are...
News Romancing SaGa 2 Is Getting A Full-Blown 3D Remake, And It Looks Gorgeous
The Seven take revenge this October
You'd be forgiven for thinking that today's Nintendo Direct was a co-production between Nintendo and Square Enix, what with the plethora of reveals from both companies. And Square Enix's final announcement from today's Direct was a surprise — a full remake of SNES RPG Romancing SaGa 2, which comes to Switch on...
Hands On Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Is Much More Than A Pretty Picture
The host with the Baramost
Square Enix recently invited us to check out the upcoming Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake — both at its London HQ and at Summer Game Fest — to see how it plays. Below, both Jim and Alana have some detailed thoughts on their time with the game. First up, Jim paints us a picture... Square Enix's Dragon Quest III HD-2D...
News Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Finally Gets Release Date, I & II Remakes Confirmed
The wait is almost over
Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake was teased a few weeks ago by Square Enix, but during today's Nintendo Direct, we got oh, so much more news than just the one game. First up, Dragon Quest III HD-2D will be launching on Switch on 14th November 2024. This one was initially revealed in the Dragon Quest 35th anniversary...
News Surprise! Mistwalker's Fantasian Is Coming To Switch
Update: With a new name
Update [Tue 18th Jun, 2024 15:20 BST]: Well, would you look at that? Fantasian is indeed coming to Switch later this year. Revealed during the Nintendo Direct, Fantasian Neo Dimension brings Hironobu Sakaguchi's turn-based RPG from Apple Arcade to consoles. Square Enix, where the Final Fantasy creator originally worked, is...