SEP Spring2021 AnnounceHeader 16x9 492yxndvj

Well, well, well. It seems like Nintendo's Directs are truly trendsetting - and although Ninty certainly isn't the first to invent "company makes video of upcoming releases", it really seems like they made it popular, because now Square Enix is getting in on it, too.

Square Enix Presents is a 40-minute "digital-direct" lineup of new and already-announced games from the company behind Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, and Tomb Raider, beginning on the 18th of March at 10pm PDT/5pm GMT.

Their announcement, which gives us music festival vibes, promises news on Outriders, Marvel's Avengers, Tomb Raider's 25th anniversary, Balan Wonderworld, and something new from Square Enix Montreal, who were last seen working on Deus Ex Go, part of the mostly-on-mobile series that also spawned Hitman Go and Lara Croft Go. The biggest news, though, is a World Premiere of "all new" Life is Strange.

Now, the fact that most of the links above take you to Push Square or Pure Xbox should let you in on a little secret: Square Enix is not exactly known for bringing things to Nintendo consoles. Even though they worked with the House of Mario way back when on Super Mario RPG, and their Dragon Quest and Kingdom Hearts series have much-beloved releases on Nintendo consoles, Square has most traditionally been tied to Sony. It would be wise not to invest too much hope in the Square Enix Presents line-up if you've got your fingers crossed for Switch news.

Life is Strange
Image: Square Enix/DONTNOD

Nevertheless, we hype. Life is Strange has long been a strange omission from the Switch catalogue, where it would fit right in alongside Night in the Woods and Oxenfree in the "narrative game about youths living through dramatic, occasionally supernatural events" category. Surely it's time?

But there is one game we can hype about responsibly: Balan Wonderworld, the game from Sonic the Hedgehog developers Yuji Naka and Naoto Ohshima, which has already been confirmed for Switch, and even has a free demo. Sadly, Alex and Jon didn't really love it... or like it... or, erm, have much to say about it in a positive way, but perhaps Square Enix Presents will change that. Perhaps.

Go on, then: give us your hypest hope for the Squenix showcase. Final Fantasy VII Remake on Switch? Dragon Quest XII? A new Theatrhythm game? If we're going to be disappointed anyway, might as well go all the way!

[source square-enix-games.com]