All articles tagged with #final fantasy
Square Enix says future Final Fantasy remakes will take unique, title-specific approaches, balancing modern market trends with fan expectations rather than repeating the heavy overhauls seen in the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy.
Square Enix kicked off its biggest-ever sale on Nintendo Switch 2 and the Nintendo eShop, slashing prices on a wide lineup of RPGs and classics—including Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined, Octopath Traveler 0, and Final Fantasy Tactics—across both platforms, with many titles hitting new lows. The sale runs through July 17, 2026.
Square Enix is running a large Final Fantasy sale on Steam through June 25, discounting nearly every mainline title and select spin-offs, with FF7 Remake Intergrade and FF7 Rebirth both available together for under $35; other discounted titles include Crisis Core Reunion, the FF XIII trilogy, and more, with many games reportedly Steam Deck-friendly.
Square Enix announced Final Fantasy Resonance, the first HD-2D FF game, which reimagines the Brave Exvius story (now shuttered) with new overworlds, a redesigned turn-based combat system, 3D-style cinematics in pixel art, and 33 original tracks. It’s not a simple port but a standalone reimagining that launches October 22 on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.
FFVII Rebirth’s Switch 2 launch was achieved through a painstaking optimization process rather than simple downscaling. Director Naoki Hamaguchi explains the team redesigned LODs, materials, lighting, and even level layouts to fit Switch 2’s stricter power and memory limits, building Switch 2–specific assets while preserving the game’s open-world feel. The project leverages the original PC-forward design and focuses on balancing GPU, CPU, and bandwidth to deliver a faithful experience without shortcuts.
At the FF XIV Fan Fest 2026, Square Enix localizer Koji Fox used AI-generated images and a Copilot-kun music video during a panel, sparking fan backlash even as he explained AI was used due to time constraints and to reflect the CEO’s push for AI tools. Critics argued the AI elements undercut the artists’ work, while Square Enix leadership has signaled an aggressive stance on AI. The event also announced Evercold, the next expansion due in January 2027.
Magic: The Gathering—FINAL FANTASY explores how designers translate Final Fantasy XIV into a playable Universes Beyond set, detailing flavor-driven card design for characters like Garuda, Astrologian, Emet-Selch, Venat, Hydaelyn, Zodiark, and The Wandering Minstrel through mechanics such as Sagas for summons, job-select Equipment, and Towns to support both Standard and Commander, while balancing narrative fidelity with gameplay simplicity.
Veteran designer Tetsuya Nomura says he’s still asked by developers to create a character like Sephiroth, decades after Final Fantasy VII. He finds the requests surprising but notes Sephiroth’s enduring popularity, especially as the Final Fantasy Remake project continues, and says the character’s appeal spans both longtime and new fans.
Ars Technica reports that Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy is being developed with PC as the lead platform, with 3D assets created at PC-quality first and then scaled to console hardware. The studio cites growing PC audiences and strong PC sales for recent entries, and says the third installment is progressing on schedule, though platform timing may still vary as releases on different platforms continue to follow distinct cadences.
Square Enix and KessCo revealed Final Fantasy: The Board Game, a streamlined tabletop adaptation of Final Fantasy I–III releasing in Q3 2026, marking the start of a new line of games with accessories like collectible RPG dice; the partnership hint suggests more Pixel Remaster-inspired titles could follow in the future, potentially expanding beyond the initial trio.
Toshiyuki Itahana, a renowned character artist for the Final Fantasy series, has left Square Enix to pursue a freelance career, expressing gratitude to fans and colleagues, amid ongoing changes in the franchise.
Square Enix teases upcoming celebrations and new content for Dragon Quest's 40th anniversary, NieR: Automata's ninth anniversary, and a new project for Final Fantasy, all expected around 2026, with additional updates and releases for various titles.
Square Enix is conducting a long-term online survey to gather fan feedback on the Final Fantasy series, asking about purchase habits, preferences, and future expectations, with a chance for written comments, and it coincides with the release of the Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade demo.
Magic: The Gathering x Final Fantasy booster boxes are on sale for their lowest price ever at $129.99, a 38% discount, making it an ideal time for fans to purchase. The set features every mainline Final Fantasy entry and includes 30 packs suitable for gameplay, with other booster options also available at discounted prices.
Square Enix is shifting away from PS5 exclusives, moving its major titles like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined to multiple platforms, reflecting a broader multiformat strategy that may impact sales and marketing support from Sony, with the company's recent financials showing a slight drop in net sales but increased profits from merchandise.