Today is a good day for Square Enix fans.
The Shinjuku City-based game developer recently revealed a handful of new video games during Sony's State of Play event held online on March 9.
According to Square Enix's announcement, almost all of the games they announced will be released later this year, except for one game that still has no definite launch date.
Here is a quick look at what Square Enix has to offer the gaming community later this year:
The DioField Chronicle
The love child of Square Enix and Lancarse Ltd., "The DioField Chronicle" is the first game in its franchise. Being a strategy-role-playing game, "The DioField Chronicle" lets players issue orders, use various skills, classes, equipment, and fight enemies in a "diorama"-style combat scene in real-time, per Square Enix's release on the game.
The game tells the tale of a band of elite mercenaries called "Blue Fox" at a time when the Jade-filled island kingdom of Alletain comes under attack by outside forces wishing to control Alletain's Jade resources.
Square Enix set the game on the island of DioField, Alletain's home island, in a world blending fantasy with medieval and modern-day influences.
Throughout the game, players' decisions and actions will ultimately determine if the name "Blue Fox" will inspire hope or tragedy.
"The DioField Chronicle" will be made available for current and last-gen consoles, the Nintendo Switch, and Steam later this year.
Square Enix did not disclose the game's pricing.
Forspoken
"Forspoken" is a video game designed to harness the full power of the PlayStation 5 and demonstrate the philosophy of Square Enix's newly established studio, Luminous Productions, of providing a gaming experience by combining the latest technology with creativity, per Square Enix.
Previously revealed on March 18, 2021, the game tells the story of Frey Holland in her quest to save Athia and its people from a corrupting miasma using her magical abilities, per Square Enix's latest release.
Square Enix featured a new gameplay trailer featuring Frey's powers, such as "Storm Dart," an ability that enables players to emit electrical energy during battle. Frey can also use another ability, "Eagre," to command barriers of water.
During the event, Square Enix also featured a brand-new key art of "Forspoken" that shows Frey's journey mastering her magical abilities. This key art will be used on the reversible packaging for the game's physical edition - something that can be pre-ordered now from select stores in North America.
"Forspoken" will be available for retail for the PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, or Microsoft Store on October 11, 2022.
Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin
Square Enix also announced a new demo for their upcoming "Final Fantasy" game, "Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origins." This new demo, which will be available on March 9 for last-gen and current-gen consoles, will give players a chance to familiarize themselves with the game's new action-oriented combat, customizable system, and "familiar, yet mysterious" world, per Square Enix's announcement.
The game, which Square Enix previously revealed during E3 2021, per Eurogamer, is an action-focused spin-off made in collaboration with Team Ninja of "Nioh" and "Ninja Gaiden" fame.
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Tetsuya Nomura, the Creative Producer for the game, said that the game feels different despite being a "Final Fantasy" game, adding that the team behind the game "undertook the challenge of finding this difficult middle ground for this mature and stylish style," per a separate Square Enix release.
"Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin" will be available on last-gen and current-gen consoles and PC via the Epic Games Store on March 18, with early access for consoles beginning on March 15. PC players will have to wait until March 17 for their early access.
Square Enix did not share any information regarding other "Final Fantasy" games, such as "Final Fantasy XVI" or "Final Fantasy VII Remake 2," according to The Verge, with "Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin" seemingly being their only offering fromt the much beloved franchise this year.
Valkyrie Elysium
At the tail-end of the State of Play event, Sony presented a trailer about one more new game from Square Enix - Valkyrie Elysium, an action RPG and the latest entry in Square Enix's VALKYRIE series.
Although Square Enix's announcement about the game provides scant information about the game, it does tell us that the game is slated for release later this year for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam.
The game follows the journey of a young Valkyrie who is entrusted with the fate of the world by her creator, the All-Father, Odin. During her quest, she will face various enemies and must use a variety of weapons, magic, and her allies' power to prevent Ragnarok.
According to Square Enix's announcement, the game will have a "fresh, new direction" with classic combat mechanics, such as finishing moves and combo systems, and music from Motoi Sakuraba.
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