Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue
(Jan. 24 – PS4)
With the recent statement from Tetsuya Nomura – co-director of Kingdom Hearts III and director of Final Fantasy VII Remake -that both of the highly anticipated games he’s currently working on are still a while off being released, many fans of the two Square Enix franchises are left with an unknown wait ahead of them. Thankfully, those aren’t the only two games coming from the company and there are quite a few that are definitely worth your attention this year.
One of those games happens to be the bridge between Kingdom Hearts III and its predecessors, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue. Like the other bundles released previously on the PS3, it will include three titles (2 playable, one in the form of a film). Dream Drop Distance will finally make its way to consoles in a fully remastered form. There will also be a film based on Kingdom Hearts x titled Kingdom Hearts x Back Cover. What’s interesting is that this bundle will also include a brand-new game titled Kingdom Hearts 0.2: Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage (yes, it’s a very long title). Set immediately after the events of Dream Drop Distance, players will take control of Aqua. It will reveal King Mickey’s secrets about the heroine, as well as connect the dots before giving way to the upcoming sequel.
It’s definitely something that fans of the series should have on their radar in the coming weeks.
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
(Jan. 20 – 3DS)
Dragon Quest is a very different game from Kingdom Hearts III, but if you’re a fan of the original Final Fantasy VII, then you’re probably into old school JRPGs. That means that Dragon Quest VIII is potentially right up your alley.
Dragon Quest VIII is a JRPG that originally released on Sony’s PS2 way back in 2005. Don’t worry though, this isn’t just a direct port (although, that wouldn’t be such a bad thing). The 3DS version has updated visuals as well as a few other perks. Here’s some of what you can expect:
- Fully voiced adventure (including all of the side events).
- Jessica and Kukule are part of the adventure.
- New scenarios.
- No more random encounters. You can see and avoid enemies on the screen.
It’s going to be a fresher version of the classic and should be able to keep your attention for a long time.
NieR: Automata
(Mar. 7 – PS4, TBA – PC)
Although one PlatinumGames exclusive was canceled recently, that doesn’t mean fans of the studio are out of a game. NieR: Automata, which is being published by Square Enix, is set to hit PS4 and PC later this year. It’s due to bring a mix of the action that PlatinumGames has come to be known for, and solid action-RPG systems to deliver a crumbling world full of beauty and terrifying bosses.
From what we’ve tried of the demo, the game is looking pretty impressive. The combat is fast-paced with a healthy balance between swordplay and ranged weaponry. Bosses are large spectacles that have you relying on timing as well as movement to topple them. And the clever use of camera angles helps to add variety to the experience. At one point it will have the camera right behind you, only to switch to a side-scrolling experience for a few minutes, then to a top-down adventure. It helps to keep the gameplay fresh while keeping the action coming.
It’s a bit different from the likes of Kingdom Hearts III and Final Fantasy VII, but definitely something any RPG fan may want to try out.
Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 & 2.5 Final Remix
(Mar. 28 – PS4)
One way that fans like to wait on highly anticipated games is by playing previous games in the series. While none of Final Fantasy VII’s predecessors are getting re-releases this year (nothing is stopping you from playing them, though), Kingdom Hearts III is in a different boat. With 2017 marking the 15 year anniversary of the first game’s release, Square Enix has decided to bring most of the games to the PS4 in the form of bundles.
We’ve already talked about 2.8 which is due out later in January, but the PS3 remasters (1.5 & 2.5 Final Remix) are both making their way to the console as well. That brings a total of six playable Kingdom Hearts games to the PS4 this year alongside three which are being shared in movie format. That’s a lot of Keyblade action and countless hours of gameplay which should tide most fans over.
Dragon Quest Heroes II
(Apr. 25 – PS4)
Dynasty Warriors has a formula that seems to work with just about anything, so it’s no surprise when you see other companies use their secret sauce on their own franchises. Dragon Quest Heroes brought a new, exciting way to experience Square Enix’s classic franchise and that game is getting a sequel on the PS4 later this year. Unfortunately for Vita owners in North America, the handheld version is exclusive to Japan, as is the PS3 version.
However, if you do have a PS4 and are looking for a game to hold your attention, this is definitely going to be a good option. You’ll explore open battlefields, slay countless Slimes, collect weapons, and even join some friends in action. It’s very different from Kingdom Hearts III and Final Fantasy VII Remake, but that’s a good thing. It’s easier to wait for those when you’re not being reminded of mechanics and visuals that keep bringing the pain of their far releases to the front of your mind.
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
(TBA 2017 – PS4)
Square Enix has another big game slated for a 2017 release, but it doesn’t have a locked in date. Still, it’s a safe bet that this one won’t slip past Kingdom Hearts III or Final Fantasy VII Remake. It’s not a brand new title, though, as we’ve just recently received Final Fantasy XV a little over a month ago (you can check out our review here). But, it’s a version of Final Fantasy XII that was previously exclusive to Japan, so it’s an exciting new experience for fans over here in the west.
This upcoming release will include the International Zodiac Job System which released in Japan back in 2007. It changes the amount of License Boards from one to 12, while also adding new features such as the ability to control guest characters and summons, doubling the game’s running speed, as well as New Game plus and minus modes. It offers more depth and accessibility to those looking to jump into this unique entry in the series.
It’s a long game and is known for having some of the toughest bosses, so if this can’t serve as a distraction from Square Enix’s far away games, we don’t know what will.
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