Here’s the news we know you’ve been waiting for: The FINAL FANTASY Pixel Remaster series is out on PS4 and Nintendo Switch now!

Not only that, but the console release has features that take these already incredible games to new heights. Read on and we’ll tell you all about them.

• Get the FINAL FANTASY Pixel Remaster series

What is the FINAL FANTASY Pixel Remaster Series?

The first six FINAL FANTASY games have been updated with beautiful new 2D pixel graphics designed to look great on HD displays, rearranged soundtracks overseen by original composer Nobuo Uematsu and improved gameplay features, including modernised user interface, auto-battle options and more.

Originally released on PC and mobile in 2022, the games are now available on PS4 and Nintendo Switch digitally, either separately or as a collection comprising FINAL FANTASY I - VI.

What can you expect from the console version?

The PS4 and Switch versions of these games have some awesome features that make them even more enjoyable to play than before.

These include the option to:

• Change soundtracks: The Pixel Remaster series features utterly superb new orchestral arrangements of FINAL FANTASY I - VI’s soundtracks. However, we know some of you may want to recreate the original experience of playing these games, so you’ll be able to switch between the original and rearranged soundtracks.

• Change fonts: The console release of FINAL FANTASY I - VI gives you the option to switch between two different fonts: the default font and a new pixel-based font that recreates the feel of the original games.

• Turn off random encounters: Sometimes you just want to explore in peace, so a feature in the Pixel Remaster games lets you turn off random encounters completely. This means you can roam the world without being harassed by monsters. That also means you won’t get stronger, so be careful how you use it…

• Adjust experience: Speaking of getting stronger, want to speed things up a little? Boost features let you adjust the experience gained by up to four times. Perfect if you want an easier run through the games.

All these features are, of course, optional, but they mean that players of all types - from those who played the originals to those who have never played a classic FINAL FANTASY game before - can have a great time with these six awesome adventures.

What games are part of FINAL FANTASY Pixel Remaster series?

For those who haven’t experienced these incredible games on PC and mobile, the FINAL FANTASY Pixel Remaster series comprises FINAL FANTASY I through FINAL FANTASY VI, giving fans a chance to relive some of the most beloved RPGs of all time in a way that perfectly captures the spirit of those original games.

But if anything, we’re even more excited for new fans who’ll get to experience them for the very first time. These games are true masterpieces, and the FINAL FANTASY Pixel Remaster series offers the best way to play them yet!

Let’s take a closer look at the games in the series.

FINAL FANTASY

This is the ironically named game that started it all. You take control of the Warriors of Light, off on a journey to defeat four fiends and restore peace to the world.

So many of the elements of the series that we’ve come to know and love make their debut right here in this very first entry: a massive world full of mystery, some iconic monster designs and that incredible music.

FINAL FANTASY II

The second game in the series introduces a new world, new characters and something that would become a trademark of the series: innovation.

The story focuses on the conflict between the hostile Empire of Palamecia and the rebel resistance. A small group of heroes is all that stands between the world and ruin.

FINAL FANTASY II demonstrates the developers’ willingness to push their boundaries and try new things. For example, rather than sticking to the predictable, the game features a proficiency system in which characters skill with weapons and abilities increase the more they used them.

Fun fact: this is the FINAL FANTASY game that introduced the world to chocobos! Now that’s a legacy.

FINAL FANTASY III

When darkness falls and the land is robbed of light, four young heroes are chosen by the crystals to head off an exciting journey across a vast and hostile land.

This critically-acclaimed entry in the series innovated with a flexible job system, which lets characters change their roles in combat at any time. Many of the most famous elements of FINAL FANTASY started here too - for example, it was the first to introduce summons, including series mainstays Bahamut and Shiva!

FINAL FANTASY IV

FINAL FANTASY IV delivers one of the richest and most powerful stories in the series. It’s filled with characters and scenarios that fans continue to love to this day.

It focuses on the dark knight Cecil, who finds himself stripped of his position and rank when he questions his king’s increasingly troubling orders. When he’s sent on a simple delivery mission with his friend Kain, the shocking events that follow send him and a group of allies on an incredible journey of betrayal, love and redemption.

This is the first game to feature the Active Time Battle (ATB) system, which combines turn-based and real-time elements to create fast-paced and strategic combat.

FINAL FANTASY V

The world of FINAL FANTASY V is on the verge of destruction because the elemental crystals that bring life and prosperity to the lands have lost their power.

The only hope lies in four heroes: Bartz, Princess Lenna of Castle Tycoon, pirate Faris and the mysterious Galuf. Driven together by fate, they set off on a quest that to save the planet itself.

As well as refining the ATB system, FINAL FANTASY V expands your strategic options massively through a greatly expanded job system, which let you customize your characters with 22 different jobs.

FINAL FANTASY VI

FINAL FANTASY VI is a game that’s beloved by fans and critics alike.

That’s partly thanks to its incredible setting and story. It’s set in a land where magic has disappeared, and humanity has instead turned to iron, gunpowder, steam and other technology.

Actually, it would be more accurate to say that magic is mostly gone - a young woman enslaved by the evil Empire still has the power. When she encounters a powerful ancient being called an Esper, she sets off a chain of events that will have epic and terrible consequences.

How do you get the FINAL FANTASY Pixel Remaster Series?

All six games in the FINAL FANTASY pixel remaster series i available to buy digitally on PS4 and Nintendo Switch. Each title can be bought individually or as a complete series in the FINAL FANTASY I - VI BUNDLE.

Purchase the game on Switch before May 25, 2023 to receive two themed Wallpapers for each individual game. Buy the complete series in the FINAL FANTASY I-VI BUNDLE to get all 12 themed Wallpapers.

• Get the FINAL FANTASY I-VI BUNDLE on Switch

Buy the games digitally on PlayStation 4 before May 25, 2023 to get a Theme and Avatar for each title purchased. Players who purchase the complete series in the FINAL FANTASY I-VI BUNDLE will receive every Theme and Avatar included with the individual games - a total of six Themes and six Avatars.

• Get the FINAL FANTASY I-VI BUNDLE on PS4

The FINAL FANTASY Pixel Remaster series is already available on PC via Steam, as well as iOS and Android:

• Get the FINAL FANTASY pixel remaster Bundle!

We hope you’re looking forward to experiencing these six incredible games. For news and updates, be sure to follow us on social media:

• FINAL FANTASY on Twitter
• FINAL FANTASY on Facebook
• FINAL FANTASY on Instagram
• FINAL FANTASY on YouTube

The introduction of STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN doesn’t just represent a bold new approach to the series but something of a challenge, too. This action RPG is unlike anything in the FINAL FANTASY world before it, and those expecting to just stroll through the Chaos Shrine may find themselves surprised.

For those who can’t wait for 2022, the STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN TRIAL VERSION is available on PS5 until June 24, 2021 7:59 pm PT / 3:59pm BST, and we’ve got plenty of helpful tips to help you see it through to the end.

If you’ve yet to try it out, it’s available at the following link:

• STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN Demo

1. Make your defence as strong as your offence

A key skill all fighters should possess is knowing when to block and when to evade, and this holds true for Jack, too. Not every situation will warrant evasion, and it’s not an infinite action either, meaning that trying to roll out of the way could sometimes leave you open to a follow-up attack or surrounded.

The solution is to keep your guard up and be prepared to block. The virtue of the day is patience; and rather than brute-forcing your way through every encounter, there’s merit in choosing your moments and knowing when to absorb attacks.

It’s always better to take a small bit of damage now than take a lot through a failed dodge, or because you’ve missed your attack and left Jack wide open.

2. Distinctions of Defence

It’s not just about knowing when to block, but also how you choose to do so.

In STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN there are two distinct methods of defence, and knowing when it’s best to defend and when to employ your soul shield will make all the difference in combat.

Your standard block will help you absorb attacks, but the soul shield mechanic can be used to stun your opponent, damaging the opponent’s break gauge. If you quickly attack in this moment you can land a powerful counter-blow, and render your foes deceased.

If you work your soul shield ability into your repartee, you will strike back even harder, and learning when to employ this manoeuvre can help you turn the tide against the onslaught of foes in the Chaos Shrine. We’ll explain more in the next tip.

3. Absorb the onslaught with soul shield, then strike back harder

Although you’ll come across a menagerie of enemies throughout the Trial Version, not all of them fall the same. Some of them have special abilities, which when unleashed can make short work of Jack and his team. While some of these moves can be defended against, you can also turn your defence into offence with the soul shield, learn from your foes, and let them hand you the keys to their own destruction.

When you use soul shield on selected enemy attacks, these abilities can be temporarily absorbed, allowing you to strike back with a vengeance. For example, swiping moves from Goblins allows you to toss stones at a distance, distracting or beckoning foes towards you.

Likewise, Bombs can spew flames at you, but those who’ve been taught the adage of fighting fire with fire will know that throwing it back towards your explosive foe can be deadly, and allow you to control their detonation.

Just make sure you do that at a safe distance, lest you find yourself back at a rest point.

4. Learn the ropes of your new role

Throughout the trial, Jack will have access to the three distinct job roles - swordsman, mage, and lancer, allowing him to switch between spells, greatswords, and lances with ease. With enough levels put into each job, these roles can eventually be upgraded to warrior, black mage, and dragoon. These give you the opportunity to fight close up, at a distance, or with power at a premium above all else.

However, these jobs have more subtleties going on than you may have first realised. Black mages, for example, have six different spells in their repertoire when you start out, and not all of them necessarily need to be used on your enemies (we’ll come back to that later).

As you progress throughout the Chaos Shrine you may find that your regular spells could do with a little extra ‘oomph’ to dispatch your foes. That’s possible with a little levelling up and some build-up of the special gauge. If you have two or more sections of the bar filled up, then holding down your attack button will allow you to charge your magic from Fire to Fira, and eventually all the way to the ‘aga’ level.

Black mages aren’t the only one with hidden depths - when Jack is a warrior and decked out with his mighty greatsword he can let loose a series of special attacks if the player moves the left stick in different directions mid-combo. These special combos could get you out of a tight spot in the Shrine, so it’s worth learning them early.

We’d tell you the secret behind dragoon too, but it’s always good to have a little mystery.

5. Dress for the job you want

As you explore the Chaos Shrine, you’ll find plenty of equipment and attire to deck Jack out with. Some of these will also come with additional and randomised stat-changing properties or set bonuses, meaning that there’s plenty of reason to take the occasional rest and try on your latest spoils.

What you may not know, however, is that you can equip Jack with different clothes for each job role. As a mage, you can optimise your outfit to be more resistant to magic, while your role as a lancer can have you decked out to maximise your strength, and your Swordsman wardrobe can put defence above all to help you get stuck in with your greatsword? It’s all possible.

Even better, you can quick-change your role at the press of a button, allowing you to swap out your loadouts in the heat of battle and deal destruction in all occasions.

6. Become a master of your environment

As you explore the Chaos Shrine, you may find more than a few obstacles blocking your path… and we don’t just mean the myriad of monsters roaming its hallowed halls. If a path seems inaccessible, or a Bomb has spewed fire on the battlefield, help is at hand from your own menagerie of spells.

Once Jack learns the mage job role, you’ll soon discover that spells aren’t just useful against enemies, but against the Shrine itself. For example, if you break down the pillars that lie in your path, you can do considerable damage to the break gauges of enemies that are caught up in its collapse, and even break several foes at once. Meanwhile, fire can be hosed down with a well-placed water spell, allowing you to make your way through perilous flames unscorched and even score some critical damage if any Bombs happen to be floating in the way.

Speaking of Bombs, you didn’t hear it from us, but there may be one hidden in the heights of a certain hall that’s crawling with wolves. Would certainly be a shame if Jack were to, say, knock it down into the pack below and make the ensuing fight easier. There could be plenty of other tricks to add to your arsenal if you take the time to explore to become a master of this domain.

7. Good luck against the boss, you’re going to need it

No, really. This boss is the business. His stagger gauge replenishes quickly, he has two health bars, and if you can’t land your attacks effectively, his can easily take a massive chunk out of yours.

This fight is not for the faint-hearted, and trying to brute-force your way through it will leave you meeting with defeat.

Seriously, good luck.

…1/2.

Okay, fine. If you can roll behind the boss then attacking his back will give you some well-needed critical hits. Watch out for when he employs his Flamebringer move, as he’ll need to stop and charge it up for a few seconds - vital time to duck, dodge, dip, dive, and stab him in the back.

Use your soul shield to absorb their attacks and unleash counters, avoid charging moves, and don’t try to force a full combo if you don’t want to be punished.

You’ve got this. Probably.

8. When the going gets tough, the tough change difficulty

It’s okay, really. The STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN TRIAL VERSION comes with adjustable difficulty settings, allowing you to tone it down if you’re unable to surpass the boss, find the fights overwhelming, or even if you want to make yourself feel more powerful as you cut through swathes of monsters. If the forces of the Chaos Shrine are too much, enemies can also be defeated more easily if you raise your job levels and invest your hard-earned experience into learning new skills.

On the other hand, if you’re someone who relishes a challenge, you can raise the bar to give yourself an even tougher time. Just keep in mind that pride comes before a fall (of difficulty), and could mean the difference between being the architect of Chaos’ destruction or your own.

• STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN on Twitter
• FINAL FANTASY on Facebook
• FINAL FANTASY on Instagram
• FINAL FANTASY on YouTube

STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN made quite a splash when it was revealed during the SQUARE ENIX PRESENTS Summer Showcase. The new game is unlike any in the series before it - dark, brutal and challenging, it presents a bold new vision for FINAL FANTASY.

The Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu recently conducted a very interesting interview with the game’s Creative Producer Tetsuya Nomura, Producer Jin Fujiwara, and Director Daisuke Inoue about the new title, and the many exciting questions it’s raised for fans.

A translated version is below - we hope you enjoy it!

Jack and his allies are the absolute opposite of the “Warriors of Light”!? The secrets behind the designs and names of the characters.

Interviewer: Firstly, let me start by asking about the title of the game, STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN. What kind of meaning is there behind the title? The incongruity between the dark world and the title of “Paradise” creates a very strong impression.

Nomura: The game uses FINAL FANTASY I as a motif, so the setting is also based on FINAL FANTASY I.

In FINAL FANTASY I, at the end of the game you find out who the Warriors of Light, the protagonists, really are and where they came from. Jack and his allies are also “strangers”. Who are Jack and his allies? Are they the Warriors of Light? These questions lie at the heart of the story, and this idea of “strangers” is central to the plot.

One meaning of Paradise is “the land of the saved”. The title represents the strangers – Jack and his allies – gathering in this land of Paradise.

Inoue: Strangers of Paradise means exactly what it says that these strangers are in the land of Paradise. At the same time, it could mean “people who shouldn’t be in Paradise” - I think it is a title that represents the story of the game perfectly.

Interviewer: Strangers…people who shouldn’t be in…you must be talking about the protagonist, Jack, and his allies? I suppose they do feel like they’re somewhat out of place in that dark fantasy world. To start from a more basic question, we hear the words Chaos, the Chaos Shrine and the Warriors of Light cropping up in the trailer, so am I right that there’s obviously some connection to the world of the original FINAL FANTASY I?

Nomura: That’s right. It’s a new story that uses FINAL FANTASY I as a motif, rather than being directly connected or an equivalent. The trial version covers the Chaos Shrine, which you’ll visit towards the beginning of the game – which is similar to the progression in FINAL FANTASY I as well.

Interviewer: Speaking of FINAL FANTASY I, the premise was that Garland - defeated by the Warriors of Light - uses the Chaos Shrine as a base to travel back in time over and over, giving rise to conflict again and again. Is this connected to the fact that Jack and his allies have such a modern look about them?

Nomura: Yes, people probably imagine characters that look like the emblematic Warrior of Light when they think of FINAL FANTASY I, but as you say, if you’re familiar with the premise of FINAL FANTASY I, you might be able to pick up some clues from the designs of Jack and the others.

The initial outfits for Jack and his allies are nothing more than a hint to show that they’re not of that world. They don’t represent anything about their character. Like other games where you can change your equipment, this is simply their plain state. Perhaps.

Interviewer: I see - since this game has elements of the hack-n-slash genre (games where you defeat monsters in dungeons, gain exp and find equipment to strengthen your character), and you’ll be able to change outfit, it’s nothing more than the starting equipment.

Nomura: Additionally, one of our concepts was to create something that looked completely different to what people might picture when they think of the Warriors of Light fighting Garland in FINAL FANTASY I. Jack and his allies have the mission to defeat Chaos, but we needed them to be characters that people would think of as totally separate to the Warriors of Light.

Interviewer: In other words, you didn’t want to make them look like heroes?

Nomura: That’s right. The reasoning behind Jack’s appearance is purely related to the story. Likewise, there’s meaning behind all of their names. But that would be a spoiler, so I’ll save that for another time.

Interviewer: Their names too!? I thought they seemed rather too conventional for a FINAL FANTASY game with you working on it, Mr. Nomura (laugh).

Nomura: Jack, Ash and Jed have the same meaning hidden in their names.

Additional allies to Jed and Ash

Interviewer: The sharper among us may have realized, but there were four Warriors of Light. Which means, as well as Jed and Ash…

Nomura: There will be more.

Interviewer: Really?!

Inoue: However, during combat, you’ll fight with a party of three members, so you’ll be swapping people around for battle.

Interviewer: The key art showing Jack is a bloody image, and it’s a dark style that we haven’t seen in previous FINAL FANTASY games.

Nomura: It’s the initial teaser, so we really wanted to make an impact.

Unlike other games in the FINAL FANTASY series, it has quite a high rating (17+ in Japan), so it’s a rather severe kind of atmosphere. We used the representative color of FINAL FANTASY, white, as a base. On top of that, we worked in the red coloring that stands out in the game itself, from red crystals and spraying blood.

The game is the story of an angry man, so we’ve represented those dark, blackened emotions as well.

Interviewer: On the throne (?) of the Chaos Shrine, there’s someone who says he will “become Chaos” but…he’s not Garland!?

Nomura: That would be a spoiler, so you’ll have to play the full game when it comes out and find out for yourself.

The key to making a challenging action game with the soul of FINAL FANTASY - without making it overly punishing

Interviewer: Next, I’d like to ask a little more about the combat. The challenging action battles feel like they fit the dark world, but which do you start with when creating a new FINAL FANTASY game – the story or the gameplay?

Fujiwara: A while ago, Mr. Nomura had given me the concept of a game where you fight your way through different areas, and that came together with this gritty story of an angry man that he’d been working on.

Inoue: Another consideration was that we wanted to undertake a new challenge together with Team NINJA from KOEI TECMO GAMES, who we’d worked together with on the arcade version of Dissidia FINAL FANTASY. Team NINJA specialize in action games, so we decided to make use of their expertise, which led to us settle on the genre of action RPG.

Nomura: Personally, what I was envisioning was a FINAL FANTASY game that wouldn’t specifically use the FINAL FANTASY name, under a completely new title, “Stranger of Paradise”, that would feature action gameplay focused on fighting your way through dungeons. The current game is a result of Mr. Fujiwara and Mr. Inoue refining it further, but I’m glad that traces of that original concept still remain.

Interviewer: In other words, it’s a game that places a lot of emphasis on beating dungeons? With Team NINJA working on it, I imagine you’ll have both the best parts from Nioh and the unique character of FINAL FANTASY. What parts of FINAL FANTASY were you certain that you had to include?

Inoue: Although we’ve included some surprising developments in the story, we really wanted to ensure the pacing of the game was appropriate for an action game as well as having a solid story befitting an RPG. That balance is something we feel very strongly about.

Interviewer: A lot of challenging action games can be relatively lacking in storytelling, but the main scenario is written by Kazushige Nojima, so will we be seeing the kind of depth we’d expect from a RPG, and from a FINAL FANTASY game?

Inoue: Absolutely, I think the story has plenty of depth.

Interviewer: The FINAL FANTASY series mostly consists of RPGs, and so I imagine some fans of the series might struggle with action games. What kind of difficulty level are you aiming for with this game?

Inoue: If we made it an especially punishing game, then only the players who actively seek out that kind of game would play it.

One of our aims in combining FINAL FANTASY with this kind of challenging action genre was to make these kinds of games more accessible. We want to make it a game where players can get a taste of how rewarding challenging action games can be, so our ultimate aim is to develop it as “challenging” rather than “punishing”.

Of course, we’re also hoping it will be a good opportunity for fans of action games to experience FINAL FANTASY as well.

Interviewer: Could you give some specific examples of what you’re keeping in mind to make it challenging but not punishing?

Inoue: The penalty for dying (the penalty when the player can no longer fight) is quite lenient, and, with a lot of experimentation from the development team at Team NINJA, we’ve balanced the actions like evasion, guarding and the soul shield to be relatively easy to perform successfully.

In terms of difficulty settings, we’ve implemented a CASUAL mode as part of EASY mode. For people who aren’t familiar with action games, I would recommend playing with these settings initially, and trying to increase the difficulty as you become more familiar with the game. We’ll continue to adjust the difficulty settings using the feedback from the trial version, so I’d really love to hear everyone’s opinions.

Interviewer: When I played the trial version, I struggled in the last battle against the one who is “to become Chaos,” but when I realized how to defeat him and managed to put that into practice, I really felt a sense of satisfaction and exhilaration.

Fujiwara: That’s one of the best parts of the game, and where Team NINJA’s experience with action games really shines through.

Interviewer: It’s not too easy and can seem difficult at first, but I feel like it’ll become even more enjoyable as you understand how to defeat the enemies and can reliably put it into practice. It’s incredibly well balanced in that regard. I really appreciated how I could take advantage of openings my allies created for me with their attacks as well.

Inoue: Actually, some people in the development team were of the opinion that it would be better to have Jack fighting by himself, but we decided that since it’s a FINAL FANTASY game, having a party would be best. That’s how it ended up with the current style of going on these adventures with your allies.

Interviewer: Will you be able to give commands to your allies, or customize their growth?

Inoue: I think that’s something we’ll investigate on the basis of the feedback we get from the trial version. At the very least, the plan is to be able to customize their growth and equipment.

Each of your allies will have certain jobs that they excel at – if you imagine that Jed might be suited to being a thief, while Ash might be suited to being a monk. We’re envisaging different kind of playstyle, for example, where you could get your teammates to act as a target while you attack with magic.

Interviewer: In the trial version, Jack can equip a great sword, mace, and spear, which each have an associated job. How many other types of weapon will appear in the game?

Inoue: There will be eight weapon types in total. The weapon types that don’t appear in the trial version are the one-handed sword, axe, knuckles, daggers, and katana.

Interviewer: Is the mace the only weapon that can use magic?

Inoue: Not at all, other weapons like the one-handed sword can use magic as well. If you picture the knight and red mage jobs, that might give you an idea.

Interviewer: The ability to switch between two battle sets (a combination of job and equipment) seems like an important characteristic of the game. How did you come up with this system?

Inoue: Part of the fun in hack-n-slash games is getting to frequently upgrade your equipment, so we added the system of switching between battle sets to correspond to this. I hope people can experiment with this new kind of FINAL FANTASY action through their strategies and experiences – for example, surveying the enemy formation and surroundings, considering your own position, and then deciding how to best use the abilities of the two different jobs

Interviewer: How many types of equipment are there in the game?

Inoue: I thought you might ask that so I counted them, but…let’s just say there are a lot (laughs).

Nomura: That’s your answer, even after you counted them? (laughs) The outfit designs come to me to be checked, and there are quite a lot.

Interviewer: Can you change your allies’ equipment?

Inoue: You can - there’s some strong equipment that Jack can’t use, which I think you’ll want to give to your allies. Each character has certain restrictions on what they can equip.

Nomura: In the trial version, you can only change Jack’s equipment. The teaser trailer and the trial version cover the same scope, so in the cutscenes, only Jack is in his default initial costume. Which means that you’ll be able to share equipment with your allies in the full game.

Interviewer: It’s nice to be able to see the characters wearing a piece of equipment that you worked hard to get. Can Jack equip every weapon type?

Inoue: That’s right, Jack can use all the jobs and equipment.

2022 Release

Interviewer: The powerful music in the trial version really creates an impression. Who is in charge of the music?

Fujiwara: The main composer is Naoshi Mizuta, who composed for FINAL FANTASY XI and FINAL FANTASY XIII-2. Hidenori Iwasaki (FINAL FANTASY CRYSTAL CHRONICLES, among others) and Ryo Yamazaki (WORLD OF FINAL FANTASY, among others) are contributing to the soundtrack as well.

Interviewer: What kind of instructions did you give for the music?

Nomura: For the song in the trailer, I asked them to challenge themselves to create something unlike anything they’d done before. I asked them to create something with a tempo that shifts between intense and poignant.

Inoue: The background music for the game as a whole was created with input from myself on the overall feel.

Interviewer: During the boss fight in the trial version, the refrain from the battle music of FINAL FANTASY I really stood out to me.

Inoue: I asked the team to not just use the refrain, but to adjust the melody to suit the game.

Interviewer: Mr. Fujiwara and Mr. Inoue, you work as Producer and Director on the mobile game, DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY OPERA OMNIA as well. I imagine that you must be considering having Jack and the others make an appearance?

Fujiwara: Mr. Inoue and I are still heavily involved with the operations of OPERA OMNIA, so I hope that one day we’ll be able to have Jack make an appearance.

Nomura: How strange to make a FINAL FANTASY game yourself, and then have that character make an appearance (laughs).

Interviewer: (laughs) Release is planned for 2022, but do you have a message for the fans?

Inoue: It’s a game trying something a little bit different, so I fully expect to receive a wide range of feedback. I’m sure that everyone’s thoughts on the trial version will help us to dramatically improve the quality of the final game, so please do give us your feedback. I’ll do my best all the way through to release!

Fujiwara: We ran into an unexpected issue on the first day that the trial version was released, and I’m really sorry for making you all wait. The story is only touched on very briefly in the trial version, but once it unfolds, it’s a very impactful story that will really hit you emotionally. Please look forward to the game and keep an eye out for further news.

Nomura: For now, we’re only revealing information from the trial version, but the trial version only covers the very beginning of the game. In the full game, there will be even more characters, the game will be a lot broader, and I think the story is quite compelling. It might be a bit confusing to see these characters come out of nowhere, completely unlike anything you were expecting, but I hope you’ll keep an eye on upcoming information.

Speaking of the trial version, since there was a period of time where it was unplayable due to issues on the day it was released, we’ve extended the period that it will be available by another two days. It will now be available until 14:59 (UTC), June 26, 2021. If you have the setup to play it, we would really appreciate it if you could give it a go and let us know any feedback that you might have. All the staff are working our hardest - so we hope you’ll continue to look out for the game.

Interview by Weekly Famitsu.

STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN is under development and equipment, job roles and functions referenced in this interview may be subject to change.

The STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN Trial is available to download and play now on PS5 (trial period ends June 26, 2021, 7:59 pm PDT / 3:59 pm BST)!

• STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN demo

Follow the team on social media:

• STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN on Twitter
• FINAL FANTASY on Facebook
• FINAL FANTASY on Instagram
• FINAL FANTASY on YouTube

Greetings, Sentinels!

We’ve just reintroduced BABYLON’S FALL to the world in our latest SQUARE ENIX PRESENTS, and we couldn’t be happier! There’s a lot of info to uncover about the game, so to help you understand it all, we’ve prepared an extensive developer interview!

It’s packed with information and we strongly recommend giving it a watch. Here are just seven things the devs talk about:

1. Made by PlatinumGames

First and foremost, BABYLON’S FALL is developed by none other than the masters of action games, PlatinumGames! Following our 2017 cooperation for NieR:Automata, we’re back again to bring you the best of action RPGs! This time, the game is directed by Kenji Saito (PlatinumGames) and produced by Yosuke Saito and Junichi Ehara (Square Enix)!

As you explore the Tower of Babylon and climb ever higher, you’ll face many powerful foes and gigantic bosses that you’ll have to defeat in pure PlatinumGames fashion, i.e., elegant, fast-paced, non-stop combat action!

2. Multiplayer Action

The biggest difference to previous PlatinumGames titles is that BABYLON’S FALL is a multiplayer online game!

That’s right - you’ll be able to team up with three other players to form a party of up to four Sentinels to tackle the tower’s various challenges together! Explore the tower levels as you follow the story, vanquish your enemies, collect rewards, gather materials, and craft stronger equipment for your next visit.

Cooperation will be key.

3. Gideon Coffin

The central item in BABYLON’S FALL is called the Gideon Coffin. This device, attached to the back of your character, will be a big component of the story and will allow you to perform various actions in or outside of combat, such as (REDACTED) or (REDACTED). Sorry, have to keep some for later. ;)

However, know that thanks to the Gideon Coffin, you will be able to equip two additional weapons to your loadout. Since you can already equip two – one per hand, that’s a total of four weapons! With these weapon sets, you’ll be able to create all sorts of crazy combos!

4. Weapons Galore

What weapons can you equip, you ask? It’s entirely up to you!

You can choose between five different types: swords, bows, hammers, staffs and shields. For instance, if you want to become a well-balanced “sorcerer-knight” you can equip two swords and two staffs – and if you’d better be safe than sorry, then feel free to swap a sword out for a shield.

But if your style is more like a brutal, unstoppable powerhouse, then you can choose to equip four hammers! Your choice – we won’t judge.

5. High Fantasy World

BABYLON’S FALL’s world is what we call high fantasy, filled with beautifully crafted armors and weapons, sophisticated outfits, realistic characters, and medieval-inspired decors. The graphical style, inspired by European oil paintings, puts everything together for a polished and exquisite finish.

As for the musical style, called “medieval sound” by the PlatinumGames staff, it brings a heavy and solemn orchestral touch that perfectly brings to life the unique atmosphere of BABYLON’S FALL - a tale of both hope, and despair.

6. Community Oriented

As a live service game, BABYBLON’S FALL will gather a community of Sentinels from around the globe. One of the most important aspects of the game will be how we build it with you, the players!

There is already A LOT of content planned to be delivered in the near and distant future, but as development progresses, we’re sure to receive some requests for this or that – and picking up on these and doing things together with you will be a big focus for us!

7. Updates Aplenty

As mentioned above, a lot of post-launch content is already planned, and while version 1.0 of the game will have more than enough for you to enjoy, there is so much more to come! New areas to adventure, time-limited seasonal events, ranking challenges… you name it! There is also (REDACTED) and (REDACTED), for example. He, he.

That’s it for now! This was just a first look at BABYLON’S FALL, but stay tuned as we reveal more info about the game soon. In the meantime, you can register for the Closed Beta!

• Visit BABYLON’S FALL Website
• Register for the Closed Beta
• Watch the Trailer

To stay up to date with the latest news about the game, make sure you follow BABYLON’S FALL on social media:

• BABYLON’S FALL on Twitter
• BABYLON’S FALL on Instagram
• BABYLON’S FALL on Facebook

Hi everyone - this is Christopher Sica, Game Designer at Deck Nine.

Life is Strange: True Colors stars main character Alex Chen, a gifted individual with the unique psychic power of Empathy. This power allows her to connect with individuals around the town of Haven Springs, learning about who these characters are, the struggles they face, and the backgrounds that shaped the dynamic characters we interact with throughout the game.

From a gameplay perspective, the development team wanted a fun gameplay mechanic that supports our strong narrative and allows players to use the Empathy power in unique ways to learn more about Haven Springs, the characters surrounding Alex, and ultimately Alex herself.

Gameplay Mechanics

Alex’s power can be used in a few ways throughout the game:

Environmental Power Moments

Life is Strange: True Colors allows players to use the Empathy power in “environmental power moments” that are frequently found in the open spaces and the town of Haven Springs. Here, the power can be used in different ways to advance gameplay and deepen the player’s engagement with the narrative.

Here are just a few examples:

Characters will be hiding secrets, and not telling Alex everything they know directly up front. For example, if a character is afraid in the moment and does not want Alex to know how they are truly feeling, they will only give her a shallow response.

Alex can use her psychic power of Empathy to gain more information from these characters, delving into how they truly feel, and using this unspoken information to help characters trust Alex and connect with her.

Many of the townsfolk on the streets of Haven Springs will have storylines that you can follow across the chapters in the game. You can, for example, chart the story of a young couple as they try to figure out their relationship.

These storylines are completely optional. If Alex wants to skip these interactions, she can, but they bring additional color to those willing to explore further, and allow Alex to connect deeper with the town of Haven Springs – and its uncertain future.

Other characters will offer additional insight into the current situations in the game. These moments give Alex background on what is happening around town, and allows her to better understand the people of Haven Springs and connect with the struggles, triumphs, and experiences they are going through.

Pressing and holding the power button allows Alex to see nearby “emotion auras” on NPCs. The emotional auras on these NPCs are subtle, and Alex can only see them once she actively looks for them. Alex can walk up to the NPCs to interact and trigger an emotional insight. Alex will respond to each of these insight interactions with her thoughts, observations, and how she is feeling in these moments.

Story-Vital Power Moments

Life is Strange: True Colors also features “story-vital power moments” where Alex will explore the emotions of the primary characters in our story in depth. These characters have an emotional aura around them where the aura is so strong that Alex can always see it.

Alex absorbs a character’s emotional aura by connecting with the character, to truly feel their emotional state. At this point, Alex is transported into the unique emotional world that this character is feeling, the emotions of the other character coloring and transforming Alex’s perception of the world around her.

The player then explores this new emotional environment, looking for “emotional insights”. These emotional insights lead to hidden secrets about the character and give the player more information on the emotions that the character is going through. Alex can then use the secrets she learns from these insights to interact with the character and help them.

Visual Design

The development team worked hard on the visual design for the psychic power of Empathy to help players understand and feel immersed with Alex’s power.

Characters will shimmer with different colors of emotional auras, to help Alex identify which emotion they are feeling.

Blue auras symbolize Sadness; Purple auras symbolize Fear; Red auras symbolize Anger; Gold auras symbolize Joy. Each emotion has a unique UI icon, animation, and VFX to connect the visual design with the emotion. Characters where Alex can use her Empathy power will also feature unique “hotspot UI” with an animating circle dot next to their name to help indicate this is a special power interaction.

Emotional auras also feature different intensity levels depending on how strong of an emotion the character is feeling. Alex will come across various emotional intensity levels throughout the game - be prepared for surprises in store as the intensity of these emotions increases!

So that’s a brief explanation of how Alex’s powers work in gameplay, and some of the ways you’ll be able to use it to discover the secrets of Haven Springs.

You’ll be able to try it for yourselves in just a few months, when Life is Strange: True Colors releases for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC on September 10, 2021.

• Preorder Life is Strange: True Colors

We’ll have much more to share about the game in the coming months, so make sure you follow the team on social media for updates:

• Life is Strange on Facebook
• Life is Strange on Twitter
• Life is Strange on YouTube

During SQUARE ENIX PRESENTS at E3, we revealed STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN.

Developed by an all-star team in collaboration with Team NINJA from KOEI TECMO GAMES, it presents a very different vision for the series - trust us, you’ve never played a FINAL FANTASY game like this before.

But rather than us tell you about it, we thought we’d let the creators themselves do the honors.

Tetsuya Nomura – Creative Producer

The initial concept for STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN came up around the time following the release of DISSIDIA 012duodecim FINAL FANTASY. I was thinking to myself about making my next game into one that featured action elements in which locations are conquered, rather than the kind with battles against characters.

Some time passed without anything coming of it, but separately I was also thinking to myself about another plan for a new series of FINAL FANTASY titles revolving around "the story of an angry man". Even more time passed, at which point I received a request for a new plan, so I combined these two ideas to come up with this.

While it is FINAL FANTASY, it feels different—but there's no doubt that the blood of FINAL FANTASY runs through its veins.

We've undertaken the challenge of finding this difficult middle ground for this mature and stylish title. We need a little time until we're able to complete it, and while the battle system is a bloody one, it does link to the story, so I hope you'll use this opportunity to give it a try.

Kazushige Nojima – Story and Scenario

"It's not a hope or a dream. It's like a hunger. A thirst."

When I wrote this line, I felt like the story had been brought to life.

What drives them to want to defeat Chaos as much as they do?

What, then, are their hopes and dreams?

It was in this moment that what used to be fragments and pieces of story came together in a powerful way.

The story that I wrote - in what seemed like a single breath after penning that line - is STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN. I think it turned out to be quite a memorable story that accompanies a game which prominently features brutal imagery.

Please enjoy!

Jin Fujiwara – Producer (SQUARE ENIX)

True to its label as “a bold new vision," this title is full of new undertakings that draw a clear distinction between it and previous FINAL FANTASY series titles. I can't divulge too many details at this stage, but we prepared a glimpse of these ambitions within the trial version, including the title's direction and overall image, so please enjoy.

I believe that the feedback we receive from all of you around the world is very important as we improve upon the title even further. Please send us your thoughts through the trial version survey or through social media.

I'm already looking forward to the day I'll be able to play this title with you.

Daisuke Inoue – Director (SQUARE ENIX)

This is a title that has been developed with the goal of bringing something new to sit alongside the many FINAL FANTASY titles in the series. I think it could be considered a side story in terms of how it is positioned.

There may be some people who were disappointed that this announcement was not a new, numbered title in the series, but this game contains ambitions within that even a mainline title may not have been able to achieve.

Grounded and challenging action created by Team NINJA, our protagonist, sprayed with blood as he literally rips apart, throws, and pulverizing his enemies.

The way he looks is almost as if-

Well, we have prepared this trial version with hopes of having players experience this new flavor that the title brings with it, even if just a little bit. As we are still in development, I think there may be some areas that are not perfect and may be that way for a while to come, but I hope you'll enjoy this trial version regardless.

Additionally, please let us know your thoughts on the game, whether it be positives or negatives that you noticed - we will make great use of this feedback as we continue development.

Fumihiko Yasuda – Head of Team NINJA, Producer (KOEI TECMO GAMES)

Playing FINAL FANTASY IV 30 years ago is what made me aspire towards a career in the gaming industry, so I always hoped that someday I could be involved in the FINAL FANTASY series.

When Team NINJA was working on DISSIDIA FINAL FANTASY, I was in charge of a different section, which meant that every night I filled my pillow with tears. I'm truly happy to be involved with a new FINAL FANTASY, and a title connected to its ORIGIN at that.

Using the feedback that the players provide after playing the trial version, all of us at Team NINJA will work to make this a title that meets the expectations of not only action game fans, but also FINAL FANTASY series fans around the world!

Hiroya Usuda – Director (KOEI TECMO GAMES)

I grew up playing FINAL FANTASY since I was very young, so it is a great honor to have the opportunity to be involved with this title. Furthermore, I'm truly excited that Team NINJA is able to deliver the first full-on action game in the FINAL FANTASY series to the world.

In this trial version, we've made specific demo-oriented adjustments so that players of all styles will be able to enjoy it—we have incorporated elements such as multiple jobs and weapon types, adjustable difficulty levels, and great replayability. Please let us know your thoughts and feedback once you have given it a try!

Nobumichi Kumabe – Director (KOEI TECMO GAMES)

I’m glad we were able to announce this new FINAL FANTASY game—an action game in which Jack, a Warrior of Light(?), lays waste to monsters while being bathed in the spray of their blood. I'm a huge fan of the FINAL FANTASY series myself, so I'm going to work hard towards release so that this blood-stained Jack can become a hero!

This is a title developed with the characteristic Team NINJA level of difficulty in mind, but once you start getting the hang of it, you'll be able to defeat enemies in an exhilarating and satisfying way. I hope you will replay the trial version many times and try out the various weapons and abilities available.

The difficulty level can be changed as well, so one recommendation I have is to start playing on an easier difficulty and gradually raise it higher for a challenge!

STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN launches for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC in 2022.

You can download and play a trial version on PS5 today (trial period ends June 26, 2021, 7:59 pm PDT / 3:59 pm BST)!

UPDATE: Both the STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN Trial Version and survey period have been extended.

You now have until June 26, 2021 to defeat Chaos, and until July 2, 2021 to send us your feedback.

Every new FINAL FANTASY game is exciting, but this one is set to be something truly special… and very different. Allow us to introduce STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN.

Revealed during E3 2021 at our SQUARE ENIX PRESENTS livestream, the new action RPG presents a bold new vision for the FINAL FANTASY series on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC in 2022.

What’s more, there’s a trial version available on PS5 for free today, so you can experience it for yourselves. Read on and we’ll tell you how.

What is STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN?

First though, let’s talk the game itself. STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN is a brand new original game, developed in collaboration with Team NINJA from KOEI TECMO GAMES.

That’s the team behind NINJA GAIDEN and the incredible Nioh series too. They’re masters of the dark and visceral action RPG, and they’re bringing all of their brutal experience to the FINAL FANTASY series.

You take the role of Jack who, along with allies Ash and Jed, sets off on a quest to defeat Chaos. Burning with resolve, and with memories of their struggle deep in their hearts, are they the foretold Warriors of Light?

Your journey will take you into a dark and challenging fantasy world, filled with iconic monsters from the FINAL FANTASY series. Fortunately, Jack isn’t exactly defenseless - he can use powerful spells and abilities from a range of jobs, including warrior, dragoon and black mage.

How do I play the STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN TRIAL VERSION?

If you really want to get a sense of how the game plays, you can experience it for yourself. The trial version is available today on PS5.

This sample of the game takes you and Jack into the Chaos Shrine, where you’ll be able to explore, battle some horrifying monsters, and try out some of the different jobs available.

Once you’ve given it a go, why not share your thoughts? Those who try the game are invited to take part in a survey to provide feedback to the development team. Your thoughts can help shape the outcome of the game, so make sure you participate. You can access the survey from the menu screen of the trial version.

Now here’s all the small print and legal stuff, so buckle up. The TRIAL VERSION is available for free on PS5 beginning June 13, 2021 and until June 26, 2021 7:59 pm PT / 3:59pm BST. Once that period is over, the demo will no longer be able to be played.

You must also have an active internet connection and a PSN account to play it, and save data can not be carried over to the full version of the game.

When is STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN releasing?

STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN will release in 2022 for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and PC.

We’ll have more information to share about this exciting game in the future, so follow the team on social media to see the latest updates:

• FINAL FANTASY on Twitter
• FINAL FANTASY on Facebook
• FINAL FANTASY on Instagram
• FINAL FANTASY on YouTube

Hi, this is Jonathan Zimmerman, Narrative Director for Life is Strange: True Colors.

The Life is Strange series is all about making decisions, and in Life is Strange: True Colors, we’ll present some of the most difficult and emotionally-complex choices yet.

The many residents of Haven Springs are fascinating and fully-rounded figures, each with their own strengths, desires and flaws. Using Alex Chen’s psychic power of Empathy, you won’t just get to know these people by what they say and do, but also by what they feel.

You’ll need to consider on this information when making decisions in the game, as many have lasting consequences that will shape the story and its characters dramatically. To give you a sense of what I mean, I thought I’d walk you through a choice from early in the game, and look at some of the outcomes that can result from it.

The decision

This decision focuses on three characters: Mac Loudon, Gabe Chen, and Riley Lethe.

Mac Loudon is the hot-headed, jealous boyfriend of Riley. Gabe Chen is the amiable bartender and transplant to Haven Springs. Gabe has become something of a confidant for Riley for a decision about her future that she hasn’t even shared with her boyfriend Mac.

This infuriates the hotheaded Mac, who has grown convinced that Riley is cheating on him with Gabe. These are all key pieces of information for the player to gather as Alex, as she moves through the Black Lantern and Haven Springs.

What’s more, a bruising encounter between Mac and Gabe acts as an unfortunate welcome for Alex on her first day in town, and neither she nor Mac are at all sure what to make of each other in its wake.

All of this tension remains unresolved as Alex begins her first shift as server at The Black Lantern, and runs into Mac, still licking his wounds in the back room. If they wish, the player can choose to use Alex’s power to empathically connect to Mac.

Through her power, Alex can feel Mac’s genuine love for Riley, his regret for the encounter with Gabe, and his fear that Riley is slipping away - and may even break up with him. Mustering the few scraps of humility of which he is capable, Mac makes a heartfelt plea to Alex. He begs her not to tell Riley how aggressive he was with Gabe.

Choice and consequence

Sure enough, Riley arrives on a warpath, laying into Mac and telling him that, unless he can give her a good explanation, they’re finished. Mac spins up a version that makes him and Gabe equally culpable - which is when Riley spots Alex. “Oh god, were you there too?” she asks, prompting Alex to choose how best to respond.

If Alex felt Mac’s true emotions, she may choose to let him off the hook, giving him the chance to save his relationship and hopefully do better in the future. Going forward, Alex could see Mac and Riley’s relationship blossom in unexpected ways, and may even be able to tap Mac for crucial information about Gabe’s death.

Alternatively, Alex may also choose to disregard Mac’s hidden emotions, or avoid engaging with them all together. Instead, she will call out Mac’s bull and tell Riley the truth, unvarnished and ugly. As a result, Mac and Riley’s relationship will be forever altered and Mac’s animosity toward Alex will grow ever stronger.

Neither decision is right and neither decision is wrong - it’s up to you to decide what the best course of action is. Either way, this is a choice made very early on in the game that has lasting consequences throughout. Mac and Riley’s status affects not just their relationship with each other and with Alex, but with the rest of Haven Springs’ expansive supporting cast.

That’s just one decision out of many you’ll have to make in Life is Strange: True Colors… but I’ll avoid saying more because I want you to discover them - and their outcomes - for yourselves.

Life is Strange: True Colors releases for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC on September 10, 2021. It’s available for pre-order now, and if you choose the Ultimate Edition, you’ll also get the Life is Strange Remastered Collection included!

• Preorder Life is Strange: True Colors

We’re excited to show you more about the game in the future, so make sure you follow Life is Strange on social media for updates:

• Life is Strange on Facebook
• Life is Strange on Twitter
• Life is Strange on YouTube

The SQUARE ENIX PRESENTS showcase at E3 was packed with amazing announcements, and one of the most exciting - and eye-catching - of all had to be this: the closest look at BABYLON’S FALL yet!

Read on and we’ll tell you everything you need to know about this co-op action extravaganza.

What is BABYLON’S FALL?

BABYLON’S FALL is a new game developed in partnership with PlatinumGames - the action masters behind games like NieR:Automata.

You’ll take the role of a Sentinel - part of a group of powerful warriors. With a group of other players, you’ll enter the titanic Tower of Babylon in search of a great legacy that sleeps within.

The first thing you’ll probably notice when you look at the trailer and screenshots is the game’s distinctive brushwork art style. It gives this uniquely compelling world the appearance of a medieval oil painting, and the game a unique personality that matches the action.

And what action it is! PlatinumGames are renowned as one of the best in the biz at this kind of thing, and BABYLON’S FALL shows exactly why. Just take a look at some of the stuff in the trailer!

Is BABYLON’S FALL multiplayer?

Yes, BABYLON’S FALL is a co-op game with a party of up to four players. What’s more, playing with a team gives you all kinds of options in combat, letting you combine your different weapons and abilities to conquer the many challenges of the tower.

Will there be a BABYLON’S FALL beta?

If you’re interested in trying BABYLON’S FALL before release, you can sign up to take part in the closed beta.

This test will be held over three phases, with different tests being carried out during each, and more platforms added as they progress. The results of the tests, as well as your valuable feedback, will be used to improve the quality of BABYLON’S FALL upon release.

If you’re interested in applying for the beta, you can sign up for access and more information at www.babylonsfall.com/beta/. Please note that a SQUARE ENIX account and internet access will be required if you want to take part.

What platforms will BABYLON’S FALL be available on?

BABYLON’S FALL is in development for PS5, PS4 and STEAM.

Looks pretty amazing, right? We’ll have more to share on BABYLON’S FALL in the future, so make sure you follow the team on social media to get the big news first!

• BABYLON'S FALL on Twitter
• BABYLON'S FALL on Facebook

Meet Frey Holland.

This seemingly ordinary woman is the lead character in Forspoken - a brand new adventure from the talented team at Luminous Productions.

Thrust into the dangerous land of Athia, the young hero must learn to harness magical abilities to survive. She’ll face many fearsome foes and overcome treacherous trials on a journey unlike any other.

But what exactly is Forspoken, and what can you expect from this exciting project?

What is Forspoken?

We originally introduced the game last year, as working title PROJECT ATHIA. During SQUARE ENIX PRESENTS, we pulled back the curtain further, revealing the world, character and its actual name: Forspoken.

The game’s a narrative-driven adventure, and it’s developed by Luminous Productions. The studio’s philosophy is to create gameplay experiences that combine the latest technology with unbridled creativity - and that’s a pretty accurate way to describe their new game.

Forspoken has been designed specifically for the PlayStation 5, taking advantage of the new console’s power and features to create a game that feels like a true next-gen experience.

What is Forspoken about?

In Forspoken, you’ll play the role of Frey, as she enters Athia for the first time. This new land is stunningly beautiful, but also cruel and deadly. You can get a glimpse of the dangers she’ll face in the new trailer:

Frey is brilliantly brought to life by the actor, Ella Balinska and she had this to say.

“As the first video game I’ve worked on, it’s remarkable to see the incredible world and story of Forspoken come together, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy,” said Balinska.

“Frey as a character is real, she’s raw, she’s a girl who lost her way - both figuratively and literally - and is a character I immediately connected with, as I feel many people around the world will too when they set off on this adventure.”

When can you set off on this adventure?

Forspoken is set to release in 2022 for PS5 and PC. For more information, bookmark the official website:

• http://forspoken.com

We’ll have more to share about this breathtaking game in the future, so to stay up to date with news and information about the game, follow the team on social media:

• Forspoken on Twitter
• Forspoken on Facebook
• Forspoken on Instagram

Today, as part of SQUARE ENIX PRESENTS, the next major game in the award-winning Life is Strange series was revealed.

Featuring a brand-new cast, power, and story, it offers the perfect starting point for anyone new to the series, without any need to have played previous games. If you missed the show, here are 5 quick facts to get you up to speed.

1. You'll play as Alex Chen

In Life is Strange: True Colors, you’ll play as Alex Chen. At the age of 21, she travels to Haven Springs for a chance to reunite with her estranged brother.

Alex is sharp and witty, but initially keeps her distance from others, in the hopes of hiding her ‘curse’…

2. You'll wield the psychic power of Empathy

Alex has long suppressed her ‘curse’: the supernatural ability to experience, absorb and manipulate the strong emotions of others, which she sees as blazing, colored auras.

However, Alex must embrace her volatile power to solve the mystery that haunts Haven Springs.

3. You’ll solve a dark mystery

When Alex’s brother dies in a tragic so-called accident, Alex senses there’s a larger story behind what happened to him, and she sets out to discover the truth.

Only Alex – using her psychic power of empathy – can uncover what really happened. In doing so, she’ll uncover the dark secrets buried by the small town of Haven Springs.

4. You’ll find friendship – or possibly romance

Alex will need to build trust with the townsfolk to understand what happened to her brother. She’ll also meet two new friends who will support her through the investigation: Ryan, a kind-hearted, dorky park ranger, and Steph, a local radio DJ and LARP enthusiast.

Whether these friendships spark something more, is entirely up to you.

5. You'll choose your own path

Life is Strange games are all about making tough decisions, which impact your story and Alex’s future. Now, with a new level of freedom for the series, you can roam the streets, stores, and hidden spaces of Haven Springs, solving puzzles and helping the local townsfolk with your power.

You can also decide Alex’s style, with up to 24 outfits in your wardrobe to choose from – making your playthrough completely personal to you.

In the end, it will be down to your choices that will help Alex decide whether she can make this remote Colorado town somewhere she can finally call home.

Does this sound like your kind of game? If so, you should check out the trailer now:

Life is Strange: True Colors arrives on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Steam on September 10. Unlike previous titles, it’s releasing all at once, so you can either binge-play it or use the chapter breaks to take an emotional breather now and then.

The game’s available to preorder now, with some great bonuses, including exclusive outfits, and the Deluxe Edition bonus story ‘Wavelengths’.

What’s more, if you preorder the Life is Strange: True Colors Ultimate Edition, you’ll get the Life is Strange: Remastered Collection included. This new bundle features the original Life is Strange and Life is Strange: Before the Storm, both remastered with improved visuals and animation.

• Preorder Life is Strange: True Colors

Finally, to stay up to date with news and information about Life is Strange: True Colors, make sure to follow the team on social media:

• Life is Strange on Facebook
• Life is Strange on Twitter
• Life is Strange on YouTube