Square Enix revealed a path for the rest of the year during the June 18 Nintendo Direct.
The Japanese developer revealed more information about the upcoming Dragon Quest III remake as well as providing a glimpse at similar remakes of DQI and DQII. Additionally, Square Enix provided a look at a remake of Romancing SaGa II: Revenge of the Seven and details about the enhanced Fantasian NEO Dimension.
Most of the announcements will release this year with the exception of the remakes of Dragon Quest I and II, dropping in 2025. While Square Enix revealed the games during a Nintendo Direct, they will appear on multiple consoles and PC.
Dragon Quest’s Erdrick Trilogy Getting 2D-HD Treatment
Square Enix gave its most expansive Dragon Quest III update yet with the Nintendo Direct announcement, giving the remake a release date of Nov. 14. The game will release on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
The company also revealed it would release remakes of Dragon Quest I and II in 2025. All three games — called the Erdrick Trilogy — will utilize the same 2D-HD style on display in Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy.
The trailer offered the biggest look at gameplay since the Dragon Quest III remake announcement. Previously, Square Enix had not confirmed remakes of Dragon Quest I and II until the June 18 Direct.
The DQIII remake will include enhanced features for modern players and a refined narrative. Square Enix is touting this remake as an ideal starting point for newcomers to the series.
Square Enix states it will reveal more details about the Dragon Quest I and II remakes in the near future. At this time, there are no confirmed platforms outside of the developer airing the trailer during a Nintendo Direct.
The remakes will release in chronological order as Dragon Quest III serves as a prequel to the original two games. The Erdrick Trilogy has had ports on the Nintendo Switch since 2019.
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven Remakes 1993 RPG
Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, set to release Oct. 24, is a full HD remake, upgrading the game from its Super Famicom update. This appears to be in a similar approach as the Trials of Mana remake.
The remake will release on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, and PC.
The trailer offered a glimpse into combat, gameplay, cutscenes, and other elements. The game will feature original and rearranged music from Kenji Ito. There will also be additional features such as a timeline system for combat and other new mechanics.
Romancing SaGa 2 is the fifth game in the SaGa series. The first game in the series released in 1989 as The Final Fantasy Legend with its two sequels following this naming format. Despite its name, the series is not considered part of the Final Fantasy franchise.
The series shifted to Romancing SaGa in 1992 with the fourth mainline game. The SaGa series is unique as it doesn’t use experience points. Rather, characters build skills based on actions taken in battle, following the format of Final Fantasy II.
A remastered version of the original Romancing SaGa 2 has been available on the Nintendo Switch since 2017. This port is among several other SaGa remasters to appear on the Switch including the three Final Fantasy Legend games, the other two Romancing SaGa games, SaGa Frontier, and SaGa Scarlet Grace.
This remake also comes several months after a new entry in the series in SaGa: Emerald Beyond.
Fantasian NEO Dimension Reunites Final Fantasy Stalwarts
Fantasian NEO Dimension is an enhanced version of Fantasian, which originally released through Apple Arcade in 2021 with Square Enix’s involvement. The enhanced version will release this winter on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi wrote and produced the game while original Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu crafted music. Mistwalker — creator of Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey — is the developer of the original game.
This upgraded version will include new features and an additional difficulty option. Square Enix also claims the combat will include “an original and modern take on the beloved turn-based battle system.”
As far as story, players will control Leo as he searches for his lost memories while combating a mechanical infection ravaging the world. The game will feature backdrops with hand-crafted dioramas.
The original Fantasian garnered an 80 on Metacritic. Fantasian NEO Dimension marks Mistwalker’s first console game since the Wii’s The Last Story in 2011.
Reacting to the News
After largely being absent from the Summer Games Fest slate, Square Enix made a big appearance during this Nintendo Direct. This should show how well of a relationship Nintendo and Square Enix have after all these years.
Furthermore, Square Enix trusted Nintendo with the announcement of its long-awaited Dragon Quest III remake announcement. There has been a lot of speculation about this remake so it’s nice to have firm details here.
While the news of Dragon Quest I and II remakes wasn’t terribly surprising thanks to recent rumors, it still came as a bit of shock. It’s reveal was done phenomenally well as the camera pulls back from the DQIII title card to unveil the other two remakes.
Kudos to Square Enix’s production staff for that one. That was a job well done.
As for the other two, I am excited for both. I have never played a SaGa game and, frankly, have been intimidated to try because of the unique leveling mechanic. I’m newer to RPGs so that type of approach is a bit jarring.
Still, seeing a remake coming pretty soon offers me and many others a chance to try the series in a more modern setup. SaGa has had a bit of a resurgence this year thanks to Emerald Beyond‘s release so it may be time to try the series.
I think it’s important to note that the original games of all of these remakes are available on the Switch. It’s cool to see the seeds planted several years ago bear fruit now.
As far as speculation, I think the slate of retro Square Enix titles on the switch may provide a bit of insight on the future of potential remakes.
And then there’s Fantasian NEO Dimension.
I knew nothing of this game as I’m not an Apple user so it flew right past my radar. I am intrigued. Having Sakaguchi and Uematsu attached makes it a definite try for me.
If this game does well, we might see some of Mistwalker’s past games return. I know there are many clamoring for a return of Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey so their futures may hinge on Fantasian NEO Dimension‘s success.
All in all, this was a solid output from Square Enix. People may complain that we are getting little new from the developer, but I think that’s ok.
Dragon Quest XII and Kingdom Hearts IV are still on the horizon but not close enough to make your centerpiece. Visions of Mana is short term so having these three releasing later this year with the DQI and DQII remakes next year will satiate the appetites for now.
Source: Square Enix
Featured Image: Square Enix
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