Aiming to capture the magic of the original classics with updated graphics and audio, Final Fantasy, II, and III are set to be released on July 28th. The remasters will be available for Steam and various mobile storefronts starting July 28th with mobile platforms seeing a release the day after on July 29th, the first half of the pixel remasters to follow later on in the year. These remasters feature a multitude of updates including redrawn 2D pixel character and background graphics, featuring classic Final Fantasy character designs redesigned by the original artist, Kazuko Shibuya. Besides the visual upgrades, these remasters include a full rearranged soundtrack with direction from series composer, Nobuo Uematsu. Other updates also include extras such as the bestiary, music player, and image gallery.A discount is up for the pre-purchase of the first three remasters currently on Steam until August 11th. Additionally, those who pre-order these titles on Steam will gain access to two exclusive wallpapers, a selection of three music tracks, as well as the aforementioned 20% discount on each respective title. While the latter half has not had a definite release date yet, all six titles are available for pre-purchase as well for a

Square Enix posted a new panel about Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster, 2D pixel remasters of the first six Final Fantasy series games. Joining the panel is series creators Hironobu Sakaguchi, Yoshinori Kitase, and Nobuo Uematsu to discuss how they created the iconic characters, scenes, and music of the franchise. A slightly longer reveal trailer shows additional footage. Check it out below

Topping off a handful of Mana series announcements, Square Enix revealed there's a new anime currently in development. Titled Legend of Mana -The Teardrop Crystal-, the new series will follow the story of the recently released Legend of Mana. Developed by Warner Bros. Japan LLC, Graphinica, Inc. and Yokohama Animation Lab, who also created the animated opening cinematic movie for Legend of Mana, Square Enix plans to broadcast the show worldwide. While footage and a release date have yet to be made available, Square Enix did share a promotional visual.

Square Enix has revealed the North American, European and Korean version of NieR Recarnation is set to launch on July 28. As the first mobile title in the NieR series, the game will be available for both iOS and Android platforms while bringing together famed staff from the main series. In preparation, the opening cinematic has been made available. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQxz-FEjUVw Because the game met pre-registration goals, additional milestones have been added. Upon reaching 600,000 pre-registrations, all players will receive enough gems to complete 15 Summons for free, in addition to valuable materials needed to enhance characters. Players can pre-register through the AppStore and Google Play now. The game will be available as a free download with in-app purchases on both platforms with English and Korean text supported.

Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Complete is getting a 4K HDR Remaster Blu-ray box set to release on September 15th and will retail for 11,000 yen. (Note: This product is already available in other regions as of June 8.) Set two years after the events of the original Final Fantasy VII, a mysterious illness called "Geostigma" is ravaging the planet, as well protagonist Cloud Strife, who has become distant from his closest comrades and friends. What's more, mysterious black-garbed men are seeking the remnants of Jenova's body to bring about another Reunion. It's up to Cloud to put a stop to their plans. The film is a centerpiece of what became the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII, a multimedia project to further explore the title's universe. Square Enix has released a comparison video that shows off the higher resolution in comparison with the previous best resolution. Check it out below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayB3k_pDL0A

During the Seiken Densetsu 30th Anniversary broadcast, Mana series producer Masaru Oyamada closed with a brief announcement: that a new title in the the Mana series is in development for consoles. He stated that Mana series creator Koichi Ishii had recently reviewed the game's progress, which is currently at an early stage. The team wanted to make it in time for the 30th Anniversary, but it seems that we'll need to wait a bit longer. A new (non-remake) console entry in the series hasn't arrived since 2006's Dawn of Mana on the PlayStation 2, or Heroes of Mana for the Nintendo DS in 2007 if you're splitting hairs. Since then, new entries like Rise of Mana and the just-announced Echoes of Mana have released on smartphones or web browsers. https://youtu.be/TANOyelWgHo?t=8826

Announced during the Seiken Densetsu 30th Anniversary broadcast, a new smartphone title "Echoes of Mana" was revealed for iOS and Android. Featuring characters from throughout the Mana series, Echoes is a 2D action RPG that uses a free-to-play model. It is planned to release in 2022. You can check out the announcement trailer below as well as a timestamped segment of gameplay: Announcement Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhTkT9ViGP8 Gameplay Segment https://youtu.be/TANOyelWgHo?t=4536

Announced during the Seiken Densetsu 30th Anniversary broadcast, the Trials of Mana remake will be headed to iOS and Android on July 15th in Japan. Gameplay shown during the broadcast shows a UI adapted for smartphone devices. Previously the Trials of Mana remake released on PC, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch, and shipped 1 million unites as of February 2021. We've timestamped a section of gameplay shown during the broadcast below: https://youtu.be/TANOyelWgHo?t=2536

The most "TWEWY" experience I've ever had was probably eating at the Taco Bell in Shibuya. (Did you know they have fries? A Taco Bell with fries!) So, naturally, I feel well-qualified to report on the authenticity found within The World Ends with You and it's brand-new sequel NEO The Worlds Ends with You. They're games featuring trendy teens trapped in a supernatural "Reapers' Game" where they must play by the rules or face oblivion. While there's much at stake for our heroes, including the steak ramen in found in Dogenzaka, it's a game that invites you to gorge on the consumerist aspect of Shibuya's culture - to collect all the pins, to purchase all the stylish clothes, to devour endless amounts of hamburgers to permanently increase your HP all while you're one step away from certain doom. In fact, nearly everything about the game is treated as an item to collect - even tutorial information. The first game is much about growing up in an age of endless influence, but defining yourself on your own terms, rather than by the content you consume or the peer pressure exerted on you. It's also a game that released in 2007 and features flip

Square Enix has shared the final trailer for NEO: The World Ends with You ahead of its release on July 27. According to a note from Tetsuya Nomura, they've avoided big spoilers this time around so take a look. Additionally, starting from June 25 at 1PM Eastern, fans will be able to sample the game for themselves when a playable demo drops for both PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. Progress from said demo will transfer to the final game on the same platform. Catch the trailer below: English https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWlvJ6hWcKs Japanese https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JT3lz0-hhjk