I envy those who get to experience Final Fantasy VII Remake for the first time, I really do. This thought has been at the back of my head over the past few days as I've revisited the world of Midgar - the familiar faces of Cloud and friends a welcome sight after a year of absence, shined up and repackaged for the new generation under the Intergrade branding. This dangerous blend of nostalgia for Final Fantasy VII mixed with the call for new and improved content... it's overwhelming - in a good way. The PlayStation 5 isn't entertaining some basic port. No, Square Enix has pulled out all the stops to not only update the game's visuals, but craft some additional content as well. You've got the base game, of course, but also a lengthy bit of downloadable content featuring the young ninja and materia hunter Yuffie Kisaragi. Along with a new summon and VR content, there's plenty here for both returning fans and newcomers alike. So first let's take a look at the base game. Content wise it's unchanged from the PlayStation 4 version - to the point I slipped in my old save (after transferring it from the PS4 version)

Prelude Although I have the honor of publishing stuff here at the fabulous Nova Crystallis, I'm just one Square Enix fan among millions. Perhaps I'm a bit wordier than some — and that's not always a good thing! — but otherwise? Writers and readers alike, we all visit this website because we're perpetually thirsty for all things Square. But how did we reach this point? And indeed, what is it about Square Enix's catalog that's compelling enough to have triggered the creation of sites like Nova Crystallis in the first place? There's bound to be a story behind every fan's first encounter with these games, and I'd be willing to bet that many of us also have heartfelt stories about how the games have been here for us through thick and thin.Each and every story is worth telling. Why, then, am I sharing mine? Well, I suppose for starters I simply enjoy writing. I probably wouldn't be here at Nova Crystallis if I didn't! But this runs deeper than that. You see, I've seen people ridiculed all my life for loving fictional worlds. "Snap back to reality," they've been told. "Get more real friends." It's important to acknowledge reality and to take care

Final Fantasy XI's content updates continue with today's launch of the latest material added to The Voracious Resurgence storyline along with a new campaign event for June. Throughout this month, players can cash in on bonus rewards and increased item drop rates for a variety of content. The Sunshine Seeker event is also underway, which has players transforming into mandragoras to complete tasks for special gear and alter ego. June's update details the following: The Voracious Resurgence Update – Travel to Aht Urhgan where the stage is set for those who oppose the gods--the next part in the fourth chapter of The Voracious Resurgence is now live with a special reward for those who complete this step of the story.Sunshine Seeker Event – The Sunshine Seeker event is available now through Sunday, June 20 at 7:59 a.m. (PDT), and delves further into some of the characters introduced in the quest Babban Ny Mheillea. Don the guise of a mandragora and complete the tasks posed to you to receive special equipment and an alter ego of the eponymous mandragora.Ambuscade Update – This month’s update to Ambuscade features Uragnites as a new foe to challenge, alongside the return of giants.Stayin' Cool with Cool Equipment

Balan Wonderworld creator Yuji Naka has announced that he has departed Square Enix at the end of April 2021. While he stated he couldn't share the exact reason why just yet, Naka said he may enter retirement, presumably from game development altogether. The creator of SEGA's Phantasy Star Online and Sonic the Hedgehog franchise joined with Square Enix to form Balan Company, a studio created for Naka's Balan Wonderworld. A 3D action-platformer, the game features a child protagonist whisked away to a magical realm where they must restore balance to peoples' emotions. Gameplay featured many different costumes that all bestow a unique ability. Naka's departure likely comes in the aftermath of Balan Wonderworld's poor critical and commercial reception, moving less than 2,100 units in its debut week in Japan. https://twitter.com/nakayuji/status/1401050454704857088 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBX3z3WeqvQ

The latest chapter of the Save the Queen series arrived in Final Fantasy XIV last Tuesday, as part of the last content patch before the Endwalker expansion drops this November. This series features the return of Yasumi Matsuno, who previously collaborated with FFXIV to write an Ivalice-themed alliance raid series "Return to Ivalice" in the Stormblood expansion. Save the Queen has its own ties to Ivalice, or the Ivalice fashioned for FFXIV's world. While previous collaborations have feature characters such as Fran or Ba'Gamnan, their roles and relationships are completely different on Hydaelyn. Ashe and Rasler, for example, are brother than sister rather than betrothed. For a long while, many fans have tried to connect the games via charts, timelines, and so on. I posit that Ivalice games, moreso Matsuno's Ivalice games, are less about connecting a grand history and its actors, and more of a template with which to explore stories about class struggle, revolutionary ideals and idealists, and the wound of broken bonds. Familiar faces and familiar places are but a means to an end. Rather than alliance raid series, Save the Queen comes in the form of an "Adventuring Foray," a type of content that was introduced in the

Square Enix has revealed the time and date for their announcement showcase headlining E3 this year. This Summer edition of Square Enix Presents will air on June 13 at 12:15 Pacific time as a Keynote during the all-digital E3 2021 event, as well as on Square Enix’s official Twitch and YouTube channels. The stream is slated to last around 40 minutes and will include news and updates on the following: World premiere of a new game from Eidos-MontrealAn update on Babylon's FallDetails on Marvel's Avengers: Black Panther - War for Wakanda and upcoming in-game events.Deep dive on Life is Strange: True Colors and first look at Life is Strange: Remastered Collection.

In preparation for the upcoming release of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on PlayStation 5, Square Enix has issued an update for the original PS4 release that lets players set up their data for save transfer. Available for transfer directly from a PS4 or PS5 console, simply select 'Upload Save Data' from the main menu and follow the instructions therein. You'll be able to upload as many saves as you want, but each one must be uploaded on its own. While settings won't transfer over, trophies will and you might receive multiple notifications from having obtained them in quick succession. Once the save data has been successfully uploaded, you can then grab the files from 'Download Save Data' in the PS5 version of the game. As a reminder, those who downloaded and played the PS+ version do not qualify for the free PS5 upgrade. You'll have to buy a digital or physical copy of the game on PS4 to enjoy that bonus. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is due out on June 10 for PS5. FF7R Episode INTERmission will be available as a separate purchase for those upgrading from the PS4 version for $19.99.

Square Enix is offering a new look at the upcoming Legend of Mana remaster, releasing June 24 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PC via Steam. This new version will include a number of upgrades including high resolution visuals, remastered and redrawn backgrounds and an updated user interface. In Legend of Mana, players will take control of the protagonist, who must go on a journey to find the mystical Mana, encounter multiple stories and characters and fight against a variety of monsters along the way. The Escad Story Arc follows four childhood friends - Escad, Daena, Matilda and Irwin. The Dragon Killer Arc adds Larc, the dragoon of Drakonis, as he embarks on a mission to slay the Dragons of Knowledge and challenge another dragon by the name of Sierra. Progressing through the game gives players access to the orchard in the secluded dell which is inhabited by Trent, an ancient tree that grows food items used to feed pets, paint golems and alter equipment. The remastered Legend of Mana features exclusive equipment - players can forge a one of a kind equipment at the Equipment Smithy. By establishing the instrument workshop, it can be used to make enchanted instruments with

Rounding out six promised game announcements today, Square Enix finally revealed the next mainline title in the Dragon Quest series - or its logo, at least. Yes, Dragon Quest XII is actually happening and it's being planned to launch with a simultaneous worldwide release. According to game designer Yuji Horii, this will be a Dragon Quest aimed at adults - with darker, mature content that will have players make an important decisions. The battle system and traditional Command system is also being updated, although details as to how remain unknown. They're not going to get rid of commands, however, but they are changing things. They have some prototypes currently in development. Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate is set to be directed by Takeshi Uchikawa and is being developed using Unreal Engine 5 with the team taking on a variety of challenges. The story is complete and only needed to be implemented - the game will be big so there's still time to go before it's complete. As such, Square Enix is currently recruiting new staff to help work on the game. Catch the logo teaser below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUAmVLMjGQw

Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age characters Erik and Mia headline yet another spin-off coming to the Dragon Quest series - Dragon Quest Treasures. While platforms and a launch date remain vague, Square Enix is planning to release the game worldwide. Important themes the game will focus on include Erik and Mia's childhood and treasure hunting. It's an RPG but different from the traditional ones. While platforms remain unannounced, the team is working closely with Yuji Horii to make a worldwide simultaneous release happen. Fans can expect more information at a later date. Catch the announcement trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrH43AbDRyg