When I played through Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin on console last year, all I could keep thinking was that the script felt like someone found my seventh-grade fan fiction, tidied up the grammar, and embarrassed me personally by sending it out into the modern world.  The gameplay, while fun, struck me as overly repetitive. The dated visuals didn’t help matters. I’m not saying I disliked my time with the game, because all things considered, I was glad to have played it, but I would not go so far as to say I was thrilled. As the DLCs dropped, and discourse slowly but surely shifted from focusing on Jack’s cheesy lines to the game as a whole, I started to feel like maybe I had missed the forest for the trees. Perhaps there’s more to like about Stranger of Paradise than I had realized. It warranted a second chance. Naturally, I jumped at the chance to give it another test drive on Steam. This time, it clicked, but my newfound appreciation has nothing to do with the reason I presume you’re reading this, which is to ascertain the technical state of the port. Not helpful, I know, but hear me out -

Steam fans can finally get their hands on Team Ninja's action RPG Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin, Square Enix announced today. Newcomers can snag the game at the new low price of $39.99 for the standard release, with a Digital Deluxe version also available. The Steam store page can be accessed here. If you've yet to get caught up on the story of Stranger of Paradise, there's a new recap trailer as well that was shared alongside the initial Steam release announcement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYr9uqtCz3c&feature=youtu.be If you're not keen on watching a video, however, just know that Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin is a retelling of sorts of the original Final Fantasy. You'll join Jack and his crew of able-bodied heroes as they confront the gates of the Chaos Shrine and step into a dark fantasy world. Are they the Warrior of Light from stories old? You'll have to play and find out. Steam users can also pick up the three downloadable expansions (Trials of the Dragon, Wanderer of the Rift, and Different Future) for the game - either through the Deluxe Edition or by purchasing the Season Pass. For more including our review, check out our coverage here.

Team Ninja's Action RPG Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin is finally making its way over to Steam, Square Enix announced today. Having been available on other platforms including Epic Game Store for just shy of a year now, it's time for the rest of the PC user base to experience one of 2022's most interesting games. For those looking to buy the game elsewhere, it has also been discounted to a new permanent price. Additionally, a new trailer has been released, highlighting the main characters and "The Journey Ends". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYr9uqtCz3c Since its release, Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin has amassed a number of downloadable content expansions. The third and final season pass DLC arrived on January 27, following Trials of the Dragon King and Wanderer of the Rift. Titled Different Future, if features Jack’s repeat encounter with a mysterious Lufeinian, and none other than the Emperor, the main antagonist from Final Fantasy II. Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin is now available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and the Epic Games Store.

The third and final season pass DLC for Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin will arrive on January 27th, following Trials of the Dragon King and Wanderer of the Rift. Titled Different Future, if features Jack's repeat encounter with a mysterious Lufeinian, and none other than the Emperor, the main antagonist from Final Fantasy II. Not only that, but it appears that Omega, a notable superboss from throughout the Final Fantasy series, can also be challenged. Like previous DLC, new jobs, a new weapon, and new features will be added to the game. All three jobs can use a new Firearm weapon. The first job, Marksman, can interrupt unblockable attacks with a dazing bullet. The Hunter can attack enemies while Analyze is in effect to build stacks, making enemy weaknesses easier to exploit. The Gambler can spin the roulette wheel to use two randomly selected skills. Additionally, new functionality has been added to the smithy, wherein you can use "Manikin material" to substitute for materials your short on when enhancing equipment. It appears as a currency in the bottom right of the enhancement screen. Manikin material can also be used to replicate equipment. Check it out in the trailer below! Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy

Today, Square Enix has announced the third and final major DLC to come to Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin, set to release on January 27th for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and the Epic Games Store. Titled “Different Future,” this episode will see Jack and company come across the spirit of a moogle, which guides them to a city in an alternate time and space for a final challenge. In the trailer, we see gameplay with Jack using a new job featuring a firearm weapon he can shoot enemies with. The DLC can either be purchased as part of a season pass that includes Trials of the Dragon King and Wanderer of the Rift updates. Check out the trailer and screenshots below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWIcJGcppuA

Square Enix has posted a new launch trailer for 'Wanderers of the Rift,' a new expansion for Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin. Here, we see Jack and company unfurl a new Lufeinian plot and cross blades with none other than the interdimensional wanderer himself: Gilgamesh. You'll be doing more than battling on big bridges, it seems. According to the latest Square Enix blog, this expansion will also include a Rift Labyrinth which strings together short, randomized dungeons. A new Blue Mage job is available in the Rift Labyrinth, and abilities can be used with the right trigger. A new Dimension Bringer ability lets Jack slow down time and dish out extra damage. Monster Bells can be utilized here to have monsters battle at your side, which may be useful when you take on new Chaotic Monsters that are tougher than other variations but have greater rewards. A 'Gilgamesh' difficulty mode will be unlocked by completing the first expansion 'Trials of the Dragon King' and features higher enemy levels than previous content. Equipment found here and appraised by a Tonberry blacksmith may have special blessings from summons that increase their capability. To access this expansion, you'll need the Season Pass, which will include

Today, Square Enix has announced the second major DLC to come to Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin, set to release on October 26th for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One and the Epic Games Store. Titled "Wanderer of the Rift," this episode will feature the "Labyrinth of Dimensions," a dungeon that randomly configures your path to unlock pieces of the story. Blue Mage will be introduced as a new job, and a new class of enemies called "Chaotic Monsters" intended to provide more of a diverse and challenging experience. New equipment and new abilities will are also planned for the DLC. It also features the interdimensional wanderer of the rift himself, Gilgamesh. Those who have purchased the season pass for Stranger of Paradise will gain access to this content when it goes live, otherwise you can purchase it standalone. Check out the reveal trailer below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zehOwIgecBk

The first expansion for Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin arrives on July 20th, for all platforms. Titled "Trials of the Dragon King," it can be purchased individually or as part of a season pass that will include two future DLC packages. Four new main missions, and nine new side missions will be available after clearing the "Warriors of Calamity" storyline and will feature an original story featuring the Dragon King Bahamut. According to Square Enix: "Taking an interest in Jack and his allies, Bahamut is willing to lend them its counsel and strength, should they pass its trials and prove their bravery. Trials of the Dragon King also sees Jack accosted by the Warriors of Light. Their fight is to restore the light to the crystals and thus save the world from the darkness that threatens to consume it." New jobs Pilgrim, Evoker, and Summoner have been added as well a new weapon type: Staves. There will also be a new accessory slot that can be utilized for special effects and status improvements. A new difficulty mode, Bahamut, can be accessed after completing the main game and further DLC will arrive later, in "Wanderer of the Rift" and "Different Future. Bahamut's Trials

Square Enix has introduced another trailer for the upcoming downloadable expansion for Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin titled "Trials of the Dragon King", ahead of its launch on July 20. This new look goes deeper into the story of Jack and company as they encounter the mysterious Bahamut, along with some of the new tools being added to the game. In addition to Staves, which extend to attack in wide swaths, players can take on three new jobs including Pilgrim, Evoker and Summoner. Pilgrims seize foes using a staff that can stretch and shrink with the job action and then leap to their position or draw them into an attack. Evokers use the command evocation and can call forth spirits that independently attack enemies or execute special abilities on command. Summoners can summon Bahamut to destroy foes. Using max MP while summoned, Bahamut can unleash the all powerful megaflare. Catch the new jobs in practice in the new trailer below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq657bPWhvc

Square Enix has revealed the first post-release DLC update for Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin released earlier this year. Titled "Trials of the Dragon King," it will feature the Dragon King Bahamut and what appears to be the Warrior of Light as they appear in the Dissidia Final Fantasy series. Releasing on July 20th, and the first round of content in the season pass, it will feature "new jobs, weapons, accessories and category of equipment to blast your way through all the new areas, stories and challenges that await for you to find your perfect gameplay style." Take a look at the teaser trailer below: Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin is now available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, and PC. You can check out our review here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WVpKD8bJnQ