It was only a matter of time before the two fantasy worlds collided, and on June 13, 2025, Magic: The Gathering will finally join forces with the world of Final Fantasy to bring a stunning new set o?f ??cards to the table.

As part of MagicCon: Las Vegas, Wizards of the Coast have revealed a bunch of new sets that will be released at some point in 2025, and while we’ll get into the other sets a little further down, the focus here is definitely on the Final Fantasy cards and the beautiful examples of artwork that we’ve alre??ady seen. 

The set will feature not only well known faces from across the 16 game franchise, but also locations, spells, and mounts. It will be the largest single collection of artwork from the franchise as well, featuring artwork by both Wizards of the Coast artists and renowned Final Fantasy illustrators. 

My Final Fantasy XIV fangirl heart is overjoyed at the inclusion of an Emet-Selch card, as well as other familiar faces like Kefka from FFVI and Sephiroth from FFVII. There’s also a Post Moogle that’s beyond?? adorable, and an illustration of Tidus and Yuna wrapped in an embrace.&nbs?p;

I’ve got to be honest, I’ve managed to avoid being pulled into the world of Magic: The Gathering thus far, but this might be the set that breaks me. In fact, there’s no might about it, I’ll be pre-ordering this as soon as I possibly can. If you want to do the same, you can sign up for updates via the Wizards of the Coast website. 

All Magic: The Gathering sets revealed at MagicCon: Las Vegas

If you’re not into Final Fantasy, here are the other sets that were also revealed durin??g MagicCon: Las Vegas:

Innistrad: Remastered (January 24)

This reprint of the Innistrad set first released in 2011 will be the first to release in 2025. If you’re a fan of the gothic horror world filled with vampires and werewolves, then you’ll know what to expect from Innistrad: Remastered. However, there will be a new type of card included, called Headliners, whi??ch are de??scribed as “the most exciting card to collect in a releaseâ€? 

Aetherdrift (February 14)

The first Standard-legal set of 2025, Aetherdrift will follow a “death raceâ€?theme in which residents from three different planes in the MTG universe will come to together to compete for the Aether Spark. Apparently it’s a trophy that provides an incredible amount of power to the winner. ?;

Tarkir: Dragonstorm (April 11)

Tarkir: Dragonstorm will be set on the plane of Tarkir, and will see five clans battle ??it out against a surge of lethal dragons. This set will include some familiar faces, including Sarkhan and the spirit dragon Ugin. 

Edge Of Eternities (August 1)

When Edge of Eternities is released in August, MTG will ??be jetting off into space for this first-time space opera. Explore beyond the edges of the known multiverse in an area known as the Solthera system, a??nd encounter a familiar yet long-absent villain, Tezzeret. 

Marvel's Spider-Man (TBA 2025)

Although we have no specific release date for this Spider-Man themed expansion, it will work nicely alongside the soon-to-be-released Marvel themed Secret Lair Superdrop, which is coming in November. 

Secret Lair x SpongeBob SquarePants

I think you could be forgiven if you didn’t see this one coming, but yes you read that correctly. SpongeBob, and likely the rest of Bikini Bottom, is being brought into the Magic: The Gathering universe. There’s no specific ??re?lease date for this one, and I’m interested to see how it goes, so watch this space.

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Final Fantasy IX is now 24 years old, and has come a long way from its initial ?PlayStation exclusive release. Now, it’s available to play on pretty much any platform you can imagine, but all of them benefit from one shared thing â€?cheats. 

Okay look, I’m not suggesting that you should dive right in, enable all of the possible cheats and breeze across Gaia without a care in the world. That would cause you to lose? half of the joy that is FFIX. However, if you’re neck deep in a battle and struggling to come out the other side, some of the available cheats can come in really handy. 

There are two types of cheats, those that can be turned on and off at will, and those that will permanently alter your save file. There are also a few tips and t??ricks that might help you in specific circumstances, but more on that later.

Do cheats disable trophies or achievements in Final Fantasy IX?

There’s good news and bad news on this front. While cheats accessed through the pause menu have absolutely no effect on trophies or achievements, those that are enacted through the configuration menu will? remove your ability to gain any trophies or achievements whatsoever. ;

This is worth bearing in mind before you pull out the big guns and confirm your choices, and means that configuration menu cheats should only be used as an absolu?te last resort, or if you’ve already completed a playthrough and gained all of the trophies or achievements you want to get..  

Final Fantasy IX pause menu cheats

There are four cheats, otherwise known as ‘game boostersâ€? which can be accessed through the pause menu. These can be switched on and off as many times as you like with no long-term effects. They all revolve around battle, and can be really useful if you’re low?? on health or time. 

To use any of?? the following cheats, press pause and then press the corresponding button on your chosen platf??orm.

Battle Assistance

Button:

• PlayStation: L1
• PC: F2
• Nintendo Switch: L
• Xbox: LB

Turning Battle Assistance on will instantly fill up the AT??B gauge for each party member, ensuring that you don’t have to wait between turns. It will also keep your health and magic points filled up, pretty much guaranteeing that no one in your party will be knocked out unless they’re the victim of a particularly high-damage attack. Battle Assistance will also enable you to enter Trance Mode at any time, significantly increasing the damage your party can do. 

9999

9999 gives you one hell of a boost in any battle, as it enables any attack that you perform will cause 9999 damage to the victim. While you can use this early in your adventure, I’d argue that it’s overkill at that point, and this boost is better used once you encounter enemies with far more health. This cheat has the same effect on healing spells, making them ?restore 9999 health. 

High Speed Mode

While the battles in FFIX are definitely fun to play through, sometimes the animations and transitions can drag on a bit, especially if this isn’t your first time in a p?articular battle. High Speed Mode does exactly what you’d expect it to â€?it speeds up battles and allows you to play them on fast forward. 

Safe Travel

When dashing from one major location to the next across the overworld of FFIX, it can be frustrating to be pulled into random encounters, especial??ly if you’re hurrying off to a new location to complete a quest. The Safe Travel boost will enable you to traverse the wild landscapes without being drawn into a single random battle. 

However, there are two things to remember about Safe Tr?avel. When enabled, it will also prevent encounters with friendly monsters, and it doesn’t have any effect on event battles, which will still occur. 

Final Fantasy IX configuration menu cheats

These cheats are an absolute game changer, but as mentioned before, the use of them comes at a price. While they can make your playthrough infinitely easier, you’ll ?be unable to get trophies or achievements, and using them does? somewhat cheapen the first-time experience.

The button to access the me??nu is as fol??lows on each platform:

• PlayStation: â–?/li>

• PC: V
• Nintendo Switch: X
• Xbox: Y

With the menu open, scroll down to “Configâ€?and then find the three cheats under “Game Boosters". As stated on ?the Config screen, these featu??res cannot be disabled once active, so make sure to think about your decision wisely. 

Master Abilities

When activated, all party members will instantly master any abilities associated with items and equipment that you have in your inventory. This work??s for both equipment that you already have in your inventory, as well as any further ??equipment you go on to gain. 

Level and Magic Stones Max

Upon activating this cheat, all party members (including those you’ve already met and any that you gain in the future) will be set at the maximum level of 99. This cheat also gives you the maximum amoun??t of 99 Magic Stones, allowing you to teach any party member any ability.

Gil Max

Using this boost will instantly grant you the maximum amount of ??Gil you can hold, which is 9,999,999. This is e??asily enough to get you everything you could possibly dream of, and negates the need to grind for funds in order to get specific items. 

Final Fantasy IX tips, tricks, and secrets

Although the following tips and tricks can??’t be considered cheats, you could definitely get away with calling them exploits. These are best used if you avoid the cheats mentioned above, but can help you along?? the way. 

Easy leveling

Once you’ve got Quina in your party, head?? to the outside of Gizmalike’s Grotto and use their Level 5 Death ability against the level 60 Grand Dragons you encounter there. This can easily provide around 8,800 experience points for each party member. For some protection from the Dragon’s Thundaga spells, equip Coral Rings.

Cotton Robe Trick

If you’re hard-up for Gil and want an easy way to make a lot in a short time period, tr?y making some Cotton Robes. You’ll need to purchase the following ingredients:

• Wrist (130 Gil)

  • Purchased from Dali
  • Stolen from Masked Man

• Steepled Hat (260 Gil)

  • Purchased in Lindblum, Burmecia, Summit Station, or Black Mage Village
  • Stolen from Black Waltz 2 or 3

With these two items in your inventory, head to a Synthesis Shop and synthesize them into a ??Cotton Robe. The synth itself will cost you 1,000 Gil, but the Cotton Robe will then sell for 2,000 Gil. This is an easy 610 Gil profit on each Cotton Robe, which isn’t bad for relatively ??little effort. 

Skip Battle Intro

This is something that can be turned on through the Config menu, and?? will save you approximately 14 seconds per encounter. That’s a lot of time that can be better spent exploring Gaia. In the same vein, you can also increase the speed at which battles take place by tweaking the “Battle Speedâ€?slider in the same menu. 

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The Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters have finally arrived on Xbox Series X and S systems, alongside a few titles from the Mana series. On Thursday, Xbox and Square Enix announced the news during the Tokyo ??Game Show.

Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters' Xbox surprise launch

Players on Xbox Series X|S can now play the entire Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series, Legend of Mana, and Trials of Mana for the first time. They launched on Thursday for the platform. While the Pixel Remaster games aren't available on Xbox Game Pass, the Mana games are.

On the bright side, you can get each classic Final Fantasy game for a discounted price for a limited time. If you don't know what the Pixel Remasters are, they are revitalized versions of Final Fantasy all the way up to Final Fantasy VI. They have new 2D pixel graphics, the option for a rearranged soundtrack, a more modern user interface, and auto-battle options. You can even turn off random encounters if you'd like and change the font.

Trials of Mana joins Xbox Game Pass

Trials of Mana is a decent entry in the long-running RPG series, and it's a remake of the third entry in the series we never got on the SNES. It's ?an RPG that lets you upgrade your characters' classes and learn over 300 different abilities.

Josh Talentino gave the game a 7.5/10 review for Destructoid. "In a sense, it’s an ideal remake, holding tight to the core of what made the original game (and the Mana series as a whole) so compelling to so many people at the time, while bringing a novelty and freshness to attract neophytes like yours truly," Talentino wrote. Despite Trials of Mana initially skipping the Xbox, the game shipped over one million copies worldwide when it launched on PS4,?? Switch, and PC.

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When a creative's imagination is the ??limit, ther?e's no shortage of attractive characters in gaming. And when you spend hours, sometimes even dozens or hundreds of them, staring at a protagonist, villain, or trusted companion, it never hurts for them to be easy on the eyes.

Sometimes, I find m??yself a bit head-over-heels for a few of them, reminiscing about the handsome men I've met on a few of my journeys. While I'm not sure I could fully co??mmit to a relationship with a troubling few of these guys—regrettably, I can't fix him—I’d definitely take them out for a nice dinner date. 

10 Video game guys I'd take to dinner, and (maybe) a movie

10. James Sunderland from Silent Hill 2

Whether it be just dinner or grabbing coffee, any kind of commitment to James is probably a bad idea, given his track record with Mary in Silent Hill 2. He may have seen it as a mercy killing, or purely out of selfishness to seek a life free from burden, bu??t either way, it's not exactly something I'd be willing to look past.

It's just that I think James could really use the pick-me-up a nice dinner date would give?? him after the whole b?eing stuck in a haunting mind hell ordeal, you know? Plus, he’s quite easy on the eyes, and dependable if I’m being attacked by the horrific creatures of the eerie town of Silent Hill. So, I’ll take him on a date, but just one.

9. Sephiroth from Final Fantasy VII

Look at that flowing, gorgeous hair. The cool black jacket, the sword, the wings? Obviously, I?? would say yes to a date with Sephiroth if he asked me, just based on aura alone. You can’t ignore hi??m.

However, this is the only character on this list I probably wouldn’t even enjoy the date with. He’s so consumed by his hatred that I don’t think he could put it aside for even one meal at a cozy bistro in the city. But, seeing as he’s just so pretty, he had t?o be here.

8. Johnny Gat from Saint’s Row

Johnny Gat is a murderous gang banger to the extreme. But, he’s a handsome murderous gang banger. And he’s pretty fun to chill out with when he’s just hanging out at the crib with his fell?ow Saints. 

Sadly, Johnny also lost his girl Aisha to the Ronin in Saint’s Row 2, so I’m no??t so sure he could protect me from those same rival gangs. That’s why a relationship with him would never work out; it's just not practical. Surely, they won’t target me if we go on just one date, right?

7. Solid Snake from Metal Gear

We love a man who can get things done, and nobody does it as well as Snake. This is the man who makes the impossible, possible after all. Give Snake a mission, a?nd you can bet it’ll be completed, whether it’s a highly classified operation or loading the dishwasher.

Unfortunately, the rapid aging business puts a huge damper on things. Does he still des?erve love? Yes. Could I provide it, knowing his lifespan is dramatically shorter than mine thanks to all the espionage? Probably not. So a few nice dates we both enjoy, but move on from, will work.

6. Arthur Morgan from Red Dead Redemption 2

You could just tell me I’m going on a date with a ?real cowboy, and I’d be there. But Arthur Morgan? Heâ€?™s not only a cowboy but a true Wild West heartthrob. We could hunt for dinner ourselves, then enjoy it under the stars by a roaring campfire.

However, there’s one major issue with Arthur: spoiler alert, he’s dead. I'm not really looking to go back in time, either, especially a time so far back I'm lacking modern?? comforts. And seeing as how the game takes place in 18??99, it's just a non-starter. Time may keep us apart, but I can dream about the lovely dinner I’d enjoy with this cowboy.

5. Master Chief from Halo

The suit stays on. I d?on’t need to know what he looks like underneath it. It doesn’t matter. This man almost single-handedly saved all of humanity from both The Covenant and The Flood—that alone would get me out the door and sat in an Olive Garden booth.

Master Chief also has one of the smoothest voices in the history of gaming, and you just know an intimate conversation with him would be music to the ears. I don’t think marrying him would be ideal, though, since if anyone’s committed to their job, it’s him. I’ll go on as many dates with him as I can ?before the UNSC calls him back yet again.

4. Wyll from Baldur’s Gate 3

I’m sick of everyone talking about Astarion and Gale all the time. Yes, they’re lovely, but you’re missing out on this hunk of a Warlock, Wyll. This folk hero is kind, brave, and will do anything to keep Baldur's Gate safe. Plus, he’s got the whole tortured, dark secret that haunts him every day going for him. All the makings of a great romantic?? interest.

Now, there is the whole Mizora soul-binding thing to contend with, and I understand how that will turn people away. However, I can look past it. Not forever, but at least for ??a few romantic steak dinners before we part ways.

3. Link from Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

He’s the Hero of Hyrule and nearly every gamer girl’s first crush, so, obviously, I would take Link out to dinner. Even better, he can just cook dinner for us since he’s got the skills to make things like meat pies in a single co??oking pot. There’s a reason nearly everyone in Hyrule is thirsting over him during the Era of the Wild.

There is one issue with Link though, and it’s that he’s very committed to someone already. He is so committed to Princess Zelda that he will, and has, died for her. I’m not willing to g??et between their relationship, and I don’t think I could. But I’m sure Link can spare me a few dates just to make my thirteen-year-old self happy.

2. Waluigi from Super Mario Bros

I don’t need to e??xplain this one. If you know, you know.

1. Leon Kennedy from Resident Evil

How could you look at this man and not want to take him on a date? He’s beautiful. He fights zombies. He’s got some?? of the most luscious hair in all of gaming. Of course, Leon Kennedy is n?umber one on this list because he’s clearly the best option.

Much like Link, though, Leon seems to already be involved with Ada. Their relationship is far more complicated than Link and Zelda’s, but it’s pretty clear he’s not going to let her go. I hope they can both be happy together, but only after I get my dinner date with?? Leon first.

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Disney Worlds are arguably the biggest selling point of the Kingdom Hearts franchise, since fans endlessly speculate about the movies they're going ??to be able to revisit every time Square Enix announces a brand-new game

. But some fans recently discovered a strange level that was scrapped from Kingdom Hearts 3, and it left them absolutely dumbfounded. What if Sora, Donald & Goofy visited a world based on the Cars franchise?

Fans discover plans for a Cars World in the files of Kingdom Hearts 3

A group of dedicated fans unveiled a bunch of development screenshots and documents from around 2017, simply known as the "KH3 Premium Showcase Files". Longtime Kingdom Hearts YouTuber & Researcher, 13th Vessel, has posted about this revelation on his Twitter/X account.

There are a lot of interesting parts about this discovery, but the most fascinating one is a text list of the worlds that were in development. It contains 19 different levels, and it includes both playable worlds like San Fransokyo or Toy Box and areas that appear only in cutscenes, like Daybreak Town or Radiant Garden. However, Kingdom Hearts 3 only ??f??eatured 18 worlds, so fans immediately noticed that there was a standout.

The text at #6, clearly reads "カー��", which translates to "Cars (Tentative)", meaning that at one point Square Enix was planning to include an entire world based on Pixar's sometimes infamous but wildly successful Cars franchise. This not only surprised fans but also created?? a lot of speculation on how this level was going to work.

Was it going to take place entirely within Radiator Springs? Were Sora, Donald & Goofy going to transform into different vehicles? How was Sora going to fight with his Keyblade? Was it going to have a racing minigame? Howe??ver, most fans believe that this world was scrapped very early on in development, since this list is only made up of text, and they couldn'??t find any 3D models of characters or environments either.

The other fascinating findings in the Kingdom Hearts 3 Premium Showcase Files

The KH3 Premium Showcase Files did not reveal any more information on unused Disney Worlds, but there is another fascinating finding that has shocked and amused Kingdom Hearts fans. In the final game, when players enter the Toy Box world (based on the Toy Story franchise) they will immediately witness a high quality cutscene with lots of action and impressive graphics that is promoting a fictional video game called "Verum Rex", which is a parody of Final Fantasy XV. Square Enix created the Verum Rex characters exclusively for use in the Kingdom Hearts franchise, including the protagonist, Yozora, who later appeared in the Re Mind DLC, a secret boss.

The Premium Showcase Files revealed that Verum Rex was not always supposed to be a parody, since its introductory cutscene was originally going to feature Final Fantasy XV characters. A prototype version of this cutscene has models that are extremely similar to Noctis and Stella, meaning that Tetsuya Nomura's plans may have changed at some point in development. Yozora is highly likely to play an important role in Kingdom Hearts 4, so he may have ??chosen to avoid further using characters from a separate franchise.

Tetsuya Nomura and his team are currently working on Kingdom Hearts 4, so there's a possibility that they may reuse the idea of this scrapped Cars World in this upcomin?g title. Whether fans will approve of it or not, depends entirely on its execution.

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Japan's female artistic swimming team brought video games into the spotlight at the 2024 Olympics this past Tuesday by performing to the tune of Nier: Automata's OST.

The Japanese team used "A Beautiful Song" as a part of their ??highly energetic freeform?? dance routine, and came just six points short of winning a medal.

The beautiful happening was noticed by Emi Evans, the singer who'd originally lent her ???vocals to the OST:

And the event didn't go unnoticed by Yoko Taro, the creator of the Nier series hi?mself, who responded by, well, ma??king his face on Twitter.

This is not the first time that Nier: Automata makes??? an appearance at the Olympics. The opening ceremony of Tokyo's 2020 Olympics also featured one of the game's fantastic songs:

You can totally see that the generation currently competing at the Olympics has games in its DNA, as evidenced by Noah Lyle, the already legendary runner destroys the competition while keeping Yu-Gi-Oh! cards under his equipment.

Gymnast Casimir Schmidt also proudly displays tattoos of Mew and?? Toad on his huge arms.

This isn't even the first time a video game's OST shows up at the artistic swimming competition. The United States artistic swimming duo also made use of the brilliant "Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec" way back in the Athens 2004 Olympics, and ended up taking home the bronze medal.

Japan's song choice makes me very happy, because I've been preaching that Nier: Automata's soundtrack is a transcendent selection of music ever since I got to play the game, but the truth i??s that we're long past the time when video game OSTs were just fun curiosities. There are many games nowadays whose OSTs are composed of nothing but bangers, so I must ask: which game's soundtrack would you like to see featured in the next Olympics artistic swimming competition?

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The PS2 is arguably the best console ever created with many popular franchises like Kingdom Hearts, Devil May Cry, and God of War taking root on the system. Other series really took off during this generation of consoles, like the Grand Theft Auto franchise. Here are the 10 best selling PS2 games, ranked ??by ??sales numbers.

10. Kingdom Hearts

The strange crossover between Disney and Square truly worked during the PS2 generation of consoles with over 5.9 million copies sold worldwide, as of 2007. Sora, Donald, and Goofy fought against dark creatures called the heartless in Disney worlds we all know and love like The Little Mermaid's Atlantica and Hercules' Olympus Coliseum. The action-RPG system is fast-paced, and lets you summon the likes of Dumbo and Genie to the battle. While the first game hasn't aged the best, the Kingdom Hearts franchise is still beloved worldwide.

9. Final Fantasy XII

After the success of the 10th entry, Final Fantasy XII took us back to the world of Ivalice, featuring kingdoms and olden-style language. It sold over 6 million copies, according to a 2009 interview with Yoshinori Kitase in Gendai. This entry in particular was different from other entries in the series, as it featured a real-time system similar to an MMO. "It was a triumph in many ways with its open world combat flow and groundbreaking (at the time) AI-manipulating gambit system," said our review for the remaster The Zodiac Age.

8. Tekken 5

Tekken 5 is also reported to have sold around 6 million units. This is the fighting game sequel that introduced the fan-favorite characters Asuka and Lili, in addition to the badass Dragunov and Raven. The game has an impressive 88 Metacritic score based on 62 reviews. "Better balancing, a ton of gameplay modes, smarter AI, and high-quality presentational elements are tough things to beat -- but Tekken 5 has all of them," said IGN's review when the game was released in 2005.

7. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

When you combine the reported sales of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Substance, you'll find that a total number of 7.03 million copies were picked up at stores. Launching in 2001, this game was a gigantic step in Hollywood-style storytelling within games. The second title also added a first-person camera for aiming down sights and the ability to hold foes up at gunpoint. Many love this game, ??despite a surprisin?g switch of the main protagonist.

6. Grand Theft Auto III

Grand Theft Auto III revolutionized gaming when it first came out on October 22, 2001 because of its big open world mechanics and mature content. As a result, it sold around 8.3 million copies worldwide. I remember going around my friend's house at nine years old and being amazed at how open the game was, and freaked out by how many atrocities could be performed by the player. A remaster was released for this game, but the less said about that, the better.

5. Final Fantasy X

Final Fantasy X was the best-selling PS2 game in the series at over 8.5 million copies, according to a 2013 press release. This was a big deal back in 2001. FFX was the first game in the RPG franc??hise to have voice acting with James Arnold Taylor as Tidus and Hedy Burress as Yuna. The elaborate love story between the two main characters also attracted many to the RPG. Composer N?obuo Uematsu also constructed a musical masterwork in the game's soundtrack, with standout tracks like "Movement in Green," "To Zanarkand," and of course, the epic battle theme.

4. Gran Turismo 4

The Gran Turismo series was huge during the PS2 generation, as its modern competitor Forza was yet to take shape. It drew 11.76 million racing fans to buy the game from store shelves in 2004. This game was praised for its fantastic graphics at the time and simulation mechanics. "Gran Turismo 4 is the Encyclopedia Britannica of driving, with more than 700 distinct sets of wheels to prove it, and introduces you to it with the restrained reverence of a martial arts instructor," said Eurogamer's review. "It wants you to win through training and disci??pline, not brute f??orce and chrome elbows to the side paneling."

3. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

The Grand Theft Auto series began to take over the industry with its next entry, Vice City. It sold a total of 14.2 million copies worldwide (according to the Guinness World Records 2009 Gamer's Edition book). This entry took us back to the '80s; the theming was exceptional, with a fantastic soundtrack and neon throughout the city everywhere. It also features an engaging narrative following Tommy Vercetti, voiced by Goodfellas actor Ray Liotta. "The game of fast cars and ruthless criminals packs more action and excitement into the first few hours than can be found in the entirety of most games," said IGN's 2003 review.

2. Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec

Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec accelerated excitement from the PlayStation 2 fanbase even more, with almost 15 million copies sold in 2001 and beyond. It brought incredible visuals for racing enthusiasts at the time, and likely convinced many to take the leap from the PS1 to the PS2. The official website says the game added "impairing sunglare, shimmering heat waves, real-time reflections" and more to make this game as realistic as possible at the time. There was also an Arcade mode and a Simulation mode added to Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec to make it as appealing to a wide audi?ence ??as possible.

1. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

Arguably the best of the PS2 trilogy, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is on top of the best selling PS2 games list with 17.33 million copies reportedly purchased by PS2 players around the world, according to the Guinness World Records 2009 Gamer's Edition. Playing as Carl Johnson, you're living in the '90s, trying to save Carl's family after his mother was murdered and trying to flee corrupt cops who frame him for homicide. The game has an amazing 95% Metacritic average rating from 80 outlets.

Game Informer gave it a perfect score, saying "San Andreas breaks the video game mold and?? emerges as something far greater." (Via Metacritic) Despite a terrible remaster much later on, it seems to still hold a place in many fans' minds as one of the best in the series.

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The presence of acclaimed exclusives is something every single PlayStation —no matter if they ar??e home consoles or portables�has had in common since the heydays of the PS1. But which among the brand's current catalog can be considered the best?

For all looking for certa?in hits, here are the 10 best games that are to this day only officially available on either PlayS?tation consoles or services.

10. Infamous 2

• Release Date: June 7, 2011
• Developer: Sucker Punch Productions
• Where to play: PlayStation 3. Can also be streamed on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC via the PlayStation Plus
• View buying options

A direct sequel to the 2009 hit, Infamous 2 continues the?? story? of bike messenger turned superhuman Cole MacGrath, as he must prepare for his fateful encounter against the entity only known as The Beast.

A title that screams the early 2010s for all of the right reasons, Infamous 2 wears its comic book inspirations proudly. The game also features significa??nt upgrades in visuals when compared to the previous title, all while maintaining both its signature choice-based narrative style and high deg??ree of freedom when in combat or traversing.

9. God of War III (God of War III Remastered)

• Release Date: July 17, 2015 (Remastered) / Originally released on PS3 on March 16, 2010
• Developer: Santa Monica Studio
• Where to play: PS3 (Original) / PS4 and PS5. Also available for streaming on PC via the PlayStation Plus App (Remastered)
• View buying options

The most brutal entry in the original God of War trilogy, God of War 3 brings to players exactly what one would expect from it, as Kratos hacks ??and slashes his way through Olympus in search of the objects of his revenge.

I consider God of War 3 to be a must-pick for those only knowledgeable abou??t the Norse saga, as seeing Kratos completely submersed in his rage helps segment how much the character grew. As an? extra, the game features both the definitive version of the Greek saga's combat and some of the most jaw-dropping boss fights in gaming.

8. Vagrant Story

• Release Date: February 10, 2000 (PS1)
• Developer: Square Enix (Square)
• Where to play: PS1, PlayStation 2, PS3, and PlayStation Vita.
• View buying options

A PlayStation 1 classic long overdue for at least a remaster, Vagrant Story follows Riskbearer Ashley Riot ??in his quest to find? the cult leader Sydney Losstarot. Little does he know that the mission will lead to revelations regarding both the kingdom he swore to protect and himself.

A dungeon crawler at heart, Vagrant Story pairs the known excellence of Final Fantasy Tactics and XII's writer Yasumi Matsuno with an unforgiving combat system and a deep weapon and equipment crafting mechanic. Keep in ??mind, however, that mastering the latter will demand a lot of commitment.

7. God of War II (God of War II HD)

• Release Date: March 13, 2007 (PS2) / November 17, 2009 (PS3 via the God of War Collection)
• Developer: Santa Monica Studio
• Where to play: PS2, PS3, and PS4/PS5 (via the PlayStation Plus Premium Classics Catalog). Also available for streaming on PC via the PlayStation Plus App
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If God of War can be seen as the tale of Kratos' ascendance, God of War 2 tells the tale of his downfall, as the Ghost of Sparta must ally himself with u?nexpected forces and search for the powers of the mythical Sisters of Fate to get his revenge ??on Olympus.

Even if its narrative can be seen as bland (a feat shared by most of the main installments in the Greek saga), GoW 2 refines the formula introduced by the first game and increases its scope to a larger array of mythos. Just make sure to bring a spare controller, as the g??ame requires a merciless amount of button mashing.

6. Final Fantasy XVI

• Release Date: June 22, 2023
• Developer: Square Enix
• Where to play: PS5
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The latest numbered entry in the Final Fantasy franchise, Final Fantasy XVI puts players in the role of Clive Rosfield, the firstborn of the Duke of Rosaria, who emba?rks on a quest for revenge against the Eikon responsible for the death of his brother.

Developed by the core team responsible for the revitalization and success of Final Fantasy XIV, FFXVI brings to the table a new spin to the franchise through a more mature tone and an action-focused approach to combat. Even if novel in many ways, the title is seen by many? as both a ce?lebration of the franchise's history and a return to form.

5. Shadow of the Colossus (PS4)

• Release Date: February 6, 2018
• Developer: Bluepoint Games
• Where to play: PS4 and PS5. Also available for streaming on PC via the PlayStation Plus App
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A faithful remake of one of the most celebrated and influential games in history, Shadow of the Colossus (PS4) retells the tale of? Wander, a boy who travels to the Forbidden Lands in the hope?s of bringing a young girl back to life.

Although the original is dear to many given its feel and how its me?chanics and concept influenced hundreds of releases, I decided to go with the remake as it succeeds in bringing the experience to a new generation while also keeping its soul intact and respectfully improving many of it's shortcomings.

4. Demon's Souls (PS5)

• Release Date: November 12, 2020
• Developer: Bluepoint Games
• Where to play: PS5. Also available for streaming on PC via the PlayStation Plus App
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In Demon's Souls, we take on the role of The Slayer of Demons after they arrive in Boletaria, a once prosperous kingdom ??that was immers??ed in an endless fog following its king's deal with the entity only known as the Old One.

Released as a launch title for the PS5, Bluepoint Games' remake of FromSoftware's epic manages to flawlessly translate it to a new graphical engine, which resulted in what I consider to be the best-looking Souls game to date. Although its core gameplay might feel barebones for those used to the enhancements made by Elden Ring, Demon's Souls is the definitive version ??of the title that starte??d it all.

3. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

• Release Date: June 12, 2008
• Developer: Kojima Productions
• Where to play: PlayStation 3
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The final chronological chapter in the main Metal Gear Solid series, Guns of the Patriots, tells the final chapter of Snake's saga, which many consider the best game in one of the most acclaimed gaming franchises. The reasons for that? Its solid gameplay, cinematic but just as impactful narrative, and how its graphics still stand tall to this day. The latter is even more impressive if we consider how the game debuted i??n the early years of the PS3.

Unfortunately, since its departure from the PlayStation Now catalog (now featured as part of the Premium tier of the PS Plus), only those who own a PS3 can play it. To see our impressions of the game on release, don't forget to check out our Metal Gear Solid 4:?? Guns of?? the Patriots review.

2. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

• Release Date: February 29, 2024
• Developer: Square Enix
• Where to play: PS5
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For many —myself included�the favorite for the title of Game of the Year 2024, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth continues Cloud's story and presents across-the-board refinements compared to its predecessor. The latter is seen above all in its facial animations, broader take on combat, an??d massive open world.

By directly tackling some of the core and more delicate themes of the FF7 story while also expanding it through connections to the ever-growing compilation, FF7 Rebirth does justice to the source material?? and pairs it up with tens of hours of new content.

1. Bloodborne

• Release Date: March 24, 2014
• Developer: FromSoftware
• Where to play: PS4 and PS5. Also available for streaming on PC via the PlayStation Plus App
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Bloodborne mixes FromSoft?ware's high-quality storytelling with a gothic feel and a more dynamic and high-risk approach to combat. That is then paired with a heavy dose of Lovecraftian inspiration, which makes?? the game feel unlike any of its siblings.

The only bad thing one can ?think of sayi?ng about the game is related to how it is not possible to play it officially at a stable frame rate. That is also the main reason players continue to ask for either a native PS5 port or for an official PC debut.

The post The 10 best PlayStation-exclusive g??ames to play right now appeared first on Destructoid.

Final Fantasy XVI ended up being one of my favorite games from last year. Clive’s journey to liberate the oppressed magic-weiding Bearers of Valisthea and cleanse the world of the spreading Blight w?on me over with its earnest and lovable characters, flashy and frenetic fight??s, serene and grandiose soundscapes, and the titanic, cinematic boss battles that are simply unforgettable.

But for all of its many achievements, Final Fantasy XVI felt a bit simple and underdeveloped at times. A number of design choices seem derived from the developer’s previous experience with Final Fantasy XIV, while other elem??ents fail to meet the same complexity and variety as it??s MMO counterpart.

If the recently rebranded Creative Studio III gets an opportunity to follow up on this style of Final Fant??asy game, these are some of the improvemen?ts that would truly elevate the game beyond its current potential.

Give us less busy-work in side quests

Side quests in FFXVI are very commendable, delivering important context and full story arcs to many of the supporting cast members. However, the tasks themselves are not nearly as interesting, with too many side quests that ask players to go from point A to B, defeat a few?? enemi?es, hold a button to pick up three key items and return back to point A.

This kind of busy work is outdated even in the MMO space. For a cinematic action game, the process is boring and meandering. Future installments would benefit from more diverse objectives and sequences that differ from routine fights. Just imagine destroying nests of spawning deadly insects at a nearby village or capturing and holding multiple points from an invasion of Akashic. I’m sure the team can come up with ideas leagues better than my own with a bit?? more time and focus on them.

A great wide world with nary a thing to do 

The world of Valisthea is vast and beautiful, inspiring players to wander off into the open terrain and lose themselves in its various locales. The only problem is, there’s hardly anything rewarding to find amid it all. The existing design is full of potential for interesting events to occur and secrets to discover, but most of these moments are reserved until the correct side quest has been acquired. Outside of a handful of interspersed item chests and a few Chronoliths hosting combat challenges, the environments are barren of meaningful content to uncover.
If we ever get a chance to revisit Valisthea or its spiritual successor, the explorable spaces need more? discoveries to stumble ?upon organically to incentivize players to roam the maps.

Over-reliance on cooldowns makes for stagnant battles

Eikon abilities are the core mechanic that binds FFXVI’s combat together, serving as dazzling and ??impactful extensions to Clive’s basic abilities. However, every one of them is on a cooldown, and once access to these powers has been expended, players are left with a rather dull and simple base skillset. This is punctuated by the game’s opening hours, where players have to lean on this very limited ?array of abilities.

Upgrading moves and incrementally attaining new skills to wo??rk into combos is highly rewarding at first, but it’s all too easy to end up falling into the same groove, efficiently dispatching enemies with the same rotation of f??iery uppercuts and laser blasts. Introducing additional button combos to the regular swordplay and magic casting would make it all the more fun to interweave alongside the Eikon powers to further amplify the pulse-pounding action.

The cast of supporting characters is under utilized

Party members are poorly integrated into the overall gameplay of FFXVI, considering the presence of each member is contextual to the story. The only consistent party member is Togal, who gets a dedicated menu for action commands??, but these aren’t particularly useful.

Imagine having a selection of party members on reserve at the hideaway that could be rotated in and out of the party, ready for the call to action for each mission you?? select. The partner options could still be limited by the events of the story, omitting characters as needed but leaving room for more player choice and playstyle intricacies.

While it would be too cumbersome to control multiple party members with FFXVI’s style of action-RPG c?ombat, the ability to customize each teammate’s abilities to better complement Clive’s would contribute greater depth to each encounter. Top it off with their own equipable items and gear to bolster their abilities, and suddenly, these ancillary companions would become invaluable comrades? in battle.

Useless gear, loot, crafting and overall economy

With so much attention given to the fighting and Eikon moves, FFXVI offers shockingly little in the way of stat boosting and loadout optimization. The game only includes the four basic stats: health, defense, attack, and stagger infliction. Technically there is also strength, vitality and wi?llpower, but these only increase by leveling up and are unaffected by equipment.

In total?, there are only six equippable slots to improve Clive’s attributes: sword, belt, bracers, and three accessories. The former three pieces of gear only serve to improve the character’s base stats, which makes the power scaling of weapon and gear upgrades incredibly linear. There's just no room for cus?tomizing attributes for different variations in play style. 

As for accessories, they provide a much wider? range of different effects, including cooldown reduction, healing potency?, and even stacking buffs on precise move executions. But with only three slots to choose from, it doesn’t take long to find a preferred loadout, making it difficult to get excited about acquiring new accessories in chests or as quest rewards.

The game could have significantly benefited from the integration of the franchise’s familiar materi??a system, allowing for extra bonuses to attach to existing gear. This could also diversify the upgrades attained at the forge, allowing players to opt for expanding their materia slots instead of - or, simply, in addition to - base stat increases.

On top of everything else, the game’s economy is completely useless. There is no sense in buying potions since they are completely replenished any time you retry from a game over. Meanwhile, tonic buffs are rare to come across and exceptionally expensive for routine restocking, so they are not compelling to purchase either. The only item of value to put money towards is orchestrion rolls, which serve more as a collectible than a??? value proposition for your hard-earned gil.

Crafting items are also obtained throughout the game, but since they only contribute to the basic forge upgrades and item crafting, they are seldom used. Perhaps if forge upgrades also required a monetary cost, or if there was more purpos??e to the crafting mechanic that would facilitate a demand for buying crafting items, that could potentially improve the game’s economy systems. But as they stand, it is ?barebones and forgettable.

Final Fantasy XVI is still phenomenal, I promise!

While this may seem like a lot of problems, these are ultimately blemishes on an otherwise fantastic experience. The remarkab??le presentation, captivating action, and grimly optimistic story and themes still burn brightly as the Phoenix’s flames, outshining any mars against it.

I’m confident that any effort from Creative Studio III to iterate and improve on the precedent set by Final Fantasy XVI is well worth being excited for.

The post Five improvements we’d like to see in a Final Fantasy XVI successor appeared first on Destructoid.

During the warm up to the Final Fantasy XIV Live Letter from the Producers 82 on June 14, Toshio “Foxclonâ€?Murouchi showed off his shirt and let slip that there will be multiple designs coming in a collaboration with clothing brand Uniqlo. 

The shirts were previously announced back in April, but we got another look at them at the end of today's Live Letter, after almost four hours of exciting Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail reveals. The designs will be available ??for purchase in Japan on June 17, coming to stores worldwide a week later on June 24.

Despite being in the Live Letter, not all of the designs featured on the Uniqlo website are based on Final Fantasy XIV. The line includes designs based around Final Fantasy XVI and the Pixel Remaster series, too. 

There are seven designs coming in total, each with a different design. The one that Foxclon can be seen wearing in today’s Live Letter features three chibi minions - Alpha, a Moogle, and Fatcat - emerging from the chest pocket, while others include quotes and iconic imagery from the long-running Final Fantasy franchise. 

Direc??tor Naoki Yoshida can be seen wearing another of the Uniqlo designs in today’s Live Letter, this one featuring a full-front design of the Warrior of Light standing in front of an intricate sketched vista. 

Another design, this one taking inspiration from Final Fantasy XVI, includes all eig??ht of the Eikons who appear in ??the game, depicted in rainbow colors on the back of the shirt. On the front, peeking out of the front pocket, is a single Phoenix feather.

The best part about these shirts is the fa??ct that they’re all relatively inexpensive. Each shirt will cost you $24.90 USD / £19.90 GBP.  Each shirt comes in sizes from XS to 3XL, so there really is something for everyone in the collection.

The post New Final Fantasy x Uniql??o designs ?are on their way this summer appeared first on Destructoid.

While April has see?n another wave of n?ew additions to the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog, Sony has quietly confirmed that no less than 25 games will be leaving the service towards the end of May.

This means, that as of May 21, PS Plus Extra and Premium subscribers will no longer be able to play any of these games. Even if you've downloaded them to your PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5, you'll lose access once they're removed from the catalog. The list also includes seven prominent Final Fantasy games, such as the original Final Fantasy 7 and the Final Fantasy 10/10-2 collection.

All these games will still be available for purchase on the PlayStation Store, thoug??h, if you ever want to keep playing them. Below, you'll find a full alphabetized list of every game that will leave the PS Plus Game Catalog on May 21.

• Abzu
• Absolver: Downfall
• ADR1FT
• The Artful Escape
• Ashen
• Elex
• Final Fantasy 7
• Final Fantasy 8 Remastered
• Final Fantasy 9
• Final Fantasy 10/10-2 HD Remaster
• Final Fantasy 12 The Zodiac Age
• Final Fantasy 15 Royal Edition
• How to Survive 2
• I Am Dead
• Jotun: Valhalla Edition
• Last Stop
• The Messenger
• Minit
• Monster Jam Steel Titans 2
• My Friend Pedro
• Observation
• Sundered: Eldritch Edition
• This is the Police
• This is the Police 2
• World of Final Fantasy

In their place are 11 games, with Dave the Diver headlining them. You can find the full list on the PlayStation Blog, all of which are available at the time of writing. The two exceptions are Tales of Kenzera: Zau and Animal Well, which will be a??dded to the catalog once they launch on April 23 and May 9 respectively.

The post All 25 games leaving PlayStation Plus Game Catalog May 2024,? including these seven Final Fantasy games appeared first on Destructoid.

Over the last nearly 40 years, Moogles have undergone a lot of changes. In every game of the Final Fantasy franchise, artists have tweaked the design of the fluffy, flying mailmen and each design is ??usually well rece?ived by players. This time, though, something is amiss.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth features, as you’d expect at this point within the franchise, Moogles. But these Moogles, in the words of more than one player, "look like cursed Koalas." I have to admit, that was my first thought upon seeing them, too. If fabled and feared Drop Bears were a real thing, I’d expect them to look like Rebirth’s Moogles. 

The issue with FFVII Rebirth Moogles

The eyes are too big, the ears are too fluffy, and worst of all they have teeth that look just a little bit too human. This thing looks like it has nefarious intentions. Now I must stress that’s my own opinion, but it’s one that seems to be shared among many players of Rebirth. 

The subject?? has been trending on Twitter in Japan, with players commenting that it’s like a Catfish situation, where the person showing up on a date is absolutely not the person you thought you were about to meet. 

The comparison in the above tweet comes from FFXVI, which shares its director (Naoki Yoshida) with FFXIV, so the Moogles are, understandably, of the same design. This is the Moogle that I’ve become the most familiar with during my 6000 odd hours of playing the ?MMO a??nd seeing this new one�Let’s just say it was a little unexpected. 

Square Enix responds

??This discourse hasn’t gone unnoticed by Square Enix, who took to Twitter to voice its opinion over the comments and memes. The replies to this Tweet are a little divided, with some saying that they love the new design. They’re somewhat the minority, thou??gh, with some even going as far as to use the hashtag #NotMyMoogle in their replies. 

As Square Enix says in its Tweet, it loves? all of the Moogles. I can’t help but wonder whether this is one of those situ??ations where “a face only a Mother could love�is an appropriate thought.

The post Square Enix defend Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Moogle design after play?ers call it cursed appeared first on Destructoid.

While no live-action film of Final Fantasy VII has been announced, it's not hard to imagine Hollywood doesn't at least have an overly eager eye on it. Depending on perspective, that's either a threat or delight to muse over, especially when you consider Square Enix isn't too shy to flirt with the big screen �looking at you, Spirits Withi??n and Advent Children.

For better or for worse, I often find myself musing over ideal actors for the inevitable, like Zelda or Shadow. So, in case Hollywood goes for it, I'm shouting out my choices now. In honor of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth's launch, here are my picks for a live-action FF7 c??ast that I think, if ma?de now, would be worthy of such a classic legacy.

Cloud Strife - Cody Christian, Darren Barnet

As one of Final Fantasy’s best protagonists, Cloud deserves someone who can understand him and his complexities. So who better than Cody Christian, Cloud’s current VA? The transition wouldn’t be too jarring, as his resume’s mainly live-action, being in Teen Wolf and All-American. Plus??, he's proven?? himself to play the ex-SOLDIER quite well. 

If Hollywood wants more stardom, I offer up Darren Barnet. Striking success with shows like Never Have I Ever and Blue Eye Samurai, he’s done video games and adaptations, including Immortals of Aveum and Gran Turismo. He can grow into the role, much like Cody has been. It’s a tough role but I'?m confident Darren could carry the Buster Sword and rock spiky yellow hair.

Tifa Lockhart - Britt Baron, Jessica Henwick

Who doesn't like Tifa? She has a heart of gold and kicks (and punches) some serious ass. You’ll need someone skilled in combat and not afraid to get their hands dirty. Britt Baron, Tifa’s VA, stars in many live-action projects including the wrestling-oriented show GLOW.

On the other hand, there's Jessica Henwick. She's portrayed many badasses on-screen in projects like The Matrix Resurrections, Game of Thrones, and Iron Fist. Whoever th?ey go with, Tifa will b??e in good hands (or fists in this case).

Barret Wallace - Colman Domingo

The gun-armed Barret strikes fear into the hearts of Shinra yet has a heart of gold. You want an actor who can balance it with finesse and poise. That's where Colman Domingo comes in. His award-winning work in Euphoria and Rustin and his badassery in Fear the Walking Dead prove? he has the chops. It's the ??perfect duo that I can't help wanting to see come to fruition.

Aerith Gainsborough - Hailee Steinfeld

As the last living Ancient, Aerith is a key figure in FFVII’s narrative beloved for her carefree and brash personality. I'd go with Hailee Steinfeld to deliver on all fronts. While she's done action-oriented roles, projects like Arcane, Dickinson, and True Grit show her versatility as an actor to handle those sincere moments with wit and ease. If anything, it proves ??she can b??lossom as the beloved flower girl.

Zack Fair - Xolo Maridueña

Being Cloud's mentor and the protagonist of Crisis Core, Zack is as charming as he is audacious. For the role, you need someone who exudes infectious energy and fierce determination. Enter Xolo Maridueña. His starring roles in Cobra Kai and Blue Beetle nail Zack’s qualities with precision aim, with the latter even letting him conjure a Buster Sword to use. It's practically asking ??for Xolo to become the SOLDIER we all know and love.

Yuffie Kisaragi - Karen Fukuhara, Stephanie Hsu

Energetic and vivacious, Yuffie brings more than her Materia and ninja moves to the party. The character requires someone not afraid to embarrass themselves and?? step out of their comfort zone. Enter rising stars Karen Fukuhara and Stephanie Hsu.

The Boys�Karen Fukuhara’s very much capable of taking on the Wutai warrior with comedic finesse (as well as kicking ass). The same can be said for Everything Everywhere, All at Once's Stephanie Hsu, as her background in musicals and comedies fits the lovable ninja precisely. Eith?er of these actresses can? make Yuffie just as fun as she is in-game.

Red XIII - Max Mittelman, Regé-Jean Page

An experiment of Hojo's, Red XIII aids AVALANCHE on their quest to stop Sephiroth. Like others, I’ll throw in current VA Max Mittelman for the role. His performance is extremely impressive for someone who knows him as Ryuji from Persona 5. I also nominate Regé-Jean Page. Known for his roles in Bridgerton and Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, his voice and range is pretty c?lose? to Red's tone now.

Cait Sith - Ewan McGregor

It's a magical Scottish cat. Need I say more to justify Ewan McGregor? Despite being a respected actor (and Obi-Wan Kenobi), he's not afraid to experiment with genres. Cait would be fun for him to do outside of Star Wars and various ventures. If anyth?ing, it'd showcase Ewan's versatility as a voice actor, something he hasn't ?done much of.

Vincent Valentine - Hayden Christensen

Many characters claim to be edgy but none come close to the immortal gunslinger Vincent Valentine. So, of course, I picked Hayden Christensen to play him. Known for Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels, he's due for a vengeful comeback. Vincent would be a great character for Hay?den to strut his stuff.

Cid Highwind - Bradley Cooper

Chain-smoking mechanic Cid deserves someone who knows their way around things. Luckily, there's one fit for the job: Maestro's Bradley Cooper. Sure, given his resume, it’s a rich pick, but I don't think anyone could do the role justice like he wo?uld. His charisma and ??nailing of a Southern twang is a major draw (or drawl) for me. While a surefire blockbuster, Cid is right up his alley.

Rufus Shinra - Taz Skylar

Nepo baby Rufus Shinra needs someone who can nail his cockiness. I vouch for Taz Skylar. His role as Sanji in Netflix’s One Piece radiates a sort of charm that makes him enjoyable ??to watch. Plus, given his recent foray into Hollywood, this would be a great way to make an even bigger name for himself.

Tseng - Andrew Koji

As the leader of the Turks, Tseng is intimidating and precise, so it requires someone who can command a room and kick ass. So, I turned to Andrew Koji. He's wrecked people in Warrior and wants to play Jin Sakai in the live-action Ghost of Tsushima. While he hasn't had many dramatic performances, Tseng may provide a good character for Andrew ??to? spread his wings with.

Rude- Kelvin Harrison Jr.

Rude is a tight-laced Turk of few words, opting for results rather than reason. An actor I think would knock it out of the park is Kelvin Harrison Jr. Starting from 12 Years a Slave, he's gained traction in Hollywood, leading films like Waves and Chevalier. Rude, while not as musical, is a role that can shine if done right. Kelvin may be the ac??tor to do just that.

Reno - Brandon Perea

The funny man against Rude, Reno is quick to crack both a joke and your bones. While he's seen as comedic relief, he's pretty ruthless given his hot-headedness. With this, I chose Brandon Perea. He's new to acting, but his performance in Nope convinced me to choose him. He's witty, brash, and prime for another s??cene-stealing role. He's just the type of actor that'd make Reno as fun a character as he is.

Sephiroth - Robert Pattison

Sephiroth needs to be played by someone menacing and fierce. May I present to you Robert Pattison. Yes, I think the Twilight and The Batman actor would be a good Sephiroth. He's got insane range and can bring in lots of newcomers. Also, Robert’s a huge FFVII fan, calling it one of his favorite games. His portrayal as the perfect SOLDIER can strike plenty of chords with audiences. Also, he hasn't done many villain roles, so Sephiroth?? would?? be the best character to take a stab at.

The post If FF7 ever sees the live-action treatment, here’s who we would cast as Cloud and the gang appeared first on Destructoid.

Cloud Strife's massive Buster?? Sword is just as much a fixture of the? character as his spikey blonde hair. But how much would that immense weapon actually weigh?

Whether you are a fan of the RPG genre or not, if you follow gaming, you've likely heard of Cloud Strife. The stoic protagonist from Final Fantasy 7 has appeared in countless titles over the years, sometimes even with a new look. However, one iconic detail of Cloud's attire is his Buster sword. While the sword looks wholly unwieldy, Cloud easily manipulates his Buster Sword like he's swinging around a wh??iffle ball bat. How feasible is this?

The best way to?? bring the Buster Sword into reality is to try to break it down ??into its materials and parts. From there, it's just a matter of tying in real-life weight.

Gigantic but not impossible

Fans have debated the Buster Sword's functionality for years, with popular YouTube series Man At Arms even creating an 80 lb version of the weapon. However, one YouTube channel, Vsauce3, sought to answer the question def?initively. To this?? end, the video breaks down the materials and composition of the weapon. 

By analyzing key artwork and comparing it to Cloud's originally given height of 5'7", the Buster Sword's total length is estimated at 70.5". The blade alone comes in at 54" and appears between a half-inch and an inch thick. Though that might seem far too big for practical use, it's noted that some European two-handed great swo??rds, like the Zweihänder, have been known to reach 78" in size. 

While the size of the Buster Sword may fall into the realm of believability, weight is a whole other matter. From sizing, the YouTuber estimates the sword's width at around 10", and that means a lot of me?tal. Assuming a standard 1 lb. handle for the weapon, the Buster Sword's total weight is estima??ted to reach around 60 lbs. if made from a typical metal like steel. That said, if it were made from a lightweight zinc-aluminum alloy instead, the weight could drop down to around 20 lbs.

Square's unofficial answer

Questions about the Buster sword's weight have existed for as long as players have seen Cloud using the weapon. While Square Enix hasn't ever officially commented on realistic weight, the Final Fantasy&nbs??p;publisher once inadvertently offered its own ta?ke.

A full-scale replica of Cloud's Buster Sword was shown off during the 2019 Tokyo Game Show to promote Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Undoubtedly tickling fans' interest in its colossal size, a sign not??ed the Buster Sword was just over 6' and weighed just under 15-??and-a-half pounds.

While the replica's weight comes pretty close to the zinc-aluminum alloy estimates offered by Vsauce3, it's important to note that Square Enix's version was made with the intent of becoming a photo prop. As such, it was likely made of lighter facimilies of real materials to ensure it wasn't too heavy for attendees to weild while heaving their p??hoto taken. Even at 15 pounds, a 6' sword is no easy weapon to wield. However, it doesn't seem like the Buster Sword is as impossible a??s players once thought.

The post How much would Cloud’s Buster Sword actually weigh? appeared first on Destructoid.

For those who already tried the demo for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, there's now more in store. Today, the demo has expanded with an open-world section of Junon for players to roam about and explore.?

Announced during the dedicated State of Play, the original demo gave you access to the first chapter of Rebirth, with a party of Cloud and Sephiroth in the game’s opening. Now, the new update, “Dawn of a New Era in J?uno?n� is available for free for the demo.

It follow?s Cloud, Tifa, Barret, Aerith, and Red XIII several hours into the game as they emerge onto the outskirts of the fortified stronghold Junon. The update is made specifically for the demo and features a small piec?e of the open world. Within the new section, players can ride Chocobos, use the new Item Transmuter to craft items, take on Combat Assignment missions, and more.

If you played the first section with Cloud and Sephiroth, you'll receive the Kupo Charm and Survival Set in the full Rebirth game. You'll also get to skip the Nibelheim section, though you can still play it again, which I definitely will. Save data from the “Dawn of a New Era in Junon�section won't transfer, as it is special to the demo. Still, fans and newcomers can try out new forms of exploration and use powerful syner??gy attacks with your teammates.

Alongside Junon, the Performance Mode will receive some face-lifts due to player feedback. As reported by the great Steven Mills, the demo will look much better than it did before at 60 fps. While I really enjoyed the demo, there were some probl??ems with the graphics. Fortunately, the upgrades will make for a great time, making now the perfect time to dive in.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth launches onto PS5 on February 29. The demo is available now on the PlayStation Store.

The post PSA: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth demo?? unlocks its Junon section to??day appeared first on Destructoid.

If you're a fan of Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis (which, according to SteamCharts, is about 2000 of you), then you're getting to start the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth hype train a little earlier than most.

That's because Ever Crisis has kicked off a Final Fantasy VII Rebirth crossover event, which will let players experience aspects of the game in the unique mechanical style of Ever Crisis.

Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis x Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Crossover Event Details

The Final Fantasy VII Rebirth crossover event runs from February 16 to March 3. In the event, players will take on the roles of Cloud and Sephiroth in Mt. Nibel using footage from Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.

In addition, there are some unique rewards players can get, as announced by Square Enix:

• FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Crossover Featured Draw

  • Players can obtain Tifa’s limited time gear, “Guide Uniform,â€?plus have the opportunity to obtain brand new Red XIII gear, “The Hellhound,â€?through the featured Draw Stamp Cards.

• FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Crossover Campaign

  • Now until February 18 at 11:59 AM PST, players can receive 1,000 Blue Crystals per day and obtain up to 3,000 Blue Crystals total from the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Crossover Gift Login Bonus simply by logging in for 3 days.
  • Now until March 3 at 11:59 AM PST, players can receive up to 170 free weapon draws (FFVII REBIRTH Crossover Daily Free x10 Draw) simply by logging in and obtain up to 3,000 Blue Crystals by completing all event missions before March 3 at 5:59 PM PST.
  • Now until March 6 at 11:59 AM PST, players can obtain up to an additional 3,000 Blue Crystals for logging in for 15 days during the FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Crossover Login Bonus.

Originally released in 2023, Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis is an RPG that retells the entirety of Compilation of Final Fantasy VII in a chapter-based structure. In an era of gaming becoming more and more defined by hardware and availability limitations, it's the only place players can easily experience some aspects of Compilation, such as the PS2-era shooter Dirge of Cerberus and the delisted mobile game Before Crisis.

In the grand scheme of the FF7 media juggernaut, Ever Crisis feels like a mostly forgotten monstrosity, thanks to middling reviews (we gave it a 4) and a launch that was restricted to Android & iOS for the first three months.

Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis is available now on Android, iOS, and Steam.

The post Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis is holding?? a Final Fantasy VII Rebirth crossover event appeared first on Destructoid.

During an interview with Square Enix's Naoki Yoshida, the Final Fantasy XIV director and XVI producer has revealed that he thinks it might be better for a younger generation of developers to pick up the mantle and work on Final Fantasy XVII. 

While Final Fantasy fans have become very fond of Naoki Yoshida through his work on both FF XIV and XVI, he has implied that while the team at Square Enix have made no decision about a directo??r ?for the next title in the series.

In the Game Maker's Notebox interview with Sony's Shuhei Yoshida, which can be viewed in its entirety here, Naoki Yoshida said:

"For the moment, I'll just say that nothing has been decided yet. That said, if I had to say something about that... I've had the chance to work on two of these, XIV and XVI, so maybe it's time for someone new, you know. Instead of having the same old guys handle the next one.�/p>

Yoshida went on to state his reasoning, saying that a younger generation would be able to make a new Final Fantasy title with challenges that "suit today’s world."

It will likely be a long time before we hear any concrete news about Final Fantasy XVII, but Square Enix is busy working on both Final Fantasy XIV, with Dawntrail coming this summer, and Final Fantasy XVI, with a new story-based DLC in the works and the PC version coming at some point. 

The post Naoki Yoshida suggests it might be time for the younger gener??ation to take on Final Fantasy XVII appeared first on Destructoid.

Square Enix revealed its financial results for the last six months ending September 30. From the report, we learn that while profits may be down, Final Fantasy is reaching new milestones.

The report reveals a 33.4% drop in operating income and a 42.1% decline in ordinary income. According to the company, there has been a fall in net sales for MMOs and games for PCs and smart devices because the latest releases including the "September launch of 'Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis' were unable ?to compensate for factors including weak performances by?? existing titles."

Final Fantasy is still one of Square Enix's greatest assets

Don't take this as a sign that Square Enix is doomed, however, as there is a 5.3% increase in net sales. The company attributes this rise, in part, to Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster.

This isn't the only positive thing revealed about the franchise, as the company also claims that it has sold over 185 million copies. This is good news for fans, as reports earlier this year suggested that Final Fantasy 16 did not meet the upper end of expectations.

Dragon Quest also gets a mention, and it is stated that it has sold 88 million copies globally. Looking forward, Final Fantasy will have plenty more chances to boost its sales. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is set to launch on February 29, 2024, and a PC port of Final Fantasy 16 is still on the way.

The post Final Fantasy has? sold over 185 million units worldwide appeared first on Destructoid.

I sincerely don’t envy the position Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is in.

The middle entry of a trilogy is always a precarious thing. On one hand, it lacks the opening act to introduce the cast and get players excited for the story. At the same time, middle entries also can’t culminate in the story’s ultimate climax. Combine that with being part of a remake of one of the most beloved RPGs of all time, and you have a game that really needs to come prepared to impress. After all, Final Fantasy 7 Remake already indulged us in seeing Cloud and friends in glorious HD. Can Rebirth lea??ve a lasting impres?sion after that novelty has worn off?

In search of an answer to this question, I attended an event hosted by Square Enix to play some of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth for myself. This demo took me through two distinct sections of the game, which showcased Rebirth’s story-focused moments as well as its semi-open-world. For the most part, much of what I saw can be summed up as “it's more Final Fantasy 7 Remake.�

However, it’s what I didn’t see that interested me the most in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

Adventures with a safer Sephiroth

The first section of the demo had me control Cloud and �gasp �Sephiroth on the mountain path leading to the Nibel Reactor. This is, of course, part of the original game’s flashback sequence explaining the Nibelheim Incident. I don’t know if the full game will start here, but it works shocking well as its own introduction. The mountain paths and caves all had explainers for basic mechanics in case it’s been a while since you played Remake, but it didn’t linger too long on its tutorials.

The big selling point of this whole sequence is, of course, playing as Sephiroth. And in truth, this was probably my favorite part of playing Rebirth. In the original Final Fantasy 7, the game drives home Sephiroth’s power by making him comically overpowered. I love how classic Final Fantasy used gameplay to tell stories, but I can’t say this was thrilling to play. Conversely, Rebirth puts Sephiroth and Cloud on more equal footing at?? this stage, with both being capable of dispatching the monsters in front of you.

Rather than pumping up raw numbers, Rebirth instead sells players on Sephiroth’s sheer power with his playstyle. And that playstyle is “I don’t have any complex mechanics, I just wreck enemies.�He’s just a powerful guy with a big ol�sword who can use skills that will inflict impressive damage, no matter what you pick. I like this approach since it drives home that Sephiroth is just effortlessly strong, regardless of his opponents. He genuinely feels mighty on his own, rather than ju?st more powerful than the enemies around him.

Promote Synergy Abilities

This sequence also introduced me to Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s new Synergy Abilities. For those just tuning in, Synergy Abilities are vaguely like Chrono Trigger's Double Techs. Whenever you use a character’s ATB gauge, you charge a secondary meter. When two characters reach a certain t?hreshold of their respective meters,? they can trigger a Synergy Ability together.

While these can inflict serious damage, Synergy Abilities primarily revolve around stat buffs from what I saw. For example, a couple Synergy Abilities involved making spells cost 0 MP for an extended period. I could immediately tell that these moves were way too powerful to ignore, so switching between characters to build their respective ATB gauges became essential. This also gave me a reason to not use Sephiroth exc?lusively, which was probably a good call.

I did enjoy how Synergy Abilities shake up the gameplay, but I am worried they might become the most important part of combat. I mea??n, I like having more tools in my combat toolbox. But if all paths lead to building up my Synergy Abilities because they’re just that powerful, then they’re stop feeling like cool new options and instead come off as something that I’m forced to juggle.

When I poked through the menus in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, I did notice that there were many more Materia slots to go around. Even at this relatively early stage of the game, characters could already equip more than ten pieces of Materia each. Additionally, you can find Materia that consolidates two distinct spell sets from Remake, such as a Materia that grants?? both Fire and Lightning spells. There might be some captivating potential in building around Synergy Abilities, which I would love to test out. Unfortunately, these mor??e RPG-y parts of the game were locked out from the demo.

Out on the open world

The first demo section ended on a satisfying note, with a lot of little nods that I’m sure longtime Final Fantasy 7 fanatics will pick up o??n immediately. Sephiroth calls Cloud “Puppy�at least once, which made an overly enthusiastic ?part of me want to jump up and go “I know what that means!�However, I soon found myself in the second section of the demo, which sees the party in the open area outside of Junon. This is where the game showcases its more open-world inspired elements.

Right off the bat, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth hit me with several mechanics that one would immediately think of when they hear “open-world.�I could ride my chocobo mount, pick up materials off the ground as I walked by th??em, and chase down optional battles to engage in. In the demo, those random materials could only go into crafting consumable items. The big thing here is the? Cushion, which Cloud must use if he wants to rest on shoddy looking benches. Honestly, I can relate. My butt deserves only the best too.

It was neat to see Rebirth open up a bit, especially with how predominately linear Remake was. But, honestly, the Cushion did concern me. It seemed like the type of thing that didn’t really need to be in the game, but existed so you had something to grind in this open space. I mean, Remake had benches with no need for cushions, and to be fair, those are here too. But again, I donâ€??™t want to come down too hard on this because of the nature of the demo. I’m sort of ambivalent to crafting sy??stems in general, so as long as there’s interesting stuff in the full game to chase, I’ll be happy.

Intel-ligent battles

That said, it was the Combat Assignment fights that made me a bit worried about Rebirth. These optional battles pit your party against set groups of monsters, but each come with three optional intel objectives to fulfill. You can beat these battles without clearing all the objectives, but the game really seemed to discourage that. Basically ever failed attempt involved some voice clip along the lines of “maybe try that again.�/p>

Most of the objectives here were straightforward. Stuff like “defeat the enemies in under three minutes�needs no explanation and works fine. On the other hand, some objectives grated on me with how rigid they felt. In one case, an optional objective involved evading an enemy using a certain attack. However, I had no context as to what “evade�meant. Simply not getting hit didn’t count, and my attempts to Perfect Dodge by rolling away at the last secon??d didn’t work either. Maybe the full game explains evasion timing better, but this just wound up frustrating me to the point of making me give up.

Similarly, an objective in the encounter I faced right after involved interrupting an enemy when it starts casting a specific attack. Using the Assess skill reveals that you can interrupt it by inflicting enough damage during the casting period, except the enemy incessantly pushes party members away during this window of vulnerability. Again, I tried beating this objective s?everal times and couldn’t clear that damage threshold. I also tried timing my strikes so I could stagger the enemy during casting or just flat out kill it, but neither of those tactics counted towards completion.

I wound up just abandoning these optional objectives since I really didn’t have fun trying to chase them down. Plus I had other things I wanted t??o do in this demo.

Action vs. RPG

The weird thing about my experience is that I saw a game that I really wanted to play here, but just didn’t have the opportunity to. Even during the battle I described above, I noticed that those enemies pushing my party away had a Lightning weakness. I immediately thought “If I could just equip Aerith with Lightning Materia, I bet I could complete this objective easily.�?Alas, Aerith didn’t have any Lightning magic, and I couldn’t do that menu management myself.

The boss battle at the end of this section of the demo left me with similar feelings. Playing Rebirth as strictly an action game, I felt somewhat lukewarm about the experience. There were certain attacks I had to use guard against, certain phases where I had to use certain moves, and mechanics where I had to use specific characters. It all came together like a game that wanted to escalate the difficulty by becoming?? much more rigid, instead of giving me the freedom to play how I want.

Yet I couldn’t stop thinking about all those Materia slots my characters have that I couldn’t play with. And how, again, you can find Materia that consolidates existing magic to give you room to try out new toys. Even after my demo time, I talked with a representative about different tactics the full game might allow. For example, I could possibly make Cloud a dedicated tank to give other party members more freedom to hit bosses without worrying about dodging or blocking. That sounds like a blast to me, but it was outside the scope of what I could try here. And that could be the key that seriously enriches Rebirth's combat.

The rebirth of Final Fantasy 7

In the end, I was left with some conflicting feelings about Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. It did come with some notable changes to what Final Fantasy 7 Remake offered. For example, Aerith had stronger attack options as well as some neat evasion tricks. But overall, it mostly felt like more Final Fantasy 7 Remake with a few additions I could take or leave. I honestly wouldn’t recommend replaying Remake leading up to Rebirth, sin?ce I think y?ou’d burn yourself out with how similar they are.

However, all those RPG elements on the periphery of my experience have stuck with me. How will the game build up Sephiroth and work with plot threads that longtime fans are familiar with? What kinds of things might I craft in that open world once I can dive deep into that character building? And again, what new possibilities might arise with the new Materia in the game? ??The sheer implication of new toys makes me eager to try the game for myself.

So all in all, I’m still absolutely keeping my eyes peeled for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. I mean I would anyway, simply because I like Final Fantasy. But if what I both did and did not see comes together in a satisfying way, Rebirth could absolutely be something special. Otherwise, it’s just more Final Fantasy 7 Remake with a few extra systems, and that isn’t a terrible outcome ??either.

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth launches on PlayStation 5 on February 29.

The post H?ands-on: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirt?h has action, but teases just as much RPG appeared first on Destructoid.

Ranking all the best mini-fantasies within Final Fantasy

As many of you may already know, Final Fantasy XVI will feature exactly zero minigames. That?'s a fairly disappointing aspect of a game that's not even out yet, so we believe an eulogy is due, right now.

Much like the plots from the various games in the Final Fantasy series, most of the franchise's awesome minigames also do not carry over from game to game. It's time we take a look at the most memorable ones and perhaps hope Square Enix ports them all to Final Fantasy XIV.

10. Fort Condor (FFVII Remake)

Fans can complain all they want about the story changes that Remake brought to the original story, but it's hard to argue that they did a bad job with Fort Condor.

The original Fort Condor was possibly a precursor to the tower defense genre. It showed some promise, but it wasn't very good. We had to place a few combat units around the map and wait for them to defend? the area. It suffered from a harsh??ly slow pace and wasn't even cool to look at.

Two decades and who knows how many similar games later, Remake came back with a completely revamped and incomparably superior version of the ori??ginal.

Strengths: Improves upon the original in every single way.

Weaknesses: We've had to endure so many similar games over the pas??t 20 years that it's harder to care much about the genre anymore.

[caption id="attachment_387624" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

09. Chocobo Hot and Cold (Final Fantasy IX)

There are two things every Final Fantasy fan loves �Chocobos and u??sing them to our advantage.

In Hot and Cold, players hop on a Chocobo and use their "ChocoSonar" ability to search for hidden treasures. It's a classic game of hot and cold that's fun for a while by itself, but it becomes especially neat once we realize we can get really? good stuff from this treasure hunt.

Hot and Cold is a simple game t?hat doesn't aspire to be more than it is, and that does a great job of preventing it from feeling like a chore.

Strengths: Everyone loves treasure hunting.

Weaknesses: It might feel a bit childish for players who so not consider that FFIX is a game for kids.

[caption id="attachment_387625" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image by Square Enix[/caption]

08. Gunner's Gauntlet (FFX-2)

Final Fantasy X-2 might be one of the most divisive entries in the franchise, but it does one thing really well: baffling?? players every step of the way.

Who'd expect the poppiest of all Final Fantasy games to feature a shoot 'em up minigame about murdering a bun??ch of animals? Nobody. And who'd expect it to actually rock? We also hope nobody, but it sure does.

Unlike Blitzball, which uses a turn-based system that disappointed players looking for more freedom, GG uses an active time battle system akin to FFX-2's combat style, bringing it much closer to the action of Devil May Cry than to what we'd expect from a Final Fantasy title.

Strengths: It's as unexpected as it is fun.

Weaknesses: I??t's hard n??ot to have mixed feelings about a mass animal shooting spree set to some comfy island tunes.

[caption id="attachment_387626" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image by Square Enix[/caption]

07. G-Bike (Final Fantasy VII)

Ever wondered what a ?Chocobo race would be like if instead of Chocobos you had a cool-ass bike? And if instead of running against other Chocobos you were running for your life while fighting off enemy soldiers with your huge sword?

That's what the G-Bike minigame from Final Fantasy VII is all about. It originally shows up as a setpiece in the g?ame, one so cool that the developers ?just put it in the Gold Saucer so that we could play it over and over again.

Square thought people liked the concept so much that they released an entirely G-Bike-focused title for Android.

Strengths: It's very fun to experience action mechanics in a Final Fantasy game.

Weaknesses: Gets old rather quickly.

06. Chocobo Breeding (Final Fantasy VII)

One of the cool things about Final Fantasy VII is how it allows players to fantasize about the existence of a breeding industry that doesn't ru?n entirely on animal cruelty.

Final Fantasy VII puts Cloud in charge of his own breeding farm, one where he'l?l use the knowledge acquired from hours of trial and error to create the ultimate chocobo.

It might see?m like kind of a chore at first, but the result will more than make up for it. When you finally find yourself riding a Chocobo capable of running on all terrain, or simply a cool-as-hell black Chocobo, you'll know that was the result of your hard work.

Strengths: Arguably better breeding than you'll find in any Pokémon game.

Weaknesses: It will test your patience.

[caption id="attachment_387627" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

05. That Hellish Chocobo Race with the birds (Final Fantasy X)

Hah, I bet you didn't expect to find this one here. Just the idea of riding a Chocobo through a field to catch balloons sounds ridiculous enough as is. Doing that while having to dodge birds to get the special item that will unlock the full power of Tidus' celestial weapon in 00:00 seconds is absolutely wild content �even for something with Final Fantasy in the title �but it rocks.

It rocks because it's frustrating, yes. Players who fail it at first �and most will �will immediately give up as the goal of doing it in 00:00 seconds seems like a cruel joke, but it's actually a good one. The balloons caught deduce time from the final count, so the goal is very possible and will leave t?he players who finally achieve it feeling like gods.

Strengths: Th?e most unexpectedly bonkers Choc??obo experience in the history of the series.

Weaknesses: The feelin??g of getting a perfect time undermines the feeling of finally getting to use the celestial weapon at full po?wer.

[caption id="attachment_387628" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image by Square Enix[/caption]

04. Just Fishing (Final Fantasy XV)

Though likely the least fantastical out of all the minigames in Final Fantasy history, there's a reason peop??le call fishing "the world's oldest pastime" �assuming anyone still calls it that.

Full-priced fishing minigames might feel like a stretch for non-aficionados of the sport, but they tend to work pretty well as minigames. FFXV's iteration of fishing is solid, which is quite an achievement considering the state the rest of the game came out in. Moreover, the cool road trip structure of it all makes FFXV? the best possible game in the? series to feature such a simple-yet-fun minigame.

Strengths: More fun and focused than the rest of the game.

Weaknesses: It's just regular fishing. Could ha?ve featured more fantastical m?echanics.

[caption id="attachment_387411" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image by Square Enix[/caption]

03. Blitzball (Final Fantasy X)

Blitzball is more than a minigame. It's an integral part of Final Fantasy X. We only ever have to play it once in the campaign, but it provides a neat early drive to get the story going. That mandatory match is brutal, but we hope it won't crush your hopes of liking the game. Blitzball is a surprisingly divisive minigame among fans �and one that likely wouldn't even thrive in the world of FF due to all the inevitable drowni??ngs �but those who give it enough time wi??ll likely end up enjoying it quite a bit.

Square put great care into the game, creating an entire league filled with different teams that �just like our own �will evolve over the course of the game. Blitzball will later also intertwine with the quest for Wakka's celestial weapon in a way that's both fun and actually makes sense in the context of the story (unlike most of the other celestial weapon challenges).

Strengths: A mostly wel?l-crafted blockbuster of a minigame with a matching league that evolves throughout the game and actually connects to the main game's plot.

Weaknesses: Some call it boring because Square stays true to its turn-based approach instead of going for the more action-oriented approach from NFL or FIFA games. The music will be??gin to feel repetitive after a while.

Helpful hint for haters: Once you get in possession of the ball, just bring it near the goal??ie. The enemy AI will never get it from you, so that's a guaranteed win if y??ou have any scoreboard advantage.

[caption id="attachment_387412" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image by Square Enix[/caption]

02. Chocobo Racing (Final Fantasy XIV)

It should come as no surprise that someone who likes Final Fantasy X's divisive Chocobo racing minigame would love the much superior version present in FFXIV. The best part is that you can forget the balloons. Though you can play offline, You're now a Chocobo rider competing against real p??eople, not NPCs or evil birds.

Even better, the Chocobo Racing minigame from FFXIV combines both neat bird-racing mechanics with an evolved version of the Chocobo Breeding minigame from FFVII. Imagine Mario Kart in Final Fantasy but with a Gran Turismo twist that allows players ??to "tweak" their Chocobos to have all sorts of bonkers advan??tages.

FFXIV deserves a lot of love for the game it ended up becoming after its disastrous launch, bu?t also for the incredible care it put into its minigames.

Strengths: It's so good it could stand on its own.

Weaknesses: We still don't have a standalone Chocobo Racing game that's not terrible.

[caption id="attachment_385993" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

01. Triple Triad (Final Fantasy VIII)

The true Final Fantasy here is the illusion that Triple Triad ever faced some sort of competition here. Triple Triad isn't just the best minigame in Final Fantasy, it might be the best minigame in minigame history. Heck, it's more fun than many full-price games �and no, we're not just talking about card-based minigames. Though, yeah, it's much better than Artifact. Remember Valve's artifact? No, really. Google it! It ??really did happen.

Triple Triad is simple in principle but it offers optional rules for players looking for a more challenging experience. There's a board with nine slots where two players take turns pla?cing cards that will do battle with each other. Each card has different numbered power values for their up, down, left, and right sides. Players place the cards in a way that will favor their stronger sides and protect the weak??er ones. The objective is to defeat (flip) the opponent's cards to dominate the board.

Triple Triad the perfect companion to the quest at hand in Final Fantasy VIII. Is the plot getting too hard to comprehend? Fret not. Instead, just go look for a stranger to play with. Chances are you'll find cool new cards that you can collect, use crush other players, or even turn into useful stuff. Yes, you can totally use Triple Triad to avoid getting all salty like the people who compl??ain about having to abuse the Dr??aw system to get cool stuff in the game.

Triple Triad has left such a mark that an unofficial version has been running online for over two decades. This version, Triple Triad Advance, features characters not just from FFVIII, but from various other Square Enix games. It sucks that Triple Triad isn't in every FF game.

Strengths: It masters the concept of collectible and comp?etitive card play. This is the gold standard of minigames.

Weaknesses: None now that we can officially play it against other people in Final Fantasy XIV.

The post Best minigames in Final Fantasy history, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

There's some strange ones!

Final Fantasy XVI is nearly here, and we already know most of it will revolve around the series' beloved summons. The Final Fantasy series is home to some of the coolest summons in the history of gaming, magnificent creatures that would easily squish any Pokemon in existence. It's also home to some of the most batsh*t bo??nkers summons ever, so let's take a break from worshipping the ever-popular Bahamuts and Shivas and celebrate the w??eird ones!

[caption id="attachment_385967" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image by Square Enix[/caption]

9. Fat Chocobo from Final Fantasy VII

SquareSoft set out to change how the world saw the Final Fantasy series with its seventh installment, which apparently meant they had to change how people saw Chocobos as well. The result is a summon called merely "Fat Chocobo". That's it, that's all it is �a giant Chocobo. Its mighty secret ability? None. We just summon him above our enemies and have gravity cause him to fall on their heads. The Fat Chocobo's model isn??'t even animated, meaning that the creature might already be dead by the time we drop it.

We understand Square meant this as a tone-deaf joke, but the concept of Fat Chocobo gets more insidious once we think about it. Chocobos don't get like that in the wild. Also, the world of FFVII is filled with Chocobo creators, meaning that there's at least someone out there breeding Fat Chocobos for the purpose of selling them as weaponized anvils. FFVII's Fat Chocobo would be the ?original angry bird if ??he had the energy to muster hate without it immediately resulting in a fatal heart attack.

8. Doomtrain from Final Fantasy VIII

The success of Final Fantasy VII embedded SquareSoft with the unwavering belief that they could do no wrong going forward. FFVII featured some peculiar summons, yeah, but it's with FFVIII that they popped open the forbidden well of summoning wackiness. Whereas the weirdness of FFVII ends at "Chocobo that's inexplicably fat", such a creature wouldn't even make the list of strangest summons in FFVII's unfairly maligned sequel.

One of the wackiest Guardian Forces, the name VIII uses for its summons, is Doomtrain. The name isn't a joke. This is an actual doomed tr?ain that also spreads doom to everyone it runs over.

So, how does he hit the enemies? Couldn't they?? just step aside and not die? Well, no, because Doomtrain also raises knee-high barriers along its tracks that somehow prevent even flying enemies from just moving a few feet away to avoid getting run over. Now that it totally makes sense, let's take a look at what it does. One would think that a train collision would cause massive damage to the victims, but nope. Doomtrain deals no damage and instead just infects enemies with a plethora of awesome status ailments.

?And that's not even where things stop getting wei?rd.

In FFVIII, players can?? usually get summons by either defeating them in comb?at or by extracting them from other enemies. That's not how you get Doomtrain. To get it, players will have to find a special ring, conjure a bunch of different materials and then invoke it. Players will get contacted by the Doomtrain itself via the only in-menu message we ever get in the game. Pretty chilling stuff.

[caption id="attachment_385766" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Doomtrain might just be the weirdest summon and the weirdest train in Final Fantasy history �yes, there's stiff competition in both fields.

[caption id="attachment_385974" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

7. Eden from Final Fantasy VIII

Eden from FFVIII is a creature beyond comprehension. It's such a mysterious entity that not even the paranormal journalists in the world of FFVIII ever make any mention of it. Is it an alien ship? A satellite? It features possibly the longest and definitely the weirdest summoning animation in the history of t??he series. It's as beautiful as it is hard to compre??hend.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=meqiM6fm-2I

Eden's summoning animation is so long that it allows players to use the GF boost ability to maximum effect. This grants Eden the power to finally break the rules of the Final Fantasy series it?self and surpass the imposed damage limit of 9999 per hit. Few players are ready for the moment when they witne??ss their Eden dealing over 40,000 damage to an enemy.

[caption id="attachment_385885" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image by Square Enix[/caption]

6. Shiva from Final Fantasy XIII

Ok, let's get this one out of the way: every summon in FFXIII is arguably dumb ??as hell, but we have a special place in?? our hearts for its version of Shiva.

So, first off, this game doesn't feature just one Shiva: it's the Shiva Sisters. That feels unnecessary, but we get that Square would try to do something to keep things fresh. The problem is that it didn't stop there. You see, these two sisters then go on to merge and become not just one single entity, like the Shiva we all know and l?ove, but a goddamn motorbike.

We know summons exist to serve our cast of heroes, but a motorbike that exists for the hero of the story to ride is kind of weird �especially in a post-Days Gone world.

[caption id="attachment_385987" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

5. Magus Sisters from Final Fantasy X

Sandy, Cindy, and Mindy, The Magus Sisters Aeon from FFX, are the first summons in the series that only do whatever they want. Instead of the regular "Attack" and "Magic" commands, Yuna can merely suggest they do stuff, and they operate via a ??secret motivation gauge. That's what determines whether they'll do something useful or just take a break and throw a turn away. They have a very powerful Overdrive attack �one they don't usually refuse when Yuna suggests it �but it's actually not even their strongest attack.

The Magus Sisters are the most powerful summon overall in the game, but they also have the potential to be its biggest pain in the butt. They can as easily obliterate an enemy in one second as they can cause a Game Over screen to pop up because they've decided to take a nap. It's as if they're?? constantly telling players we don't have enough Pokémon trainer badges to control them in a world where there's no way to get such badges in the first pl?ace.

[caption id="attachment_385990" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

4. Yojimbo from Final Fantasy X

Yojimbo from FFX only works for money. That's weird because he's our summon, a creature that only exists when we call upon it to figh??t. He never gets to?? go shopping! Maybe that's why he doesn't understand money and will work for one Gil the same way he would work for one hundred Gil.

Even though his basic concept is ridiculous, he's one of the most interesting summons in the entirety of the Final Fantasy series. Yojimbo, much like the Magus sisters, features a special mechanic. He has an unseen affinity gauge that players can make use of to get the best out of Yojimbo. And it's pretty simple. Yojimbo likes money, and he doesn't like to get hit to get KO'd or to be sent back to his Aeonball. Treat Yojimbo well and he will use Zanmato, a skill that will kill any enemy in the game in one hit. Yes, any. Even the final boss, the slu??g that turns immune to physical attacks, or even Penance, the hardest boss in the game.

[caption id="attachment_385993" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

3. Gilgamesh from Final Fantasy VIII

Although he appears in other games, Gilgamesh shows up later in Final Fantasy VIII to replace Odin. Remember Odin? It's that summon so badass he summons himself whenever he wants to and just kills enemies in one hit. At some point in the game, Odin bites more than he can ch??ew and ends up dead. Then, just as players begin to get sad about such a huge loss, a new entity shows up to collect Odin's sword. This newcomer is Gilgamesh, a four-armed creature t??hat arguably looks even more badass than Odin.

Whereas Odin would always perform a one-hit kill because of his ultra-powerful sword, Gilgamesh randomly picks between one of his four swords, and three of them suck. One of them is even called Excalipoor, and it only ever deals one point of damage to any e??nemy. The laughter that immediately ensues makes sitting through the entire animation almost worth it.

[caption id="attachment_386003" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

2. Zodiark from Final Fantasy XII

Few things are as funny as collecting every single goddamn Esper [summon] in Final Fantasy XII to unlock the battle against Zodiark, the most powerful one in the bunch, only to find a little fish in its place. Final Fantasy XII features one hell of a lot of summons, so we just love imagining the faces of players who go th?rough the dozens of hours required to get Zodiark and then find this thing.

We mean no disrespect, though. Though he's very funny-looking with his tiny arms and legs, his attack animation looks absolutely gorgeous, and its power level is absolutely off the charts. We just find it very funny that he looks like the tiny baby version of Anima from Final Fantasy X.

Speak of the devil!

[caption id="attachment_386016" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

1. Anima from Final Fantasy X

Let's talk about Anima now that Nu Metal is as dead or dormant as we could ever hope it to be. We know that Anima from FFX is a fan-favorite but holy crap, that's one of the most me?ssed?-up-looking creatures in the history of the franchise.

In our headcanon, that's the creature that sang the lyrics to Otherworld, the wacky metal song Nobuo Uematsu got tricked into believing fit the themes of Final Fantasy. We can't blame him, though. Acts such as Slipknot and Rammstein somehow really did rule the world in those days. The best thing about Anima ??is that its ??upper half would be more than enough to earn it a spot on this list, but the lower one is somehow even worse. great job. How is this in what is ostensibly a PG-esque game? This thing is terrifying even if you ignore the fact that Anima is powered by Seymour's mother. Yes, that monster carries the soul of someone's loving mother.

[caption id="attachment_386007" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Destructoid[/caption]

Sweet dreams, Seymour.

The post The?? nine weirdest summons in Final Fantasy history, ranked appeared first on Destructoid.

You will (not) have to Remake

Square Enix has been dropping some questions and answers about Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, its second entry in the remade Final Fantasy VII timeline. And while it's a follow-up to 2020's Final Fantasy VII Remake, Square Enix is saying you won't have to play the remake to enjoy Rebirth.

In response to whether players will need to play one before the other, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth co-director Motomu Toriyama says:

"No—we have made preparations so that players who did not get a chance to play the first game can fully enjoy Final Fantasy VII Rebirth."

What those preparations look like is anyone's guess. The answers in these social posts have been fairly vague so far, though. A recent one confirmed that players can journey across the world with a "high degree of freedom" and ex?perience a "myriad of different stories," for e?xample.

//twitter??.com/finalfantasyvii/status/1665705101196136448

Notably, Square Enix has confirmed that development is progressing and the FF7 Rebirth team is looking to nail down a release date. Last we heard, it was set for this coming winter.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_4CkyOmuuU

Return to the remakes

We haven't seen too much of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth since its big reveal, but it's also had some set-up to do too. We did get confirmation that Rebirth is the second in a planned trilogy. And, as you might have figured out from playing Final Fantasy VII Remake, this trilogy looks to buck the canon of its original text.

So in one sense, I get how one might be able to jump into Rebirth without a massive wealth of knowledge. Still, it does feel like a series that's in conversation with itself. It's hard not to draw comparisons to the Evangelion remakes here.

Still, if you're holding off on Remake for whatever reason, Square Enix has said it's made preparations. And if you'd rather get some backstory, FF7 Remake is available on a few platforms now. Regardless of whether you need the background prep or not, it's a pretty good game.

The post Square Enix says you can play Fi?nal Fantasy VII Rebirth without playing Remake appeared first on Destructoid.

Square Enix says development is progressing smoothly

It's been a while since we last heard from the Final Fantasy VII remake team. After revealing the name and direction of the second part of the remake trilogy, the team behind Final Fantasy VII Rebirth posted a development update today.

Producer Yoshinori Kitase provided the update on Twitter. The post asks how development is progressing on Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.

"Development is progressing smoothly and according to plan," Kitase said. "We are currently working on nailing down a release date for the g??ame."

?//twitter.com/finalfantasyvii/sta??tus/1664617912060231680/

That's the extent of it, so there's no indication whether the original winter window is moving or not. Final Fantasy XVI is just around the corner anyways, so I personally wouldn't be surprised if Square Enix doesn't start talking about Rebirth more until XVI is out.

You can (not) redo

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the follow-up to Final Fantasy VII Remake, which both is and isn't an actual remake of Final Fantasy VII. While it's retelling a big part of the early story of FFVII, Remake eventually strikes out and forges its own path. Its story looks set to diverge with Rebirth.

We did just get a Crisis Core remaster to help newcomers catch up with the story of Zack Fair. And Ever Crisis, a mobile game, is set to somehow encapsulate the VII timeline. It'll be interesting to see how this new expansion of the Final Fantasy VII multi-verse comes together over the n??ext few years.

Sounds like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is at least progressing along well, though. Meanwhile, if you can't wait for that, a new Final Fantasy debuts in June.

The post Final Fantasy VII Rebi??rth team i?s working on nailing down a release date appeared first on Destructoid.

They did it their way

Stranger of Paradise was a very different lens into the world of Final Fantasy than we're accustomed to. Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo partnered with Square Enix to reimagine the story of the first Final Fantasy, creating a lovably irreverent protagonist with Jack G?arland in the process.

It was, by all accounts, a solid vision of an action-driven, alternative take on Final Fantasy's origins. The team continued to build on it over time, with more downloadable content and jobs, adding some classic pieces of Final Fantasy mythos in the process.

With the recent release of the Steam version, we got a chance to catch up with director Daisuke Inoue and ask some burning lingering questions about Stranger of Paradise, now a little over a year since its launch. We'??ve previously talked with him about updates and feedback, so with this interview, I went a little more broad picture. We talk about adapting Final Fantasy into the action?? realm, the fashion, and of course, the use of Frank Sinatra's "My Way." How could we not?

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0WvpMw0Sko

What was your design goal with Jack? Did you want players to connect with him right away, or later as more is revealed about both him and the story at large?

I didn't necessarily want people to connect with Jack right away. Rather, for this production, instead of emotionally connecting with the character, I wanted people to ultimately understand why Jack was saying the things he was saying and why Garland ended up the way he did, while tracing things back to the world of the original FINAL FANTASY.

Frank Sinatra’s “My Way�plays early on in Stranger of Paradise, and appeared in the promotional material. What was the reason you chose this song, especially when it’s pretty tonally different from the music we hear Jack listening to in-game?

It might be a bit of ?a stretch to say that we “chose�the song “My Way,�as this song is where the title began.

It all started when Nomura-san showed me a video with the Japanese translation of “My Way’s�lyrics. The song is about a man who has achieved what he believes in, despite his sorrows and regrets, and although I’m sure the Japanese translation contains many liberal interpretations of the original English words, [it] conveyed this concept in a v??ery cool and compelling way.

Garland standing in the Chaos Shrine expecting to "end this,�looking back on his life in a way that connects back to the lyrics of the song�When Nomura-san showed me the video, he suggested that this is the sort of image that he? wanted to create.

I think it’s fair to say that the concept of Jack Garland was inspired from ??there, and it set the direction for the game's scenario.

Since the implied translation of the lyrics for "My Way" marked t?he inception of this game, no song other than "My Way" was ever considered.? That is my answer.

What process went into translating popular Final Fantasy jobs into action-RPG move sets, and did you have any difficulties with some of the less combat-focused options like White Mage? Do you have a favorite job in the game?

As a team, we did run in?to some issues when trying to incorporate a few non-combat jobs into an action RPG, but without exaggeration, by simply considering, “What would Jack do?�we were able ?to solve these problems.

For example, even if you are a white mage, a job type with restorative abilities, if you are Jack, you could fight by incorporating offensive white magic ?while casting support magic on yourself in order to atta??ck... Something like that.

I think the bigger iss??ue we ran into was differentiating the ??jobs and making each one feel unique. We felt a strong synergy with Team NINJA, who have a lot of ex??perie??nce in creating action heavy titles, so their expertise led to the creation of diverse and fun jobs.

My personal favorite job is the swordsman, as its spirit of simplicity and fortitude fits the image of Garland in the original FINAL FANTASY. When I had a hard t??ime deciding on which job to play, I defaulted to the swordsman be??cause of this.

Despite the world being very fantasy driven and jobs focusing on Final Fantasy combat, the fashion of Stranger of Paradise is varied and even modern at times. What was your intent with the costume designs and equipment, and was there an intentional contrast or aesthetic you wanted to create with the party’s outfits?

Originally, the world of FINAL FANTASY was made to appear high fantasy, but is actually a low fantasy, or more of a sci-fi, world, with a mix of high-tech machines, robots, buildings, and the ancient futuristic people (Lufenians) who created them. At least, that is my interpretation. This interpretation may differ from one person to another, but as STRANGER OF PARADISE further brings out this worldview, it’s not surprising that modern interpretations of costumes and designs ma??y be present. Rather, the design work for this project is b??ased on the understanding that the world is a diverse blend of these elements.

As for the party ch??aracters�outfits, our intention was to reflect them being b??rought from a modern world somewhere, so their default clothes reflect this relative simplicity or basicness. We also wanted that to inspire players to change up their jobs and equipment quickly and often while playing, so as to fully portray the diverse job system in this title.

When considering the direction for DLC, what was your goal with post-launch additions? Is there anything in the Final Fantasy universe you would like to still tackle?

When we were considering the direction of the expansions, we started with the idea of depicting the later lives of the characters. We were torn between having this take place either following the events of the original FINAL FANTASY or directly after the events of STRANGER OF PARADISE. However, I remember thinking that we should firs??t properly depict their endings for the sake of the players who love this title and its charac??ters, and that we should prepare an element of play appropriate to these.

The world of FINAL FANTASY has expanded greatly, so there are certainly things we can do and things we would like to do. At any rate, I hope that we can continue to challenge ourselves to ??do things that cannot be done with the numbered titles.

Are there any other franchises you’d like to see adapted, in a way similar to Stranger of Paradise?

Origin stories for The Legend of Zelda’s Ganon and Bowser from the Super Mario series immediately come to mind�But those are completely different IPs from a different company, aren’t they? (laughs) I always wanted to know why Bowser is so fixated on Princess Peach�but I guess I should at least answer this question with something from SQUARE ENIX, so in that case, I’d have to say DRAGON QUEST!

While it may not quite resonate with people overseas, if we dare to make the somewhat gentle/laidback world of DRAGON QUEST one that is more aggressive/thrilling, this may be a good opp?ortunity to have a wider audience overseas get to know the franchise.

The post We talk with Stranger of Paradise’s director about fashion, Final Fantasy, and My Way appeared first on Destructoid.

Hip to be Square

Square Enix has announced that its blocktastic range of releases known as the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series has now surpassed two million total sales a?cross PC, console, and mobile platforms.

The range of classic RPGs first launched on PC and mobile platforms in the summer of 2021, drip feeding each title over the course of the following six months. The entire collection finally arrived on PlayStation and Nintendo Switch just last month, and consists of legendary releases Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy II, Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy V and, you guessed it, Final Fantasy VI. The new console reports have re??ceived p??raise from both critics and fans alike.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bI??80df5Or?A&ab_channel=FINALFANTASY

Each release sees the games that defined a genre sharpened up for modern displays, while retaining the nostalgic and warmth-inducing sprites and ?environments of their 8-bit and 16-bit roots, overseen by original artist Kazuko Shibuya. Audio has been restored by composer Nobuo Uematsu, and a fresh run of balance tweaks and bug fixes hav?e been made to the releases, fixing issues that have existed �in some cases �for nigh-on four decades. The console editions of the games include the option to switch to each title's classic soundtrack, as well as utilize an easier-on-the-eyes "pixel font".

The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series is available now on PC,?? PlayStation, Nintendo Switch??, and iOS and Android platforms.

The post Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series pa??sses two million sales ??mark appeared first on Destructoid.

Sweet, sweet fantasy

A new Sony State of Play is on the way, and it's fully centered on Final Fantasy XVI. Sony confirms the new RPG will be getting a new update t??his week on April 13.

The new State of Play will air on Sony's Twitch and YouTube channels on April 13, at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT. The show will feature "more than 20 minutes" of new Final Fantasy XVI footage.

//twitter.com/PlayStati??on/status/1645894612693688320

The PlayStation blog doesn't note any specifics, aside from touching on the general dark fantasy setting and battles between the Eikons and Dominants. Though the blog says the showcase will dive into "all this and more," it's fair to say this will center solely on Final Fantasy XVI.

The state of play for PlayStation

This is the second State of Play for Sony so far in 2023, though this is their first single-game-focused event. The February 2023 State of Play put a bunch of PS VR2 titles in the spotlight, as well as updates on Destiny 2's then-upcoming Lightfall, the release date for Baldur's Gate 3, and more footage of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.

For Final Fantasy XVI, this make a fair bit of sense, as the next entry in the series first premiered at a Sony showcase back in 2020. I'm curious to see what's new to show in Final Fantasy XVI, as we did just recently get a good look at the game. Alongside a bevy of new footage, we also got some hands-on time with the upcoming action-RPG, which definitely aims for a darker fantasy setting. For more on that, check out our interview with the project's leads.

I'm curious to see what Square Enix and Sony will be showing now, and how it differs from the late February preview we got. Final Fantasy XVI isn't far off now. Whatever June 22 may hold, we'll get a pretty d??ecent new glimpse of it on Thursday.

The post Sony is ??airing a Final Fantasy XVI State of Play this week appeared first on Destructoid.

The best canceled games that failed to reach the finish line

The gaming industry is brutal. You need the right budget, a talented team, and a realistic working schedule to finish a project. These "best canceled video games" failed at least one of ?those?? three aspects.

Sometimes, fans get a metaphorical punch to?? the face when a game they're looking forward to gets shut down. Let's look at 10 games that had potential (or were exciting to hear about, at least!).

10. BioShock on Vita

[caption id="attachment_372601" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image via 2K Games[/caption]

When series director Ken Levine announced BioShock on Vita o??n the Pl??ayStation E3 2011 stage,  I was intrigued.

How could you place the intensity of Rapture into a portable game? According to Levine himself on Twitter, it was supposed to be a "Final Fantasy Tactics style thing set in pre-fall Rapture." The unique genre mixed in with BioShock's g??roundbreaking storytelling and setting would have been amazing. Hopefully, one day, 2K revitalizes the idea because I'm intrigued. It's one of the best canceled games based on its concept.

9. Pirates of the Caribbean: Armada of the Damned

//youtu.be/hUvCI7XXOJM

How hasn't an open-world Pirates of the Caribbean game been released yet?! It would be a slam dunk, and Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag proved that it can work.

Armada of the Damned was actually going to give us this dream game before it was canceled. The combat looked clunky, but exploring the seas on a ship like the Black Pearl or the Interceptor would have been sensational for fans of the property. We did get a Pirates of the Caribbean expansion in Sea of Thieves, but it would be cool if a developer ??like? Rare or Ubisoft went the extra mile with this Disney property.

8. Scalebound

//youtu.be/U_MZ-MmyIbU

The Xbox One was a rough era for Microsoft. Like Fable Legends (which could also be on this list), Scalebound was canceled. This particular game was something special. It offered an action-RPG experience that included dragon-focused combat from Nier Automata developer Platinum Games. Scalebound looked spectacular but struggled with its frame rate, potentially leading to the game's cancellation. It would be cool if the project gets rebooted by Microsoft because its subscription service Xbox Game Pass? is lacking new triple-A titles.

This is one of the best examples of a canceled video game that should return on stronger hardware??.

7. Telltale's Stranger Things

//youtu.be/s-2nNksMBpg?t=1471

Telltale gets too much flak. Its games feature impactful narratives and memorable decision-making. Telltale's Stranger Things adaptation was going to be a step up from the traditional formula and get the st??udio to the next level.

It was developed in the Unity engine, upgrading the graphics and fixing the stiff animations in prior games. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to develop Telltale's Stranger Things before the studio closed down (before reopening again). The staff thought at the time, "We are going to do what people want to see and hopefully [the game] will be groundbreaking and different enough for the studio that reignites interest," according to Executive Assistant Paul Mastroianni in a Noclip documentary.

6. Silent Hills

[caption id="attachment_372562" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via GameZone's YouTube Channe?l[/caption]

P.T. is genuinely spooky. While playing it, I never knew what to expect around every corner, and its gameplay approach was intriguing. Once you finished the engaging demo, a trailer revealing Silent Hills played, showing future Death Stranding star Norman Reedus walking into the mysterious town. Silent Hills was highly anticipated due to its intense demo but was sadly shut down by Konami in 2015.

You can't even download P.T. anymore, and it's infuriating. Hopefully, the Silent Hill 2 remake brings new life to the horror series.

5. Star Wars 1313

[caption id="attachment_372563" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot by Star Wars' YouTube C??hannel[/caption]

Playing as a bounty hunter in the Star Wars universe sounds exciting to me, so I was thrilled to see the announcement trailer for Star Wars 1313. Little did I know that Disney would cancel the LucasArts project after it purchased the studio behind the sci-fi franchise. It's one of the biggest disappointments as it mixed the shooting platformer gameplay of the Uncharted series with the Hollywood blockbuster universe of Star Wars. The visuals that were show??n off are also impressive for 2013, with detailed character ?models and environmental design.

It's a shame this was dropped amid the Disney buyout. Maybe the right studio could bring it back; I'm looking at you, Respawn! Bring back one of the coolest-loo?king cancele?d video games ever.

4. Visceral Games' Star Wars title

[caption id="attachment_372572" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Screenshot via EA Star Wars' ??YouTube Channel??[/caption]

Unfortunately, another Uncharted-like Star Wars game was canceled. What makes it worse is Amy Hennig, the creative director of the original Uncharted trilogy, was behind the production of the Visceral Games title before the studio closed down.

The early in-game footage looked impressive and seemed to be set in Tatooine with a huge Star Destroyer in the background. While we did get the excellent Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, it would have been amazing to get another interactive Star Wars story from the galaxy, far far away.

3. Agent

//youtu.be/I4nxFUmSaOU

The lauded developer of the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series, Rockstar Games, was working on a PlayStation exclusive called Agent. Not much was shared about it, but Sony was ha??ppy to announce the project during E3 2009. Then PlayStation boss Jack Tretton said it would have taken "a player across the shadowy world of espionage and assassins in the darkest hours of the late 1970s." The project sounded promis??ing, but we heard very little since its mysterious announcement.

It has been abandoned since, and the URL of the original website is defunct. Perhaps with the power of the PS5, Rockstar's ambition to make an espionage game may return, but right now, all signs point to GTA 6 being its next project. Regardless, Agent is one of the best canceled video games, due to its promising ??concept and the studio behind ?it.

2. Final Fantasy Versus XIII

//youtu.be/YiIx9VJWSl8

Final Fantasy XV is just okay, but Final Fantasy Versus XIII looked amazing. While the 15th entry has the same protagonists, it did not follow the story or Kingdom Hearts-like battle system in the above tr??ailer. Its combat system let you switch between characters, take out mini-bosses roaming around the world, and had blockbuster-like action within key gameplay moments.

It looked exciting and not as restrictive as Final Fantasy XV, a game that took director Tetsuya Nomura's characters and placed them in a different direction. However, the ending of Kingdom Hearts III Remind and Yozora bears an eerie resemblance to Versus XIII's camera a????ngles in the trailers and its interpretation of Noctis.

1. Banjo-Threeie

//youtu.be/QLWLdO9GLWM

This one is so strange on multiple levels.

We hoped for a polished Banjo-Kazooie sequel on Xbox systems, and it was finally teased at E3 2006. The first trailer shows Jiggies, the Honeycombs, and all kinds of collectibles you'd expect. However, what we actually got was Nuts & Bolts, a mediocre vehicle construction game. What made this even worse is how the introduction of Nuts & Bolts made fun ??of the fanbase. You control a version of the duo chasing after a straight line of golden?? collectibles. "Gamers today don't want all this," one of the characters says. "They just want to shoot things." It was a real jab at the fans of the original two N64 classics.

The annoying thing is that Xbox still hasn't provided us a Banjo-Threeie or even a remake of the first two after Crash and Spyro had their comebacks. They have shown their popularity through their delightful inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Come on, Xbox, hire a? talented studio, and give the fans what they want.

The post Top 10 most anticipated video? games that never came to frui?tion appeared first on Destructoid.

Now with a new font

Square Enix is bringing its Pixel Remaster series for the first six Final Fantasy games to console this month. The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series will hit PlayStation 4 and Ni?ntendo Switch on April 19.

The Pixel Remaster series is a direct remastering of the early NES and SNES-era Final Fantasy games, from the very first up to the legendary Final Fantasy VI. They will be made available individually for $17.99 a pop, or you can get the full bundle of all six for $74.99.

Though both PlayStation and Switch are getting these Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters, there's no word on an Xbox release.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC6bH50jCik

A big update for these versions is a new pixel font, addressing one of the major complaints from the PC version. I'll need to see them in-game to really get a sense, but it's nice to know Square's at least trying to rectify the font situation. Th??e pixel font, it's noted, is not supported in all languages.

A?dditionally, some quality-of-life features have been added. There is the modern UI and bestiary, but also some nice updates like the option to swi??tch between the original and new music. There are also some settings to tune encounter rate, EXP and Gil gain, and more.

A new home for old classics

The Pixel Remaster series is notable, as it's the easiest way to get a hold of and play these classic RPGs. Even though the price tag feels a bit steep for me, I'm happy that there will finally be a way to play games like Final Fantasy IV on the Nintendo Switch. Th?at just feel??s right, you know?

The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series hits PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch on April 19. Meanwhile, if you want some newer Final Fantasy, the next entry is slate?d to launch t?his June for PlayStation 5.

The post The Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters head to PS4?? and Switch this mo??nth appeared first on Destructoid.

I'm blue, da ba dee

The first Live Letter for Final Fantasy XIV Patch 6.4 aired today, spotlighting what's to come in the big update for Square Enix's MMORPG. With each successive patch post-Endwalker, we eke closer to the next major expansion, and the storyline continues ?to escalate.

But today's Live Letter felt a little more focused on the newer additions to side content. While we got a name and some teasers for what's to come, there were also some confirmed updates to different pieces of side content that are pretty exciting. Let's take a look at the full rundown of news, with assistance from unofficial translations over on the Final Fantasy XIV Discord.

The Dark Throne

• Final Fantasy XIV will be called The Dark Throne, as we head toward the next big thing in the world of Eorzea. Not much more was discussed about what's in store, though we got confirmation of a new dungeon and Trial. It's expected to arrive in late May.
• Tataru's Grand Endeavor continues, and this time follows up on the Sorrows of Werlyt quest line. You should probably knock that out now, ahead of the patch. (They're very much worth doing, for what it's worth.)
• Somehow Further Hildibrand Adventures are continuing, though those will arrive in Patch 6.45.
• That also includes more Splendorous Tools and Manderville Weapons updates, also arriving in Patch 6.45.
• The new Unreal Trial will be Containment Bay Z1T9.

Pandaemonium Anabaseios

• The eight-player raid series Pandaemonium continues, heading into a cluster called Anabaseios.
• Savage difficulty will be delayed by a week.

Mount Rokkon

• A new Variant and Criterion Dungeon will arrive in Patch 6.45, dubbed Mount Rokkon.
• It will be similar to the Sil'dihn Subterrane dungeon, but will not require completion of that dungeon to unlock.
• Three levels of difficulty will be available: Normal, Criterion, and Criterion (Savage).

Stormblood Duty Support

• The Stormblood expansion is getting Duty Support added for the following: The Sirensong Sea, Bardam's Mettle, Doma Castle, Castrum Abania, Ala Mhigo

Job and PvP updates

• Unspecified job adjustments are coming to both PvE and PvP.
• PvP Series Four will start in 6.4, alongside Season Seven of Crystalline Conflict.
• Frontline is also seeing some adjustments, including a new UI element for match time and score. The Borderlands Ruins (Secure) will also be temporarily unavailable.

A brand new Blue

• The Blue Mage class is getting an update, raising the level cap up to 80.
• New spells and special Blue Mage gear are being added, and new enemies are joining the Masked Carnivale.

Assorted extra updates

• Raid fishers rejoice, as a new Ocean Fishing route is being added that will head toward Kugane.
• Island Sanctuary will get some new updates, including new ranks, visions, gathering sites, rewards, and construction plots.
• Additionally, outdoor furnishing support is being added to the hideaway on the Island Sanctuary!
• Allegan Tomestones of Comedy are on the way, and maximum gear sets will be increased to 100 (available to all characters, regardless of quest progression).
• Job icons will now be displayed in the chat log and on player nameplates.
• Transaction fee for the items sold on the market board can now be incorporated into the total price.
• Glasses and wing accessories will now display during battle. Fairy glamours are also available for Scholars.

From here, the Live Letter closed out with a preview of all the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest items that wil go up for pre-sale. If you want to take a look, check out the VOD here.

Today was a fairly chill Live Letter, but as a fan of Island Sanctuary, Blue Mage, and the Criterion Dungeons, I'm very excited for what Patch 6.4 holds for our adventurers. A second Live Letter for Final Fantasy XIV Patch 6.4 is expected to go into more det??ail at a later date.

The post Everything shown in today’s Final Fantasy XIV Patch 6.4 Live Letter appeared first on Destructoid.

Let Chaos Commence

Square Enix has announced that its dark action-RPG, Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, will finally be mak??ing its debut on the Steam platform on April 6, a little over a year on from its initial release on PlayStation, Xbox, and Epic Ga??mes Store in March 2022.

//youtu.be/HYr9uqtCz3c

Developed by hack 'n' slash lovers Team Ninja, Stranger of Paradise is a new interpretation of the original Final Fantasy lore, and sees grumpy protagonist Jack on an all-consuming mission to eradicate the embodiment of Chaos. This single-minded principle that lead to much merriment and mirth-making among the meme community, and would even see Square Enix getting a little salty at all of the comedy.

The action-heavy adventure received a mostly positive response from critics and players, though its story, tone, and general direction proved somewhat divisive within the Final Fantasy community. Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin launches April 6 on Steam at a "per??manently discounted" price. It is also ava??ilable on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC via Epic Games Store.

The post Stranger of Para?dise: Final Fantasy Origin hits Steam April 6 appeared first on Destructoid.