The Biggest News From Square Enix’s E3 2019 Press Conference

By: Noah Friscopp

With PlayStation not attending E3 this year, Square Enix had all of Monday night to impress with its lineup of games ranging from deep Japanese RPGs to co-op action adventures and a whole lot in between. 

Final Fantasy VII Remake

The showcase began with a lengthy demo of Final Fantasy VII Remake, the entirely remade version of the beloved 1997 RPG which is one of the most popular and beloved games of all time. The graphics aren't the only thing that has gotten an upgrade. This time, the combat system is a lot closer to that of an action game, with Cloud and his party able to execute moves whenever they want. The original game was known for it's turn-based combat similar to Pokémon, meaning you and the enemy take turns to attack, but there was a twist. Final Fantasy 7 popularized "Action Time Battle", where a bar on the screen would fill up and speed up the pace of the battle. This meant that you couldn't just wait and plan out your moves, you had to be quick in deciding which action to take or your enemy would take his turn first. The way Active Time Battle works in the remake is a similar bar fills up as you make your moves, but upon completion, the game slows down to allow for more careful strategies. In this way, it is almost a reverse of the original's system. The demo had one of the original game's first boss battles, where Cloud and Barrett face off against a hulking scorpion tank shown in the newly updated graphics and presentation. This game is releasing on March 3^rd, 2020.

Final Fantasy VII Remake - Gameplay Reveal Demo

The Last Remnant Remastered

A remastered version of the 2008 JRPG is now available on Nintendo Switch and PS4.  

The Last Remnant: Remastered – Official Launch Trailer

Dragon Quest Builders 2

Dragon Quest Builders 2 plans on doing everything the first game did but bigger and better. DQ Builders is very similar to Minecraft, where player freedom and the ability to mine and build anything take center stage. In addition to roaming the world to create whatever your imagination can think of, Builders also features third-person action combat against Dragon Quest's iconic monsters. The game is coming to Nintendo Switch and PS4 on July 12^th, 2019.

The World of Dragon Quest Builders 2 - Official Trailer

Circuit Supercars

This top-down arcade style racer puts you on both the racetrack and in the pit for a twist on racing games that you can't find anywhere else. The colorful art style is a fun difference from other more realistic racing games like Xbox's Forza and is coming sometime in 2020.

Kingdom Hearts III Re:Mind

Kingdom Hearts 3's first DLC is coming this Winter, with Roxas, Riku, and Aqua available to play as in a new story. We praised Kingdom Hearts 3 for its beautiful graphics and great combat, check out our review here.

KINGDOM HEARTS III Re:Mind DLC Trailer

Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers

Square's popular MMORPG is getting its third expansion pack with two new jobs and playable races. Final Fantasy 14 is shaping up to be one of the best MMO options out there, and Shadowbringers will no doubt make the game even better for fans and newcomers.

Final Fantasy XIV: SHADOWBRINGERS - Official Launch Trailer

Romancing SaGa 3 and SaGa Scarlet Grace: Ambitions

A couple more beloved Japanese RPGs are coming across the pond to the West soon, with Romancing SaGa 3 also hitting the PlayStation Vita in addition to PS4, Xbox One, PC and Nintendo Switch.

Romancing SaGa 3 & SaGa Scarlet Grace Ambitions - Official Trailers

Oninaki

Oninaki is an action RPG where you can switch between different classes mid-battle to shake things up. TokyoRPGFactory, the developers of I am Setsuna are making this one, so expect some emotional story moments on top of some fun action-RPG combat. This one is coming soon to PS4, Switch, and PC on August 22^nd.

ONINAKI - Official Release Date Reveal Trailer

War of the Visions/Brave Exvius

Square's free to play version of Final Fantasy on IOS and Android is getting a new release in War of the Visions. We don't know when this one is coming, but it is said to be a spinoff of the existing Brave Exvius available now.

War of the Visions FINAL FANTASY BRAVE EXVIUS Trailer

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles was an action RPG on the Nintendo Gamecube that is coming back for another go on Switch and PS4 this Winter.

Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition – Official Trailer

Outriders

Set in a "dark and desperate sci-fi universe," Outriders is a co-op third-person shooter developed by People Can Fly, the studio behind Gears of War: Judgment that pits you and two other friends against all kinds of beastly dangers. The game is hitting PS4, Xbox One, and PC next Summer, but chances are by then you'll want to be playing:

Marvel's The Avengers

Announced back in 2017, it has been two years since we have heard any word of the new game based around Earth's mightiest heroes. We finally have a look into the multiplayer world of Marvel Comics thanks to the last demo shown off at the conference. Team up as a group of four heroes with your friends to bring back the Avengers after a horrific accident that makes the team outlawed. This game is planned to be supported for years to come, with more heroes (like Antman as teased in the trailer) and locations to be added as time goes on. This is a story that will be told for several years, not unlike the recently wrapped up Infinity Saga with Endgame. With the star-studded cast of Nolan North as Tony Stark, Laura Bailey as Black Widow, Jeff Schine as Captain America, Travis Willingham as the mighty Thor, and Troy Baker as Bruce Banner/The Hulk. Look out for more details on this game today as some more specifics on how the game plays comes to light during E3.

Marvel’s Avengers: 'A-Day' - Official Reveal Trailer

Share Your Thoughts

What did you think of Square Enix's E3 2019 announcements? What game are you looking forward to playing most? Let us know that and which Avenger you want to take control of most down below!