Square Enix Message Board older than one year ago

Thief has reportedly had a troubled development. Don't take this live-action E3 trailer - after five years of development - to be a sign of issues. Let's hope we see some real gameplay at E3 next week, since the game is supposed to launch next year.

It might not be on the platform you wanted it to be on, but you have to admit Deus Ex: The Fall looks pretty sweet. A lot of folks were angry over the revelation earlier this week that the next game in the Deus Ex series was coming to iOS and Android devices. After years of playing on PC and consoles, that's understandable. I just don't think we should let disappointment take away from the fact that this looks like a damn fine entry in the series, featuring nearly everything that made Deus Ex: Human Revolution such a great game. Just look at this E3 trailer. They're trying really hard. Who knows, maybe The Fall has better boss fights?

Square Enix announced a slate of upcoming games appearing at E3 next week, headed up by a pair of high-profile Final Fantasy releases.

Throughout E3, Square Enix will show off Final Fantasy XIII's concluding chapter Lightning Returns, along with the relaunched MMORPG A Realm Reborn: Final Fantasy XIV. The company also teases "a first look at the next generation of Final Fantasy," a statement that does not seem to refer to either FFXIV or Lightning Returns. Further details, however, are not yet available.

Other games appearing at Square Enix's booth include Eidos Montreal's Thief reboot and the "mystery thriller" Murdered: Soul Suspect. The Deus Ex series will occupy its share of booth space with the Wii U-exclusive Deus Ex: Human Revolution - Director's Cut and the recently announced iOS sequel Deus Ex: The Fall.

The HD remakes Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD ReMIX and Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster will also appear at Square Enix's E3 booth from June 11 through 13. Square Enix's full press release is after the break below. Show full PR text SQUARE ENIX ANNOUNCES E3 2013 LINEUP

Diverse Lineup Highlighted by Signature Franchises, Compelling New Properties and Expanding Platforms

First Look at the Next Generation of FINAL FANTASY

LONDON (June 6, 2013) -Square Enix today announced its broad spectrum of next-generation and current generation console, PC and mobile game products to be unveiled during the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2013, June 11-13 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Booth #1647. The company's portfolio features new games from signature franchises, a re-imagined classic along with compelling new properties.

FINAL FANTASY(R), one of the most successful game franchises of all time, will have a dominant presence in the publisher's booth with both FINAL FANTASY(R) XIV: A Realm Reborn[TM], a stunning massively multiplayer online role playing game that will enable players to create their own FINAL FANTASY adventure, and LIGHTNING RETURNS[TM]: FINAL FANTASY(R) XIII, the epic conclusion to the series. Square Enix will also unveil the first look at the next-generation of FINAL FANTASY.

THIEF[TM] is the reinvention of a classic franchise that allows players to step into the silent shoes of Garrett, a dark and solitary thief with an unrivaled set of skills. The most challenging heists, the most inaccessible loots, the best kept secrets: nothing is out of Garrett's reach. The mystery thriller Murdered: Soul Suspect[TM] will haunt attendees as an entirely new game property where the main character travels through both a modern day Salem, Massachusetts and a ghost world to solve his own murder. Square Enix will also introduce DEUS EX(R): THE FALL[TM], the new installment of the award winning DEUS EX series. Additional mobile and tablet games will also be at E3.

"Square Enix continues to show its global creative presence like no other game publisher with products from its internal studios around the world as well as key partners," said Yosuke Matsuda, representative director of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. "As the industry continues to diversify and expand Square Enix is poised to lead that change with products showcased at this year's E3."

Along with hands-on demonstrations of many games, E3 attendees will be able to experience exclusive theater presentations for FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn, THIEF and Murdered: Soul Suspect.

For the audience not attending E3, Square Enix will host an innovative live online broadcast from its booth, allowing the publisher's passionate community to get a sneak peak at the new titles' content and interact with Square Enix developers. Viewers worldwide will be able to tune in for the duration of the show (June 11 to June 13, 2013) for a unique insider's perspective into Square Enix at the show. For a full schedule please visit:

YouTube: www.youtube.com/squareenixpresents
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@squareenix
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SquareEnix

The announced E3 lineup for Square Enix:

Consoles and PC

FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn

FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn is the first massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) to have been completely rebuilt from the ground up with a focus on all systems, gameplay and player experience. FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn invites players to explore the realm of Eorzea with friends from around the world.

Platforms: PlayStation(R)3 system, Windows(R) PC
Developer: Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Available: August 27

THIEF

THIEF is the reinvention of the classic franchise that allows players to take on the role of Garrett, the Master Thief. As the tide is about to turn in the City, Garrett, takes cover amidst the growing uprising and sneaks into the Baron's manor to steal his most prized possession.

Platforms: PlayStation(R)4 system, Xbox One(R), the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, Windows PC
Developer: Eidos-Montréal (A Square Enix Company)
Available: 2014

MURDERED: SOUL SUSPECT

The hardest case to solve is one's own murder. Murdered: Soul Suspect takes players into a whole new realm of mystery where the case is personal and the clues just out of reach. When Ronan O'Connor, a detective with a checkered past, gets caught up in a violent burglary, his life is brought to an untimely end by a brutal and relentless killer. Shocked to find himself in the afterlife, his only escape from the limbo world of 'Dusk' is to uncover the truth behind his killer, track him down and bring him to justice using his detective instinct and newfound supernatural abilities.

Platforms: Xbox 360(R) games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation(R)3 system, Windows PC
Developer: Square Enix Co., Ltd. and Airtight Games
Available: Early 2014

LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII
As Lightning, it is your mission to save souls so they may be brought to a new world. However, with only thirteen days remaining, not everyone can be saved. Armed with all-new weapons, player customization and battle abilities, you are in a race against time to fully understand your destiny. It all ends here.

Platforms: Xbox 360, PlayStation(R)3 system
Developer: Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Available: February 14, 2014

KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 ReMIX

Fully remastered in high-def, KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 ReMIX is a compilation of the critically acclaimed KINGDOM HEARTS FINAL MIX and KINGDOM HEARTS Re:Chain of Memories titles. Players can now relive the origins of the celebrated franchise with Sora, Riku and the colorful cast of Disney characters, including Mickey, Donald and Goofy.

Platform: PlayStation(R)3 system
Developer: Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Available: September 13 (Europe)

DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION(R) - DIRECTOR'S CUT

DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION - DIRECTOR'S CUT is the enhanced return to one of the most critically acclaimed video game franchises of all time. By offering players the chance to advance through the game in multiple and vastly different ways, DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION - DIRECTOR'S CUT provides an experience where every choice has a lasting consequence. Director's Cut features include visual improvements, overhauled boss fights, reinforced combat mechanics and much more making it the ultimate HUMAN REVOLUTION experience.

Platform: Nintendo Wii U[TM]
Developer: Eidos-Montréal (A Square Enix Company)
Available: 2013

FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster

FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster takes players into the adventures of Tidus and Yuna in beautifully remastered high definition.

Platforms: PlayStation(R)3 system, PlayStation(R)Vita handheld entertainment system
Available: 2013

Mobile and Tablet

DEUS EX: THE FALL

DEUS EX: THE FALL is the next chapter of the award winning DEUS EX series. Developed by Square Enix Ltd. in collaboration with the original DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION team at Eidos-Montréal and N-Fusion, DEUS EX: THE FALL is a story driven action-RPG and the first DEUS EX in the series to be released on mobile and tablet devices.

Platform: iOS
Developer: Square Enix Ltd./ Eidos-Montréal/ N-Fusion
Available: Summer

MINI NINJAS(R)

Mini Ninjas is the first mobile and tablet game in the action adventure franchise. Based on authentic ninja values, this beautiful, fast-paced game takes players on an epic journey, free from gruesome violence and high on Ninja fun. Hiro and his Mini Ninja friends run, jump and slash their way through spellbound lands to retrieve the stolen artefact from the dragon.

Platform: iOS, Android
Developer: Magic Pockets SAS
Available: Now

About Square Enix Ltd.　

Square Enix Ltd., a part of the Square Enix Europe business unit, develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX, EIDOS(R) and TAITO(R) branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix Group. Square Enix Ltd. also has a global network of leading development studios such as IO Interactive[TM], Crystal Dynamics(R) and Eidos Montréal. The Square Enix Group boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 100 million units worldwide, DRAGON QUEST(R) which has sold over 61 million units worldwide and TOMB RAIDER(R) which has sold over 35 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS(R). Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix Ltd. can be found at http://www.square-enix.com/eu/en/.

My first hands-on session with Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII and its interesting new combat system was, fittingly, lightning quick. Just a few minutes at the end of a long night of seeing the stacked upcoming line-up of Square Enix's (and pals Deep Silver's) next games: the Deus Ex iPad game, the new Thief, the new Saint's Row, a game called Murdered. The clock was ticking, Square's showcase, held in a hotel in Santa Monica a few weeks back, was nearly over. It was almost midnight. I was nearly a pumpkin. In the game the world is going to end in 13 days. In my favorite game ever, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, the world will end in 72 hours. Time limits were top of mind. Lightning Returns, Square's next big role-playing game, was just sitting there. You know, I was expecting more of an action-RPG. When the game was announced in August, the detail that stuck out to me was that, as we wrote at the time, "Character control will be more dynamic. She'll be able to hang off ledges, pull herself up, jump, duck behind corners. You'll be able to move her around in battle, a first, they said, for the series." I was hoping that one of the things I dislike about many popular role-playing games—how the playable characters tend to feel like game-board tokens and don't feel like they're physically part of their world—would be remedied in this new game. Not quite. Lightning moves better than previous Final Fantasy characters, but she doesn't exactly animate with the smoothness of a hero from an Uncharted or Assassin's Creed or even, as I was hoping, a Zelda or Fable lead. She's still a bit stiff. The combat, however, was indeed more interesting than I expected. Lightning fights alone, but, in a possible nod to Final Fantasy X-2, she can change her clothes on the fly and, in doing so, change her power sets. You jump into a battle, have free rein to run around and attack enemies and can switch from outfit to outfit. Each outfit, or "schema," has a quartet of attack and block moves assigned to it. Each can be used as long as you have the requisite amount of your move meter filled. This drains with use and gradually comes back. It's the active-time-battle system introduced in Final Fantasy IV dressed up differently, in a matter of speaking. Good players will drain one scheme's moves, switch to another outfit, use its moves and keep swapping. Naturally, she'll strike a different sexy warrior-woman pose depending on what schema she's wearing when she defeats her enemies. You can also stop time, freezing enemies. That helps. It's called Overclock mode and is mapped to a trigger button. I'm not sure what you have to do to earn it. Again, we'll play more and figure out more. You can also stagger enemies by discovering and exploiting specific weaknesses. This has been a recurring element in the FF XIII games. Hitting an enemy with attacks against which they're vulnerable will produce a stagger wave meter. More attacks will turn this meter red and eventually knock the enemy down, at which point the player can inflict maximum damage. Hooray for new wrinkles to RPG combat, right? There are many things people like about Final Fantasy games, of course: the story, the music, the art style... a lot of that changes from game to game. Combat usually changes, too. How well this system holds up in battle after battle remains to be seen, but it's nice to at least see the Final Fantasy XIII series of games continue to try to add complexity to the genre's combat. Long gone are the days of just tapping the X button. Instead, we have yet another new, more ornate system—in-combat movement! clothes/ability-switching!—that hopefully gives way to more player-driven strategy and an altogether more fulfilling game through which to battle. Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII will be out for Xbox 360 and PS3 on February 11, 2014. It'll be out in Japan in November. We'll be playing the game more at E3 and will have a more thorough description of how Lightning Returns works then. This preview is based on a hands-on demo of about 10 minutes of the game. To contact the author of this post, write to stephentotilo@kotaku.com or find him on Twitter @stephentotilo

The third Final Fantasy XIII game, less awkwardly known as Lightning Returns, will be out slightly later than first planned, on February 11, 2014 (Feb 14 in Europe), Square Enix announced today. To tide you over, the game's E3 trailer has been released. You can view it above. And yes, we know, E3 isn't until next week. E3 trailers are like Christmas, you know. The decorations go up a little earlier every year.

A new E3 trailer reveals Square Enix is pushing back Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII to February 11, 2014 in North America, and three days later on February 14 in Europe. Square Enix was planning a fall 2013 arrival for the third game in the Final Fantasy XIII line. That perhaps suggests a next-gen launch, but the game remains confirmed only for Xbox 360 and PS3.

The mailman just dropped this off in our inbox. It's an invitation to a Square Enix event next week, a Q&A with Final Fantasy brand director Shinji Hashimoto. Could be fluffy wish-wash. Or, given the timing, it could be a chance for us to find out just what the hell happened to Final Fantasy Versus XIII. Or, as some are starting to speculate it's now called, Final Fantasy XV.

Activate the windshield wiper augment on your cybernetic eye implants, everyone. It’s time to smear away some tears. As was written in the stars (fun fact: RPS has been held aloft by celestial bodies since the dawn of time, aka 1873), Square Enix fully revealed Deus Ex: The Fall today. And now, the sadness: it is siiiiiiiiighhh an FPS siiiiiiiiiighhh exclusively for siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh mobile and tabletsiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh. But hey, these things have a way of migrating over to PC occasionally, so I got in touch with Square Enix about the possibility. Unfortunately, they did not spare my brittle, nanomachine-free flesh feelings.

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Way before Game of Thrones became the hottest thing on television, some of fiction's best politicking and betrayal could be found in Final Fantasy Tactics, a strategy-RPG originally released for the PS1, then PSP, then iOS and Android (in Japan). It's one of the best games out there. And I guess there's a team at Square Enix that's been secretly cranking away at the iOS version, because this week there's a patch that adds new features: high-res characters, a better framerate, and achievements. More importantly, the iOS version of Final Fantasy Tactics is 50% off until June 12. The iPad version is $9; iPhone is $8. Not a bad price for one of the best strategy games ever made, even if there is no universal app (and even if they still haven't optimized the game for the iPhone 5's bigger screen, as you can tell by my screenshot above). So now you have no excuse for not playing this stellar game. Unless you don't have a PS1, PS2, PS3, PSP, iPhone, or iPad. Then you have a decent excuse, I guess. But I'm still gonna judge you.

This whole industry is bonkers. Launch trailers are released days ahead of launches, there are trailers for trailers to announce release dates, and pre-order packages for games that are barely off the whiteboard. So perhaps I’m becoming inured to it all when I barely bat a beautiful eyelid at an “announcement trailer” for Square’s Murdered: Soul Suspect, for which there was a teaser trailer in February.

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After battling onto iOS late last year, Final Fantasy IV took a bit more active-time to reach Android. The Square RPG is out now for Android 2.3.3 and up, priced $16/£11.

This version's a tad different from the one released for the SNES as Final Fantasy II outside of Japan. Key cut scenes are underlined by voice acting, and dungeon maps start off blank in case the game hasn't branded itself onto your memory cells over the last 20 or so years.

Square Enix deployed the latest Final Fantasy Tactics variant this week. Tactics S is a free-to-play Mobage spin-off, and it's available in Japan now on iOS and Android.

Tactics S features more than 300 character jobs from the grid-based strategy series, and two new ones in the form of Air Samurai and Musician. You can build up clans for use in both single-player quests and in multiplayer battles against other clans, with online tournaments held on a daily basis.

In its fiscal year review, Square Enix said it will increasingly target smartphone and tablet games. The company cited Mobage game Final Fantasy Airborne Brigade, recently released in North America and Europe, as a "satisfactorily profitable" example. So, while there's no word on Tactics S traversing the oceans, don't be too surprised if it reaches western shores at some point down the line.

People dig up random little easter eggs and bugs in old games all the time. What they don't often find are entire side-quests which have somehow remained hidden from view for over a decade. YouTube user GarlandTheGreat has uploaded a video showing a sidequest present in Final Fantasy IX that, until now, was pretty much unknown outside Japan. The steps involved in triggering the quest are ridiculous, explaining why it's remained hidden until now, but whatever. Really makes you wonder how many other "pre-internet" games have stuff like this lying undiscovered. Final Fantasy IX - Newly Discovered Side Quest: The Lost Nero Family [YouTube, via NeoGAF]

Some potentially good news in the world of eternal grudges today, with more evidence of a new game in the Legacy of Kain series being unearthed. Buried in the driver files of a new patch to AMD's Crossfire program are several references to "War for Nosgoth" and "Nosgoth."

The files were spotted by Eidos forum user Corlagon, via a tweet from an AMD employee. Kain fans will know that the game takes place in the realm of Nosgoth, and you may also recall that Square Enix registered the domain "WarForNosgoth.com" earlier this year.

Furthermore, SteamDB, which keeps records of Steams extensive database, logged the image above, again suggesting Kain and Raziel might return to go another round. As VGLeaks notes, the symbol in the image matches the configuration of the Pillars of Nosgoth, one of the important landmarks in the Kain series.

Frugal survivalists can enlist in Lara Croft's prequel adventure, Tomb Raider, for $13.60 today. The deal is over on PC digital distribution outlet Green Man Gaming, which has the Crystal Dynamics reboot currently listed at $17 - simply add coupon code "GMG20-LLASD-D8WBQ" (without quotes, boldness is entirely up to you) in the checkout screen and you'll get the extra-reduced price.

In our review of Tomb Raider, we cited the joy of exploration and story's revelatory crescendo as catalysts for our love of Lara's coming-of-age tale. "The arc is drawn perfectly, with the edges of the old Tomb Raider starting to poke through as the story comes to a close, teasing what's yet to come." Several DLC packs have been issued, adding new maps and modes to the multiplayer side of the game. Crystal Dynamics has said it has no plans to offer single-player DLC.

Final Fantasy’s naming scheme broke down the moment Square decided to make a second one, but that was only the beginning. Now we’re having a second go at a realm that’s a distant relative of a different realm that wasn’t supposed to be reborn 43845952 installments ago. The series has taken a long, strange road to get to this exceedingly confusing point, and the first version of Final Fantasy XIV was one of its lowest dips. To its credit, Square Enix quickly came to understand that after nobody bought it, and they’ve been hard at work on a complete revamp ever since. But were they able to salvage FFXIV’s best bits (a hyper-flexible class system, lavish story scenes, lovably fluffy horse birds) and reforge them into a sharp, sleek modern MMO? Sounds like we’ll finally (XXXVII Delta: Advent Crystal Cerberus Thunder Core) find out in August.

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You know Nintendo Direct - now meet Square Enix Presents. That's the name of the company's live-at-E3 video series, which it'll be broadcasting via YouTube.

Square Enix Presents promises coverage on the company's E3 line-up, which is expected to include the new Final Fantasy for PS4. It'll also feature dev interviews, game demos, and presentations on upcoming content. And, apparently, lots of chocobo music.

The shows will run across all three main days of the conference, which are June 11-13.

We don't know what Square Enix is showing at E3 this year, but you'll be able to get the same view as Kotaku: the Final Fantasy makers are planning to run a livestream from their booth. Crushing disappointment: now in real-time. Or, hey, maybe we'll all be pleasantly surprised! Maybe we'll see Final Fantasy XV and Dragon Quest XI and Kingdom Hearts III and all sorts of amazing new JRPGs that everyone wants. Fingers crossed.

PlayStation 3 gamers have been waiting a long time for their chance to set foot in the realm of Eorzea. The wait is almost over — FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn will come to PlayStation 3 on August 27th, 2013!

We’re also announcing our pre-order details and Collector’s Edition content! We’ve created a host of exciting goodies for would-be adventurers; let’s run down what you’ll get when you pre-order the game.

Gamers who pre-order will earn early access to the game before the launch of the official service, and some exciting in-game goodies. Step foot into Eorzea in style with a Mog Cap, fashioned after the famed FINAL FANTASY moogles, and summon your own Cait Sith Doll minion to follow you around on your adventure!

The collectors among you won’t want to miss the FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn Collector’s Edition!

What’ve we got in there…?

• A gorgeous box featuring artwork by famed FINAL FANTASY illustrator Yoshitaka Amano
• The Art of Eorzea: – A Realm Reimagined – A hardbound art book, featuring concept art and more from Art Director Akihiko Yoshida and his team of talented artists
• The Waning of the Sixth Sun – A Blu-Ray disc that features a cinematic look at the events that led up to the realm being reborn
• The Sounds of Eorzea – a collection of music from FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn by Sound Director Masayoshi Soken
• Five beautiful art cards created by the amazing CG artists at Square Enix Visual Works
• A FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn branded security token to secure your account
• Four In-game Bonus Items:

- Helm of Light – Look like one of the fabled Warriors of Light when you equip this exclusive helmet
- Baby Behemoth Minion – Summon this cute, but ferocious miniature version of Behemoth and watch him roar with excitement as you adventure through Eorzea
- Coeurl Mount – Only the bravest of warriors are able to tame and ride the mighty coeurl. Show off your prowess with this exclusive mount
- Behemoth Barding – Customize your Chocobo with the fearsome Behemoth Chocobo Armor and charge into battle And of course, the game itself!

Visit your preferred retailer today and pre-order the FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn Collector’s Edition for $79.99, or grab the standard edition for $39.99. Simply pre-order either edition to get the goodies I mentioned earlier!

Don’t forget that phase 3 of our Beta Test kicks off in June, and we’ll be inviting PlayStation 3 gamers from around the world to try the game and give us their feedback!

I’ll be in the comments below to answer any questions you may have, too! You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, and the official FINAL FANTASY XIV forums.

We can’t wait to see you all in Eorzea!

The head of Square Enix's American branch has left his post, just two months after the resignation of CEO Yoichi Wada. Square Enix America boss Mike Fischer left the company this month on good terms, Polygon reports. Fischer, who had been head of the game publisher's American division for the past three years, is now a vice president at Amazon. Square Enix has been facing financial trouble for quite some time now; earlier this year, the company announced that it had missed its (unrealistic) expectations on most of its big games, like Tomb Raider and Sleeping Dogs.

Square Enix just sent over a press release to confirm that the Thief reboot is coming to the newly-announced Xbox One.

[Rough translation of the above dialogue: "...whatever."]

The ever-sullen Squall and his friends are set to make a high-resolution return, as Famitsu reports that Square Enix is developing a remastered PC version of Final Fantasy VIII.

Final Fantasy VIII was originally released for the PlayStation in 1999, and PC players saw a no-frills Windows port one year later. News of Final Fantasy VIII's forthcoming rerelease follows up on last year's upgraded PC port of Final Fantasy VII, which added cloud saving and unlockable achievements. While the new version of Final Fantasy VIII boasts a graphical update, no further details are known, and a release date has not been announced. [Image Credit: Famitsu]

A DLC-stuffed version of Final Fantasy XIII-2 is headed for Japanese retail shelves on July 18. Square Enix released a ton of additional content for the JRPG sequel, and the 'Digital Contents Collection,' going for around $50, offers most of it.

The bundle features the Snow, Lightning, and Sazh episodes, as well as three weapons, seven costumes, and six Coliseum opponents. Gematsu has the full list. Also, the DLC from the Collection is coming in its own bundle to PSN and XBLM.

Square Enix is also re-releasing the game in the country under the 'Ultimate Hits' label. That version arrives in stores on the same day, but also on PSN and XBLM two days prior.

The slides released for Square Enix's most recent financial briefing session seem to suggest that they intend to focus on smart devices—ie. smartphones, tablets and PC—as a gaming platform, as opposed to home consoles.

In his weekly column, writer Bob Mackey will alternate between two of his passions: the Japanese RPG genre and classic games. This Tuesday brought the announcement of Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD Remix's American release date, and with it, feelings of ambivalence from people like me who once thought the strange pairing of Square and Disney would do more than tread water for a decade. I worked at a mall GameStop when the first installment launched in the fall of 2002, and even though I'd outgrown Disney (and had begun to outgrow Square), Kingdom Hearts felt like the first true RPG of the PS2 era, outclassing the at-the-time-recent Final Fantasy X, which relied on the same pre-rendered - albeit prettier - backgrounds that evoked the previous console generation's limitations.

Regardless of how you felt about the characters on display, turning away from our in-store TV during the Kingdom Hearts demo reel proved nearly impossible; Square's technical wizards worked overtime to ensure that an army of 2D Disney characters would look and move perfectly in real-time 3D - and they still do nearly 11 years later. For fans of Japanese RPGs and classic animation, the tag-team of Square and Disney felt like some impossible dream that somehow came true, despite the odds against it. After leaving the Capcom legacy behind in the mid-90s, the existence of Kingdom Hearts seemed like a second chance for Disney to make their games more than just cheap tie-ins sold on marketing alone.

PopCap puzzler Gyromancer and Hitman: Sniper Challenge are the latest targets for Square Enix's browser-based Core Online service. Sniper Challenge, if you remember, was a pre-order bonus for Hitman: Absolution that later shot onto Steam as a standalone game.

What both games coming to Core Online does alert us to are changes to the service's payment structure. It was originally completely free-to-play, albeit with intermittent ads. However, free play is limited now to 20 minutes each day (still with ads). At 20 minutes a day, it's going to take about a month to complete Tomb Raider: Underworld.

You can pay $2.99 per month to get full access to Core Online's library, which at present includes Hitman: Blood Money, Hitman: Sniper Challenge, Gyromancer, Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light, Tomb Raider: Underworld, and Mini Ninjas. Alternatively, each game can be bought individually for $4.99.

The HD revamp of Final Fantasy X-2 looks quite nice in high-definition. However, looks aren't everything! It's what's inside that counts. And what's inside Final Fantasy X-2 HD? According to Famitsu (via Yahoo! News), it's currently "undecided" whether or not "Last Mission", which featured in the game's international version, will appear in the HD remaster. As the Final Fantasy X-2 wikia explains, the Japan-only Last Mission version has added content set three months after Vegnagun's defeat and lets players explore Yadonoki Tower, a dungeon that's only available in Final Fantasy X-2 International + Last Mission. If Square Enix is going to remaster FFX-2, why not add Last Mission, too? HDにリマスターされた『ファイナルファンタジーX-2』の美しさをチェック！ [Yahoo! Japan] To contact the author of this post, write to bashcraftATkotaku.com or find him on Twitter @Brian_Ashcraft. Kotaku East is your slice of Asian internet culture, bringing you the latest talking points from Japan, Korea, China and beyond. Tune in every morning from 4am to 8am.

I've always thought Final Fantasy X-2 was rather underrated by the Internet At Large. Square's FFX sequel always got a bad rap because of the whole "pop group" thing, but the class-based combat system was actually kind of brilliant, and I dug revisiting the minigame-filled world of Spira to see how things had changed. Of course, I could be remembering this all wrong, and the game might actually be horrible in retrospect. Good thing they're remaking it so we can all see for ourselves. And the remake looks quite pretty. Below you can see a bunch of new screenshots released by Square Enix today. Both FFX-2 and FFX are coming to PS3 and Vita later this year—for PS3 as a package including both games, and for Vita as separate titles. Well, okay. Yuna looks kind of creepy there. But the rest look good!

You can snag a PC download of Hitman: Absolution from Amazon right now for just $7.49. And by "snag," we don't mean with garrote wire. Use your mouse, silly.

Kingdom Hearts 1.5 will be out on September 10, the folks at Square Enix said today. The PS3 exclusive features an HD remake of the original Kingdom Hearts and the PS2 game Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories. It's also got cinematic scenes from Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, and extra content from Kingdom Hearts Final Mix. And if your head hurts from all these names, we don't blame you.