E3 2015: Square Enix’s Line-Up

Square Enix today revealed its E3 2015 line-up, including new iterations of beloved franchises such as Just Cause 3, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, games from the Final Fantasy franchise and Hitman – among others – on both consoles and mobile platforms. Check out some of the announcements below:

CONSOLES

FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward

Platform: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Mac OS
Developer: Square Enix
Available: 23rd June 2015
Heavensward is the highly anticipated first expansion for the popular online title FINAL FANTASY XIV that charts a new course for players with an increased level cap and brand new adventures. The expansion features an all-new storyline surrounding the Holy See of Ishgard and the thousand-year Dragonsong War, a brand-new playable race named the “Au Ra,” new jobs, and more. The expansion also continues cross-platform gameplay between the Windows PC, Mac OS and PlayStation 3 and Playstation 4 systems.

NOSGOTH

Platform: Steam/Windows PC
Developer: Psyonix
Available: In Open Beta

Developed by Psyonix, Nosgoth is a fast-paced competitive team-based multiplayer game pitting a variety of brutal humans and vampires in a fight for survival. The two races have very different play styles: Humans have an arsenal of devastating raged weaponry and lethal devices while Vampires specialize in visceral close-up melee attacks augmented by their inhuman abilities. Nosgoth is set in the dark fantasy world of the Legacy of Kain series.

TRIAD WARS

Platform: Windows PC
Developer: United Front Games
Available: In Closed Beta

Set in the vibrant city of Hong Kong and Sleeping Dogs universe, Triad Wars is an online open-world action adventure PC game where you experience high-octane violence and non-stop martial arts action as the #1 badass in a hard-hitting Hong Kong Cinema-styled world of crime. Forge your personal empire in the dark heart of Hong Kong and manipulate the Triad underworld as the ultimate criminal mastermind. Succeed through strategy via extortion, hacking & money laundering or muscle your way to the top with the lethal combination of guns, knives, & fists. Own the streets before they own you. Register now for the Closed Beta at www.triadwars.com

DRAGON QUEST HEROES: The World Tree’s Woe and the Blight Below

Platform: PlayStation 4
Developer: ω- Force (Omega Force) from KOEI TECMO GAMES
Available: 16th October 2015
DRAGON QUEST, one of the most iconic RPG series from Japan, will arrive as a full-scale action RPG. Players must rise up against insurmountable odds, challenging swarms of enemies and conquering gigantic monsters. DRAGON QUEST HEROES: The World Tree’s Woe and the Blight Below comes to the PlayStation 4 system in beautiful high-definition graphics, filled with characters and monsters designed by world-renowned artist Akira Toriyama. Both Yuji Horii, director and creator of DRAGON QUEST, and Koichi Sugiyama, the composer closely tied to the series since its first instalment and creator of countless memorable musical masterpieces, are closely involved in bringing this title to life.

RISE OF THE TOMB RAIDER

Platform: Xbox One, Xbox 360
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Developer: Crystal Dynamics (a Square Enix studio)
Available: 13th November 2015
In the critically acclaimed Tomb Raider, Lara Croft survived a harrowing experience only to be discredited as part of a cover up. Now, after uncovering an ancient mystery, Lara must explore the most treacherous and remote regions of Siberia to find the secret of immortality before a ruthless organization known as Trinity. Lara must use her wits and survival skills, form new alliances, and ultimately embrace her destiny as the Tomb Raider. Experience high-octane action moments, conquer beautifully hostile environments, engage in brutal guerilla combat, and explore awe-inspiring deadly tombs in the evolution of survival action. In Rise of the Tomb Raider, Lara becomes more than a survivor as she embarks on her first great Tomb Raiding expedition.

JUST CAUSE 3

Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows PC
Developer: Avalanche Studios
Available: 1st December 2015

The Mediterranean republic of Medici is suffering under the brutal control of General Di Ravello, a dictator with an insatiable appetite for power. Enter Rico Rodriguez, a man on a mission to destroy the General’s hold on power by any means necessary. With over 400 square miles of complete freedom from sky to seabed and a huge arsenal of weaponry, gadgets and vehicles, prepare to unleash chaos in the most creative and explosive ways you can imagine.

HITMAN

Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows PC
Developer: Io Interactive (a Square Enix studio)
Available: 8th December 2015

HITMAN will see players perform contract hits on powerful, high-profile targets in exotic locations around the world, from the highly fashionable Paris and sunny coast of Italy to the dust and hustle of the markets in Marrakesh in this creative stealth action game. Gameplay focuses on taking out targets in huge and intricate sandbox levels with complete freedom of approach. Where to go, when to strike and who to kill – it is all up to you. And for the first time HITMAN will lead with a digital release inviting players into a world of assassination.

DEUS EX: MANKIND DIVIDED

Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows PC
Developer: Eidos-Montréal (a Square Enix studio)
Available: Early 2016

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, the sequel to the critically acclaimed Deus Ex: Human Revolution, builds on the franchise’s trademark choice and consequence, action RPG based gameplay, to create both a memorable and highly immersive experience. Players will once again take on the role of Adam Jensen, now an experienced covert agent, and will gain access to his new arsenal of customizable state-of-the-art weapons and augmentations. With time working against him, Adam must choose the right approach, along with whom to trust, in order to unravel a vast worldwide conspiracy.

STAR OCEAN: Integrity and Faithlessness

Platform: Playstation 4
Developer: tri-Ace
Available: 2016

The latest chapter of the highly anticipated sci-fi role-playing game (RPG) series will be arriving in 2016. Developed by tri-Ace, the celebrated studio behind the STAR OCEAN series, and with character design by akiman (Akira Yasuda), the game is an epic adventure that introduces seamless transitions between gameplay and dynamic cut scenes, creating a new level of depth of immersive storytelling in video games.

WORLD OF FINAL FANTASY

Platform: Playstation 4, Playstation Vita
Developer: Square Enix
Available: 2016

WORLD OF FINAL FANTASY combines classic RPG gameplay mechanics with fresh and imaginative toy-like visuals. As a brand-new title in the FINAL FANTASY franchise, this game can be enjoyed by both fans and newcomers to the series. Players will lead a pair of twins through varied FINAL FANTASY worlds and encounter the adorably familiar monsters therein. Capture and raise such familiar beasts as cactuar, chocobo, and behemoth to discover alternate forms and learn new abilities.

KINGDOM HEARTS III

Platform: Playstation 4, and Xbox One
Developer: Square Enix
Available: TBD

Revealing the growing world of KINGDOM HEARTS, SQUARE ENIX released a new gameplay trailer for E3. Fans of the highly anticipated title from the celebrated series from Disney Interactive and SQUARE ENIX will see Sora and his trusted friends, Donald Duck and Goofy, adventure through the world based on the hit animated feature film, Tangled. The trailer also gives new hints to the storyline and showcases gorgeous visuals, and new gameplay elements. The world based on the film Tangled is one of many big reveals the team has in store and is the first announcement in a larger, deep creative collaboration between SQUARE ENIX and The Walt Disney Animation Studios.

NieR New Project (temporary name)

Platform: Playstation 4
Developer: PlatinumGames Inc.
Available: TBD

NieR New Project (temporary name) is a new third-person action role-playing game (RPG) and follow-up to the 2010 cult hit NieR. Offering a fresh blend of action and RPG gameplay styles, NieR New Project is currently being developed in collaboration with PlatinumGames Inc. The game’s all-star development team consists of producer Yosuke Saito (DRAGON QUEST X/NieR), director YOKO TARO (Drakengard/NieR), character designer Akihiko Yoshida from CyDesignation, Inc. (FINAL FANTASY XIV/ BRAVELY DEFAULT), game designer Takahisa Taura from PlatinumGames Inc. (Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance), and composer Keiichi Okabe from MONACA, Inc. (TEKKEN/Drakengard/NieR).

PROJECT SETSUNA (temporary name)

Platform: TBD
Developer: Tokyo RPG Factory
Available: 2016
Project SETSUNA is a completely new RPG series developed by Tokyo RPG Factory, a newly established studio specializing in Japanese RPGs. The first title from the studio is aiming for a global release for consoles in 2016.

MOBILE

LARA CROFT: RELIC RUN

Platform: iOS, Android and Windows Phone 8
Developer: Simutronics
Age Rating: 9+
Available: Now
Square Enix and Simutronics, working in partnership with Crystal Dynamics, have joined together to create the ultimate infinite runner experience for all mobile gaming fans. When a shadowy conspiracy threatens the world, only Lara Croft is equipped to unearth the truth. Run, swing, drive, and swan dive through challenging environments such as jungle temples and sand swept desert ruins. Use parkour moves to switch seamlessly between fast paced vehicles, intuitive combat and epic boss fights, including the iconic T-Rex, to collect clues and uncover ancient relics.

HITMAN: SNIPER

Platform: iOS and Android
Developer: Square Enix Montréal (a Square Enix studio)
Age Rating: 17+
Available: Now
Hitman: Sniper is a creative, leaderboard-driven sandbox experience that allows players to take on the role of Agent 47 in a fixed position shooting game set in beautiful Montenegro. Scope in on your marks using skill, subtlety, subterfuge and the environment to complete your contracts and become the ultimate sniper.

FINAL FANTASY PORTAL APP

Platform: iOS, Android
Developer: Square Enix
Available: Summer 2015
A comprehensive source for all the latest news on games, publications, music, goods, and events related to FINAL FANTASY. By logging in with a SQUARE ENIX ID, players can accumulate points to exchange for items. The popular Triple Triad card game from FINAL FANTASY VIII also makes its mobile debut.

LARA CROFT GO

Platform: iOS, Android and Windows Phone 8
Developer: Square Enix Montréal (a Square Enix studio)
Available: TBD
Lara Croft GO is a turn-based puzzle game set in a stunning, beautifully animated world. Embark on an adventure to uncover the mysteries of the Queen of Venom: explore mystical locations, solve ancient enigmas and face treacherous challenges in this never seen before take on the nostalgic Lara Croft universe.