Square Enix unveils upcoming releases at E3 2021. After the first previews, this weekend finally saw some of the main conferences of the video game fair, with announcements from major developers such as Square Enix, which in the small space of just 40 minutes, managed to condense a good amount of releases among which the confirmation of the rumored new Guardians of the Galaxy title stood out.
However, the absence of new details about the second part of Final Fantasy VII Remake, perhaps justified by the recent arrival of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade; or Final Fantasy XVI, which promised a fairly close development and release, which could have been relegated to the next Tokyo Game Show celebration.
Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
A clear protagonist of the Square Enix conference, almost a third of its presence at the show was dedicated to the global presentation of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, an action title developed by the veteran team of Eidos-Montréal, which has worked closely with Marvel Entertainment to offer an authentic and original experience inspired by the more than 50 years of the history of Guardians of the Galaxy.
Based on the comics, and with a soundtrack entirely inspired by the 80s, this adventure will take us on a crazy stellar journey in which Peter Quill and the rest of the Guardians accidentally become the first and last line of defense of the galaxy. So, as we could see in the first images and gameplays shown, we will once again find a title with gameplay very similar to the recent Marvel’s Avengers, with a beat ’em up model focused on the special and combined abilities of these well-known characters.
Presented as another intergenerational title, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy will land on October 26 on PS4 and PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S consoles, as well as on PC via Steam and the GeForce NOW streaming service.
Babylon’s Fall
Surprising us with a new IP, we find this fantasy action hack and slash title developed in partnership with PlatinumGames, hinting at a clear influence on the combat style of NieR: Automata (though rest assured, it won’t be any Core game for Yoko Taro’s story).
With fluid cooperative combat, powerful weapons, and a unique and surprising art style, undoubtedly one of the greatest strengths of Babylon’s Fall is the confirmation of its online cooperative mode, which will allow us to create groups of up to four players; as well as the advance of the inclusion of new modes after its launch, which will be added at no additional cost.
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
Another of Square Enix’s big surprises was the presentation of this new title in the Final Fantasy saga, with a different game concept to what we are used to, and an aesthetic that will mix conventional fantasy with a modern and futuristic touch.
Although some rumors about this game had already been advanced, pointing towards the first contact of the company with the Souls genre, finally this game from Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo seems to have opted for a hack and slash format more similar to the Devil May Cry saga.
Although undoubtedly the most interesting thing about this game will be to know where exactly it fits within this fantasy universe with more than 30 years, is its main antagonist a renewed Garland, the villain of the first original installment. “Jack and his allies, Ash and Jed, burn with determination to defeat Chaos as they open the gates of the Chaos Sanctuary. However, doubts linger: are they the Warriors of Light according to the prophecy foretold?” reads the advance synopsis.
With an unspecified date in 2022, it is surprising that this game is still planned as a cross-generational title, confirming its availability for PS4 and PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Final Fantasy Pixel Remastered
Speaking of the original saga of these role-playing games, Square Enix also announced the return of the first six installments of Final Fantasy, remastered in a unique way to adapt these games to the current era, while maintaining the classic 2D pixel format.
Thus, the six titles will arrive in a compilation pack that will be available “soon” for PC via Steam and on both Android and iOS mobiles.
Life is Strange: True Colors
Three months after its first presentation, we finally get to see new details about the next installment of this emotional interactive adventure game.
On this occasion, in addition to the developers’ comments, we were able to see how Alex’s special abilities will work, who will be able to observe the emotions of others through their auras, allowing us to open new lines of dialogue depending on the way we interact with them and the scenario.
Dated already for next September 10, Life is Strange: True Colors will be available for PS4 and PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Stadia.
Life is Strange Remastered Collection
On the other hand, the company also took the opportunity to announce the remastering of the first two installments of this franchise, which will improve the overall quality of the game in all characters and environments, as well as the important change in character animations with the integration of full facial mocap performance, and even some updated and refined puzzles and functionalities to offer a smoother gameplay experience.
With a pre-order already available, this pack will be available next September 30, repeating availability on PS4, Xbox One, and PC.
Hitman Sniper
Featuring a completely original story set in the Hitman Universe, this time we will not control Agent 47, but will live the events that followed his disappearance, continuing the story of The Shadows. Activating Initiative 426, also known as The Shadows, we will take part in a group of highly trained snipers to eliminate a new criminal network threatening to shatter global stability.
Hitman Sniper: The Shadows will arrive as a completely free-to-play game later this year, with exclusivity for iOS and Android mobile devices.
Other Square Enix announcements
Finally, Square Enix’s presence at E3 2021 was rounded off with some quick previews of some of its other previously presented titles, with the opening scene of the remastered Legends of Mana, a new teaser of Final Fantasy VII The First Soldier, the opening of NieR Re[in]carnation’s pre-registration, or the arrival of new content for games such as Marvel’s Avengers, Legends of Mana and Final Fantasy Brave Exvius.
