The time has finally come! Square Enix‘s beloved Kingdom Hearts series has finally landed on Steam, bringing ten enchanting experiences to your PC. Now’s your chance to join Sora, Donald Duck, and Goofy on unforgettable journeys alongside iconic Disney characters across fantastical worlds.
The entire “Dark Seeker Saga” is now available on Steam, encompassing everything from the very first Kingdom Hearts game to the critically acclaimed Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind (DLC). This epic saga unfolds across three distinct collections:
Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX: Relive the early chapters of the saga, with some titles featuring enhanced visuals to make these classic experiences even more immersive.
Kingdom Hearts 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue: Bridge the gap between past and present stories, setting the stage for the series’ grand finale.
Kingdom Hearts III + Re Mind (DLC): Experience the series’ thrilling conclusion and explore additional story content that delves deeper into the lore.
The best part? All these Kingdom Hearts collections are fully playable on both your PC and Steam Deck, perfect for gamers on the go. To celebrate this momentous launch, Square Enix is offering a special discount on all Kingdom Hearts collections for a limited time until July 11th. Don’t miss this chance to snag these adventures at a fantastic price! In Malaysia, the INTEGRUM Collection which contains all the games is retailing for RM319.87 on Steam during the sale period. Individually the games are priced from RM130 to RM160. After the sale, the games will be priced from RM200.
Adding to the nostalgia, Square Enix has even re-recorded the iconic theme song “Simple and Clean” by Hikaru Utada. This new version captures the spirit of the original while offering a fresh perspective, reflecting on the series’ enduring legacy and the countless memories it has created for fans worldwide.
To celebrate Kingdom Hearts’ arrival on Steam, Square Enix is hosting a special sweepstakes until June 24th. Enter the #KHonSteam contest for a chance to win incredible prizes! Visit the official sweepstakes website for more details and a chance to be a part of this exciting giveaway.
The wait is truly over! Head over to Steam today and unlock a world of magic with Kingdom Hearts. Whether you’re revisiting cherished memories or embarking on this epic saga for the first time, ten unforgettable adventures await. Join Sora and his friends, and let your journey through the fantastical worlds of Kingdom Hearts begin!
Square Enix has just dropped a gaming bombshell for PC players – Dragon Quest Builders is now officially available on Steam! This beloved block-building role-playing game is making its mark on the PC platform, bringing along some exciting features and bonus content.
For those unfamiliar with Dragon Quest Builders, get ready for an immersive sandbox gaming experience. Builders are tasked with the monumental challenge of rebuilding the once-ruined realm of Alefgard. It’s not just about stacking blocks; it’s about crafting unique items, gathering materials, and unleashing your creativity with limitless possibilities.
The PC version comes with upgraded crafting features and includes the “Terra Incognita” DLC – and the best part? No additional cost! If you’re already a fan of Dragon Quest Builders 2 and own it on Steam, you’re in for a treat. There’s a discounted price waiting for you to snag Dragon Quest Builders.
Now, let’s delve into what makes this edition stand out. The upgraded crafting features and “Terra Incognita” bring a whole new dimension to the game. Builders can unpack giant posable monster figures with the Boss Monster Model Set, illuminate the night sky with the Astronomy Set, and even wear a Pixel Ring for that extra flair. Oh, and did we mention a magic carpet? Yes, you can observe, build, and explore your structures from the sky, accompanied by special music.
For the PC enthusiasts, here are the system requirements to ensure a smooth gaming experience:
Whether you’re a seasoned builder or a newcomer to the Dragon Quest world, this PC release promises endless creativity and family-friendly RPG fun. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to embark on this epic journey in Alefgard – start crafting your story today!
If you’re aiming for the ultimate gaming combo, check out the Dragon Quest + Dragon Quest Builders 2 Bundle Edition on the Steam Store Page.
Happy building, adventurers! May your blocks be sturdy and your quests epic.
Square Enix recently hosted the SaGa Glimmerfest 2023 34th Anniversary Livestream. During the livestream, the publisher surprised everyone with the announcement of the next game in the series – SaGa Emerald Beyond. The latest instalment of the SaGa franchise is set to launch on April 25, 2024, on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC (Steam), and iOS and Android devices.
SaGa Emerald Beyond follows two protagonists in search of answers. The first, Tsunanori Mido, hails from the esteemed Mido family and stands out with a unique ability to control kugutsu puppets. He joins the Cathedral Project, a group exploring other worlds, with the goal of repairing his city’s weakening barrier and recovering lost spiritual energy.
The other, Ameya Aisling, operates under the pseudonym Yumeha Izumi. She is a Miyako City schoolgirl with a hidden identity. Originating from Pulchra, she is in search of her lost mana. She follows the mysterious emerald waves in search of it. The two characters are just the tip of the iceberg as long-time SaGa players will know. The game will undoubtedly feature many other characters for us to fall in love with.
The new game will also be introducing new mechanics. The new Glimmer system is a unique take on the traditional JRPG battle styles. It will incorporate turn-based combat for those wanting a more vanilla JRPG. Players will need to level up their characters to learn new moves as they take down new enemies. You can also use powerful United Attacks with the right skills, tactics and Formation.
If this is your cuppa tea, you can now add SaGa Emerald Beyond to your wishlist on the Nintendo Switch store, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Steam. Pre-order details will be unveiled at a later date.
Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link, the latest instalment in Square’s hit RPG series, is making its way to Android and iOS devices. It’s set to go in 2024, with no definite date just yet. This mobile RPG will add to the Kingdom Hearts story with a new plot and play style.
Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link isn’t an augmented reality (AR) game like Pokemon GO but it still uses real-world places in its gameplay. The game uses your smartphone’s GPS to determine where you are on the in-game map. This lets the player explore the virtual world based on where they are in real life. The announcement video teases that you might be able to “travel the world without leaving your house” which would be a new twist in the game systems.
While there is very little information on the game’s plot, Square Enix has been recruiting beta testers for a closed beta program. There are 3,000 spots available split between Android and iOS users. For iOS, the closed beta phase lasts from November 29 to December 8. The Android beta will start in January 2024.
The story takes place in the city of Scala and Caelum, which fans of Kingdom Hearts III will be familiar with. Players take on the part of a main character who has no name and moves between Scala and Caelum and the real world. Real-time fighting and interactions with Disney characters are hinted at through the teaser trailers available on Square Enix’s Official YouTube Channel.
Kingdom Hearts: Missing Link was first presented at the event celebrating the 20th anniversary of Kingdom Hearts, along with Kingdom Hearts IV. Currently, there is no announcement on the date for either game released.
Final Fantasy VII REBIRTH stole the show during Sony’s recent PlayStation’s State of Play. The new trailer opens with all our beloved characters, Tifa, Cloud, Sephiroth and more continuing their adventures after the events of Final Fantasy VII remake.
The heart-pounding trailer gives us a glimpse of the open world that awaits us in the game with iconic characters like Cloud, Aerith, Barret, and Tifa. These unlikely heroes unite with new playable companions, including Yuffie, a nimble ninja from Wutai, Red XIII, a fiery-tailed beast offering sage advice, and Cait Sith, a witty feline-shaped robot perched atop a giant Moogle.
Source: Square
We continue the pursuit of Sephiroth in Final Fantasy VII REBIRTH. We’re going to get to explore Midgar like never before while we track down the fallen SOLDIER before he creates more havoc. In Rebirth, we’ll guide these characters in thrilling battles, utilizing powerful synergy abilities that strengthen their bonds. As we traverse a vast, vibrant world brimming with opportunities for exploration, classic locales reimagined in stunning detail await. From what Square has teased in its press release, we can expect hours of side content, engaging mini-games, and captivating side stories that delve into the rich tapestry of this world’s inhabitants.
Producer Yoshinori Kitase emphasized, “FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH can be enjoyed on its own as a standalone adventure.” This means players new to the series can dive right in without feeling lost. For those eager to deepen their understanding of the narrative, a recap of the previous game will be available to provide context and backstory.
From what we can gather, it looks like the second instalment will take players all the way to the middle of the original’s plot. Naoki Hamaguchi, the director, enthusiastically shares, “Cloud and his friends, who have fled Midgar, will be setting out on an adventure across an expansive world of untold adventure in pursuit of Sephiroth, the legendary SOLDIER.” He underlines the game’s emphasis on “free exploration” with compelling stories, delightful mini-games, formidable monsters, and much more across the world map, promising nearly 100 hours of captivating adventure.
Pricing & Availability
Pre-orders for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth are now open on the PlayStation Store. The game will be available in a number of editions both physical and digital. The game will officially be released on February 29, 2023 on PlayStation 5.
Physical Editions
These come on two game discs and include a reversible cover along with the digital Midgar Bangle Mk. II armour as a pre-order bonus at select retailers. The standard edition will set you back USD$69.99. The Deluxe edition will be retailing for USD$99.99 and come with a mini-soundtrack CD, an artbook and a steel book case.
The Collector’s Edition will come with a large, highly detailed statue of Sephiroth, in-game items: the Reclaimant Choker accessory, the Orchid Bracelet and Summoning Materia which allows you to summon the Moogle Trio and the Magic Pot. This comes in addition to all the freebies from the Deluxe Edition. It will retail for USD$349.99.
Digital Editions
Digital Editions of the game come with the Moogle Trio summoning Materia. The standard edition will set you back USD$69.99.
The digital deluxe edition comes with the digital Mini-soundtrack, digital artbook, and DLC items like the Magic Pot Summoning Materia, Reclaimant Choker accessory, and Orchid Bracelet armour. This content can be purchased separately for USD$20.00 to upgrade your standard edition.
Twin Packs
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth will also be available in a physical twin pack with Final Fantasy VII REMAKE INTERGRADE for USD$99.99. The full game of Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade will be available for download upon preorder.
The Digital Deluxe Twin Pack will include both games and all the content for the Digital Deluxe Edition. This will retail for USD$119.99.
Together with the release date announcement, the new “Revenge” trailer for Final Fantasy XVI revealed new characters and gameplay features. The most apparent is the new battle layout which hints at a more involved play style. The game adopts a layout more akin to action games like Street Fighter with the players and Eikon health and limit gauge up to on either side with their avatar.
In its post on PlayStation Blog, Square Enix and PlayStation indicate that there are two playing styles – one more focused on the action and one focusing on the story. The former allows players more control of Clive as they play through the game while the latter will dodge and simplify Eikon combos for a more accessible gaming experience.
Source; Playstation
Together with this, the trailer also revealed two new characters. The first is Torgal, the goodest boy of House Rosfield. The dog reunites with Clive a decade after the tragedy which nearly ended the Rosfield line. Torgal will be a permanent companion to Clive throughout the game – playing a role in battle as well as mending your wounds.
Source; Playstation
Alongside Torgal, Cidolfus “Cid” Telamon, was also introduced. The outlaw who was once a soldier looks to build a place where persecuted magick casters (Bearers) and exploited Dominants can die on their own terms. He bears the power of the Eikon Ramuh and is a man of science looking for ways to survive in the deadlands.
These are two of the large cast of characters that will be in Final Fantasy XVI. Speaking of, the cast of the game has been announced as well.
The Final Fantasy series is getting a new entry this coming June 2023. The follow up to the widely praised Final Fantasy XV will see players being thrust into the land of Valisthea; a land rich in mountains of crystals called the Mothercrystals. Valisthea stands at a crossroads with six factions on the brink of war. Players will enter the world as Clive Rosfield, the “First Sheild of Rosaria” and a Dominant – a weilder of powerful beings known as Eikons.
Pre-orders are live!
The new adventure begins on 22 June 2023. Together with the new trailer, Sony Interactive Entertainment and Square Enix also announced the pre-order of the game at The Game Awards. As usual, the game will be available in digital and physical media. The digital versions are available on the PlayStation Store (PS Store).
There are two versions of the digital pre-order: Digital deluxe Edition and Standard Edition. The Digital Deluxe edition will come with a digital copy of the Artbook and Soundtracks.
In addition to this, there are physical Collector’s Edition and Deluxe edition of Final Fantasty XVI. The Deluxe Edition comes with the base game Blu-Ray disc with reversible art cover, a special Clive Rosfield SteelBook Case and a Cloth Map of Valisthea. In addition to the items in the Deluxe Edition, the Collector’s Edition comes with a special collector’s box with art work from Yoshitaka Amano, the series illustrator for Final Fantasy, a premium statue of depicting a battle between the Eikons Phoenix and Ifrit, a metal pin featuring the eight Eikons in game and an added in-game DLC, the scarlet sword of Firion from Final Fantasy II – The Blood Sword.
Source; Final Fantasy XVI Pre-order Website
All editions are available for pre-order online and at participating retailers. In addition to the items metioned, all pre-orders will also come with All pre-orders will come with in-game DLC: the “Braveheart” Weapon, and the Gil-boost Accessory “Cait Sith Charm”. The Exp-boost Accessory “Scholar’s Spectacles” DLC will be available to all editions aside from the Standard and Physical Deluxe Editions.
The end of an era approaches as Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is ending its run on the Nintendo. No – the game isn’t shutting down but there won’t be any new content after the 11th and final character pack. The studio behind one of the most popular Nintendo Switch games isn’t letting the game go out quietly though – they’re bringing one of the most beloved characters to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – Kingdom Heart’s Sora.
The character is one of the many non-Nintendo characters that have joined the game in the three years since its launch. Prior to this characters such as Terry Bogard of Fatal Fury, Sonic, Ryu of Street Fighter and Solid Snake from Metal Gear Solid have all been introduced to the game. However, the characters introduced so far don’t share the popularity of Kingdom Hearts’ Sora. The character is the lead in the series which has spanned multiple console generations and also traversed across consoles. Kingdom Hearts is one of the only franchises to have entries in nearly every console since its introduction on the PlayStation 2.
Kingdom Hearts holds a unique place in many players hearts as it was the first time two popular franchises – Disney and Final Fantasy collided. Sora’s many adventures with the Heartless saw him team up with Goofy and Donald and interact with titular characters such as Squall Leonheart, Ariel, Jasmine and more from both worlds. That said, his appearance in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate doesn’t bring along his Disney partners. Instead, playing as Sora allows players to use his signature keyblade and his elemental powers in battle. Sora will be available starting 18 October 2021.
Part of a Bigger Celebration for the 20th Anniversary of Kingdom Hearts
Sora’s appearance in Super Smash Bros isn’t the only piece of Kingdom Hearts coming to the Nintendo Switch. Cloud versions of the three main installations of the franchise – Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts 2 and Kingdom Hearts 3 – will be available for hybrid console.
Sora’s appearance in Smash and Kingdom Hearts’ availability on the Nintendo Switch comes on the heels of Square Enix’s announcement of the 20th anniversary celebrations of the franchise. The anniversary which falls on 28 March 2022 should be quite the extravangza with Square Enix announcing special merchandise as well an offline version of Kingdom Hearts: Union χ [Cross] for fans to relive the entire story in Theatre mode. Square Enix has only just teased the celebrations it has planned and is waiting to release more information at a later date.
One of my favourite game franchise is coming on April 10th 2020. It is the Final Fantasy VII that came out in 1997. Before you get confused; no, the one coming on the 10th of April 2020 is not the original pixelated 8 bit thing that is the Final Fantasy VII of 1997. Rather, it is the remade version: re-imagined with new modern graphics, and new gameplay mechanics.
The Demo dropped on the 2nd of March 2020 and we downloaded it the very next day. The demo only gave us 20 minutes in gameplay. The demo only gave us the very first mission of the game. If you have not played Final Fantasy VII yet, I am not going to spoil it for you.
Before I go on about the game though, keep in mind that this is not a full review of the game, so you might not want to treat it as one. Keep in mind also that I only had a brief 20 minutes with the game, not 20 hours. While I cannot comment on the entirety of the game then, I can only come up with its first impression. That is what you are going to treat it as; first impression.
Visuals
First of all, you cannot compare graphics today to graphics over 20 years ago. You can, however, compare it with other modern games. You can compare it to the modern Final Fantasy XV.
Source: Square Enix
On initial visual inspection, it looks like both of the games use the same graphics engine. That is not to say that it is a bad thing though. Final Fantasy XV is a gorgeous game, same goes to Final Fantasy VII Remake.
While Final Fantasy XV focuses on bright colours, with complex colour schemes, and plenty of complex textures, Final Fantasy VII Remake is a stark contrast to that. Final Fantasy VII Remake focuses on hard, flat surfaces. At least on the demo itself, you see plenty of metallic environments. Cloud’s big sword is a big metal surface anyway.
Source: Square Enix
The colour tones are more flat compared to plenty of modern games understandably. While that might mean that the engine should easily cope with it, there are plenty of details still within the surfaces projected on the screen. The character models are plenty more complex than you can ever imagine Final Fantasy VII characters can be.
So far in the demo, we only saw Barret, Cloud, Aries, and a few supporting characters. Those characters really come alive with the remake. To think that 23 years ago, we only managed to see miniaturised character models unless you go into the turn based battle. Overall, that is a great experience, impressive at first impressions.
Gameplay
We spoke about turn based gameplay previously. That is the biggest difference between this new remake and the original game from 1997. Because of more complex processing power, battle is now in real-time like Final Fantasy XV. While that is the case, there are major differences in terms of look and feel though.
Source: Square Enix
The battle mechanics does not change that much from XV to VII Remake. They are both real-time and in Classic mode, Final Fantasy VII is a button masher game that looks good. It does not feel as messy and as complex as Final Fantasy XV though. That could also be because I was playing it in Classic Mode. Still, real-time melee battles can be quite jarring especially when you have no sense of control on your right joystick. It can get quite harrowing and frustrating in any other mode that Classic Mode.
Still, all the right visual cues are there. The other overlay graphics that tells you your health, MP, your action options, and others do help with the nostalgic feel of the game. They use the exact same colour palettes here. The also use the same sort of fonts in different sizes and sort of the same placements on your screen. Played out on a big screen though, I wish that those information HUD was slightly bigger.
The controls feels as simple as it can be though. That also means that you get to enjoy the gameplay more than you think. You also get to play the game more than getting frustrated over the controls, that is nice. The only difference with Final Fantasy VII from 1997, is that you can manipulate your camera angles on your own now. No more fixed camera angle from the late 90s to mid 2000s.
Is It Worth MYR 243?
I guess? To be fair, I am a cheapskate. I tend to buy games only during massive sales. The last game that I bought at full price was Death Stranding, that is after thinking about it hard for three whole days.
This is one of those games that actually shaped my childhood though. It is, I think, also the game that got me into gaming. The Final Fantasy VII from 1997 was my favourite Final Fantasy game. It was not my first, that has to go to the Final Fantasy VIII.
The Remake demo has brought back plenty of memories of that old PlayStation that I shared with my brother. It introduced a whole facet of world to me and I wanted to get lost in that world. The Remake, although just a demo, brought back some of those memories.
In that sense then, the heart that so loves the Final Fantasy VII really wants to spend that MYR 243 on this game; a physical copy with the disc and everything. My logical mind though disagrees. Logically, the gameplay is nothing new. While it looks good, there are plenty of games that might be better in terms of enjoyment out there too. Take the Star Wars: Fallen Jedi game for example. Logically then, it might be better for me to wait for the game to drop in price before spending my hard earned money on it.
Source: Square Enix
In truth then, I really cannot tell you whether or not to buy it. 20 minutes, to be very honest, is too short to judge a game. MYR 243 is not a small amount of money for a game, really. If you are feeling nostalgic and you have that much extra money to play with, I say; go ahead. If not, maybe you want to hold it off first. For me? This is the third time I’m asking myself; “am I willing to spend MYR 243 on a game?” I still do not know the answer to that.
