2024 was so last year.

We're well into January, and we’re excited for the year ahead. For example, we just this week released FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH on PC! Go check it out if you're yet to play!

Even so, as we look at where we're going, it's good to look back

2024 was a massive year for Square Enix fans - FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH blew players and critics away on PS5, FINAL FANTASY XIV: Dawntrail took us to sunnier climes, DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D REMAKE made a classic even greater, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven was an adventure for the ages… the list goes on.

Let’s go over some of the highlights of the last 12 months:


6 February: Foamstars

The party got started early with the release of FOAMSTARS on PS5 and PS4.

This fast-paced multiplayer shooter pits a roster of colorful characters against one another in fun, fast-paced, foam-filled battles. Despite the bright and breezy presentation, it’s a game of impressive depth, with satisfyingly smooth traversal, loads of weapons to get to grips with and multiple game modes to explore, including the endlessly addicting Rubber Duck Party!

New modes, maps, cosmetics, and characters were added over the course of the year, finishing with the final season, “PARTY GOES ON”, at the end of December 2024. If you love the game, don’t worry - the party does indeed go on, as events, missions and matches will continue to be playable.


13 February: DRAGON QUEST BUILDERS arrives on PC

Just before Valentine’s Day, we released a true blockbuster on Steam: DRAGON QUEST BUILDERS.

The game is set in the world of Alefgard, a ravaged world where monsters roam the land and creativity is all but extinct. This broken land doesn’t need a hero - it needs a builder, and it’s up to you to bring hope back to the people block by block.

Taking place over multiple areas, you’ll fulfil the many requests of their citizens by constructing buildings, crafting items, and battling iconic DRAGON QUEST monsters. As you do so, you’ll be able to unleash your own creativity.

The PC version of the game not only let people play a truly great DRAGON QUEST spin-off, it also included all previously-released DLC at no extra cost!

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27 February: Warhammer 40,000 Special Pack offers a dark future for PowerWash Simulator

The typically bright and cheerful PowerWash Simulator showed a darker side with the launch of the Warhammer 40,000 Special Pack.

As a member of the Adeptus Mechanicus, it is your singular honour to perform the ultimate purification protocol and cleanse various machines of a litany of dirt. You’ll take on five jobs, from the Ultramarines Land Raider to the hulking Astra Militarum Rogal Dorn Tank.

Though you may be just another cog in the great machine of the Cult Mechanicus, through zealous dedication to your cause, perhaps you can prove your worth and transcend to a worthy exalt…

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29 February: FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH launches on PS5

The second part of the FINAL FANTASY VII remake trilogy arrived on February 29 - a real leap year treat (though it will make celebrating the anniversary a little tricky!).

It’s fair to say that the game made an impact. More than 110 perfect review scores from critics, multiple award wins, and plenty more nominations - it’s fair to say that it is a truly top-class game.

The story sees Cloud, Aerith, Barret, Tifa and Red XIII leave the city of Midgar in pursuit of the sinister Sephiroth. Their globe-trotting journey takes them to multiple regions, introduces them to new allies, including Yuffie and Cait Sith, and pits them against all kinds of threats, from fearsome fiends to the forces of the Shinra Electric Company.

It’s an absurdly generous adventure, with thrilling combat, an epic story full of emotional and hilarious moments, plenty of minigames, side quests and much more. If you haven’t played it yet, what are you waiting for? The game is available to play now on PS5 and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.

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21 March: FINAL FANTASY XIV Online arrives on Xbox Series X|S!

March was a great month for Xbox fans, as FINAL FANTASY XIV Online launched for Xbox Series X|S consoles!

This is something people had been requesting for a while, so it was great to finally give a new audience the opportunity to start their adventures in Hydaelyn.

For brand new players, the legendarily generous free trial is also available. It lets you play through the original A Realm Reborn story, as well as the acclaimed expansions Heavensward and Stormblood, up to level 70 with no restrictions on playtime!

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18 April: Clive Rosfield faces The Rising Tide in FINAL FANTASY XVI

There were waves of excitement in April with The Rising Tide DLC for FINAL FANTASY XVI.

This hefty new story expansion takes Clive, Joshua, Jill and Torgal to Mysidia - a land hidden from the rest of Valisthea by powerful magick. Their mission: to resolve the threat of the long lost Eikon of Water, Leviathan.

It’s a powerful and tragic tale, but also an exciting one with blue skies and beautiful scenery, and amazing boss battles that let FINAL FANTASY XVI’s combat shine brighter than ever.

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25 April: SaGa Emerald Beyond introduces an RPG that dares to be different

SaGa Emerald Beyond is all about choice. You get to choose your protagonist from five options, you get to choose which path they go, and what they do in the world they visit. The decisions you make shape the story, making for an endlessly replayable RPG that feels personal to you.

Whoever you pick, you’ll get to explore multiple worlds, and engage in some of the most thrillingly strategic turn-based combat you’ll find in an RPG.

It’s a game like nothing else out there - a wildly inventive and thoroughly modern take on RPGs.

SaGa Emerald Beyond is available for Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, Steam, iOS and Android.

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6 June: OCTOPATH TRAVELER comes to PS5 / PS4, OCTOPATH TRAVELER II comes to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One

Last June, both OCTOPATH TRAVELER games became playable on all modern platforms.

The PS5 and PS4 saw the release of the original OCTOPATH TRAVELER. This amazing RPG pioneered the HD-2D art style, also seen in games like TRIANGLE STRATEGY, LIVE A LIVE and DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D Remake. It combines beautifully expressive sprites with 3D environments and modern effects to create a game that looks both retro and modern at the same time.

The games are fully standalone, but each one gives you a choice of eight different protagonists at the outset, each with their own distinct stories and skills. Over the course of the journey, you can recruit the other seven and experience their stories as well.

They also feature satisfying combat, compelling narratives, and instantly memorable music - what more could you want from an RPG?

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13 June: KINGDOM HEARTS comes to PC via Steam

Sora is on Steam!

Multiple KINGDOM HEARTS experiences arrived in June, including:

  • KINGDOM HEARTS -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX-
  • KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue
  • KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind (DLC)
  • KINGDOM HEARTS INTEGRUM MASTERPIECE (bundle that includes all the above compilations)

With the arrival of these collections, players on Steam can experience the ‘Dark Seeker Saga’ and play through Sora’s humble beginnings on the idyllic Destiny Islands, his first meeting with Donald and Goofy and, ultimately, the trio’s final battle against the forces of darkness.

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2 July: FINAL FANTASY XIV: Dawntrail takes us to blue seas and sunny skies

The next highly anticipated expansion to FINAL FANTASY XIV Online took players to a whole new continent: Tural.

This beautiful new land offered beautiful vistas, sparkling seas, and plenty of intrigue for players to dig into. The game featured a new story, two new jobs, new dungeons, an awesome new raid series in the Arcadion and much, much more.

Alongside the new expansion, FINAL FANTASY XIV also saw a new graphics update, which improves texture quality, refines character models, improves materials and more. It makes the game even more beautiful and makes Tural’s sun-baked landscapes burst with life and color.

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2 July: Clean up Wonderland in Alice’s Adventures for PowerWash Simulator

Also in early July, players could take a trip down the rabbit hole to uncover one of PowerWash Simulator’s wildest DLC packs yet!

A certain little girl’s visit has left Wonderland doused in detritus, and it’s up to you to bring it back to rights. The DLC takes you to a topsy-turvy world full of psychedelic sights and larger than life locales.

It’s bright, it’s vibrant and in true PowerWash style, enormously satisfying.


29 August: Visions of Mana launches on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Windows and Steam

The summer brought another delight - the first entirely original mainline Mana game for more than 15 years!

You took the role of Val - a talented young warrior who lives in the Fire Village of Tianeea. When his childhood friend Hinna is appointed as an alm, and sent on a pilgrimage to offer her soul to the Mana Tree that protects the land, Val accompanies her as her soul guard.

Along the way, they’ll recruit other allies , including the stoic Morley, sassy Careena, noble Palamena and easy-going Julei. But the group’s seemingly traditional journey to the Tree quickly becomes something far more dangerous…

With a heartfelt story, stunningly vibrant visuals, a great soundtrack, fast-paced action, and a seemingly infinite supply of charm, it’s a joy from start to finish. If you like action RPGs, it’s one of the best out there.

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11 September: DRAGON QUEST MONSTERS: The Dark Prince scouts PC, iOS, and Android versions

This popular monster-scouting RPG arrived on PC and mobile in September, following its release on Nintendo Switch late last year.

It puts you in control of Psaro - a young man cursed by his father to be unable to harm anything with monster blood. Considering his father is the Master of Monsterkind, this makes it quite difficult for Psaro to seek revenge.

The solution: get the monsters to fight for you! As Psaro, you’ll explore a colorful world full of creatures to recruit - from classic DRAGON QUEST foes like slimes to brand new creations exclusive to this game.

You can even combine two monsters together to synthesize something even more powerful. It’s a game with tons of depth yet remains fun and easy to play. If you want a game that gets its hooks into you deep, this definitely meets the brief!

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17 September: FINAL FANTASY XVI explodes onto PC

FINAL FANTASY XVI arrived on Steam and Epic Games Store in September! Appropriate platforms because the game is extremely hot and insanely epic itself.

The PC version is available as a standard edition, or as a Complete Edition with both the Echoes of the Fallen and The Rising Tide DLC included. A free downloadable demo was also released that lets you play through the dramatic prologue of the game and even carry your progress over to the full game.

For those yet to experience this action RPG masterpiece, you take the role of Clive Rosfield - a young man dedicated to protecting his brother Joshua, the Dominant of the Phoenix. When tragedy strikes and Clive fails at his task, he embarks on a journey of revenge against the mysterious Eikon responsible.

Awesome action, incredible production values, impeccable acting… it’s an all-round amazing game and now PC players get to enjoy it too!

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26 September: FINAL FANTASY Pixel Remaster series arrives on Xbox Series X|S and Windows

The superb pixel remasters of FINAL FANTASY I - VI are now available on Xbox consoles and Windows!

Available as a bundle, or individually, these six classic games have been updated with redrawn pixel art designed to look great on HD displays, rebalanced gameplay as well as quality of life features such as auto-battle, experience boosters and more. You can also switch between gorgeous new rearranged soundtracks and the original music while playing the game!

Each game is a true RPG classic, from the origins of the series in the first FINAL FANTASY to FINAL FANTASY VI - regularly cited as one of the greatest games of all time.

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26 September: Classic Mana games arrive on Xbox Series X|S, Windows as well as Xbox Game Pass!

Visions of Mana wasn’t the only magical treat for Xbox fans this year - two of the best games in the Mana series also arrived on Xbox Series X|S, Windows and Xbox Game Pass: Trials of Mana and Legend of Mana!

Trials of Mana is a full 3D remake of the formerly Japan-only Seiken Densetsu 3. It captures the inventive spirit of that innovative action RPG, but adds fast-paced 3D combat, beautiful visuals, and even more customization options.

Legend of Mana is an incredibly unique adventure. Rather than explore a world map, you build your own as you take on various quests, each with their story arcs. It’s beautiful with expressive pixel art and super-sharp redrawn backgrounds that make each location a wonder to behold. It also has a best-in-class soundtrack by the legendary Yoko Shimomura (KINGDOM HEARTS series, FINAL FANTASY XV).

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10 October: Shrek Special Pack launches for PowerWash Simulator

The world of Dreamworks Animation’s Shrek series arrived in PowerWash Simulator in October… though in a bit of a sorry state. Dirt and grime are everywhere, and it’s up to you and your power washing skills to bring color back to this fairytale land.

You’ll clean your way across five iconic locations, including Shrek’s Swamp, Duloc and the Fairy Godmother’s Potions Factory. You’ll even get some special armor so you can defeat the dubious debris like the knight you are!

It’s available now!

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24 October: Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven rules!

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is a very special RPG. Rather than play one protagonist and party, the story follows a lineage of emperors across multiple generations and their ongoing battle against the so-called Seven Heroes of ancient legend.

This adventure is all about giving the player choice and options. You get to select your next emperor, you get to choose where you go, you get to choose how you approach the wildly imaginative scenarios you’ll find yourself in.

It’s an enjoyably approachable game for both SaGa fans and new comers alike , with easy-to-understand systems, multiple difficulty levels, and turn-based combat that’s incredibly strategic without becoming overly complex.

It’s an all-round great game and one of the best RPGs of the year. Go check it out!

Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven is available on Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, and Steam.

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29 October: Life is Strange: Double Exposure launches

Max Caulfield, the protagonist of the original Life is Strange, makes her long-anticipated return as lead in Life is Strange: Double Exposure. Her new life as artist-in-residence at the prestigious Caledon University is plunged into chaos when her friend Safi is murdered.

It’s an impossible crime, but one that Max is equipped to solve thanks to the new ability to shift between two different timelines - one where Safi died and the other where she still lives.

It’s another gripping adventure for the series, with fantastic performances, clever gameplay ideas and a compelling mystery that balances intrigue, emotional drama, romance, and humour expertly.

The game released for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Windows and Steam on 29 October and digitally for Nintendo Switch on 18 November. A physical version of the game on Switch will launch 28 January.

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31 October: TRIANGLE STRATEGY plans its way onto Meta Quest

One of the great tactical RPGs of recent times is now playable in VR - TRIANGLE STRATEGY is now available on Meta Quest platforms!

The game brings all the political intrigue, moral complexity and satisfying battles of the game to the new platform, but features 360-degree movement around each battlefield and intuitive controls that let you place characters, take actions and define strategies with your own hands (well, a pair of controllers, but you see what we mean).

The game also supports Meta Quest 3’s Passthrough feature, which lets you mesh the game’s environments with real-world surroundings - it’s really impressive and immersive.

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14 November: DRAGON QUEST III HD-2D REMAKE releases on Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Windows and Steam!

There are legendary games and there are LEGENDARY games. DRAGON QUEST III is one of the latter - one of the greatest RPGs of all time, and a massive inspiration on the genre that’s still felt to this day.

The timeless adventure has now been reimagined in the beautiful HD-2D visual style made famous by titles such as OCTOPATH TRAVELER I and II, LIVE A LIVE and TRIANGLE STRATEGY.

You play as a young hero who embarks on a quest to defeat the archfiend Baramos. Backed by a group of allies, you’ll explore a vast world full of dangerous monsters to battle and secrets to find, from valuable loot to entire optional questlines!

This new remake also has new and updated features, including additional content, a new vocation and even voice acting!

Basically, it’s a better version of one of the greatest RPGs ever made - an essential play for any fan of the genre.

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FANTASIAN Neo Dimension out on Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S and Steam!

This RPG has it all - an enchanting story, distinctive characters, a fresh take on turn-based combat, a distinctive visual style, a killer soundtrack, and a wild sense of imagination. That’s no surprise when you consider the creative team includes FINAL FANTASY series creator Hironobu Sakaguchi and composer Nobuo Uematsu!

The game starts when the protagonist Leo wakes up in a strange land. With only a single memory to guide him, he embarks on a journey to recover his lost past and discover the secrets behind a mechanical infection that threatens to engulf all.

This new version of the game features English and Japanese voice acting, a new Normal difficulty level, 4K support on select platforms, and the ability to replace battle music with select songs from the FINAL FANTASY franchise , including songs from FINAL FANTASY XVI and FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH!

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What a year, huh? 2024 was a year of great games, and we'd like to say thanks to all of you who joined us on this journey. Now, on to 2025 and even more fun!

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