“We cannot yet provide specific details regarding the release timing,” said Hamaguchi (via machine translation). “However, what we have strongly felt while developing this multi-platform title is that ‘users want to experience the excitement at the same time.’ We are seriously considering how to best develop the third title on multiple platforms, both for the fans and from a business perspective.”

He went on to discuss how Square Enix’s multiplatform release strategy has changed development processes for the team as well. While a development team would previously focus its efforts on making a game for a single platform and then port it over to others, Hamaguchi explained that this process is no longer viable. The varying level of hardware power between modern platforms means that teams now have to make sure that, from the very beginning, designing games based on the idea that they will be running on multiple environments.

“To be honest, the development flow itself has changed considerably,” he explained. “Previously, the general approach was to ‘complete the game on one platform first, and then consider porting it later.’ Square Enix also largely followed this approach. However, what I strongly felt through FFVII Remake and FFVII Rebirth is that in this day and age, that way of thinking is no longer viable. Including rendering, streaming, memory design, and asset configuration, it is necessary to ‘design with multiple environments in mind from the beginning.’ In other words, the era of ‘the porting team working hard later’ is over.”

While Square Enix has confirmed Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 will come to all platforms, the company hasn’t yet made any commitments about day one releases across all consoles and PC. With the team’s new development processes, however, Hamaguchi is confident that a simultaneous launch is possible.

“These days, the question of ‘which platform it’s released on’ is far less important than ‘how much enthusiasm you can put into playing it.’ We’re prioritizing that aspect with our trilogy as well. The era where ‘AAA games are only for a select few environments’ is rapidly changing,” Hamaguchi said. “That’s why we absolutely won’t leave the third installment in an incomplete state. I want to bring it to a point where I can proudly say, ‘I have completed the FFVII Remake series to the very end.’ That is the determination with which we are developing it now. Please look forward to it!”

In the meantime, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has just come out on Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2. For more on that, check out its launch trailer.

In the meantime, Square Enix has a new trailer that brings a lot of style and gives you a good idea of what to expect from the game if you’re going in blind (which is no small task given how long it’s been out). There’s a reason it’s the second-highest rated game in the series, after all. Well, there are several, but we’d pick the way it brought fresh layers to a familiar story as our top one.

Those playing on the Switch 2 might want to free up a little space, though, since Rebirth could require over 100 GB of installation space. If you’re curious about trying it out first-hand, a free demo is available on Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S with save data carrying over to the base game.

As you’ve probably come to expect, there weren’t many details about Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World, though the trailer started with a quick peek at all the monsters that the title would feature. We also saw the two new protagonists, both girls, who players will seemingly control throughout this new adventure.

Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. It doesn’t have a release window outside of “coming soon,” but series creator Yuji Horii hopes it will launch before Dragon Quest 12. Here’s hoping a much narrower window is announced soon, even if it’s sometime next year.

In the more immediate future, Switch 2 players can look forward to the launch of Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Elusive Age. An enhanced version of 2017’s Dragon Quest 11, it features new content in the form of character stories, Japanese voice acting, an orchestral soundtrack and the option to play in a retro 2D format. Head here for all the details.

That includes new character scenarios, an optional 2D mode that plays more like the retro Dragon Quest games of yore, Japanese voice-acting, and even an orchestral version of the soundtrack (though you can still listen to the original). Switch 2 players can also choose between two graphical modes, prioritizing visual fidelity or the frame rate as they see fit. Fair warning, though: The physical edition comes with a Game-Key Card.

Coupled with the already massive base game, Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Elusive Age offers 90 hours of story and side content, and even more for completionists. You can check our review of the original here for more details, or play the enhanced version on PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch today.

As for the future, Square Enix could finally be revealing some new details on Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate, the next mainline entry in the franchise. Very little was known until now, aside from its development on Unreal Engine 5, so stay tuned for updates.

The company has announced a short stream, scheduled for May 27th, that might finally lift the curtain on Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate, if statements from the series creator are any indication. It’s certainly good timing after that peek into Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined’s development that we got yesterday.

A new title is certainly welcome, and could build on the momentum that the recent remake, which we absolutely loved by the way, has garnered for the franchise. It’s about time that we get to play another one of the franchise’s grand adventures, after all, especially since it was announced five years ago with very few updates in between.

There are other events, including the launch of a special anniversary page and a livestream of the 40th anniversary celebration featuring Eiko Kano’s Critikano Hit, to look forward to. The update begins at 6 AM PT or 9 AM ET, so you might want to set an alarm if you’re planning on catching it.

It is worth noting that either of the file sizes would still end up making Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth the largest game on the Nintendo Switch 2, taking the role from Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade, Split Fiction, and Cyberpunk 2077 Special Edition, which weigh in at 90.4 GB, 71 GB, and 60 GB, respectively.

The large file size also means that players won’t really get the choice of getting their hands on a physical copy of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on the Nintendo Switch 2, which contains all of the game’s data on the cartridge. Rather, the physical release will end up being a Game-Key Card, since the title is much larger than even the largest-sized game kart offered by Nintendo.

Director Naoki Hamaguchi has spoken about Game-Key Cards in the past, and while he noted that the Nintendo Switch 2 audience would have preferred the full game to be on the kart, performance and storage constraints prevented Square Enix from being able to fit the entire game into it.

“There’s simply no way around key cards in certain respects,” said Hamaguchi. “If you compare loading directly from a game cartridge (containing all game data) to loading from the Nintendo Switch 2’s internal storage, the load speed difference is roughly double. Some have expressed concern that multiplatform development may impose constraints not only on graphics but even on game design itself. However, this is precisely why we didn’t choose a cartridge.”

Hamaguchi also revealed some technical aspects by discussing how the game is designed around loading data into memory as needed. This would run counter to Nintendo Switch 2’s game cards, which focus on loading all game data upfront, and no further data being loaded over the course of a level. This, along with the fact that SSD and UFS storage options tend to offer faster read speeds, made the decision quite easy for the developers.

“Our game design isn’t built around loading all data upfront, with nothing further being loaded afterward,” Hamaguchi explained. “Even during gameplay, data is constantly swapped in and out, and given that premise, the loading speed from a game card would inevitably be insufficient, leading to stress for the player. In addition, with currently available cartridge capacity, there is the practical limitation that the full game data simply wouldn’t fit in the first place.”

“However, as long as we can secure the high-speed storage read speeds, such as SSD or UFS (on Switch 2), the design we’re aiming for becomes achievable within the scope of optimization for each platform. For the third game in the trilogy, we’re proceeding with development with the goal of delivering a large-scale experience similar to Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, so please rest assured on that point.”

The Nintendo Switch 2 release of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth will be joined by an Xbox Series X/S launch. For more details on the latter, here is everything you need to know.

First announced in September 2025, it launched to strong praise from critics and fans. The soundtrack might have drawn a special mention in our review, but that doesn’t mean that the rest of this one didn’t leave a lasting impression on us, thanks to the new ending that came with it.

And now, we get to see just how much thought went into crafting this one for a modern audience, the benefit of 20 years of perspective allowing the team to bring a whole new set of ideas to a complete reimagining of the original experience.

It’s almost as spellbinding as playing the game, if we’re being honest. We were particularly intrigued by how the team worked on balancing the bright hues of its visual models to fit in with the main narrative’s darker moments, of which there are quite a few. Whether you found enough to like in this one or not, this one’s definitely worth a watch for the insight into how our favorite video games get made.

If nothing else, it should create some hype for the 40th anniversary of Dragon Quest on May 27th, where Square Enix could potentially reveal Dragon Quest 12: The Flames of Fate.

Standalone Second Entry in a Remake Trilogy

First released in 2024, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second title in a planned remake trilogy of the revered 1997 action RPG. Following Cloud Strife and his band of eco-warriors, Rebirth picks up where Remake left off, taking you into the wider world en route to The Forgotten Capital following the collapse of Midgar. If you’re unfamiliar with the story, that’s really all you need to know. The developer has expanded the original game’s story sufficiently enough that dropping in midway shouldn’t hamper the overall experience – Rebirth is a standalone entry.

Mix of Real-Time and Turn-Based Combat

Unlike the 1997 predecessor, which featured exclusively turn-based combat, the Remake Trilogy uses a hybrid system, weaving real-time action into its original three-party-member design. Rebirth, however, introduces some refinement over Remake, making combat much more fluid and fast-paced: aerial manoeuvres, for one, are more common amongst characters, while many utility moves are now a part of a character’s standard moveset. Blocks and Parries negate damage whilst building Active Time Battle (ATB) Points, which can be spent in turn on special abilities, magic, or utility items. Whilst there’s a lot for novices to understand, FF7 Rebirth’s combat caters to a variety of skill levels. It can be as simple or as complex as you like.

Synergy Abilities Unlock Your Potential

That said, if you want to become a true master of Rebirth’s hybrid combat system you’ll need to execute Synergy Abilities, where two characters combine techniques to unleash more powerful attacks; made all-the-more devastating if you’ve worked your enemy into a “Stagger” state. Synergy systems, overall, have been expanded for Rebirth, supported further by a Party Levelling System which upgrades your chosen group simultaneously, reinforcing their bond and strengthening their combinable abilities.

Xbox Version Launches with Streamlined Progression

Whether you’re unconvinced by Rebirth’s combat, you’re desperate to engage with the story, or you simply don’t want to grind, then Streamlined Progression – launching with the Xbox version – will make progressing through fights a trivial breeze. When active, all hits deal colossal damage, while resources such as Materia Points – the magical weapon and armour augments – health, and ATB gauges will remain at their maximum. Limit Breaks – special moves ordinarily charged by taking damage, using specific Synergy abilities, or staggering enemies – will be freely available in Streamlined Progression mode too.

Enhanced Visual Modes on Xbox Series X

On Xbox Series X, FF7 Rebirth offers multiple visual modes, with the standout being a 4K-targeting Graphics Mode which will prioritise image fidelity, environmental detail, more defined character models, plus overall clarity. This mode, however, won’t operate at a consistent 60fps, so a Performance Mode is also available if smoothness is your preference.

VRR Support and SSD Optimisation

The game also supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) which should help to smooth any performance friction during visually demanding sections. Combined with optimisation for the Xbox Series X|S SSD, load times are kept short, allowing for quick transitions across the ginormous open world, whether by fast travel or riding a Chocobo across the plains.

Spatial Audio and HDR10 Support

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s Xbox Series X|S enhancements go beyond visual with full support for Xbox Spatial Sound. Bringing immersive 3D audio positioning, from enemies approaching from off-screen or environmental ambience breathing life into the world. Three formats are supported: the free Windows Sonic, and paid for Dolby Atmos and DTS Sound Unbound. Elsewhere, HDR10 support rounds out the overall presentation on Xbox Series X|S, improving contrast, brightness, and colour depth. Collectively, these Xbox-specific features bring richness and dynamism to players on Microsoft’s console platform.

Supports Xbox Play Anywhere and Cross-Save

Xbox Playwhere Anywhere support means a single digital purchase of FF7 Rebirth can be played across both Xbox consoles and PC at no extra cost. Sweetening the deal further, cross-save functionality ensures that your progress carries over seamlessly between platforms, ensuring that if you were to switch from console to handheld PC, for instance, your game will continue without losing momentum.

Returning Remake Players Can Access Exclusive Bonuses

If you have an existing save file from Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade on your Xbox or PC you can unlock exclusive Leviathan Summon Materia bonuses in Rebirth. Now, this bonus isn’t found in the world, but accessed via the system’s DLC menu, and it’s worth doing as Leviathan is a powerful summoning option. Furthermore, if you’ve played through Yuffie’s Episode INTERmission DLC, and have a save file to back it up, then you’ll also be able to acquire a Summon Materia.

Xbox Velocity Architecture Support

Both Xbox Series X and Series S versions will take advantage of Xbox Velocity Architecture, which hastens storage and data streaming, significantly reducing loading bottlenecks by freeing up processing power otherwise reserved for CPU-related overheads. Together with other speed-related systems, like the game’s SSD optimisation, it allows for smoother world traversal by rendering detail quickly – a point especially crucial given the importance of expansive exploration throughout Rebirth.

Series X vs Series S Differences

While both consoles deliver the full FF7 Rebirth experience, there are, as expected, a handful of technical differences. Xbox Series X, of course, targets higher resolutions and more stable performance through the aforementioned Graphics and Performance modes, while Series S opts for a lower maximum pixel count in the region of 1440p at 30fps with Graphics enabled and 1080p at 60fps during Performance. Series S, however, also includes a “Balanced” mode, striking a middle ground between fidelity and performance, with a purported 800p at an unstable 60fps offering you more flexibility in how you experience the game.

Digital Deluxe Edition Overview

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s Digital Deluxe Edition includes the base game alongside a selection of bonus DLC content including Magic Pot Summoning Materia, a Reclaimant Choker accessory, and Orchid Bracelet Armour. Also includes access to Digital Artbooks; for the relatively light jump in price over the Standard Edition, the Deluxe Edition could prove a worthwhile upgrade.

Release Date, Price, and Pre-Order Bonuses

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is set to release on Xbox Series X|S on June 3rd. Pricewise, you’re looking at $49.99 for the Standard Edition, and $64.99 for the Deluxe. There are a handful of bonuses if you pre-order, not least the 20% discount across the Xbox store running until release, but a pre-purchase DLC pack too. This contains: Moogle Trio and Posh Chocobo Summoning Materia, Shinra Bangle and Midgar Bangle Mk II armour.

No Game Pass Plans

For now, at least, presently there are no announced plans to bring FF7 Rebirth to Xbox Game Pass. However, the already-mentioned early purchase discount does make the game slightly more accessible if you’re planning to jump in at launch. Whether the game eventually lands on Game Pass remains to be seen.

Free Demo With Transferable Progress

If, after all this, you still need tipping over the edge there is a free demo available via Xbox’s online store, allowing you to play through an early portion of the game without committing to a purchase. What’s more, progress made during the demo can be transferred to the full release, while completing the demo entirely unlocks a bonus Kupo Charm and a set of consumables, including potions and ethers.

The demo includes the first chapter with save data transferring to the full experience. Besides the main quest, you can venture off the beaten path to discover weapons and Magicite. But while your progress carries over (and unlocks some bonuses in the game), there are limits to certain areas, among other “differences.”

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales launches on June 18th, and while it leverages the HD-2D style of the Octopath Traveler series, it’s more akin to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. Combat is real-time as players utilize seven different weapon types (with two available at a time) and traverse four ages over the course of a millennium.

There’s the Age of Safekeeping, where Elliot’s journey begins; the Age of Magic, considered the “height of prosperity” for humanity; the decidedly downtrodden Age of Reconstruction; and the Age of Budding, where humanity first took shape. What awaits at the end? We’ll find out next month.