2021 has been shaping up to be a great year for gaming. Square Enix has always been one of the most successful developers and publishers in the industry,especially when it comes to RPGs. Franchises likeFinal FantasyandDragon Questhave sold millions of copies, thoughSquare Enix also has a lot of other, underrated titles.
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This year, there are going to be a lot of new games for fans to enjoy before major releases likeFinal Fantasy XVIandForspokoencome out. Though those titles may take a long time to release as Square Enix announce their games early in development, players won’t have to wait long to get their hands on the following games.
Update June 16, 2025 by Mark Sammut:With 2021 entering its second half and E3 2021 done and dusted, Square Enix’s line-up for the immediate futurehas mostly taken shape. Whether acting as a developer or publishing the projects of other studios, Square Enix basically always has something around the corner. Quite a few major franchises have or will be receiving attention during 2021, so fans of Final Fantasy and, to a lesser extent, Dragon Quest have a lot to sink their teeth into. What games will Square Enix be releasing in 2021?
Bravely Default 2
One of the most successful games that Square Enix published on the 3DS wasBravely Default. Despite the name of the upcoming installment in the series,Bravely Default 2is actually the third game. Rather than following the original characters again, players are introduced to new heroes.
Seth, Elvis, Adelle, and Gloria travel throughout Excillant, a brand new kingdom in the series. Boasting traditional turn-based combat and a solid class system,Bravely Default 2released to a positive, if unspectacular reception. Fans of classic JRPGs are likely to greatly enjoy what this game has to offer.
Circuit Superstars
Developed by Original Fire Games,Circuit Superstarswas published as part of the Square Enix Collective. The game is currently only available on PC and in Early Access, with a date for a full release yet to be announced. Garnering generally positive reviews,Circuit Superstarsis an enjoyable racing game that offers great driving and depth.
For those interested in trying out this game, please check outCircuit Superstars' Steam page.
Balan Wonderworld
Yuji Naka and Naoto Ohshima haveworked on a lot of great gamesthroughout the years, with the most popular being theSonic the Hedgehogseries. Unfortunately,Balan Wonderworldwill not go down as one of the best projects by either person.
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While the platformer clearly takes a lot of inspiration from their previous work,Balan Wonderworldblends baffling design choices with generally underwhelming platforming and non-sensical story beats to create a deeply disappointing experience. There are 12 chapters and over 80 abilities for players to check out, whether it be on their own or with a second player in co-op.
Outriders
Developed by People Can Fly and published by Square Enix,Outridersis a third-person RPG that focuses on co-op gameplay.As with many of these types of shooters, players can decide whether they want to play on their own or join others and there are different classes that they can choose to play as.
The four classes in this game are the Technomancer, the Pyromancer, the Trickster, and the Devastator.Outridersdelivered the goods in terms of gameplay and visuals, even if the game fell somewhat flat in its narrative.
SaGa Frontier
With a non-linear storyline, seven protagonists, and a fresh take on turn-based combat,SaGa Frontierwas certainly one of Square’s most ambitious projects during the late ’90s. 2021, Square Enix remastered this often overlooked JRPG, providing longtime fans with the option to play an improved version while newcomers get the chance to experience one of Square’s classic titles for the first time.
A lot of improvements and new content have been added to make the game even better. There is a new protagonist named Fuse and cutscenes in the story that weren’t shown before. While the game is still far from perfect,SaGa Frontier’s positives outway its negatives, so JRPG fans should give it a try.
NieR Replicant Ver. 1.22474487139…
TheNieRandDrakengardfranchise was underrated for a very long time. However, after the success ofNieR: Automata, Square Enix decided to make the firstNieRtitle more accessible for newcomers. There are someimprovements compared to the original, especially with the gameplay.
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Whether gamers have already played it before or are looking to experience it for the first time, this was one of the most highly anticipated Square Enix games of the year, and it may determine the fate of the franchise.NieR Replicant Ver. 1.22474487139…was developed by Toylogic inc.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade
An upgraded version of 2020’sFinal Fantasy 7 Remake,Intergrade’s main selling point is its exclusive DLC starring Yuffie. This episode, entitled “INTERmission,” offers a good few hours of gameplay, with the content being of a higher difficulty than the base title. New weapons,characters, and bosses make up this episode, and Yuffie is a fantastic protagonist.
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Square Enix’s remake took its classic JRPG in a different direction, and while there is still plenty of this story left to be told,Intergradeprovides more than enough content to justify a spin.
NEO: The World Ends With You
2021 has been a great year forThe World Ends With Youfans. Not only did the year produce an anime adaptation based on the original game, but a second installment is set to drop in July. It has been over a decade since the first title released and fans have been wanting the series to continue ever since.
The gameplay looks very different compared to the original andcharacters like Neku and Joshuaare not shown in the trailer, but fans are excited regardless. The shift to full 3D will naturally impact the combat, especially since the sequel won’t need to work around the DS’s two-screen capabilities.
Life Is Strange: True Colors
Developed by Deck Nine and published by Square Enix,Life is Strange: True Colorsmarks the next entry in this beloved and emotional adventure series. This time around, Alex Chen will serve as the protagonist. Withher psychic powers, Alex can not only decipher people’s emotions but also influence them; however, they can also have an impact on her.
TheLife is Strangegames have become known for their likable characters and heartfelt storylines, two characteristics that will likely defineTrue Colors.
Life Is Strange Remastered Collection
September is going to be a huge month for theLife is Strangefranchise, as Square Enix will also be publishing aremastered collectionconsisting of the first entry in the series andBefore the Storm. While most fans have presumably already played the games, this release will also come with “Farewell,” an episode that was released as part ofLife is Strange: Before the Storm - Deluxe Edition.
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This collection will also be packaged withTrue Colorsto form the latter’sUltimate Edition, and this version will include an extra episode called “Wavelengths.”
