The year 2017 is the year of Final Fantasy.
Square Enix, developer of the iconic franchise Final Fantasy that pioneered the JRPG genre and influenced pop culture, is celebrating the series' 30th anniversary. It won't turn 30 until December but it had a pre-celebration event last Jan. 31, the 20th anniversary of its most popular title ever, Final Fantasy VII.
Not long after it released updates for Final Fantasy XV, Square Enix is at it again with a bunch of good news. The updates include DLCs and bottles of Final Fantasy wine. Yes, wine.
This and other exciting updates for fans in the wrap-up below.
Final Fantasy XV DLC
Final Fantasy XV promised several updates with the first batch released this January. Another round of DLC is coming this Feb. 21.
One of the exciting — if not eclectic — updates is the superhero-themed costumes for Noctis and friends. They will get some colorful sentai-inspired costumes.
Episode Gladio, the first major story DLC, is coming this Mar. 28. Main character Gladiolus, together with Cor Leonis, will have his own adventure that will answer the question about his disappearance during the main storyline.
The next story DLC episode Prompto was announced for July but no details were given.
Final Fantasy XII: Zodiac Age
The HD remaster of Final Fantasy XII is coming to the stores this Jul. 11. Dubbed the Zodiac Age, the game features enhanced graphics, voice acting, and revamped License Board battle system. The title's charming Balthier is appearing as a DLC Champion summon to World of Final Fantasy, another FF title.
Final Fantasy XIV
Online game Final Fantasy XIV is getting its latest expansion. The new expansion Stormblood will come out on Jun. 20, as confirmed by producer and director Naoki Yoshida.
There will also be a live-action FF14 TV show "Daddy of Light", a heartwarming story of a father and son who bond by playing FF14.
Final Fantasy VII Remake
Now what everyone has been waiting for:
Yes, Final Fantasy VII Remake is happening. But no, Square Enix did not give any release date, yet.
But Square did release a "key visual" for the series: a CG-rendered poster showing hero Cloud and his iconic sword with villain Sephiroth and Midgard City in the background.
Weird, Cute Final Fantasy Updates
Other weird bits from the event:
- Final Fantasy fashion line-up.
- Final Fantasy Wines. An expensive $1,000 bottle with Swarovski crystal, and cheaper Ifrit Rogue and Shiva Blanc versions.
- Distant Worlds orchestra concerts worldwide, and FF15 Piano Collections and 'Brass de Bravo' band concerts in Japan.
- Tie-up with Cup Noodle, a wacky product placement in Final Fantasy 15. There'll be cup noodle flavors based off FF villains and a fork with sword hilts.
- Special $35 FF-themed cakes featuring a Moogle, Chocobo and Cactuar.
- Final Fantasy: Lost Strangers, a new manga series for Japan.
- A Japan-only Final Fantasy 14-themed escape room.
- Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan with giant FF7-themed Snow Sculptures.
- A Final Fantasy Exhibition in Japan in 2018.
- Character crossovers in games like Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia, Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, Mobius Final Fantasy, and Itadaki Street.
- A Final Fantasy Exhibition in Japan in 2018.
Visit the official Square Enix blog for more updates.
