Welcome back, Square Enix
Square Enix just wrapped up the last press conference of E3 and, uh, well, it certainly was something. Light on details and mostly hypothetical, Square Enix revealed release dates for Just Cause 3 and the new Deus Ex, showed us the first gameplay footage for Kingdom Hearts 3 (no release date still), and reminded us that, yes, it is in fact working on a Final Fantasy 7 remake. Still, we're getting a new Nier, so that's pretty cool.
Did you miss out on all the glorious awkwardness of Square Enix's first press conference in years at E3 2015? Don't you worry, because we've got you covered. Scroll through the following slides for a summary of the most important dates and details from the show.
Just Cause 3 launching globally on December 1st
Just Cause 3 looks to offer even more of the chaos and destruction you've come to expect from the series, and it should be out on PS4, Xbox One, and PC by the end of the year. With over 400 square miles of territory to explore, massive destructible environments, and a wingsuit to help you glide through the air, along with the return of the best grappling hook in gaming, Just Cause 3 looks bigger and better than ever.
Platinum Games developing sequel to Nier
Add this to the list of things we thought we'd never see - Square Enix is working on a sequel to Nier, and it's being helmed by Platinum Games. It's still very early in development, so we haven't seen much other than a few screens, but we should hear more this fall. Also, there was a man wearing a creepy skull mask. Yes, he's a character from Nier - but just imagine how many people in the audience didn't know that.
Square Enix reminds you that Rise of the Tomb Raider is a thing that exists, still coming in November
We got a little behind-the-scenes glimpse of the Lara's design in Rise of the Tomb Raider, but nothing that we haven't really heard before. Still coming November 10th.
We actually got to see Kingdom Hearts 3
HERE we go. Kingdom Hearts 3 is looking gorgeous, featuring lush, cartoony worlds, fast and fluid combat, even some Disney-themed summons (like a set of spinning tea cups straight out of Disneyland). It looks like it's finally going to focus on the Keyblade War, but it'll most likely be completely incomprehensible to all but the most die-hard fans. Oh, and Tangled coming to Kingdom Hearts 3. Still no release date.
World of Final Fantasy aims to bring a wider audience into, well, the world of Final Fantasy
Goodbye wallet, it's been a good run. Square Enix is getting in on the toys-to-life genre, and will be developing a series of figures based on iconic Final Fantasy characters that will interact with an action-RPG coming in 2016.
Hitman to develop procedural missions with permanent consequence
The new Hitman (just called Hitman) will be far more open and permanent this time around, turning Hitman into a true assassination sandbox. Missions will be procedurally generated, and you'll have one shot (pun somewhat intended) to take them out. Fail, and you could miss out on your target - permanently. That's certainly an interesting take on the typically linear stealth franchise.
Star Ocean: Integrity and Faithlessness wins best subtitle ever award
Square Enix and Tri-Ace are joining forces to develop a new Star Ocean, and it's coming to PS4 in 2016. From the video, it looks like a JRPG-ass JRPG, but you'll get to control up to six characters in battle. The team is still hard at work designing the game, but they're aiming for 60 frames per second. It should hit this winter in Japan, with a 2016 release date for North America and Europe.
Deux Ex: Mankind Divided coming early 2016
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided looks to be like more of the stuff we liked about Human Revolution, but, bigger and better-looking. Expect the same kinds of gadgets, gear, and life-altering decisions in early 2016.
