May 2021

Here you can find news items that were posted on Hell and Heaven Net in the past.

Square Enix

During the Dragon Quest 35th anniversary livestream Square Enix has announced the next mainline entry in the Dragon Quest series: Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate. The game will use the Unreal Engine 5 and is in early stage of development and will have a global simultaneous release.

Dragon Quest XII logo

According to Yuji Horii, game designer of Dragon Quest, the player needs to make several decisions to determine the way of life. Also changes will be made to the command battle.

Also three other Dragon Quest titles have been announced during the livestream.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake

A remake of Dragon Quest III, which was first released in 1988 on the Famicom, in the style of Octopath Traveler.

Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake screenshot

Dragon Quest Treasures

A completely new spinoff from the Dragon Quest series, Dragon Quest Treasures explores the childhood of the siblings Mia and Erik from Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age. As Mia and Erik, players will embark on an RPG treasure hunting adventure in another world before the events of Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age.

Dragon Quest Treasures screenshot

Dragon Quest Keshi Keshi (Final Name TBC)

Developed with NHN PlayArt, this title is a free-to-play mobile puzzle game for iOS and Android devices that will feature popular Dragon Quest series characters, monsters and items as erasers which are used to erase graffiti in the game.

Dragon Quest Keshi Keshi screenshot

Final Fantasy XIV

During the Letter from the Producer Live Part LXIV it has been announced that the PlayStation 5 version of Final Fantasy XIV will start official service on the same day as patch 5.55; 25 May 2021.

Letter from the Producer Live Part LXIV

The PlayStation 5 version features fast load times, 4K resolution support, high resolution UI, DualSense haptic feedback support, new thropies and 3D audio support. Currently this version is in open beta.

Patch 5.55 will feature part 2 of the Death Unto Dawn main scenario, Save the Queen updates, YoRHa: Dark Apocolypse epilogue quests and a reward for collecting all Triple Triad cards.

Between the release of patch 5.55 and the release of Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker several updates and events have been planned.

  • July 2021: Make it Rain campaign
  • June/July 2021: Patch 5.57
  • July/August 2021: Patch 5.58
  • August 2021: Moonfire Faire / The Rising
  • September 2021: Final Fantasy XV Collaboration Returns
Final Fantasy XIV

During the opening keynote of the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2021 Naoki Yoshida, producer and director, has announced that the fourth expansion, Final Fantasy XIV Endwalker, will be released on 23 November 2021 and is now available for pre-order. He also revealed new information about the content featured in the expansion. Due to the COVID-19 pandanmic, the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2021 is digital only and can be viewed by stream.

The following new content and features for Final Fantasy XIV Endwalker were announced during the opening keynote:

  • New Job: Reaper
  • New Playable Race: Male Viera
  • New City: Old Sharlayan
  • Travel to Expansive New Areas: Labyrinthos and Mare Lamentorum
  • New Tribes to Encounter: Loporrits
  • New Threats to Overcome: The Magus Sisters
  • New Alliance Raid Series: “Myths of the Realm”
  • A New Data Center: Oceania

Final Fantasy XIV Endwalker Collections Edition

Square Enix has also revealed information about the Final Fantasy XIV Endwalker Collections Edition which will be available for pre-order in the Square Enix Store. This edition will feature the digital download version of the game with the following items:

  • Endwalker Special Art Box – A unique glossy white-inlaid box that features an illustration of Hydaelyn and Zodiark by artist Yoshitaka Amano.
  • Expertly Crafted Paladin Figure – An impressive high-quality figure that showcases the Warrior of Light as a paladin using Passage of Arms to shield allies from harm. Including the base, the figure’s dimensions are approximately W 6.10" x D 8.46" x H 7.28" (W 15.5cm x D 21.5cm x H 18.5cm).
  • Art Collection & Frame Set – A collection of ten B5-sized (approx. 7.2" x 10.1" / 18.2cm x 25.7cm) art prints featuring key visuals from throughout the history of FINAL FANTASY XIV, from version 1.0 through Endwalker. The set also includes a frame so you can showcase your favorite image.
  • Azem PinA pin created to mimic the appearance of Azem's crystal. Designed to fit in the palm of your hand at approximately 1" x 1.2" (2.5cm x 3.0cm).
  • Loporrit Mini Plush – A mini plush version of a Loporrit. The plush is approximately 6.5" tall (16.5cm).

Also a digital edition is available for pre-order in the Square Enix Store, PlayStation Store and on Steam.

Final Fantasy XIV Endwalker will be available on 23 November 2021 for PC, Mac, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. Players who pre-order the expansion can start playing the game on 19 November 2021 at 09:00 GMT. If you haven't watched the Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2021, it can be viewed on YouTube and Twitch.

Final Fantasy VII

During the first official livestream Square Enix has announced that the battle royale mobile game Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier will have a closed beta test in Japan and North America this June.

 

Japan

  • Beta Period: 1 June 2021 - 8 June 2021;
  • Recruitment Period: 7 May 2021 - 28 May 2021 12:00 JST
  • Devices: iOS 13.0 (minimal 2 GB RAM) and Android 7.0 and up (minimal 3 GB RAM);
  • More information on the official website.

North America (United States of America and Canada)

  • Beta Period: 1 June 2021 - 7 June 2021 PDT;
  • Recruitment Period: 7 May 2021 - 27 May 2021 8:00 p.m. PDT;
  • Devices: Android 7.0 and up (minimal 3 GB RAM);
  • More information on the official website.

In Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier, players will embark on an intense battle royale experience where they must fight to be the last SOLDIER standing. To do so, players will use magic and special abilities along with ranged and melee weapons to triumph on the battlefield. Players can choose between various styles, such as Warrior, Sorcerer or Monk, each of whom boast unique special abilities. In addition to other SOLDIER candidates, players must also contend with ferocious monsters who inhabit the outskirts of the city. By defeating them, players can gain experience needed to level up and unlock new weapons. Classic Final Fantasy elements abound in the game, such as rideable chocobos, powerful espers, including Ifrit, to summon and materia, which enables players to cast devastating spells. Players can customize their characters’ outfits and accessories, obtain various weapon and vehicle skins, emotes and more to create their own unique SOLDIER.

 

Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier will be released in 2021 for free with in-app purchases for Android and iOS devices.

Final Fantasy VII Remake

Square Enix has released a new trailer of the enhanced PlayStation 5 port of Final Fantasy VII Remake titled Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade. In the video titled "Final Trailer" new footage is shown of enhanced scenes, gameplay elements and new content from FF7R EPISODE INTERmission like the Fort Condor mini-game.

Below you can watch the new trailer and a synopsis from Square Enix.

In FF7R EPISODE INTERmission, players will fight as Yuffie, alongside Sonon, as they use fast and furious attacks to team up in all-new exciting battles against Shinra’s Director of Advanced Weaponry Division, Scarlet, and Nero, a member of the elite unit within Deepground known as the Tsviets. A new Summon Materia to call upon Ramuh, the fabled Lord of Levin also newly appears. And finally, the trailer showcases gameplay of Fort Condor, a new tactical mini-game playable in FF7R EPISODE INTERmission.

So next to Weiss also Nero will return from Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII (and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII).

Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade will be available on 10 June 2021 for PlayStation 5. Owners of Final Fantasy VII Remake can upgrade their PlayStation 4 version to PlayStation 5 for free. FF7R EPISODE INTERmission will also be available as separate DLC for $ 19.99 / € 19.99 at launch day.