Square Enix

Recently Square Enix has released the first after launch patch for Final Fantasy XVI, version 1.03. This patch fixes some issues and adds some new functionality.

Below you can find the patch notes:

This update fixes some issues and adds some new functionality. We recommend that you install this update before playing the game.

This update:

• Adds the following items to the System tab of the Main Menu:
  • Motion Blur Strength – Allows the player to adjust the strength of the motion blur effect when the character or camera is in motion. The default setting is the maximum of 5. This can be lowered to reduce the strength of the motion blur effect, or set to 0 to turn it off completely.
  • Player Follow (Movement)
  • Player Follow (Attack) – Turning these settings off prevents the camera from automatically following the player while moving and attacking respectively.
• Changes the maximum setting of the Camera Sensitivity (Horizontal) and Camera Sensitivity (Vertical) items from 10 to 20.
• Adds three new controller layouts: types D, E, and F.
• Corrects an issue that affected the stability of some menus.
• Corrects some text issues.
• Adds the hashtag #FF16 when sharing screenshots or video clips on Twitter or YouTube.

Recenlty Square Enix also announced that Final Fantasy XVI has sold over 3 million copies.

During the latest Nintendo Direct Square Enix has announced that Star Ocean: The Second Story will be getting a remake titled Star Ocean: The Second Story R. This will be a 2.5D remake.

Star Ocean: The Second Story was originally released in 1998 on the PlayStation. In 2009 an enhanced remaster titled Star Ocean: Second Evolution was released on the PlayStation Portable. The story begins with Claude, a Federation officer, who finds himself transported to an undeveloped planet. While searching for a way home, an encounter with a girl named Rena draws them into a quest to save her people, just as an ancient prophecy foretold. Players will begin their adventure with either Claude or Rena, and depending on their choice, the perspectives and the allies' players recruit will change. Players will get to know party members through the unique ‘Private Actions System’, which will allow them to grow relationships and unlock a variety of different endings.

The remake will feature new difficulty modes, new battle mechanics, full Japanese and English voice overs, original and re-arranged music and fast-travel.

Star Ocean: The Second Story R will be released on 2 November 2023 on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam. You can now pre-order the game and the collector's edition. You can watch the trailer below.

During the Final Fantasy XVI Pre-Launch Celebration event Naoki Yoshida, the producer of Final Fantasy XVI, has announced that the Final Fantasy XVI demo will be available on Monday 12 June. That's today! The demo can now be downloaded from the PlayStation Store.

The demo will give fans interested in starting the adventure early access to the opening prologue, with saved progress carrying over to the full game after its release. In the demo, take control of Clive Rosfield at the start of his epic tale and learn about his ambitions and goals, as he endures a tragic event sending him on a dark and dangerous path of revenge. Completing the prologue allows players to experience a special battle demo which has numerous abilities unlocked, giving them the opportunity to jump into exhilarating battles and test out a wide array of devastating attacks and combos.

You can download the demo from the PlayStation Store. Final Fantasy XVI will be released on 22 June 2023 exclusively on PlayStation 5.

During Sony's PlayStation Showcase 2023, Square Enix has revealed the launch trailer of Final Fantasy XVI titled Salvation.

The trailer sets the stage for what players can expect when they step into Valisthea next month, where we see the harsh circumstances faced by the Bearers, those born with the ability to cast magicks at will, and we see the truth that lies behind the Mothercrystals, long supposed to have bestowed blessings upon humanity. The new trailer also offers a glimpse of the first steps of Clive Rosfield, the protagonist of the game, as he and his allies fight to take back control of their fate.

You can viiew the trailer on YouTube, since it has an age restriction.

Final Fantasy XVI is the next standalone game in the Final Fantasy series and will be released on 22 June 2023 exclusively on PlayStation 5.