Square Enix loves PAX West and the Japanese megapublisher will once again have a major presence at the Seattle-based convention.
The publisher’s booth will include a dozen demos, including some of this Fall’s biggest releases (Dragon Quest Builders, Final Fantasy XV, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8: Final Chapter Prologue, Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration, and World of Final Fantasy). Square Enix also plans to demo 2017’s biggest re-release, Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age.
But if you want to get up close and personal with your favorite developers, a series of panels from the publisher will give you your chance. Friday will focus on Deus Ex Go and Final Fantasy XV, while Saturday’s presentations will dive deep into Final Fantasy XV, World of Final Fantasy, and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided.
A complete look at all of Square Enix’s demos and panels can be found after the break. And don’t forget, the 2016 PAX West expo will kick off on Friday, September 2.
Playable Demos
Deus Ex Go
Platform: iOS, Android
Developer: Square Enix Montreal (A Square Enix Studio)
Age Rating: 12+
Available: Now
Deus Ex Go is a turn-based infiltration puzzle game set in a stylized interpretation of the Deus Ex Universe. As double agent Adam Jensen, you’ll use hacking, combat, and augmentations to solve the most challenging puzzles of the entire Go series. Work alongside your allies in TF29 and the Juggernaut Collective as you infiltrate locations to unravel the conspiracy behind a terrorist plot.Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, Windows PC
Developer: Eidos Montreal (A Square Enix Studio)
ESRB: Mature
Available: Now
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, the sequel to the critically acclaimed Deus Ex: Human Revolution, builds on the franchise’s trademark choice and consequence, action RPG based gameplay, to create both a memorable and highly immersive experience. Players will once again take on the role of Adam Jensen, now an experienced covert agent, and will gain access to his new arsenal of customizable state-of-the-art weapons and augmentations. With time working against him, Adam must choose the right approach, along with whom to trust, in order to unravel a vast worldwide conspiracy.Dragon Quest Builders
Platform: PS4, PlayStation Vita
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: Everyone 10+
Available: October 11
Dragon Quest Builders is a block-building RPG where players must recapture the continent of Alefgard from the Dragonlord. After the world is destroyed by the evil Dragonlord, players must rebuild by exploring the land, gathering materials and piecing back together the kingdom.Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius
Platform: iOS, Android
Developer: Square Enix / Gumi
Available: Now Available
Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius is a brand new turn-based Final Fantasy adventure made for mobile devices and aimed at a worldwide audience. The game uses classic battle systems with a simplified mobile interface and a throwback pixel art style fused with rich 3D graphics. Adventures will begin their quest for a highly-coveted crystal, shortly meeting two knights from Grandshelt, and a young girl. Well-known Final Fantasy characters also appear in this game. The free-to-play mobile title has been downloaded over five million times worldwide (outside of Japan’s 6.5 million players) in the first month following its launch.Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age
Platform: PS4
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: Rating Pending
Available: 2017
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age improves upon the 2006 classic Final Fantasy XII, now more beautiful and easier to play than ever. The HD remaster introduces a reconstructed battle design and a revamped job system. With updated trophies and share functionalities, as well as stark visual and sound improvements, players both returning and new to the game will experience a grand adventure through the world of Ivalice in an entirely new and improved way.Final Fantasy XV
Platform: Xbox One, PS4
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: Teen
Available: November 29, 2016
Final Fantasy XV is the highly anticipated action RPG serving as the 15th installment in the landmark series. The game tells the engaging tale of Crown Prince Noctis and his comrades, out on the road and fending for their lives after the armed forces of Niflheim launch a surprise assault upon the Kingdom of Lucis. Featuring an open-world environment, a captivating cast of characters, breathtaking visuals and real-time combat, Final Fantasy XV is the ultimate experience for series veterans and newcomers alike.Fans who complete the demo will receive an exclusive t-shirt.Hitman
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, Windows PC
Developer: IO Interactive (A Square Enix Studio)
ESRB: Mature
Available: Now, New episodes throughout 2016
Hitman will see players perform contract hits on powerful, high-profile targets in exotic locations around the world, from the highly fashionable Paris and sunny coast of Italy to the dust and hustle of the markets in Marrakesh in this creative stealth action game. Gameplay focuses on taking out targets in huge and intricate sandbox levels with complete freedom of approach. Where to go, when to strike and who to kill – it is all up to you. And for the first time Hitman will lead with a digital release inviting players into a world of assassination.Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8: Final Chapter Prologue
Platform: PS4
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: Rating Pending
Available: December 2016
Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8: Final Chapter Prologue is a compilation that brings the popular Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance to the PS4 platform remastered in high definition. The newly improved title features brand new content with Kingdom Hearts 0.2: Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage, a playable episode that is played from the perspective of Aqua taking place after the storyline of Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep and links to the upcoming Kingdom Hearts III. The title also includes Kingdom Hearts X: Back Cover, a new HD movie that tells the mysterious story of the Foretellers and connects to the earliest parts of the series’ history.Ride 2
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, Windows PC
Developer: Milestone
ESRB: Rating Pending
Available: 2016
The second edition of Milestone’s innovative racing game is focused on the relationship between the rider and motorcycle, bringing the connection between man and machine even closer with career mode and other new features. Players can race the motorcycle of their dreams, thanks to unprecedented customization options for both rider and bike – and create the ultimate ride down to the finest detail. Ride 2 offers more than 220 motorcycles from the most respected manufacturers, and new bike categories with the introduction of the Two Strokes, Supermotards and Café Racers added on top of the current list of bike types available, including the Nakeds, Supersports and many more.Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration
Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows PC
Developer: Crystal Dynamics (A Square Enix Studio)
ESRB: Mature
Available: October 11, 2016
Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix continue to celebrate 20 years of Lara Croft, the gaming world’s iconic heroine, with Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration. This new version will include the award-winning Rise of the Tomb Raider game; a completely new story chapter entitled “Blood Ties”, new co-op Endurance gameplay, PlayStation VR support for “Blood Ties”, all of the previously released DLC, more outfits, weapons, and Expedition Cards. With the exception of VR support, all of the new content in Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration will also be available for Xbox One and PC players. Current Season Pass owners on Xbox One and PC will automatically receive the content for free, and moving forward the existing Season Pass will be updated to include the new content.Valentino Rossi: The Game
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, Windows PC
Developer: Milestone
ESRB: Everyone
Available: Now
Valentino Rossi: The Game brings the exciting worlds of MotoGP and VR|46 together in the most immersive and feature-packed motorcycle racing experience ever. Participate in the official 2016 MotoGP championship and discover the world of Valentino Rossi, with unique modes and all-new challenges dedicated to the career of the 9-time World Champion.World of Final Fantasy
Platform: PS4, PlayStation Vita
Developer: Square Enix
ESRB: Everyone 10+
Available: October 25, 2016
World of Final Fantasy combines classic RPG gameplay mechanics with fresh and imaginative visuals in an adorable adventure. As a brand-new addition to the Final Fantasy franchise, this game can be enjoyed by both fans and newcomers to the series as it expands Final Fantasy lore to a new generation of gamers. Players will lead a pair of twins through varied Final Fantasy worlds to collect, raise and take into battle the adorably familiar monsters including the Cactuar, Tonberry, and Behemoth. World of Final Fantasy dual-sided posters will be given away at the booth.Panels
Developing Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration
Join members of the Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration development team as they chat about the latest title and the features that celebrate 20 years of Lara Croft. Culminating with Lara’s landmark achievement of 20 years of an icon in gaming and pop-culture, Rise of the Tomb Raider: 20 Year Celebration releases later this year with nostalgic throwbacks like Croft Manor, classic outfits, and complex puzzles only those worthy of the Croft name can solve. Watch a sneak peak of the all-new PlayStation VR capabilities to explore Croft Manor, and have a look at Co-Op Endurance, a new mode where players can team up to survive the wilderness and gather relics and artifacts.
Panelists: Greg Miller (Moderator), Noah Hughes, Franchise Creative Director; Chad Armstrong, Senior Designer; Alisha Thayer, Designer; Meagan Marie, Senior Community Manager
When and Where: September 2, Wyvern Theater from 1:30 – 2:30 PMThe Deus Ex Go Puzzle Rumble
Hosted by Greg Miller and the Kinda Funny Crew, the Deus Ex Go: Puzzle Rumble won’t be your typical PAX Panel. Your favorite gaming personalities and members of the Deus Ex community will be tested in a challenge of speed and smarts with the most difficult puzzles the Square Enix Montreal team could come up with. Come scream and cheer as they attempt the toughest challenge of their lives under very special conditions.
When and Where: September 2, Hippogryph Theater from 3:30 – 4:30 PMDeus Ex Go and Kinda Funny Party
In addition to the panel, join the team for their Deus Ex Go launch event and a Kinda Funny meet & greet. Come eat some poutine, meet the devs and win cool prizes.
When and Where: September 2, Hard Rock Cafe Seattle (116 Pike St.) from 8:00 PM – 2:00 AMFinal Fantasy XV
Join Director Hajime Tabata as he dives into the gameplay and battle mechanics of how this generation’s action RPG, Final Fantasy XV will come to life.
When and Where: September 3, Wyvern Theater from 2:30 – 3:30 PMEidos Montreal Presents: Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Join Elias Toufexis (Actor, Adam Jensen) and other special guests for a unique discussion around Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, recently released on PS4, Xbox One and PC. Get your first look at the upcoming narrative DLC, which will see the return of… Find out in the panel!
When and Where: September 3, Hydra Theater from 3:00 – 4:00 PMWorld of Final Fantasy
Join game director Hiroki Chiba and other guests as they delve into the whimsical and magical World of Final Fantasy.
When and Where: September 3, Hydra Theater from 6:00 – 7:00 PM
