8 Square Enix Games for Holiday Gifts

The holiday season is approaching quickly. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannuka, Kwanzaa, or another holiday, typically you will exchange gifts. The holiday season can be a stressful time, especially when it comes to gifts. What do you get someone who can easily buy most of the things they want for themselves? Most gamers search through ads and deals daily, but some company’s games take longer to go on sale. Typically, Nintendo, PlayStation exclusives, and some Square Enix titles don’t go on sale immediately. In some instances, some titles drop immediately. Here are Eight Square Enix games to add to your holiday list or to pick up for most gamers.

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy

Up first is Square Enix’s latest release Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Many of us enjoyed the movies and are awaiting the release of the next few movies from Marvel. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy was released on October 26 of this year. It is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, GeForce NOW, and Nintendo Switch. Despite, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy being an established title in Disney’s cinematic universe, Square Enix’s adaptation takes a different look at the Guardians. Here is Square Enix’s description of their latest title.

In this third-person action-adventure game, you are Star-Lord, and thanks to your bold yet questionable leadership, you have persuaded an oddball crew of unlikely heroes to join you. Some jerk (surely not you) has set off a chain of catastrophic events, and only you can hold the unpredictable Guardians together long enough to fight off a total interplanetary meltdown. Use Element Blasters, tag-team beat downs, jet boot-powered dropkicks, nothing’s off-limits. If you think it’s all going to plan, you’re in for a world of surprises, with the consequences of your actions guaranteed to keep the Guardians on their toes. In this original Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy story, you’ll cross paths with powerful new beings and unique takes on iconic characters, all caught in a struggle for the galaxy’s fate. It’s time to show the universe what you’re made of. You got this. Probably.

Our writer Frank is currently working on his review of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. You can expect a review shortly. Based on Frank’s time with the game, it’s something he’s enjoying. As a fan of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies and comics, I would love to see how it compares. This game has the potential to be nominated for the 2021 Game of Year.

Life is Strange

Earlier this year, we reviewed Life is Strange: True Colors. During our playthrough of the latest Life is Strange, we experienced a variety of bugs. Thankfully, since the game’s launch two months ago, new updates have been released to fix some of those issues. Despite the game being updated, Life is Strange: True Colors still feels like the weakest of the franchise. Although, Life is Strange: True Colors is the most recent installment in the series, an HD remastering of the Life Strange and Life is Strange Before the Storm is set to be released in 2022. The Life is Strange: True Colors Ultimate Edition gives gamers True Colors, the Original Life is Strange, and Life is Strange Before the Storm Remastered. Square Enix’s Life is Strange: True Colors is available for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, GeForce NOW, and Google Stadia.

Here is LIS: True Colors description:

Players take on the role of Alex Chen, a young woman navigating early adulthood in Haven Springs, a small mountain town where she quickly becomes a part of a tight-knit community. There, Alex reconnects with her long-lost brother, Gabe, who had moved to the town in search of their missing father. Amid this backdrop, Alex struggles to accept a ‘curse’ she’s dealt with all her life: the psychic power of Empathy, a supernatural ability that allows her to experience, absorb, and influence the strong emotions of others – emotions she sees as blazing, colored auras. When her brother dies in a suspicious ‘accident’, Alex must at last embrace her volatile power, to find the truth and uncover the secrets of Haven Springs. Alex Chen’s journey, power, and future are all fully under the player’s control.

Each character in the game had their own unique presence, however, the story as a whole felt underwhelming. If the lesson to be learned was to get revenge by toppling a massive corporation, then sure. Sadly, in the real world, it does not work like that.

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE

Earlier this year, Square Enix released Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade for the PlayStation 5. Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade is an expansion of FF7 Remake. The event of Intergrade takes place during the events of FF7 Remake PT 1. With the base game and an expanded universe, Final Fantasy fans can experience the reimaging of the beloved franchise.

FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE INTERGRADE builds on the critically-acclaimed PS4 version with new content – FF7R EPISODE INTERmission. Following Yuffie Kisaragi and her partner Sonon Kusakabe, on a dangerous mission to infiltrate Midgar – this new episode brings with it minigames to master, enemies to fight, a new Summon to take to the battlefield, and an exciting Photo Mode to capture and share memorable moments.

When FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE was first released, I eagerly awaited the release of the rest of the game. Sadly, it does not look like that will happen anytime soon. The events in FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE take you up to the end of Disc 1 of the original game. Yes, it is nice that they are still releasing content but it feels like it is not enough.

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139…

NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139 was released on April 23, 2021, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The game takes place before the events of NieR Automata. The game is divided into two sections. The base playthrough of the game takes roughly twenty hours to complete but perfectionists can get at least 65 hours of gameplay.  This was on my games to look forward to 2021 edition. If you haven’t had the chance to pick up the game, NieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139 will be a game you’ll potentially want to pick up this Holiday.

Fans of the NieR series and newcomers alike can jump into this upgraded version of NieR Replicant, and immerse themselves in a dark, apocalyptic world with fully remastered visuals, enhanced combat, and gameplay, a re-recorded soundtrack, and all-new voice dialogue. The game also includes brand-new story content, extra dungeons, costumes, and more.

NEO: The World Ends with You

NEO: The World Ends with You was released in 2021, for PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The most recent adaptation is the successor of the 2007 version that was released on Nintendo DS. A spin-off animated series was also released in 2021 showcasing the events of the original game. NEO: The World Ends with You is completely 3D and allows the player to control multiple characters. Below is Square Enix’s description:

NEO: The World Ends with You transports players to the bustling streets of Shibuya, as they step into the shoes of protagonist Rindo and take part in the life-or-death battle for survival known as the “Reapers’ Game.” Rindo is joined by many stylish and memorable characters, who together explore the heart of Tokyo to uncover the mysteries behind this sinister game.

After watching the anime inspired by this universe, I have been tempted to buy NEO: The World Ends with You. Typically, I avoid turn-based RTS because its characters lack depth, but if the anime is anything to go by then it should have an interesting story.

FINAL FANTASY XIV Online

FINAL FANTASY XIV Online is an ongoing MMO available on the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC. The game is constantly being updated with new expansions and stories being added to the game. While the upcoming update is being delayed for a few weeks, a few of us here at Marooners’ Rock are awaiting the update so we can get back to our chacaters and check out all the new content. If you are looking for a Square Enix title that will provide any gamer over 100 hours of gameplay, look no further than FINAL FANTASY XIV Online. New or veteran MMO players can look forward to a friendly community that is willing to help new players. Here is their description:

Explore the vast world of Hydaelyn in this massively multiplayer online role-playing experience featuring a deep, unique story and a world filled with homages to the beloved FINAL FANTASY series. Players can create their own fully customizable Warrior of Light and embark on a quest for adventure, explore towering cities, sand-swept deserts, dense forests, and glittering shorelines as you forge their own legend in the world. Over the past year, the SQUARE ENIX team has released a plethora of updates to the game as they prepare for the release of the next major expansion Endwalker on November 23.

Marvel’s Avengers

When Marvel’s Avengers was first released, it was a disappointment. Everything players were expecting from a Marvel Avenger’s game was almost non-existent. Since the release a year ago, Crystal Dynamics has worked to improve the game by adding additional content, removing paywalls, and following through on promises. Now that the game has been released for a year, it makes for a fun Marvel Co-Op experience. The game is a bit grind-heavy but will provide hours of gameplay. The game is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. Here is it game description:

Marvel’s Avengers combines an original story with single-player and cooperative gameplay in the definitive Avengers gaming experience. Assemble into teams of up to four players online, master extraordinary abilities, customize a growing roster of Heroes, and defend the Earth from escalating threats. Featuring regular content updates, Marvel’s Avengers will take players on an epic journey delivered over multiple years.

Kingdom Hearts

As a bonus offer and by far probably my favorite title on this list is Kingdom Hearts All in One Package.  This Package contains Kingdom Hearts The Story So Far and Kingdom Hearts 3. If you love Disney and Final Fantasy, Kingdom Hearts is a great option. Kingdom Hearts The Story So Far provides players with at least 150 hours of gameplay. Discover Sora’s origin story before he joined the Super Smash Brothers team.

Despite a disappointing story in Kingdom Hearts 3, the series as a whole is an enjoyable ride. The game features a great soundtrack, easy-to-love or hate characters, and memorable experiences. This is a series I have continued to pick up throughout the years.

Which of these titles from our Square Enix Games Holiday list will you pick up for yourself or loved ones? Will you pick up all of these Square Enix Games for the holidays? Have any other recommendations for our Square Enix Games Holiday List? Give us your recommendations for other Square Enix Games to give this holiday season.