Tag Archives: Final Fantasy

Game News

Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD Remaster Is on Switch 2 Tomorrow — What SG Fans Need to Know

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Final Fantasy X turns 25 this month, and Square Enix is marking the occasion with a Switch 2 debut that finally delivers features long-time fans have been requesting for years — and does it as a Switch 2-exclusive package landing on the Nintendo eShop tomorrow, 23 July.

Tidus overlooking the ruins of Zanarkand at sunset in Final Fantasy X HD Remaster
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Two Classics, One Switch 2 Package

The collection bundles Final Fantasy X HD Remaster and Final Fantasy X-2 HD Remaster in a single purchase — both based on the International versions, which means every piece of bonus content that never made it to the original Western PS2 releases is here: Dark Aeons, Penance, Last Mission, and the full Creature Creator system. Between the two games you are looking at well north of 100 hours if you chase the platinum-equivalent completion.

Blitzball arena interior in Final Fantasy X HD Remaster
Image courtesy of Square Enix

The music is the fully remastered orchestral score — not the original MIDI tracks — and the character, monster, and background visuals have all been rebuilt in full HD. For anyone who remembers squinting at blurry PS2 textures on a modern TV, the difference is striking.

FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster | Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date Announcement Trailer — via FINAL FANTASY on YouTube

What Is Actually New on Switch 2

This is the headline for anyone who played the original Switch release from 2019: the Switch 2 version adds high-speed mode and a no random encounters toggle — two quality-of-life features that have been part of the PC (Steam) version for years but were absent from the original Switch and console releases. High-speed mode accelerates battles and movement so grinding the Sphere Grid or farming AP does not become a full-time job; the encounter toggle lets you explore at your own pace without interruption.

Tidus, Auron and the party in the ruins of Zanarkand in Final Fantasy X HD Remaster
Image courtesy of Square Enix

If you are coming to FFX for the first time, these additions meaningfully reduce the friction that put off a lot of players on earlier console versions. If you are a veteran revisiting Spira after years away, toggling encounters off while you revisit Besaid Island or Mi’ihen Highroad is a small luxury that makes a big difference.

The Fine Print Before You Buy

A few things worth knowing before you head to the Nintendo eShop tomorrow:

  • Switch 2 exclusive. This version is not compatible with the original Nintendo Switch. It is a separate product, not a free upgrade. If you own the Switch 1 version, you will need to purchase this separately.
  • Save data does not carry over. Progress from your Switch 1 save cannot be imported into the Switch 2 version.
  • Digital launch: USD $49.99. The Singapore eShop listing is expected live from 23 July — check the SG Nintendo eShop for local SGD pricing.
  • Asia physical Game-Key Card also out 23 July. A physical Game-Key Card edition for Asia launches on the same day digitally — useful if you prefer a box on the shelf, though note it functions as a download code rather than a game cartridge.
  • File size: 27.8 GB. Clear some space on your Switch 2 before download.

FFX remains one of the most beloved JRPGs in Singapore — a game many local players first encountered on PS2 around 2001–2002 — and 25 years on it still holds up as both a mechanically satisfying and emotionally resonant ride. Whether you are picking it up for the first time or returning for a nostalgia run, the Switch 2 version is the best console version yet. Check out our other game news for more Switch 2 coverage.

Game News

FFXIV Patch 7.55 Drops 28 July — North Horn, Final Phantom Weapons and Hildibrand’s Finale

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The Dawntrail 7.5x patch cycle is about to cross its finish line. FFXIV Patch 7.55 goes live on 28 July 2026, and Square Enix has been sharing development screenshots that confirm the four big pillars of the update: a new field operation zone, the next Field Raid, the last stage of Phantom Weapons, and the closing chapter of Hildibrand’s Dawntrail storyline. For Singapore players who have been grinding through the Patch 7.5 content since the Berlin Fan Festival stream, here is everything dropping next week.

FINAL FANTASY XIV Patch 7.5 – Trail to the Heavens — via FINAL FANTASY XIV on YouTube

Into the North: Occult Crescent Expands with the North Horn

FFXIV Patch 7.55 Occult Crescent North Horn characters
Image courtesy of Square Enix

The Occult Crescent field operation zone is pushing into new territory with Patch 7.55. The North Horn — also known as Shades’ Triangle — opens as the latest explorable area, bringing fresh enemies, critical encounters, and engagement opportunities to raise your Knowledge Level. The cap jumps from the previous ceiling up to Knowledge Level 40, so there is progression to chase whether you cleared the earlier areas or are still working through them. Eight new Phantom Jobs also join the roster, adding more build variety to the open-ended Phantom Class system that has been one of Dawntrail’s standout mechanics.

The Forked Tower: Magic — Field Raid Returns with Tweaks

FFXIV Patch 7.55 Forked Tower Magic raid boss
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Nestled inside the North Horn, The Forked Tower: Magic is Patch 7.55’s new large-scale Field Raid. Square Enix has acknowledged the mixed community reaction to Forked Tower: Blood — particularly around difficulty tuning and participation requirements — and said that Magic will address those pain points directly. Both a normal and a harder variant will be available from launch. If you bounced off the first Forked Tower run, it is worth giving Magic a fair shot before writing off the format entirely.

Phantom Weapons: The Final Stage

FFXIV Patch 7.55 Phantom Weapons final stage party
Image courtesy of Square Enix

The Phantom Weapon enhancement system — Dawntrail’s take on the beloved relic weapon grind — reaches its final upgrade stage in 7.55. Master blacksmith Gerolt reportedly has premonitions about what lies at the end of the process, which suggests the story wrapping around the system gets a proper resolution rather than just a stat number going up. If you have been chasing your ideal weapon glow across the 7.5x patches, 28 July is when you can finally tick that off the list. Phantom Armour upgrades are also included, so glamour hunters have something to look forward to as well.

Hildibrand’s Dawntrail Finale: Inconceivably Further Adventures Concludes

FFXIV Patch 7.55 Hildibrand quest villain Carnelian
Image courtesy of Square Enix

For many FFXIV veterans, this is the headline. The Inconceivably Further Hildibrand Adventures questline — which has been running since Patch 7.2 — wraps up its Dawntrail chapter in 7.55. The irrepressible Detective Hardiboiled is still on the trail of his nemesis Carnelian, who escaped and is now playing a deeper game. Nashu Mhakaracca is pursuing her own lead. Development screenshots show the story taking the two on separate paths before things converge, which sounds very on-brand for the Hildibrand crew.

FFXIV Patch 7.55 Hildibrand quest mysterious creature
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Hildibrand quests have been a fan favourite since A Realm Reborn, and each expansion’s take on the character tends to go increasingly off the rails in the best way. If you have been saving Dawntrail’s Hildibrand chain for a binge, 7.55 is your cue: everything will be available on launch day.

Allied Society Questlines Round Off Dawntrail

The Dawntrail Allied Society (formerly Beast Tribe) questlines also get their final extra-story chapters in 7.55. The Tral Travel Company staff take on a new project while adventurers reflect on the relationships built across the continent during the expansion. These tend to be lighter, character-driven episodes rather than action-heavy content, but they provide a satisfying bookend to the time you have invested in the NPCs around Tural.

What Singapore Players Should Know: The Road Ahead

Patch 7.55 is not the end of FFXIV’s current cycle — it is more of a waypoint. Here is the roadmap beyond it:

  • Patch 7.56 — 8 September 2026: Adds the Beastmaster limited job (teased at Fan Festival Berlin) and the next chapter of the main scenario questline.
  • Patch 8.0 “Silver Wanderer” — January 2027: The full next expansion, revealed during Fan Festival Berlin.

Crucially for Singapore players: FFXIV launches on Nintendo Switch 2 in August 2026. If you or someone you know is planning to start the game on Switch 2, they will be jumping in right around the 7.55 window — with the Beastmaster job and a new MSQ chapter arriving in September shortly after, and the Silver Wanderer expansion to look forward to in early 2027. It is actually a decent time to start fresh. For veterans already on PC or console, we covered all the Berlin Fan Festival reveals in detail if you want to revisit what is coming in 8.0.

FFXIV Patch 7.55 goes live 28 July 2026. Maintenance timing has not been confirmed yet; the official FFXIV Lodestone will post the schedule closer to the date. Check back there for exact downtime windows. You can also browse more Game News coverage here.

Manga Anime

ZAN: The Final Fantasy Artist’s Hand-Drawn Anime Is One to Watch

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If you know Yoshitaka Amano’s name, you know it from Final Fantasy — he painted the ethereal warriors, the summons, the villains across every numbered entry from the original NES game onwards. His brushwork is the visual soul of the series. Now, for the first time, Amano is turning his personal mythology into anime, and the pilot film has just screened — 100% hand-drawn, assembled with a crew of legends. This is ZAN.

What Is ZAN?

ZAN is a dark fantasy anime based on Amano’s own art project DEVA ZAN, which he has been developing since 2010 — a universe spanning more than 300 original paintings that Dark Horse Comics published as an English-language art book in 2013.

The story follows a warrior named ZAN, locked in fierce combat at Azuchi Castle during Japan’s Sengoku (Warring States) period. Guided by a mysterious young girl called Uzume, he crosses through time and space into another dimension, accompanied by a mechanical familiar named Panther. In this otherworldly realm, ZAN faces powerful rivals and monstrous creatures called Tropes, ruled by a being known as RIKKA.

Amano describes the project as entirely his own: “ZAN is from me,” he has said, distinguishing it from prior collaborations such as Angel’s Egg and Vampire Hunter D. To produce it, he established a Los Angeles-based production company, Yoshitaka Amano Inc., specifically to realise this vision.

DEVA ZAN art book cover by Yoshitaka Amano — full-colour watercolour illustration of a warrior mounted on a dark beast
Image courtesy of Yoshitaka Amano Inc.

The Pilot Film Premiered at Anime Expo 2026

The pilot film — entirely hand-drawn, in the spirit of classic anime — had its world premiere at Anime Expo 2026 in Los Angeles in early July as part of Amano’s solo panel. The official YouTube channel has since released it publicly, so you can watch it right now.

Yoshitaka Amano: New Anime “ZAN” Pilot Film, 100% Hand-drawn — via ZAN on YouTube
A still from ZAN's hand-drawn pilot film — the protagonist in a tense close-up, mechanical claws at his side
Still from Yoshitaka Amano Inc.’s official pilot film

A Dream Team of Anime Veterans

The crew assembled for ZAN reads like a roll call of the genre’s founding generation. Animation directors Masashi Ikeda (Mobile Suit Gundam Wing) and Tooru Yoshida are leading production, with legendary character animator Moriyasu Taniguchi — founder of Studio Anime R — as principal animator.

For mechanical design, Amano reached out to Kunio Okawara, the man who designed the original RX-78-2 Gundam and countless Mobile Suits across the franchise. Series composition is handled by Ryosuke Takahashi, creator of Armored Trooper Votoms, one of the most acclaimed real-robot series of the 1980s. Screenplay duties go to Yuya Takashima, who wrote for Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury.

The result is a meeting of Amano’s transcendent visual imagination and some of the deepest craft experience in Japanese animation — working entirely by hand, without shortcuts.

What Singapore Fans Should Know

ZAN has no confirmed release date or streaming platform as of this writing — the project is still in production, and the pilot is a proof-of-concept, not the full series. But a few things are worth watching:

  • The official pilot is publicly available on the ZAN YouTube channel right now — it is the real first look at Amano’s animated world.
  • Amano’s immersive touring exhibition AMANO — which has already appeared in Italy and Brazil — is confirmed to expand to Southeast Asia in 2027. Singapore fans may well get an in-person encounter with the DEVA ZAN universe before the anime itself arrives.
  • When the limited series does reach streaming, it will almost certainly be picked up globally. Keep the official site bookmarked for distribution announcements.

For fans of Final Fantasy’s visual identity, classic mecha anime, and hand-drawn craft, ZAN is a passion project worth keeping on your radar. Check out more anime news on GameTrader.SG.

Game News, News

FF Resonance Pixel Trailer: Lid, Nichol, and Four New Visions Revealed

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Square Enix dropped the Pixel Trailer for Final Fantasy Resonance today, and it is the most detailed look yet at Lancarse’s HD-2D RPG since the game’s initial reveal last month. Two brand-new party members stepped into the spotlight, the Vision roster ballooned to more than ten classic Final Fantasy heroes, and a pair of new world regions opened up — all arriving on PS5, Switch 2, Switch, and PC on 22 October 2026.

If you missed the original announcement, we covered all the essentials when Square Enix first unveiled the game. Today’s trailer is a genuine follow-up with substantial new reveals.

FINAL FANTASY RESONANCE – Pixel Trailer — via Square Enix Asia on YouTube

Two New Party Members Join Rain’s Crew

The big character news in the Pixel Trailer is a pair of new playable faces neither of the earlier reveals mentioned.

Lid hails from Dirnado, the continent famous for its airship technology. She is an engineer who built her own mechanical chocobo companion — called Mechabo — from scratch. Completing Lid’s subquests unlocks new skills for Mechabo, making her side content worth chasing for gameplay reasons as well as story ones.

Nichol comes from Olderion, a naval nation protected by the Wardens of the Waters clan. He is described as a careful strategist, though the trailer makes clear his more cautious nature constantly runs up against his adventurous companions. Together, they round out a cast that now also includes the original trio of Rain, Lasswell, and Fina.

Rain and party on a grassy field in Final Fantasy Resonance, showing HD-2D character art
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Four More Visions — Cecil, Bartz, Squall, and Zidane

The Vision system — which lets party members equip crystallised essences of legendary FF heroes for stat boosts, unique abilities, and devastating Resonance finishers — now has four new confirmed entries from across the series’ history:

  • Cecil Harvey (FFIV) — Versatile kit covering light and dark attacks alongside healing, making him a Swiss-army-knife Vision for tricky encounters.
  • Bartz Klauser (FFV) — Fire and ice sword skills built for staggering enemies; a strong pick for triggering the Resonance combo window quickly.
  • Squall Leonhart (FFVIII) — Damage that scales with consecutive standard attacks, rewarding aggressive play that avoids abilities.
  • Zidane Tribal (FFIX) — Debuffs enemy vitality and speed while buffing his own stats; useful for drawn-out boss fights.

These join the previously confirmed roster of Cloud, Terra, Tidus, Y’shtola, Shantotto, and the Warrior of Light — already one of the broadest cross-series casts in any Final Fantasy title.

HD-2D town exploration in Final Fantasy Resonance with pixel characters and moogles
Image courtesy of Square Enix

The World of Lapis Opens Up

Two new locations were shown for the first time:

Dilmagia (Machinopolis) is a steel-forged industrial city and the birthplace of airship technology, home to successive generations of engineers who all share the name Cid — a classic FF nod that fans will appreciate immediately.

Olderion (Aquapolis) is a coastal naval hub protected by the Wardens of the Waters clan and, according to the trailer, watched over by a deity of water. Nichol’s home region, it also holds the esper Titan, who unleashes Gaia’s Wrath when summoned.

Airship soaring over the lush 3D world map of Final Fantasy Resonance
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Combat Depth: Stagger, Resonance, and a Colosseum

The trailer fleshed out what happens after you land a stagger: knock out the entire enemy party’s stagger gauges in a single turn and you trigger a Resonance with your equipped Vision, dealing an especially destructive burst of damage. This gives turn order and target selection real strategic weight — you want to build toward that Resonance window rather than just mashing the strongest skills available.

Espers received more detail too. Confirmed summons now include Ifrit (Hellfire), Shiva (Diamond Dust), and Titan (Gaia’s Wrath). Each fights alongside the party for three turns before unleashing their signature attack.

For post-game players, the Pixel Trailer revealed a Colosseum with tiered difficulty fights that reward progressively better items — higher leagues pit you against iconic FF bosses. There is also the Twelve Legendary Arms system: twelve exceptionally powerful weapons obtainable only by hunting sealed monstrosities scattered around Lapis. Weapon crafting with the Vision character Aileen (who needs adamantite, found in crypts and side content) rounds out the late-game loop.

Rain and party facing the armoured Sworn Six antagonists on a grand staircase in Final Fantasy Resonance
Image courtesy of Square Enix

How to Pre-Purchase Before 22 October

Final Fantasy Resonance is available to pre-purchase now on Steam and the PlayStation Store. The Standard Edition is priced at USD 49.99, the Digital Deluxe Edition at USD 59.99. Pre-purchase before 6 November 2026 to receive the Blessed Cuirass and Mist Ether bonus items. SGD pricing has not been confirmed at the time of writing; check the Steam or PlayStation Store listings for local pricing once live.

The game launches across PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, and PC on 22 October 2026. Check our Game News section for any further reveals before launch.

Game News

Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis Shuts Down in October — Red Crystal Sales Already Stopped

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Singapore’s Final Fantasy VII fans woke up to difficult news this morning: Square Enix has confirmed that Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis will end service on 7 October 2026 at 14:00 SGT — and as of 10:00 AM SGT today (8 July), the sale of Red Crystals, the game’s premium currency, has already been permanently halted. Any Red Crystals already in your account remain spendable until the servers close.

Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis gameplay showing Aerith, Barret and Red XIII battling the Scorpion Sentinel
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Shutdown Date and Key Timing for Singapore

The server closes on 6 October at 11:00 PM PDT, which translates to 7 October at 15:00 JST and 7 October at 14:00 SGT. Both the mobile versions (iOS and Android) and the Steam PC version shut down at the same time. Red Crystal sales were cut first — disabled on 7 July at 7:00 PM PDT (8 July, 10:00 AM SGT). No new paid options will be offered between now and closure. As confirmed in the official notice, existing Red Crystals can still be used on in-game content right up until the shutdown.

Before Crisis Story Chapters Will Still Drop Before the End

Not everything stops today. Square Enix confirmed that all remaining scheduled story content will be released before closure — including the final chapters of Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII, the spinoff told from the perspective of the Turks set before the events of the original game. Chapter 1, “The Turks’ Mission Begins,” was the most recently released instalment. If you have been following the Before Crisis narrative inside Ever Crisis, there is still reason to log in over the coming months.

Before Crisis -Final Fantasy VII- Chapter 1 — via スクウェア・エニックス (Square Enix) on YouTube (Japanese)
Cloud and Sephiroth face each other in Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Two Years and Ten Months of FF7 — A Brief Look Back

Ever Crisis launched on iOS and Android in September 2023 and expanded to Steam in December 2023, running for roughly two years and ten months in total. The game offered something unusual for the mobile space: a visually polished, chapter-by-chapter retelling of the entire FF7 universe — pulling from the original 1997 game, Crisis Core, Before Crisis, Dirge of Cerberus and the Compilation films all in one free-to-play package.

In their shutdown notice, Square Enix cited difficulty maintaining the standard of service quality they aimed to deliver — a common reason given when live-service mobile titles close, though a painful one when the IP is as beloved as Final Fantasy VII across Southeast Asia.

Cloud Strife in action in Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis
Image courtesy of Square Enix

What to Do Before October 7 (SGT)

Red Crystal purchases are done — no more spending is possible. Any crystals you already own can still be used on weapons, costumes and event content until the servers close. The remaining Before Crisis chapters will continue to release, so keep an eye on the official Ever Crisis site for a content schedule. If you have been putting off finishing story chapters or pulling for a specific character weapon, the 7 October deadline at 14:00 SGT is the hard stop. There will be no extensions.

For more on the games and anime Singapore fans are playing right now, check out our Game News coverage.

Game News

Final Fantasy X Turns 25: HD Remaster Lands on Switch 2 with SEA Physical Edition

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Final Fantasy X turns 25 on 19 July 2026 — and Square Enix is marking the occasion with the most convenient version of the classic JRPG yet. Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD Remaster arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 on 23 July, and Bandai Namco Asia has confirmed a physical edition for Southeast Asia, meaning Singapore fans can finally grab both games on a single cartridge for their new console.

Auron stands beneath the pyrefly-lit dome of Zanarkand in Final Fantasy X HD Remaster
Image courtesy of Square Enix

What the Switch 2 HD Remaster Brings

The package bundles both Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2 — over 100 hours of gameplay — into one release. The Switch 2 edition builds on the HD Remaster that’s been available on PlayStation and PC for years, adding a handful of quality-of-life upgrades that make it the best way to play either game:

  • Full HD visuals with significant resolution improvements to characters, monsters, and environments compared to the original Switch version
  • No random encounters toggle — ideal for players replaying the story or just trying to cross a dungeon without a wipe
  • High-speed mode for grinding and turn-based battles
  • All International Version content included, covering the Expert Sphere Grid, Dark Aeons, Penance, and the Last Mission epilogue for FFX-2

One important caveat: save data is not compatible between the Switch and Switch 2 versions, so if you had a near-complete save on the original Switch release you’ll be starting fresh.

FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster | Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date Announcement Trailer — via FINAL FANTASY on YouTube

Southeast Asia Gets the Physical Edition

Bandai Namco Asia has confirmed a physical release for the region, giving Singapore players the option of a boxed copy alongside the digital launch. Pricing for Southeast Asia has not been announced yet — check your preferred local retailers and digital games stockists closer to the 23 July launch date for SGD pricing details. The digital version is priced at US$49.99 in Western markets.

Tidus and Auron explore ancient ruins with party members in Final Fantasy X HD Remaster
Image courtesy of Square Enix

For those who prefer physical media, this is the edition to watch for. A Japan physical edition follows at ¥7,480 — but the SEA boxed release, handled by Bandai Namco Asia, has historically launched alongside Japan at local retailers and games stores in Singapore and the region.

A Full Month of FFX Celebrations

The Switch 2 launch sits in the middle of a packed anniversary calendar. Square Enix has designated July as FFX 25th Anniversary Month, with the official anniversary falling on 19 July — exactly 25 years after the original PS2 launch in Japan. The series has sold over 20 million units worldwide across all platforms.

Tidus surveys ruined Zanarkand beneath a fiery sunset sky in Final Fantasy X HD Remaster
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Beyond the Switch 2 launch, Square Enix has lined up a string of in-game collaborations and merchandise drops this month:

  • Dissidia Duelum Final Fantasy — Tidus is playable through 28 July, with up to 100 free ability pulls across four weeks
  • Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent — Tidus, Yuna, and Aeron are available through 16 July (story content until 13 August); one character is guaranteed free
  • Emberstoria — Tidus and Yuna join as new Embers, with a free Tidus guaranteed ticket through 31 July

Anniversary Merchandise and Music

Physical collectors have already had a few things drop: the FFX LP Vinyl Set -Eternal Calm- launched 1 July with 20 curated soundtrack tracks across two records, packaged with a download code. The Visual Art Book -Eternal Spira- (128 pages, A4 hardcover, ¥2,750) and the Memorial Album (352 pages, ¥3,520) both released 3 July through Square Enix’s Japanese shop and participating retailers.

The ornate interior of the Blitzball stadium with team members assembled in Final Fantasy X HD Remaster
Image courtesy of Square Enix

A fan art project is also running through 31 July — details on Square Enix’s official FFX 25th anniversary site (Japanese). Most merchandise is currently Japan-market only, but the vinyl set and some plush toys have been available to import via proxy services for regional fans.

For Singapore players, the most actionable news is the 23 July Switch 2 launch and the confirmed SEA physical edition. More details on game news as we get closer to the date. Source: Final Fantasy official JP site (Japanese); RPG Site; Bandai Namco Asia.

News

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Dear Destiny — The English Novel Arrives January 2027

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Square Enix has confirmed an English-language edition of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Dear Destiny, the prose novel set in the world of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. The book is listed for release in January 2027 at a price of US$26.99, with pre-orders already open through major retailers.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Dear Destiny novel announcement graphic
Image courtesy of Square Enix

What Is Dear Destiny?

Dear Destiny is a companion novel to Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, expanding on the events and characters of the game through prose fiction. The Japanese edition was published by Square Enix in 2025, and the English edition — translated for a global audience — is now confirmed for a Western release.

The novel gives readers a deeper look at the story that Rebirth begins to tell, including the perspectives of characters beyond Cloud’s immediate point of view. For fans who finished the game wanting more time in that world, Dear Destiny is the most direct continuation available in prose form.

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Dear Destiny English novel cover art
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Tifa, Aerith, and the Cast of Rebirth

The novel draws on the full cast of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, with Tifa and Aerith among the characters given extended focus — fitting, given how central their relationship and individual journeys are to the game’s emotional core. The prose format allows the story to breathe in ways that a game’s pacing cannot always allow.

Tifa and Aerith from Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Price, Release Date, and Availability

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth: Dear Destiny is priced at US$26.99 and scheduled for release in January 2027. Pre-orders are available now through major book retailers. There is no confirmed Singapore retail distribution at this time — readers in the region may need to order internationally or through digital storefronts if an e-book edition becomes available.

For more gaming news and events in Singapore, check back on GameTrader regularly.

Game News

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster Arrives on Switch 2 on 23 July — 25 Years of Spira

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Twenty-five years after Tidus and Yuna first stepped into Spira, Square Enix is bringing Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster to Nintendo Switch 2 on 23 July 2026. The digital release lands just four days after FFX’s official 25th birthday — the original launched in Japan on 19 July 2001 — making this one of the tidiest anniversary releases in recent memory.

FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster | Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date Announcement Trailer — via FINAL FANTASY on YouTube

What the Switch 2 Package Contains

Final Fantasy X party exploring ruins — HD Remaster
Image courtesy of Square Enix

The bundle packs both games into a single download: the epic 100-hour-plus RPG Final Fantasy X and its popstar-and-treasure-hunting sequel Final Fantasy X-2. Both are the HD Remaster versions with remade character, monster, and background art, a fully remastered and rearranged soundtrack, and content from the International Versions that were unavailable in some regional releases of the originals.

The package has shipped over 14 million units worldwide across PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and the original Nintendo Switch. The Switch 2 version slots in as the definitive console edition.

New Quality-of-Life Features, Now on a Console for the First Time

The headline upgrade for Switch 2 is a suite of booster toggles that were previously exclusive to the Windows PC port — and are arriving on console for the very first time:

  • High-speed mode — speed up movement, combat, and cutscenes when you just want to push through
  • Toggle random encounters off — explore Spira at your own pace without surprise battles
  • Max out characters — instant stat boosts if you want to experience the story without grinding

These features make the game far more accessible to players returning after a decade away, or newcomers picking it up for the first time on Switch 2. You can, of course, ignore them entirely and play as it was intended in 2001.

25 Years of Spira — Why This One Still Hits

Tidus overlooking a devastated Zanarkand at sunset — Final Fantasy X HD Remaster
Image courtesy of Square Enix

A quarter-century on, Final Fantasy X remains the series high-water mark for many players who grew up with their PS2s in Singapore. It was the first mainline entry with full voice acting, a largely linear structure that let the story breathe, and Nobuo Uematsu and Masashi Hamauzu’s soundtrack — one of the all-time great game scores. Yuna’s Sending scene, the Macalania lake scene, the final stretch — they still land.

The HD Remaster sharpens the visuals to hold up on a modern display while keeping the original’s aesthetic intact. With Switch 2’s improved screen, the game should look better in handheld mode than it ever has on a Nintendo device.

Yuna and Tidus in the moonlit Macalania underwater scene — Final Fantasy X HD Remaster
Image courtesy of Square Enix

For fans who played the original but skipped Final Fantasy X-2, it’s worth giving it a proper chance here. The gameplay is arguably the tightest turn-based system in the mainline series, and the tone — while jarring at first — is a deliberate creative choice that eventually earns its emotional payoff.

Blitzball, the Sphere Grid, and 100-Plus Hours of Content

Blitzball tournament arena in Final Fantasy X HD Remaster
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Beyond the main story, the package is packed with side content. Blitzball — FFX’s underwater sport — remains one of the most polarising minigames in the franchise, but completionists will spend hours in the tournament circuit. The Sphere Grid progression system and the Dark Aeons of the International Version add endgame bite that can push total playtime well past 100 hours if you go deep.

Pricing, Pre-orders, and What Singapore Switch 2 Owners Should Know

The digital version is priced at US$49.99 (¥6,688 on the Japan eShop). Singapore eShop pricing was not confirmed at the time of writing — check the Nintendo eShop Singapore listing directly. Pre-orders are live now on the Nintendo eShop ahead of the 23 July digital release.

For collectors: a physical edition releases on 27 August 2026 and comes with a limited 25th Anniversary sleeve case. Note that physical availability outside Japan may vary by region, and the western physical release uses a Game Key Card format rather than a traditional game cartridge. Confirm availability with local game retailers before pre-ordering a physical copy.

One important note for players who already own Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster on the original Nintendo Switch: save data is not transferable between the two versions, and the Switch 2 version is not compatible with the original Switch hardware.

If you’re building your Switch 2 JRPG library, this is a landmark addition — and at 25 years old, Spira hasn’t aged a day. Browse other upcoming Switch 2 game releases we’ve been covering this week.

Game News

Tidus Is Now in Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy

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Zanarkand’s favourite blitzball star has found his way to a new pitch. Tidus from Final Fantasy X joins Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy on iOS and Android today — June 30 — as the centrepiece of Season 3, named “Not Just a Dream.” For Singapore fans who spent hours on the PS2 with FFX’s rain-soaked cutscenes burned into memory, this one lands with some weight.

DISSIDIA DUELLUM FINAL FANTASY | Character Preview – Tidus — via Square Enix on YouTube

What Is Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy?

Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy characters in modern fashion in rainy Tokyo
Image courtesy of Square Enix

If you haven’t tried the game yet: Dissidia Duellum is Square Enix’s free-to-play mobile action RPG where Final Fantasy’s most iconic heroes and villains are reimagined as stylish young adults navigating a modern city. Sephiroth in a trenchcoat. Cloud in streetwear. And now Tidus in a baseball jersey, cargo shorts, and high socks — because of course. Battles play out as 3v3 team fights in real-world-style urban arenas. Tidus is the second FFX representative to join, following Rikku.

Dissidia Duellum Tidus — Abilities and New Look

Tidus in his original Final Fantasy X appearance
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Tidus arrives as an Agile-type fighter aligned to the Water element, leaning into his blitzball roots. His signature UR abilities are Jecht Shot and Blitz Ace, both icons from FFX. He also brings new companion abilities — Yuna’s Holy and Wakka’s Aurochs Reels — which open up proper FFX team compositions for the first time in the game. His passive, “Star Player of the Zanarkand Abes,” reduces cooldowns on close-range moves, rewarding players who like to stay up in opponents’ faces. Masakazu Morita reprises the Japanese voice role.

The redesign trades Tidus’s asymmetrical shorts and neon yellow jacket for a contemporary sports aesthetic — jersey, baggy shorts, ankle socks and trainers — in line with how Dissidia Duellum frames every character: these legends exist in our world now, and they dress like it.

Season 3 “Not Just a Dream” — All the New Content

Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy 3v3 team boss battle arena in a Tokyo street
Image courtesy of Square Enix

The season delivers a full slate of new content alongside Tidus:

  • Corrosion: Zanarkand — a new battle stage set among the ruins of the submerged futuristic city, live today.
  • Death Machine — a new boss with area-of-effect attacks and stun mechanics, arriving mid-July.
  • A Dream Fulfilled — a limited-time Memoria support ability featuring Tidus and Yuna artwork.
  • FINE Archive — a new feature letting players revisit previous story scenes with continuous playback, so newcomers can catch up on the lore without hunting through menus.
  • Rikku’s “Alchemist from Another World” outfit — arriving mid-to-late July, giving the other FFX rep a fresh look at the same time.

How to Get Tidus — Including the Free Route

Dissidia Duellum Final Fantasy all-star cast from across the Final Fantasy series
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Good news for the free-to-play crowd: Tidus can be unlocked at no cost through the Season 3 Season Pass (Normal rewards tier). On top of that, Square Enix is marking Final Fantasy X’s 25th anniversary with 25 free draws every Tuesday for four weeks — up to 100 free pulls total — giving Singapore players a genuine shot at his premium abilities without spending a cent. The limited-time window runs until July 27.

After Tidus, the roadmap teases a character with “long hair” from Final Fantasy VI for July, and a Final Fantasy V fighter alongside a new boss and stage in August. The classic-era FF celebration is clearly not stopping any time soon. For more on what’s new in mobile gaming and beyond, check out our game news archive.