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Dragon Quest Turns 40: DQXII Beyond Dreams Finally Revealed, Plus a Tokyo Exhibition Opening Next Week

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Dragon Quest quietly celebrated its 40th birthday this year — and Square Enix made sure the occasion counted. In a special anniversary livestream on 27 May 2026, the company finally pulled back the curtain on the long-awaited Dragon Quest XII, revealed a new title and a development reboot, and teased a slate of related releases. Now, less than two months later, a full-blown immersive exhibition is opening in Tokyo next week to mark 40 years since the very first Dragon Quest launched on Famicom in 1986.

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams — A Hard Reset for the Next Chapter

When Dragon Quest XII was first announced back in 2021 under the subtitle The Flames of Fate, series creator Yuji Horii hinted at a darker, more mature tone for the franchise. Five years on, that version is gone. Square Enix Executive Producer Yosuke Saito confirmed the reset during the anniversary stream, explaining that work on the original version “hit a lot of hurdles along the way” and that, after consultation with Horii, the team decided to start over entirely under a new development structure.

The result is Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams — a title that reflects the fresh direction. Horii described the story as “the adventures of a protagonist who experiences mysterious dreams,” adding: “I think there is a world spreading out in Beyond Dreams that is surely bright rather than dark. It has changed from the version we announced previously, but I think everyone will be able to enjoy it.”

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams hero standing in a forest
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Saito acknowledged it was “a very difficult decision” but expressed confidence in delivering “something great as the latest Dragon Quest that more fans can enjoy.” Platforms and a release window are yet to be confirmed — the game is clearly early in development — but character designs are once again the work of the late Akira Toriyama, and music comes from the legendary Koichi Sugiyama. For Singapore fans, there is no confirmed global or SEA release date; treat any timeline speculation as to be confirmed.

Watch: The Official 40th Anniversary Reveal Stream

Update from the DRAGON QUEST Team — via DRAGON QUEST on YouTube

Dragon Quest the DIVE: An Immersive Exhibition Opening in Harajuku on 17 July

The bigger news for fans heading to Japan this summer: the Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary Exhibition “Dragon Quest the DIVE” opens at Tokyu Plaza Harajuku Harakado this coming Thursday, 17 July, and runs through 6 September 2026. The venue is a short walk from Meiji-jingumae (Harajuku), Harajuku, and Omotesando stations.

Dragon Quest the DIVE exhibition VR Ride promotional image featuring a Great Sabrecat and a Slime
Image courtesy of Square Enix

The centrepiece is the Dragon Quest VR RIDE, a motion-seat experience using Meta Quest 3 headsets that puts you on the back of a Great Sabrecat as you tear across a 360-degree landscape, dodge monster encounters, and soar through the sky — with physical wind effects to boot. Elsewhere in the venue:

  • Hug a two-metre-tall Poyoyon King Slime installation
  • Get your photo AI-transformed into a resident of the 40th Anniversary Town
  • Walk through a Dragon Quest Memorial Wall covering Dragon Quest I through XI, featuring original development artwork and sheet music from the series’ creators
  • Dine at FAMiRES x Dragon Quest the DIVE, a collaboration restaurant on the 5th floor, serving themed dishes, six slime-coloured cream sodas (1,078 yen each), and DQ-themed desserts
Homita, the Blue Slime mascot of Dragon Quest the DIVE, voiced by Yui Ogura
Image courtesy of Square Enix

The exhibition’s guide character is Homita, a plucky Blue Slime wielding a rusty sword and dreaming of becoming a hero, voiced by Yui Ogura (known for HUG! PreCure). Hours are 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily (last entry 7:59 PM). Ticket prices range from 1,800 yen for children on weekdays to 4,000 yen for adults on weekends; premium tickets with a pin badge set are 7,800 to 10,000 yen. General tickets are available at Lawson branches across Japan. Check the official Dragon Quest the DIVE website for the latest details and booking links.

More 40th Anniversary Releases Singapore Fans Should Know About

The May stream packed in several other announcements alongside the DQXII reveal:

  • Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on 24 September 2026 — if you missed the acclaimed JRPG the first time around, this edition looks like the definitive way to play.
  • Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World is confirmed for a multi-platform release (specific platforms to be confirmed in full).
  • The Dragon Quest I+II HD-2D Remake and Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake have collectively sold over 4 million copies worldwide, signalling strong appetite for the franchise beyond Japan.
Dragon Quest Monsters: The Withered World key art featuring iconic series monsters
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams has no confirmed release date for Singapore or any other region, and given the development reboot, a launch well into 2027 or beyond seems most likely. But with Dragon Quest XI S heading to Switch 2 this September and the HD-2D remakes selling strongly regionally, the series is in genuinely good shape at 40. For the latest JRPG and game news, keep checking back with GameTrader.SG.

Game Industry News, Game News

Tokyo Game Show 2026 Reveals 759 Exhibitors for Historic 5-Day Run

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Tokyo Game Show 2026 is already shaping up to be the most ambitious in the event’s 30-year history. The Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA) revealed today that 759 companies have committed to exhibiting at TGS 2026 — spanning 484 domestic and 275 international participants from 51 countries and regions — across 3,946 booths at Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan. Dates: 17–21 September 2026.

Tokyo Game Show 2026 official key visual by illustrator Warashi
Image courtesy of CESA / Tokyo Game Show

Five Days for the First Time

The headline change this year is format: TGS 2026 runs five days rather than the usual four, making it the longest Tokyo Game Show ever held. Under the anniversary theme “The Longest Five Days of Non-Stop Play” (史上最長、遊びづくしの5DAYS), the schedule is split into two business days (17–18 September, for industry and press) followed by three public days (19–21 September). Organisers expect approximately 300,000 visitors across all five days.

The expanded format is a fitting way to mark the show’s 30th anniversary, and for Singapore gamers planning a Japan trip this September, three consecutive open days gives more flexibility for travel logistics than previous years’ two-day public windows.

TOKYO GAME SHOW 2026 【ティザー動画】大公開! — via TOKYO GAME SHOW/東京ゲームショウ on YouTube

Who’s Exhibiting: The Big Names

The confirmed roster reads like a who’s-who of the global games industry. Major exhibitors already locked in include:

  • Sony Interactive Entertainment (PlayStation)
  • Nintendo
  • Square Enix
  • Capcom
  • SEGA / ATLUS
  • Bandai Namco Entertainment
  • Konami Digital Entertainment
  • Koei Tecmo
  • LEVEL-5
  • HoYoverse
  • Nexon
  • Netmarble
  • PlatinumGames

This year’s international tally surpasses TGS 2025’s count of 46 participating countries, underlining the show’s continued growth as a global platform — and giving the event’s live streams an even broader range of titles to showcase for fans who can’t make it to Chiba in person.

Tokyo Game Show 2026 30th anniversary teaser visual featuring an animated character in front of Makuhari Messe
Image courtesy of CESA / Tokyo Game Show

Exhibition Areas and Special Events

The show floor is divided into dedicated zones: General Exhibition, Smartphone Games, Gaming Hardware, Gaming Lifestyle, AR/VR, eSports, Game Academy, Indie Games, Merchandise and Sales, Family Game Park, Business Solutions, and an AI Technology Pavilion. Red Bull returns as a sponsor with a Street Fighter 6 showmatch on the event floor, and Suzuki will display a custom Hayabusa motorcycle — proof that TGS increasingly blurs the line between gaming expo and broader pop-culture festival.

Country pavilions this year include representatives from Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, Poland, Brazil, and India. Malaysia’s presence is a positive sign for Southeast Asian developers who see TGS as a springboard for reaching Japanese and wider Asian audiences.

Tokyo Game Show 2026 logo displayed in front of Makuhari Messe venue
Image courtesy of CESA / Tokyo Game Show

How to Follow TGS 2026 from Singapore

The official TGS website at events.nikkeibp.co.jp/tgs/2026/en/ carries the full exhibitor directory and will host ticket and live-stream information as the September dates approach. CESA has also confirmed a giveaway campaign for tickets, details of which will be announced through the official TGS social accounts.

For those unable to fly to Chiba, the TGS live streams on YouTube have historically been among the most-watched gaming events in Asia — expect publisher stage shows, world premieres, and hands-on coverage from the floor across all five days. We will be covering the key announcements as they drop, so follow our Game News and Game Industry News sections for the build-up to September.

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.

Game News

Adventures of Elliot: Millennium Tales Out Now — SGD79.90 on PS5 and Switch 2

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Square Enix’s newest HD-2D release has landed: The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales launched on 18 June across Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Singapore players can grab it on PS5 from the PlayStation Store Singapore at SGD79.90 for the standard edition, or SGD92.90 for the Digital Deluxe.

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales | Launch Date Announcement Trailer — via Square Enix on YouTube

The HD-2D Action RPG Debut from the Octopath Traveler Team

The Adventures of Elliot comes from the Square Enix development team behind Octopath Traveler and Bravely Default — and it marks their first action RPG, applying the beloved HD-2D art style to real-time combat for the first time. As Nintendo Life reviewer George Yang described it, the combat “works surprisingly well, feeling like a mix between Zelda: A Link to the Past and Ys Origins” — an encouraging debut for a team new to action gameplay.

You play as Elliot, an adventurer charged with a thousand-year mission alongside his fairy companion Faie. The game spans four distinct ages of a continent’s history, connected through the Doorway of Time artifact — meaning you might explore a medieval kingdom one moment and step into an ancient civilisation’s ruins the next. The tagline is “Hope is Timeless,” and it fits.

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales — PS5 artwork
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Two-Player Co-Op and Switch 2 Performance

A second player can take direct control of Faie in a co-op mode — giving the fairy real agency in battles rather than leaving her on autopilot. It is a smart design choice that makes Elliot a solid couch co-op pick on Switch 2.

Nintendo Life’s review landed at 8/10, praising the emotional story, varied combat, and rewarding exploration across time periods. Minor complaints included some performance hiccups on Switch 2 — load times and menu lag — along with imprecise platforming. Neither of these spoils the overall experience, which the reviewer described as “an emotional journey through space and time.”

Editions and Collector’s Set

Two digital editions are on sale now:

  • Standard Edition — SGD79.90
  • Digital Deluxe Edition — SGD92.90

A physical Collector’s Edition is also available, bundling the game, original soundtrack, and a Faie desk-clock statue — the kind of premium set collectors on this side of the world tend to import quickly. Local retail availability is to be confirmed; check official Square Enix channels for shipping details to Singapore.

Last words

The team that made Octopath Traveler and Bravely Default stepping into action-RPG territory with their HD-2D formula is a genuinely exciting moment for genre fans in Singapore. At SGD79.90 it sits at a reasonable price point for what early reviews describe as a lengthy, emotionally rewarding adventure. Head to the PlayStation Store Singapore or the Nintendo eShop to download today — and browse our Game News section for more fresh launches.

Game News

FFT: The Ivalice Chronicles Ver. 1.5.0 Adds New Game+ and More

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Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles just received its biggest post-launch update — the free Version 1.5.0 “Enhanced” patch is live now on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Switch, and PC. Headlining the update is a fully featured New Game+, but Square Enix has packed in a long wishlist of quality-of-life changes too.

FINAL FANTASY TACTICS – The Ivalice Chronicles | Launch Trailer — via Bandai Namco Entertainment Southeast Asia on YouTube

New Game+ — Take Your Best Squad into Round Two

If you’ve already guided Ramza through the Lion War and saved Ivalice, you no longer have to rebuild from scratch for a second run. New Game+ lets you carry over unit levels, item data, and more from a completed playthrough into a new game. It’s the feature fans have been requesting since the September 2025 launch, and it transforms FFT: The Ivalice Chronicles from a one-shot epic into something worth revisiting with increasingly fine-tuned parties. Classic tactics players who spent dozens of hours unlocking Arithmetician and Mime will especially appreciate having their work recognised.

Final Fantasy Tactics The Ivalice Chronicles New Game+ screen
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Zodiac Compatibility Finally Has a UI

The Zodiac system has always been one of FFT’s more opaque layers — unit signs quietly influence hit and evasion rates, and most players only notice when Ramza bafflingly misses an attack. The 1.5.0 update surfaces this properly: you can now check any unit’s zodiac sign and its compatibility with others from the status screen during battle. Positive, negative, and special matchups are all readable at a glance, which opens up a whole layer of squad-building strategy that was previously only accessible to players who memorised a compatibility chart.

Final Fantasy Tactics The Ivalice Chronicles Zodiac Compatibility UI
Image courtesy of Square Enix

The Full Ver. 1.5.0 Quality-of-Life Changes

Beyond the marquee additions, Square Enix has addressed a series of smaller frustrations that tactical RPG veterans will recognise immediately:

  • Status check during tile selection — inspect a unit’s stats while choosing where to move or which target to hit, without cancelling out of the menu.
  • Remove All Equipment — added to the Equipment & Abilities section, saving the multiple button presses previously needed to strip a unit before reassigning gear.
  • Clearer job unlock conditions — locked jobs now display exactly what JP requirements you need, so you always know what you’re grinding toward.
  • Persistent camera settings — angle and zoom preferences no longer reset between battles.
  • New toggles: auto-proceed dialogue in every cutscene; guaranteed ability incantation playback; and ability cursor position memory across menus.

Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean Text Now Supported

For Singapore players — and fans across Southeast Asia and East Asia — this addition may matter most of all. The 1.5.0 patch adds Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean text options in the Enhanced version of the game. Singapore’s multilingual gaming community can now experience Ramza’s story of honour and betrayal in their preferred written language, with no need to rely on fan translations or third-party patches.

How to Get the Update

Ver. 1.5.0 is a free update that downloads automatically on all platforms. If you own Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, or via Steam, head to your platform’s update queue and it should already be waiting. The game was originally released on 30 September 2025 as a modern remake of the beloved 1997 JRPG classic, featuring fully voiced dialogue, an overhauled visual style, and an updated script — while the original “Classic” mode remains available for purists.

Last Words

For Singapore gamers, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles has been playable on every major platform since its global September 2025 launch — no region lock, no waiting. Now that New Game+ and Zodiac visibility have arrived, there’s a compelling reason to dive back in whether you’ve finished the story or shelved it for later. The new Chinese text support is a genuine quality-of-life win for our local community. What job setups are you bringing into New Game+? Tell us in the comments, and check out more game news here on GameTrader.SG.