Three Games From Square Enix in a Month – What a Time to be Alive 

It’s a great time to be a Square Enix fan, with three new games and an exciting trailer for their iconic Final Fantasy franchise. 

This month saw three games released from the dev giants, following a trailer drop for Final Fantasy XVI in late October. With plenty of classic JRPG style and immersive gameplay, we have been well and truly spoiled for Square Enix content. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the latest three games they’ve released, as well as rewatching the FF16 trailer for the millionth time.

Harvestella

Harvestella launched on November 4^th 2022 and is a life-simulation RPG, tying together two much-loved genres. I would be lying if I said I didn’t emit a squeak of joy when I first saw this game. Final Fantasy meets Harvest Moon? Very much my wheelhouse!  

Harvestella brings together elements of modern JRPG gameplay with a farming sim narrative. Day to day life sees you tending crops, caring for animals, and crafting helpful items. But a dark force, known as the Quietus, is growing stronger with each season’s passing. Crops wilt and dust of death fills the air. With the help of friends and allies, you must explore the world to discover the truth behind the Quietus. 

In addition to the farming sim gameplay, you can take part in modern JRPG-style battles – fast-paced, exciting 3D combat. There are plenty of threats to overcome before you defeat the Quiets. As such, you can hone and perfect your fighting skills in these dynamic battles. In each battle, you can seamlessly switch between combat styles to overcome the beast. Toggle between classes such as the Fighter, with swift sword techniques, or the Mage, adept in magical attacks. Plus, foes have unique weak points that you can target for even greater combat diversity. 

Harvestella is a single-player game, available on PC and the Nintendo Switch. 

Harvestella Official Specifications

Want to see if your gaming PC has what it takes to learn the truth about Quietus? (Read: Spend 75% of gameplay hanging out with the adorable chonky cluffowl birds.) Here are the official specs for Harvestella: 

Our Top Recommendation 

For playing Harvestella, we suggest the OcUK Gaming Firefly Plus. This configurable PC more than meets the recommended specs, with its Intel Core i5-12400F CPU and NVIDIA RTX 3060 graphics card. What’s more, with customisation options for RAM, storage, and more, you can ensure this gaming PC has the speed and space for all your favourite games – be they JRPGs or farming sims. 

OcUK Gaming Firefly Plus Gaming PC (FS-1DY-OG)

• Configurable gaming PC
• Flexible memory options
• Intel Core i5 12400F CPU
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU
• Multiple storage options

Buy Now

Valkyrie Elysium 

The second Square Enix game to grace our computers this month is Valkyrie Elysium, a reboot of the Valkyrie Profile franchise. This game dropped on November 11^th 2022.

Using the Norse mythology elements the series is known for, Valkyrie Elysium features 3D combat, stunning aesthetics, and a rich story. You play as a titular Valkyrie, tasked by All-Father Odin to prevent Ragnarok. By recruiting fallen warriors to serve as Einherjar, you must battle your way across Midgar to stop the end of days and save the world from the brink of destruction. 

Advancing from its roots in turn-based combat, Valkryie Elysium has a fast-paced fighting system, where you can rack up impressive combos and customise your playstyle. Whilst battling, you fill an Arts Guage with you continuous and combined attacks. Once full, you can unleash the power of Divine Arts – powerful special moves that will devastate your foes on the battlefield.

Valkyrie Elysium is also a single-player game, available on PC, PlayStation 4, and PS5. 

Valkyrie Elysium Official Specifications

With stunning visuals and fast-paced action, here is what Valkyrie Elysium needs from your gaming PC to help stop end of days. 

Our Top Recommendation

To best pull off your Divine Arts, we recommend the Refract Gaming Celeste Pre-Built PC. Armed with an AMD Ryzen 7 7700X CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, you’re sure to get smooth frame rates at high resolutions. Perfect for keeping up with the 3D combat action. With 32GB of DDR5 RAM and SSD storage, you can expect lightning-fast loading times on all your games, with plenty of space leftover for all your files and media. The cherry on top? All our Refract Gaming PCs come with three years parts and labour warranty! 

Refract Gaming Celeste Pre-Built PC (FS-1DH-EP)

• Pre-built gaming PC
• AMD Ryzen 7 7700X CPU
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU
• Dual-channel DDR5 RAM
• Three years parts and labour warranty

Buy Now

Tactics Ogre: Reborn 

Finally, Tactics Ogre: Reborn also launched on November 11^th 2022 – a reboot of the 2010 version. Sporting improved graphics and soundscape, this is a reboot that stays true to its roots.

The original Tactics Ogre is seen as a tactical role-playing gem, and this latest re-iteration is set to be no exception. With its updated graphics, Tactics Ogre: Reborn sees players living in a land torn apart by civil war. As you navigate this fraught tale of warring factions, your choices will affect what comes to pass – even the ending! – as the game system allows for both multiple paths and conclusions.  

Building upon the previous 2010 and 1995 versions of the game, Tactics Orge: Reborn has a new class management system and updated battle format. Instead of class-wide level management, this game utilises a unit-by-unit system, that means you can explore endless combinations of classes, skills, magic, and equipment. Battles are highly tactical – it’s in the name – and take place on three-dimensional fields. Adding a layer of complexity, your foes will fight with AI, enabling them to adapt their own tactics according to the situation. Battle and gameplay stay fresh! 

Another improved feature, the cut scenes are now fully voiced, in both English and Japanese. Enjoy a new perspective on the character’s complex motivations. All backed with a soundtrack recorded live! Plus, there is even extensive endgame content to explore. A gem, indeed! 

Tactics Ogre: Reborn is a single-player game, available on PC and Switch. 

Tactics Ogre: Reborn Official Specifications 

Whilst staying true to the style and aesthetic, Tactics Ogre: Reborn features revamped graphics that are going to look epic on our high-res screens. So, here’s what you need from your gaming PC to play: 

Our Top Recommendation

To get you battle ready, we suggest the OcUK Gaming Sabre Gaming PC. Equipped with an Intel Core i5-12400F and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti as standard, this is a configurable gaming PC that you can customise to suit your playstyle. Make adjustments in RAM, storage, OS, processor, and GPU, as well as choosing from a selection of stylish cases. However you configure this gaming PC, it’s sure to be a vital team member when facing down civil unrest. 

OcUK Gaming Sabre Gaming PC (FS-1FA-OG)

• Configurable gaming PC
• 12th Gen Intel Core CPU
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti GPU
• Flexible component options
• Extensive storage solution

Buy Now

Final Fantasy XVI Trailer 

We have plenty of great Square Enix content to tide us over until Final Fantasy XVI’s release date. Still, we can’t help but rewatch the trailer and get excited over a new detail every time! 

For me, I just love the Game of Thrones vibes and the sprawling world we see. From detail rich landscapes to electric battles, this feels like an epic addition to the Final Fantasy franchise. It’s intriguing to see how the monster summons are going to integrate within gameplay. Those cinematic visuals and that phenomenal score are the perfect pair. Can you tell I’m excited? Excuse me while I watch the trailer one more time! 

Also, is that Finchie from The Office I hear?

Great Time to be a Square Enix Fan! 

Which of these additions to the Square Enix catalogue are you most excited to play? Are you already playing one/all of them? Let us know in the comments below!