Square Enix

Square Enix’s E3 2021 Presentation Proved That They Are Out of Touch

Julian Cannon Leave a Comment

This year’s E3 marked the first time since 2019 that Square Enix showcased a presentation. The two year long wait at the biggest gaming conference of the year should have been worth the wait. But it fell flat really quick.

The first reveal was Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. I will admit that I was intrigued and interested since it is a single-player experience. But knowing how Marvel’s Avengers was handled, I could not let my guard down. The gameplay is not too bad. But did this need twenty minutes of airtime that could have went to something else? What was Square Enix thinking?

Those twenty minutes could have been towards any news on Final Fantasy XVI or Project Triangle Strategy. But we got nothing of those upcoming titles. In fact, the first showing of any Final Fantasy games, were the “2-D Pixel Remasters” of Final Fantasy I-VI. Who asked for this? I love Final Fantasy, but these should have came to consoles in one package instead of buying them individually on mobile or Steam.

Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin is the upcoming “Souls” inspired game set in the Final Fantasy universe. When I read the rumors of Square Enix possibly developing this take of Final Fantasy, I was curious. And then the awful dialogue of the characters about Chaos screeched my ears. At least Garland’s voice actor from the Dissidia Final Fantasy series somewhat saved that mess of a trailer.

This did not help due to the fact that the demo of Stranger of Paradise was corrupted and unplayable when you downloaded it. I have not seen a mess from Square Enix like this since the original launch of Final Fantasy XIV back in 2010.

The final nail in the coffin was the next offering of Marvel’s Avengers. Even with a diminishing player base, the War of Wakanda expansion includes Black Panther and the Wakanda location that will progress the story. The question is, why was this not in the original launch of the game in the first place?

The hits keep on coming with this year’s E3 and Square Enix should be embarrassed of themselves for pulling off a bad atrocity of a presentation. Hopefully they can recover from this.

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Variant Marvel Play Arts Kai Captain America

Rob Leave a Comment

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Square Enix has debuted the first official photos of its Variant Marvel Play Arts Kai Captain America, seen last month in prototype form at Comic-Con International. As with other figures in the series, the design is a bit of a departure from what we’re used to seeing in comics or on screen, with a lot of body armor. Cap’s signature shield also receives a makeover; notice the grooves, raised stars and the addition of what looks like bolts.

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No details were released with the photos, but we can likely expect more soon.

Square Enix’s Wild West Batman 

Rob Leave a Comment

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Square Enix’s Variant Play Arts Kai line has produced some terrific-looking action figures —we only recently spotlighted Darth Vader, Boba Fett and Stormtrooper releases – but this Wild West Batman may be my favorite to date.

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Part of the Batman Timeless series teased at New York Comic Con that will include Spartan Batman, Medieval Batman and Steampunk Batman, it’s like a glorious return to DC Comics’ Elseworlds titles. Standing more than 10 inches tall, Wild West Batman is ridiculously detailed —ornate, even — with a tattered cape, chaps, boots, a grapnel gun (with holster), tomahawk and, best of all, a cowboy hat with its own little Bat-ears.

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Arriving in July, it’s available for preorder for $120 from Square Enix and retailers likeEntertainment Earth and Amazon.

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Play Arts Kai Metal Gear Rising: Revengence – Raiden.

Rob Leave a Comment

Square Enix is producing a variant to their previously released Play Arts Kai Metal Gear Rising: Revengence – Raiden. The Play Arts Kai Metal Gear Rising: Revengence – Raiden Custom Body Yellow is due for release late this month. It features his High frequency blade, the blade sheath, a knife, 3 Kunai, a removable face mask, extra hands and legs as well as a base for the figure.

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From Square Enix! A PREVIEWS Exclusive release! A re-imagined Metal Gear. A reimagined hero. From the newest installment of the Metal Gear franchise, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance comes Raiden, making his appearance in the Play Arts ~KAI~ action figure line. The beautifully articulated and detailed sculpt on this impressive figure is absolutely jaw-dropping. Raiden stands at a staggering 11 1/8″ tall and comes loaded with all of the accessories shown as well as a display stand to help achieve the dynamic and dramatic posing. This custom red version is an exclusive to Diamond Comic Distributors and is limited to 1,000 pieces worldwide! Secure your orders now for this red hot item. Comes complete with alternate sets of hands and feet, high-frequency blade and scabbard, dagger, three (3) kunai and sheath, face mask parts and a display stand!

If you have a local comic shop that can obtain this figure for you, here is the item code:

DEC128191

The cost is $69.99. the standered Revengeance Raiden figure is due out next month.

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Square Enix, Crystal Dynamics and Diamond Select Toys Partner on Tomb Raider Minimates

Rob Leave a Comment

Square Enix, Crystal Dynamics and Diamond Select Toys Partner on Tomb Raider Minimates

On March 5th, Square Enix launched Tomb Raider, which stars one of the world’s most popular video game characters, Lara Croft. The game tells her origin story, and depicts her journey from untried and untested 21-year-old to hardened survivor. To mark this new vision of a global icon, Diamond Select Toys have teamed up with developer Crystal Dynamics to create a line of Tomb Raider Minimates for their long-running toyline.

Currently in its 11th year, Minimates are a 2-inch block figure line that has encompassed dozens of brands, from the Avengers to the Ghostbusters to the Expendables. With 14 points of articulation and a ton of extra parts and accessories, Minimates offer a full play experience in a very compact package, and the world of Tomb Raider will take Minimates into unexplored territory when the first series of figures is released this summer.

The first series will have two overlapping assortments, one at Toys “R” Us and the other at comic shops and specialty stores, with a total of 12 different Minimates, to collect. A two-pack of Lara Croft with Molotov Scavenger will be available at all outlets, as will a “Battle Distressed” Lara with Armored Scavenger. Specialty stores and comic shops will also get two exclusive two-packs, in which Lara’s mentor Roth and Priest Malik are each paired with a top-secret character from the game. Finally, Toys “R’ Us will get their own exclusive sets, one an army-building pair of Scavengers, the other an army-building pair of mystery opponents.

Each two-pack will come with character-specific accessories, ranging from weapons to cell phones to Molotov cocktails all based on items that appear in the game itself. Look for the figures to arrive on store shelves this summer. Comic shops that can pre-order the specialty assortment can be found at comicshoplocator.com.

ABOUT DIAMOND SELECT TOYS Diamond Select Toys and Collectibles, LLC, was founded in 1999 by sister company Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. Envisioned to create unique and exciting collectibles for children and adults alike, the company has licensed a variety of pop culture properties to be turned into merchandise. With partners such as Marvel Studios, Microsoft, Universal Studios, Twentieth Century Fox, MGM and Sony Pictures, Diamond Select Toys and Collectibles produces a large range of products based on a wide variety of properties, and is headquartered in Timonium, MD. For more information, visit www.diamondselecttoys.com and www.artasylum.com

ABOUT MINIMATES In 2007, Diamond Select Toys acquired select assets of the New York based Art Asylum, creators of the global Minimates brand. Minimates have been recognized as the #1 selling block figure in the world and were the first toys ever to be inducted into the ToyFare Hall of Fame in 2007. They recently celebrated their 10th anniversary, and 2013 will mark ten years of Minimates based on Marvel Comics. For more information, visit www.minimates.com

About TOMB RAIDER The Tomb Raider franchise has sold over 35 million copies worldwide and inspired one of the most successful video game film adaptations in history, grossing over $300 million at the global box office with protagonist Lara Croft® becoming a contemporary global icon. TOMB RAIDER® is in development for a multi-platform release, and is slated to launch March 5, 2013.?

About Square Enix Square Enix, Inc. develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX®, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content throughout the Americas as part of the Square Enix Group. The Square Enix Group operates a global network of leading development studios and boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property, including: FINAL FANTASY®, which has sold over 100 million units worldwide; DRAGON QUEST®, which has sold over 59 million units worldwide; TOMB RAIDER®, which has sold 35 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix, Inc. is a U.S.-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.

More information on Square Enix, Inc. can be found at http://www.square-enix.com/na/ .

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