Final Fantasy Archives

AppWizard

June 1, 2026

In 1997, Warren Spector told us the upcoming PC classic Deus Ex was inspired by Final Fantasy, Miyamoto, and ‘the console guys’

A friend gifted the 1997 PC Gamer US "Holiday Extravaganza" issue, which contains 456 pages of content related to PC gaming. Gary Whitta was the editor-in-chief, and he reviewed the game Dark Forces 2: Jedi Knight with a score of 94%. The issue features an interview with game designer Warren Spector, who discusses his move to Ion Storm and the development of Deus Ex. Chris Norden, the lead programmer for Deus Ex, expressed concerns about the Quake engine's limitations for their project, stating that choosing Unreal over Quake was crucial for the game's development. The interview was originally published in PC Gamer Vol. 4 #12, December 1997.

AppWizard

May 30, 2026

A burnt-out Final Fantasy 14 playerbase is noticeably more chipper after its latest reveal, even if we’ve seen nothing come of it yet

The author experienced fatigue and burnout regarding Final Fantasy 14's current state, feeling that the game had become stagnant due to aging systems and a predictable patch structure. This sentiment was shared by friends and the broader community. However, after attending Fan Fest, the author felt reinvigorated and optimistic about the game, noting a noticeable influx of happy players upon logging in. Significant changes announced, such as the introduction of Evolved Mode, the elimination of the two-minute meta, ensuring everyone receives a limit break, and expanding combo actions, suggest that developers are addressing player concerns. The author prefers the game to take risks with new experiments rather than remain stagnant. After returning home from Fan Fest, the author felt a sense of lightness and appreciated the quality-of-life enhancements in the subsequent 7.5 patch, which rekindled enthusiasm for the game.

AppWizard

May 21, 2026

PC Gamer magazine’s new issue is on sale now: Witchfire

PC Gamer has previewed the upcoming dark fantasy RPG shooter Witchfire, developed by The Astronauts, which is set to release its version 1.0 after a decade of development and positive user reviews on Steam. The issue also discusses the legacy of MMOs on PC, listing major titles available as of 2026, including World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV. Additionally, it features previews of upcoming games like The Expanse: Osiris Reborn and reviews of titles such as Diablo IV: Lord of Hatred and Vampire Crawlers. Digital editions of the magazine are available in PDF and EPUB formats through Pocketmags.

AppWizard

May 20, 2026

Jurassic World Evolution 3 and The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition Headline Xbox Game Pass May 2026 Wave 2 Lineup

Microsoft has announced the following games joining Xbox Game Pass from May 20 to June 2, 2026: - Dead Static Drive (May 20) - My Friend Peppa Pig (May 20) - Pigeon Simulator (May 20) - Remnant II (May 20) - Winter Burrow (May 20) - Luna Abyss (May 21) - Escape Simulator (May 26) - Echo Generation 2 (May 27) - The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition (May 27) - Crashout Crew (May 28) - Kabuto Park (May 28) - Final Fantasy VI (June 2) - Jurassic World Evolution 3 (June 2) Additionally, the following titles will leave Xbox Game Pass on May 31: - Against the Storm - Crypt Custodian - Metaphor: ReFantazio - Persona 4 Golden - Spray Paint Simulator Further announcements regarding Game Pass offerings are expected during the Xbox showcase event on June 7.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

There’s Too Much Good Stuff Coming To Game Pass In May 2026

Xbox is adding new titles to Game Pass in May 2026, including: - Forza Horizon 6 (available May 19) - Dead Static Drive (available May 20) - My Friend Peppa Pig (available May 20) - Pigeon Simulator (available May 20) - Remnant II (available May 20) - Winter Burrow (available May 20) - Luna Abyss (available May 21) - Escape Simulator (available May 26) - Echo Generation 2 (available May 27) - The Outer Worlds: Spacer’s Choice Edition (available May 27) - Crashout Crew (available May 28) - Kabuto Park (available May 28) - Final Fantasy VI (available June 2) - Jurassic World Evolution 3 (available June 2) Remnant II is noted for its acclaim since its launch in 2023, and Kabuto Park has received positive reviews.

AppWizard

May 19, 2026

PlayStation reportedly confirms end of PC support for major single-player games as CEO commits to console exclusivity

Hermen Hulst, CEO of PlayStation Studios, confirmed that major narrative-driven titles from PlayStation studios will be exclusive to the PlayStation platform. This indicates a shift in Sony's strategy, favoring exclusivity for flagship single-player intellectual properties. While some titles like Horizon Hunters Gathering may still release on both PC and PlayStation, major studio productions will likely be exclusive. Notable exceptions include Helldivers 2, which will launch on Xbox, and the PS5 shooter Saros, which will not be available on PC. Upcoming title Kena: Scars of Kosmora will be published on Steam and the Epic Games Store, while also being listed under Sony Interactive Entertainment on the PlayStation Store. The multiplayer game Horizon Hunters Gathering is expected to launch on PC, but future mainline entries in the Horizon series featuring protagonist Aloy are unlikely to see a PC release. Titles like Ghost of Yotei and Marvel's Wolverine are expected to remain exclusive to PlayStation.

AppWizard

May 18, 2026

All Will Rise devs ‘definitely expect some pushback from Western audiences’ over its depiction of violent resistance and ecoterrorism

All Will Rise is a narrative-driven deckbuilder that explores themes of activism, environmental degradation, and accountability through gameplay. It draws inspiration from real-world activism and contrasts peaceful methods with more radical tactics. The game is set in the fictional city of Muziris, inspired by India, and emphasizes the struggles of Adivasis and the complexities of their movements. The creators encourage debate and dissent among players, aiming to challenge stereotypes about activists. Comparisons are made to other games like Final Fantasy 7, but All Will Rise focuses on reflection and discussion rather than direct action. A demo is currently available, although no release date has been announced.

AppWizard

May 18, 2026

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s director weighs in on the real-time versus turn-based debate, saying that younger players ‘increasingly favour more real-time experiences in games’

Naoki Hamaguchi, director of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, noted a trend towards real-time mechanics in RPGs, suggesting that action-oriented games are gaining popularity while turn-based strategies are seen as "legacy genres." He appreciates games that allow for strategic deliberation but acknowledges the growing player desire for a blend of turn-based tactics and real-time decision-making, as seen in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Despite the shift towards real-time mechanics in newer Final Fantasy titles, there has been a resurgence of turn-based gameplay, evidenced by the success of games like Persona and the Yakuza series' transition to turn-based combat. The preference for gameplay styles may depend more on player expectations than demographic trends, with modern titles often featuring high production values aligned with real-time action, while isometric or top-down RPGs typically favor turn-based mechanics.

AppWizard

May 17, 2026

What would be your go-to gaming soundtrack to recommend to a non-gamer?

Videogame music plays a significant role in many people's lives, often unnoticed by non-gamers. Critical Hit is a platform that explores and celebrates videogame music and audio design. A recent discussion on Reddit's r/gamemusic focused on recommending original soundtracks (OSTs) to entice non-gamers. Personal experiences shared include introducing captivating videogame tracks to friends and family, such as vocal tracks from Persona 4 and calming music from Final Fantasy 10. The discussion also highlights the use of relaxing background music as an introduction to gaming music. Examples of tracks mentioned include "Kitsch" from Tekken 5 and the main theme from L.A. Noire.

AppWizard

May 17, 2026

Final Fantasy 11 takes cues from FF14 as Square Enix plans a dramatic free trial expansion

Final Fantasy 11 is set to enhance its free trial experience by removing the current two-week limit and raising the level cap for trial players from 50 to 75. The changes aim to allow players unrestricted playtime and greater engagement with the game, similar to the successful free trial model of Final Fantasy 14. Certain restrictions will remain to prevent farming bots and scammers, including limitations on using the auction house, party invitations, earning more than 100,000 gil at a time, and communication methods. Director Yoji Fujito acknowledged that the existing trial limitations feel outdated and expressed a desire to implement these changes before the game's 25th anniversary in May 2027.