Summary
One of the most well-known video game companies in the world,Square Enixis responsible for some of the most critically and commerciallysuccessful video games and franchisesever made. Starting out as two separate companies in the 1970s and 80s, known as SquareSoft and Enix Corporation, they merged in 2003 and continue to achieve success decades later.
Square Enix has released ports of some of its best games on Xbox consoles since the glory days of the Xbox 360, right through to the current generation of Microsoft’s hardware. Here are some of the best Square Enix games on the Xbox Series consoles, ranked based on a combination of a game’s overall quality and its popularity with fans.
Games published but not developed by Square Enix will be considered.
Taking place in a brand-new universe from that of the comic book and movie series,Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxyis an action-adventure game with some major improvements on its predecessor,Marvel’s Avengers. Playing as the self-anointed leader Peter Quill, better known as Star-Lord, the eclectic group can be commanded during combat.
Each Guardian possesses aparticular strength or ability in combat, such as Rocket Raccoon’s skills with explosives. Dialogue is often light-hearted and humorous, despite the heavy themes of the story, and player decisions will have an impact on relationships and the wider story going forward.
Utilizing the striking graphical style of titles likeOctopath TravelerandTriangle Strategy,Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remakeis a complete upgrade of the classic RPG, complete with many perks for players with more modern sensibilities. Like other games in the series, the setting is a medieval-like world, following the adventures of “the Hero,” who must assemble a party to save the world from the evil Demon Lord Baramos.
Quality-of-life improvements make this remake more approachable for new players, such as maps being available in dungeons and optional autosave functionality. Returning players are treated to an improved soundtrack, voice acting, a new Monster Wrangler class, and some new cutscenes to further enhance the narrative.
A somewhat shaky start is all too common with online-only games, butOutridershas received vast improvements in spite of the initial troubles. Players are offered four classes to choose fromin this looter-shooter, each of which can be vastly upgraded through clever usage of the skill tree and effective management of weapon mods.
Played from a third-person perspective, either solo or with up to two other players, the game takes place on a hostile planet called Enoch after Earth has become uninhabitable. TheWorldslayerexpansion provides some new challenges, further customization options and a few extra hours of narrative elements.
The DioField Chronicleis a visually stunningRPG with real-time combatand a slow but gripping plot. Character motivations are often unclear, leading to plenty of twists and turns for the Blue Foxes from the Kingdom of Alletain, as they navigate the intricate web of conspiracies and political intrigue.
The strategic combat takes place in real time on unique dioramas, each distinct from one another in terms of climate and featuring enemies depending on their region. The in-depth skill trees allow players to build the sixteen different characters in four different classes that best suit their playstyles. Many found the combat and the narrative a slog at first, but as the game progresses it becomes more approachable, complimented by the crisp graphics.
A simple game about cleaning,PowerWash Simulatoris something of a surprise smash hit. Set in a fictional town called Muckingham, players are tasked withrunning a power washing business, cleaning various objects and locations for a cash reward. The power washer itself has four interchangeable nozzles, each providing different levels of coverage and pressure.
Multiplayer gameplay is also possible with up to six players getting in on the dirt removal action, plus there are some challenges involving jobs where time is limited, or water levels are low. There aren’t only cars and other standard objects to clean, with some science fiction and supernatural elements involved in the plot, plus plenty of downloadable special locations like Shrek’s Swamp.
Originally a PSP exclusive,Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 Reunionwas remade and released on modern consoles, including the Xbox Series. Taking place just before the events ofFinal Fantasy 7, players take control of Zack Fair as he seeks a missing soldier called Genesis Rhapsodos and uncovers a sinister plot while doing so.
Many familiar and fan-favorite characters are here, such as Cloud, Sepiroth, and Aerith, all fully voiced in English and Japanese. The combat and graphics have been vastly improved from the original, with some narrative changes to lead to the otherFF7remakes also present. The only real gripe for many players and critics alike is that side missions are repetitive, but these can largely be skipped.
The key minds behindFinal Fantasygot together to createFantasian Neo Dimension,a turn-based RPGthat was initially only available on Apple products. Starring an amnesiac named Leo and his growing party of diverse characters, the goal is to save the world from mechteria, an unusual machine infection that is plaguing humanity.
In terms of visuals,Fantasianblends lovingly crafted handmade dioramas with CG graphics for a unique visual style. Up to three party members can enter turn-based battles, with positioning and weapon type being important. The “Dimengeon” mechanic allows players to defer battles with some enemies until a time of their choosing, with a limit of up to 30 foes.
The third main installment inthe popular graphical adventure series,Life is Strange: True Colorsintroduces a new protagonist in the form of Alex Chen, whose power is that she can sense the emotions of others. Set in the fictional Colorado town of Haven Springs, Alex uses her power to uncover the causes of traumas endured by NPCs, and she may comfort them.
As is often the case in theLife is Strangeseries, these powers take a toll on Alex’s well-being, so she must learn to control her abilities. Sensing the emotional states of NPCs makes them feel more real, and interacting with them provides deep dialogue trees, so player choices can shape the narrative going forward.
The original release ofFinal Fantasy 14was a complete failure, but it has since become the most profitable game in the series’ long history. Set in the world of Hydaelyn, players can create and customize their own Warrior of Light as they embark on a quest to save the world from eternal darkness.
There are five major expansions toFF14, featuring new campaigns, character classes, and myriad other features. The Xbox Series port features unparalleled loading times, and both cross-play and cross-progression with the PC and PS5 versions. Some players struggle to play using a controller in the Xbox Series version, but it’s an otherwise enjoyable experience with a welcoming online community by all accounts.
Featuring the same eye-catching HD-2D graphics as its predecessors,Octopath Traveler 2takes place in a brand-new world with eight fresh main characters. Solistia is a more modern setting than prior entries, akin to pre-industrial Europe with innovations like the steam engine appearing during the events of the game.
Gameplay is largely retained from the first game, with the “Crossed Paths” mechanic seeing two characters work together to complete a shared goal. Theturn-based combatstill features the “Break” and “Boost” systems, which can temporarily weaken enemies and give players more powerful moves, respectively. The day-night cycle offers new avenues for players to explore, with many path actions only being available at specific times of day.
