Tough Square Enix RPGs

Square and Enix have so many tough games under their separate belts that it's hard to go back. The biggest example is the original final fantasy and Dragon Quest The games on the NES, which can be seen as a bit archaic by today's standards, especially both games now have good remakes. The two companies merged in 2003 as Square Enix, and the rest is history.

Exploring a room in a pixel world in Rise Of Mana and Nanashi no Game

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After the merger, there are also some challenging releases. Perhaps none of these games are as frustrating as the Soulslike experience, but they will certainly test players' patience. The following games are all developed or co-developed by Square Enix, and the focus will be on the default difficulty mode, if there are other modes to consider.

The world ends with you

A double standard

The world ends with you The DS version was co-developed by Jupiter and Square Enix, which is the hardest version to play. In battle, players can equip the hero, Neku, with pins, which can be activated through various means on the bottom screen. Tapping or slashing with the stylus can create fireballs or slash attacks, for example.

On the top screen, Neku's partner can be controlled with the face buttons, and controlling two characters to defeat enemies simultaneously can be challenging. Doing two things at once is difficult for any situation in life, and yet there are ways to automate it The world ends with youIt still deserves to be rated as one of Square Enix's hardest games.

Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of an Elusive Age

A classic piece

The Dragon Quest The series is known for being challenging, and while Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of Elusive Age Solves some problems, it can still grind. Enemies on the world map or in dungeons should not trouble players in turn-based combat.

However, when a boss is encountered, there is a significant difficulty bump. There are a few ways to revive characters early, making a critical hit on an ally more damaging to the party as a whole. Players need to be skilled in combat and grind a lot for EXP to beat the game. Also, it is a long game ranging from 80 to 100 hours, so it requires patience.

Final Fantasy 10-2

A tough fix

Final Fantasy 10 It had its challenges, but overall, it's considered one of the easiest games in the series thanks to the party switching system and Yuna's summons. Final Fantasy 10-2 A small three-girl party and a significant increase in difficulty. Players must be constantly aware of any situation, even normal battles, as enemies can quickly attack while players are busy selecting menus.

like Dragon Quest 11: Echoes of Elusive AgeBoss battles are also where the main challenge lies. There's a lot of healing magic, which is a plus, and the usual set of grinding for EXP should get players through most of the game. That said, side dungeons have a daunting difficulty spike where some players may not bother.

Octopath Traveler

unbalanced power

Octopath Traveler Acquire was co-developed by Square Enix, and its unique gameplay loop is also its downfall. Players can initially choose one of eight characters and then recruit the other seven on their journey. Each character has individual episodes, which become increasingly difficult as players continue. To beat the game, all eight characters must have completed all of their campaigns.

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The problem is that party members who don't participate in turn-based battles don't get EXP. RPG fans know that three to four character levels can be challenging to beat in a game, let alone eight, which is a big time sink. Between normal battles and boss battles, players really need to level up and get the best gear for everyone if they ever want to finish. Octopath Traveler completely. Even so, it's not guaranteed because bosses have ridiculously high HP levels and underhanded tactics, from doubling attacks to status ailments.

Mission 4 ahead

luck of the draw

Mission 4 ahead is a tactical RPG that revolves around players customizing their mechs, called Wanzer. Many strategy RPGs are challenging, as they all rely on strategy, patience and a little luck. Players can move around the grid and target an enemy they want to attack at range or in the air.

Players can hit one of four areas: the body, either the arms, or the legs. Destroying an arm disables an attack, blasting a leg reduces movement, and blowing up a body kills an enemy instantly. The tricky part is that where players strike is often random, which can drag a fight out if there's no physical damage. Accuracy is also very important, and enemies often outnumber players, resulting in skirmish games in which retries are almost always on the table.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13

Time is not on your side

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 is the last part Final Fantasy 13 The trilogy, starring Lightning and Lightning alone. A battle system mixed with various garbs, standing in classes, makes battles engaging and fast. For the most part, the combat isn't too challenging, but what makes this game difficult is the time travel, as players have a countdown that they must follow, like a clock. The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask.

With only so much time, players will feel rushed and thus make more mistakes than they would actually do in an RPG. Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 An example of difficulty is that it is more frustrating than difficult, but players can be so overwhelmed that they can quit, because it can be unpleasant despite the really compelling elements.

Romancing Saga: The Minstrel Song

A complete mystery

The Saga The series isn't for everyone, as they rarely give players tutorials, in-game codexes or manuals for older boxing games. Romancing Saga: The Minstrel Song is a remake of A romantic saga On the SNES, which looks great thanks to the watercolor design. Players can choose one of eight characters to play as, and some scenarios are more challenging than others.

For example, Hawke starts out with a well-equipped group of pirates to take out turn-based battles, while Sif is alone and stuck in harsh terrain where enemies can easily overpower her. Characters level up through repeated actions, including stats and skills. Randomness is what trips players up the most, with almost no guidance in any of the scenarios, even beyond the complex battle system, which is why it can be so hard to get into.

The last remnant

random strategy


The Last Remnant tag page cover art

The last remnant

issued

November 20, 2008

ESRB

M for blood, language, suggestive themes, violence


The last remnant There is a hybrid battle system that is part turn-based and part RTS. Outside of battle, players will create units consisting of multiple party members. When battles begin, players have little input into what these units do in battle, such as a general target for them to attack and what type of attack they should go for.

Square Enix Games Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince, Final Fantasy World

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Even in these attack groups, the skills they use are random, and the level-up system is the same. Saga In series, units will level up based on what they do or what is done to them. Not knowing what units are going to do, takes control away from players, which makes dying even more frustrating. The original Xbox 360 version is the hardest to get, while the remaster may be a little more generous in monster AI and how quickly players level up. Also, the remaster runs well since the original game took a huge drop in frame rate.

Strategy Ogre: Let's stick together

Ready, aim, miss

Strategy Ogre: Let's stick together As old school as it gets, the game was originally released on the SNES in 1995. Later revisions helped tweak it a bit, like the PSP version, where players could equip characters with weapons and classes to create a balanced party.

With the AI ​​aggressive and enemy units coming in large numbers, the accuracy system makes the battles the most challenging. More so than other tactical RPGs, characters can often miss, if it looks like an attack should connect. Within a wasted turn Strategy Ogre: Let's stick together Another enemy unit can mean survival and help dominate the player's party for the next round.

The Triangulation Strategy

A brilliant, but difficult masterpiece

The Triangulation Strategy It was co-developed by Artdink and Square Enix, and it's one of their newest strategy RPGs that's absolutely fantastic from every angle, from the HD-2D style to the story choices, making all the difference. Common tactical hiccups can challenge players, with enemy units outnumbering heroes to be more aggressive with their attacks. That's enough to test even the staunchest tactical RPG fan, but what characters bring to the fight is all different because they have such a wide range, and they all have specific skill sets.

For example, in a vertical level, Janes can come in handy for those who can build ladders, allowing the party to get around quickly. However, Janes does not have high attack stats, so it can be almost useless to add him to the party just for strategy. Who to bring in and who to leave behind can weigh on players, which is both positive and negative, as it can take a lot of experimentation with different factions to complete a particular map.

Squall looking right in Final Fantasy 8 (1999).

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