During the late 1980s to early 2000, Square and Enix were competing for RPG dominance. Titles such as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest (or Dragon Warrior as it was called in the West) were their bread and butter. In 2003, the two decided to merge, and the new company was aptly named Square Enix.
Since their merger, the new company has solidified its position as one of the premier publishers and developers for the RPG genre. However, they have also diversified their portfolio outside RPGs. Their various acquisitions of game studios and partnerships have allowed them to expand beyond the genre that made them famous.
7 Gunslinger Stratos
In 2005, Square Enix announced their acquisition of Taito Corporation, which gave them access to the arcade market. Gunslinger Stratos is a third-person shooter game only available to play in arcades. It takes place in the year 2115, when Japan has split into two worlds. One is a free-for-all world named Frontier S, while the other world is a totalitarian land called 17th Far East Imperial City Management District.
The player roams around the land, and their the objective is to take down the opposing forces within a time limit. In terms of gameplay, it is as if Earth Defense Force and the Warriors series had a child.
6 Hitman: Absolution
Square Enix got control of the Hitman franchise through the acquisition of Eidos Interactive in 2009. Hitman: Absolution was the first title with the Square Enix label on the cover. Despite the game not being well-received by some publications and having some technical issues, it was still regarded overall as a good entry in the franchise.
Hitman: Absolution carried on the classic gameplay from previous entries, but modernized it for more contemporary style. It also featured a diverse range of levels, from bustling Chicago to the North Dakota plains. There was also a high degree of re-playability through contracts other players have made.
5 Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call is a rhythm game and the sequel to the 2012 Nintendo 3DS title. It features songs from Final Fantasy and other Square Enix properties such as Xenogears and Nier. Despite some RPG elements, it is a rhythm game at its core. It utilizes both the touch screen and buttons.
There are three main modes in the game. One is a field mode where players use the stylus to tap or slide along the beat of the music. There is the battle mode, which is like a traditional RPG. Here players have to tap notes to deal damage to the enemies. The last mode is event music. While tapping or dragging the notes, various scenes from the selected Final Fantasy title will show on the screen. The game has since also been ported to arcades.
4 Tomb Raider (2013)
Another property that Square Enix acquired from Eidos is Tomb Raider. In 2013, they released a reboot of the franchise with the same name. The game was a stark departure from previous entries, and was edgier and darker than before. It also had more of an emphasis on Lara Croft's backstory and how she became who she is today.
Set on a fictional island off the coast of Japan, the game is more action-oriented, but still retains a lot of the puzzle-solving from previous titles. The game was critically received well by press and fans alike. The game has since spawned two sequels, with another one on its way.
3 Life Is Strange
Life is Strange combines the storytelling of visual novels with puzzle-solving and exploration. Presented in a third-person view, players take control of Max, as she tries to find out what is happening in the town of Arcadia Bay, Oregon. She relies on both her ability to time travel and the help of some close friends.
The game was released in installments of episodes, similar to other titles such as The Walking Dead. The game was praised for its unique blend of gameplay and also for touching on various social issues. Since the release of Life is Strange, both prequels and sequels have been released.
2 Densha de Go!! Hashirou Yamanote Sen
Another property acquired through Taito, Densha De Go!! is a series of train simulator games based on various Japanese train lines. Unlike other games within the genre, Densha De Go!! blends in both arcade and simulation types of gameplay.
Densha de Go!! Hashirou Yamanote Sen is a PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch game that offers players control of various lines within the Tokyo region, such as the Yamanote Line and the Chou-Subo line. Players are in the control of the train, taking passengers from station to station on time, whether rain, shine, or snow. For those who want a bit more immersion, the PlayStation 4 version offers VR support.
1 Sleeping Dogs
Sleeping Dogs is an open-world game akin to Grand Theft Auto. But what makes Sleeping Dogs unique is the location and premise. While open-world games tend to look westward, the game takes place in Hong Kong, a city not often featured in gaming.
The premise is of an undercover named Wei Shen, who infiltrates the triads. He gets in too deep, and the line between a cop and being a gangster starts to blur. Like other open-world games, there is a wide selection of side content such as street racing and drug busts. But there are also more entertaining options, such as karaoke and indulging in pork buns.