At E3 2016, Square Enix had plenty to talk about – most notably Final Fantasy XV, which is set to launch in just a few months’ time. For Square, a lot is riding on their game that’s now been a decade in development. Unsurprisingly, Final Fantasy VII didn’t make an appearance but that’s likely because the game is still early in development. This brings us to Kingdom Hearts 3, another no show game though unlike FF7, it’s a game that’s fast approaching the end of its development cycle. So why didn’t Square bring the highly anticipated game to E3?

 It was a difficult decision for us. We want to share as much as possible. We’re excited about Kingdom Hearts 3. But 2.8 we’re releasing globally at the beginning of December. We wanted to concentrate on that first. We want what’s best for the moment. We’re currently making 3 and 2.8 at the same time, but we wanted to concentrate on 2.8 right now. 

From a marketing and momentum building standpoint, it makes great sense. It almost reminds me how we’re already talking about the film that will proceed Star Trek Beyond when the 3rd entry in the alternate timeline hasn’t even been released yet. I must say however that what Square Enix has done with the Kingdom Hearts franchise is entirely baffling. As someone who was a huge fan of the firs two entries, it’s becoming absurdly hard to follow the titles released in between with Remix 1.2, 2.1, 4587, 2.8 and whatever other ludicrous names Square has chosen to give them. Ideally, prior to KH3, Square will release a completed remastered version, like Naughty Dog did with The Nathan Drake Collection (though sadly that was missing the excellent Golden Abyss for PS Vita) that will allow fans like myself to catch up to everything they’ve done this past decade and enjoy Kingdom Hearts 3 to the fullest when it’s released in 2017.

Also, what is it with Square and taking 10 years to release games?

Discuss:

Do you find Square’s naming structure confusing as well?

[Via PSU]