Overview
- Square Enix’s prequel releases December 4 on Switch and Switch 2, PS4/PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC after a progress‑carrying prologue demo.
- Aggregators show broadly positive scores in the mid‑80s at launch, with Famitsu awarding 34/40 from four reviewers.
- Reviews praise the HD‑2D visuals, a player‑created protagonist, town rebuilding in Wishvale, and expanded eight‑member, front‑ and back‑row combat.
- Common critiques note familiar design and stop‑start route pacing, plus a reported unremovable battle screen‑shake that caused motion sickness for one Famitsu reviewer.
- Producer Hirohito Suzuki welcomed the reception, saying the team may have delivered on its vision and likening the moment to returning home after a long development.