As we approach the end of 2019, it felt appropriate to do a big update around everything we've seen relating to the Final Fantasy 7 Remake over the past few weeks!
It means we're talking about timed exclusivity, we're talking about progression mechanics for weapons and abilities and we're talking about Choco/Mog. There's also a little bit of time for us to talk about the delay of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remaster!
Thank you all for listening to us throughout the year, next year should be a big one and we're incredibly excited!
Music this episode is by SlayerSantiago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y-gjrDwJY4
We've had a huge update on Kingdom Hearts 3 and it's been confirmed that Final Fantasy characters are coming back!
What we've seen so far confirms that Aerith, Yuffie and Squall will be featuring within Kingdom Hearts 3 Re:mind and we now have a release dates for both the PS4 and Xbox One editions (they're different!)
Music from this episode is provided by FantasyReborn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2LLahQ6Ybk
Square Enix has unleashed a whole load of new information relating to the Final Fantasy 7 Remake and within this episode, we're going to be delving into some of it.
Our main focus will be around the developer interviews, as Yoshinori Kitase, Tetsuya Nomura, Kazushige Nojima and Motomu Toriyama each had interesting anecdotes to share with us adoring fans.
Music this episode is from Papos!
Square Enix must have been listening to our previous show as the original Kingdom Hearts games (1.5 + 2.5) are now coming to Xbox!
But that's just the tip of the iceberg for this episode as there's a whole host of news to cover as well as plenty of questions to sift through!
There have been a ton of different female protagonists featured in the Final Fantasy franchise... but who's the best one? Well, that's our main topic of discussion for this episode!
For this particular topic, we'll be running through each major female protagonist talking about what they brought to their individual game, but also the franchise as a while before each deciding on our favourite!
Outside of that, we've got a ton of different questions from the community focussed around Final Fantasy XVI!
We spoke last episode about recruitment for a new Kingdom Hearts game, but it goes much deeper than that as the Kingdom Hearts team are now part of Business Division 1. What does this mean? Well, join us to find out!
We're also discussing fun topics such as, why did the Kingdom Hearts HD collections never launch on Xbox or Switch and whether releasing numbered titles episodically would be a good move for the franchise.
Music this episode is from SilverTom93: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGsOR9-0WqI
Hajime Tabata departed Square Enix just over a year ago and we felt like it was an apt time to review what happened and see where it's left us
As part of this, we're reviewing the legacy of Final Fantasy XV, but also looking at Luminous Studios' output since his departure. And of course, we're taking a look what Tabata has been up to since he left Square Enix!
Music this episode is from daigoro789: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKx5zMHbSrI
Square Enix is hiring for staff to develop a new HD Kingdom Hearts experience... is this Kingdom Hearts 4? Among the roles were a UI Designer, Technical Artist and Effect Designer.
With the PlayStation 5 also being unveiled in an official capacity, with plans for a Holiday 2020 release, does this also have any impact on on the future of Kingdom Hearts?
There's plenty to discuss on this episode, and we hope you enjoy!
Music this episode is from Lost Son: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqYYThVDdQU
Final Fantasy XVI may well be in development at Square Enix and who knows, after Final Fantasy VII Remake Part One releases, we may learn more about it... but the key question we're discussing on today's episode is how it should be structured.
Square Enix has had a few multi-part experiences in the past two decades, with the most recent example being the Final Fantasy XIII Trilogy, but with the Final Fantasy VII Remake also being multi-part, it begs the question... should Final Fantasy XVI follow a similar approach?
Music this episode is from Hashel05: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lX3MAHwwFRo
Tetsuya Nomura has just turned 49, so we look back at some of his best moments... which of course has a heavy focus on the Kingdom Hearts franchise!
As always, there's also an absolute boat load of questions, which Branden, Churro and Emily run-through. These explore topics such as... whether we'll ever get to do to the Destiny Islands main island and whether Scala Ad Caelum is evidence of cut content within Kingdom Hearts 3!
Music this episode is from Ferdk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRdwmG8vYzA
With Final Fantasy having such a rich history when it comes to spin-off titles, we figured it was a good time to talk through some of our dream spin-offs!
It creates a lengthy conversation as we talk through SIX potential spin-offs that could exist, although some of this does depend on what your interpretation of a spin-off actually is!
Music this episode is provided by Atilist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk-bpikgTGs
Kingdom Hearts is now almost two decades old, but there have been plenty of other games released since then across a multitude of platforms. Within today's episode, we're discussing which games should be remade, to help bring them to a wider audience.
We've also plenty of discussion points around the Kingdom Hearts 3 Soundtrack and which characters won't be appearing as the franchise moves in a new direction.
Music this episode is by Moises Nieto: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV6MPgZNK8A
There was a whole host of new details revealed about the Final Fantasy 7 Remake at TGS 2019 and we've got it all covered!
As everything came in two halves, we've decided to structure this episode the same way and it means we're talking all about the new character reveals, the new story sequences, the new gameplay mechanics and of course, the mini-games!
Music this episode is by Alex Moukala: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJiZCD1soMc
As Kingdom Hearts turns 17, we look back at the game that started it all! It leads to numerous discussions about what the game meant as well as how it was able to spawn such a successful franchise.
There's also plenty of time to recap on the 6th Keybearers Alliance Gathering that took place on the 14th of September and had some special guests in attendance!
We hope you enjoy the lengthy reminiscing, as well as some awesome questions from the community!
With Final Fantasy 8 Remastered just having released, we felt like it was the perfect time to run through some of the good it brought, but also highlight some of the downsides that have sprung up.
It means we'll be talking about nostalgia and all that good stuff, while also running our critical eye over what Square Enix has actually done and whether or not it warrants a re-purchase.
Music this episode is by Megalorganiste: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LffRoM0H7BU
With Kingdom Hearts 3's secret ending offering up so much, we discuss what it means for future worlds!
While we wait though, the crew reflect on other games that have been taking up their time since Kingdom Hearts 3, while looking forward to games they're excited for in the near future.
Music this episode is by: dreamEater (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnDnLBGnXoc)
With Gamescom 2019 now behind us, we reflect on how the show panned out from a Final Fantasy perspective.
Both the Final Fantasy VII Remake and Final Fantasy VIII Remastered featured, but what was the showing like? Well, that's an interesting subject.
In addition, we're also running through a whole host of questions, ranging from characters we'd like to see in Smash through to what kind of soap Tidus would be!
Music this episode is from TroyGarner: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb9-xnJLJ9c
It's time to get all nostalgic as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the podcast with plenty of fun discussions and even a special guest!
Given how much time has passed, we reflect on how much things have changed over the past 10 years, from the core root of the series itself, through to the community and how the show has even changed in that time!
We hope you enjoy the reminiscing.
Music this episode is by Kayou: https://soundcloud.com/kayouremix/kingdom-hearts-dearly-beloved-kayou-remix
Final Fantasy X was a fantastic game in so many ways and this episode is all about celebrating the greatness of the game!
We'll have a focus on some of our favourite characters, pieces of music and specific scenes... all while talking about some distinct memories we have from playing the game. Darryl also manages to get confused multiple times, so it's a win win!
Music this episode is from BitSymphony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2mFfOH0lzg
Now that enough time has passed, one of the main questions discussed on Episode 176 of Kingdom Hearts Union relates to the ending of Kingdom Hearts 3 and whether any changes needed to be made.
There's also another fantastic question around which other Disney companions would be good for accompanying Sora... outside of Donald and Goofy!
Music this episode is by Karim Kamar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUvrFGPeZ8Q
Throughout the years we have been blessed with some fantastic intros to Final Fantasy games, and this episode we're going to be delving into what made them so special.
To do that, we'll be taking a look at the various aspects that a beginning contains, such as the narrative passage, the structure the developers chose to use and how unique it was in comparison to what had come before!
Music this episode is from Baschfire: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb9ck2W6_0k
We've been desperate to learn more about what's in store for Kingdom Hearts VR and now we know as some new updates have gone live that bring a new location and control schemes.
We also got to learn just how well Kingdom Hearts 3 did following a report about the best selling games of 2019 so far and of course, there's always time for some questions from the community!
Music this episode is from J-Music Ensemble: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLP2hTC5KrU
You knew it was going to keep on happening, but after a blunder by Xbox, rumours have started up again about whether or not the Final Fantasy 7 Remake will appear on Xbox One.
We've also got plenty of fun topics to discuss elsewhere, including a discussion about Final Fantasy XIV, whether we think Square Enix are taking enough risks as a company and oddly enough, what a materia-flavoured pizza might taste like...!
Music this episode is provided by bGevko: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_aEC2UZgwQ
With Kingdom Hearts now releasing on the Xbox, the next logical step would surely be the PC... so will that ever happen? That's one of the main topics we're discussing today on Kingdom Hearts Union, as we take a whole host of questions from the community.
Other topics also include whether Sora should be recast and why video games take so long to create these days.
Music this episode is provided by Ro Panuganti: https://gamelark.bandcamp.com/album/hearts-of-light
We've made it to Episode 200 of the Final Fantasy Union podcast, which is so crazy to think about considering where we came from. That's why we felt it was rather apt this episode to take a look at some of the moments that helped to shape who we are today.
So, strap yourselves in, as you're in a for an extensive trip down memory lane as we look back and react to some of the podcast's earlier moments.
We hope you enjoy and continue to enjoy listening for the next 100+ episodes!