In SQEX Asano Team Development Radio live-stream On February 17, 2022, Square Enix expressed interest in releasing more HD-2D remakes of its older Famicom titles. Here’s what it did to Live A Live and Dragon Quest III. Because this live stream is more of a conversational nature, it is not an official announcement. [Thanks, Famitsu!]
According to the radio segment, Square Enix President Yosuke Matsuda wanted more games to use HD-2D, leading the team to see if the previous title could be remade with it. It is sorted through the list to decide which games can work and which can’t. For example, games of mahjong will definitely not combine well with HD-2D. The top two games on the consideration list have finally become Live A Live and ActRaiser. However, Square Enix has released a remake of ActRaiser in 2021, and it’s not HD-2D. The staff did not mention any other games on the list it offered.
Octopath’s Traveler is an example of a game using HD-2D. Basically, the characters are 2D pixel art, while the background uses 3D CG. This will make the characters “stand out” in the background and maintain the unique look and feel of 2D games on modern HD consoles. Square Enix has used HD-2D in many of its upcoming titles. For example, Triangle Strategy and Live A Live redo will have it.
Due to Square Enix’s interest in HD-2D, it could remake many of its previous titles in the future. Triangle Strategy Coming to Nintendo Switch March 4, 2022. The Live A Live remake coming to Nintendo Switch July 22, 2022.
