Would it be like Chrono Trigger or Final Fantasy? But much to my surprise, Live A Live was decidedly different from those other Square works - both from the ’90s era and in the decades since. Given my lack of knowledge about Live A Live, though, I didn’t quite know what to expect. Now, Square Enix has brought Live A Live to the Nintendo Switch in a remake that changes little from the original experience beyond sprucing it up with the stunning ‘HD-2D’ visuals introduced with 2018’s Octopath Traveler. While disappointing sales put a stop to any subsequent plans to bring Live A Live overseas, it’s nonetheless a notable title, as it hails from Takashi Tokita, the lead designer of Final Fantasy IV, co-director of Chrono Trigger and director of Parasite Eve. Enter Live A Live, a fascinating 1994 title that was only ever released in Japan on the Super Famicom (SNES for my fellow Westerners).
Imagine, then, when I found out that a long-lost SquareSoft RPG was getting another shot, nearly 30 years later. Whether it’s the emotionally resonant stories, deep character progression and robust combat, there’s just a magical quality to these games.
Square games have held a special place in my heart for most of my life.įinal Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, Kingdom Hearts… the journeys they’ve taken me on, and the long-lasting memories and friendships that came about from them, have meant a lot to this socially awkward nerd.