Immersing myself in the rich and diverse worlds of gaming is undoubtedly my favorite pastime. The thrill of navigating one extraordinary narrative after another is a feeling like no other, and this is precisely why I have a deep affection for JRPGs. My passion for gaming is something I plan to pursue fervently for as long as I can hold a game controller.
However, it’s essential to recognize that beneath the artistic creativity of gaming lies the reality of a commercial product. This means that issues such as revenue, audience engagement, corporate interests, and the overarching influence of capitalism play a significant role in the industry.
The gaming landscape has its share of disappointments; for every blockbuster title that garners widespread acclaim, there are numerous unsuccessful projects that remain largely unnoticed. Many of these titles never receive the recognition they deserve, often fading into obscurity.
In this article, I will explore the most disappointing game cancellations by Square Enix. From lesser-known projects that were quietly scrapped to concept ideas that had the potential to be exceptional, we’ll take a closer look at what could have been.
11 Gun Loco
You’re Crazy, Square Enix
Personally, Gun Loco didn’t captivate me, as my loyalty lies with Square Enix’s RPGs. The concept of a third-person shooter with online multiplayer elements just wasn’t appealing. Nonetheless, it’s worth mentioning Gun Loco to demonstrate that Square has a history of exploring multiplayer and unconventional genres—something evident in titles like Foamstars, Outriders, and the forthcoming Killer Inn.
Originally intended as an Xbox 360 exclusive, Gun Loco was conceptualized as a blend of battle royale and extraction gameplay, with each match revolving around twelve prisoners on a prison planet. Players would take on the role of one of these prisoners at the beginning of each match, utilizing various skills such as jumping, hiding, climbing, and wall-running in a bid to become the last remaining contestant. Unfortunately, Gun Loco was abruptly canceled in 2011 and left unexplained by Square Enix.
10 Chocobo Racing 3D
No Betting Allowed
In recent days, my Chocobo racing experiences have been limited to the minigames in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth’s Gold Saucer, which are enjoyable mainly for the rewards. However, nothing can supersede the nostalgia of playing Chocobo Racing on my PlayStation 1, a classic that captivated me for countless hours. The prospect of a new installment on the Nintendo 3DS was thrilling, despite my later adoption of the handheld.
Announced in 2012, Chocobo Racing 3D promised to be a modernized iteration of the original game. A gameplay teaser showcased not only characters riding Chocobos but also engaging in combat against monsters. Sadly, by 2013, the original game’s director, Takashi Tokita, confirmed the cancellation of Chocobo Racing 3D, citing unsatisfactory quality. His comment that console games should appeal to adults raises eyebrows, especially considering the success of games like Pokémon and Mario Kart.
9 Project Prelude Rune
Tales of Fantasy
After leaving Bandai Namco following his work on Tales of Zestiria, Hideo Baba established the studio Istolia, backed by Square Enix. The newly formed studio unveiled Project Prelude Rune, a much-anticipated RPG, in 2017.
Fans were treated to a tantalizing teaser during TGS 2018, depicting a breathtaking, vibrant open world—a true homage to the JRPG genre. However, excitement turned to disappointment when, by 2019, all mentions of Project Prelude Rune had vanished from Square Enix’s online presence, leading many to speculate its cancellation without official clarification. This unfortunate outcome left many eager gamers longing for a project spearheaded by Baba.
8 Final Fantasy Tactics 2
This One Hurts
While Final Fantasy Tactics may not have achieved the commercial success of its brethren like Final Fantasy VII or VIII, it remains a revered installment within the franchise and widely regarded as one of the finest spin-offs in gaming history. As such, a sequel seemed like an obvious next step well before the arrival of Final Fantasy Tactics Advance.
Following the Return to Ivalice raid in Final Fantasy XIV, Yasumi Matsuno, in a livestream, shared visions and concepts for a scrapped sequel to Final Fantasy Tactics—an idea initially championed by Hironobu Sakaguchi. However, disagreements regarding the game’s direction led to its eventual cancellation, despite Matsuno expressing a desire for a transition from 3D graphics to a 2D hexagonal system—an intriguing concept for fans. While Final Fantasy Tactics Advance has its merits, many enthusiasts yearn for a mature, politically charged sequel to the original.
7 Ambrosia Odyssey
PlayOnline’s Second Child
While I always wished to experience Final Fantasy XI, acquiring the requisite hardware and subscriptions was a financial hurdle I couldn’t overcome. So why do I care about the cancellation of Ambrosia Odyssey, an action RPG linked to Square’s PlayOnline service, given my inability to play it?
The game’s potential for success held great promise for Square Enix, even though Rocket Studio, not Square, was the primary developer. Ambrosia Odyssey was envisioned as an offline RPG featuring a branching narrative with online elements, allowing players to create and share towns, reminiscent of similar functionality in titles like White Knight Chronicles. Unfortunately, the project’s cancellation occurred as Square shifted focus to Final Fantasy XI, which was experiencing considerable popularity at the time.
6 Seiken Densetsu: The Emergence of Excalibur
The Legend of the Sacred Sword
The beloved Seiken Densetsu series, known as the Mana series, originated on the Game Boy. Interestingly, the franchise was initially intended for the NES, where Squaresoft envisioned a groundbreaking RPG that would have required the console’s limited floppy disk add-on for development.
However, the flop of that peripheral prompted Squaresoft to abandon the ambitious title, resulting in the cancellation of Seiken Densetsu: The Emergence of Excalibur—leaving behind only a handful of images and promotional materials from its brief existence. Fortunately, the series found life again, with Seiken Densetsu: Final Fantasy Gaiden (known as Final Fantasy Adventure internationally) launched for the Game Boy, which garnered enough success to produce a cherished sequel, Secret of Mana.
5 Fortress
I’m Captain Basch Fon Ronsenburg of Dalmasca
Up until now, I’ve predominantly mentioned titles from Square Enix that didn’t resonate with me personally, whether due to their obscurity or because they were new IPs. As we progress through this list, however, the emotional toll becomes palpable.
The success of Final Fantasy X-2 pioneered a revelation within Square Enix—the realization that sequels and spin-offs could be economically viable. Thus, Fortress, an action RPG spin-off of Final Fantasy XII centered on Basch fon Ronsenburg, was conceived.
Interestingly, Fortress began as an independent project before its branding shifted to align with the Final Fantasy series due to Square’s enthusiasm for its development. Players would have guided Basch in defending a fortress against waves of enemies across two in-game years. Unfortunately, rising financial and trust issues between Square and GRIN led to the project’s cancellation, leaving behind concept art and an incomplete gameplay trailer for fans to ponder.
4 Final Fantasy Type-Next
I Miss You, Ace
Having played, completed, and experienced the emotional depths of Final Fantasy Type-0, I was left yearning for more. The loss of characters like the chocobo in the opening scene deeply affected me, alongside the intricate lore that captivated my attention. The interplay between Class Zero students and the stunning cutscenes created a memorable gameplay experience, leaving me eager for a sequel.
With multiple indicators pointing toward the possibility of a sequel—including trademark filings for Final Fantasy Type-1 and Type-2, as well as director Hajime Tabata’s persistent hopes—hope was high. Unfortunately, those ambitions were unceremoniously derailed when Square redirected the entire development team to focus on Final Fantasy XV, deepening my dissatisfaction with that particular title.
3 Xenogears 2
This One Also Hurts
Foregoing the nuances of Tetsuya Takahashi’s envisioned universe, it’s essential to stick to verified information regarding Xenogears 2. Despite its critical acclaim and commercial success, the hoped-for sequel was never granted approval by SquareSoft due to their significant financial investment in film projects at the time, notably the infamous Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.
Fortunately, a silver lining emerged when Takahashi and Sugiura departed Square to establish Monolith Soft. Driven by their original hopes for Xenogears 2, they embarked on the development of Xenosaga, though the vision ultimately fell short of Takahashi’s six-part concept, resulting in only three installments being realized.
To this day, fans hold out hope that Monolith Soft will craft a new entry in the Xeno series that either extends the existing narratives or weaves them together. Hints within Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition suggest connectivity between the Xeno titles, but solid confirmation remains elusive.
2 Chrono Break
The Most Overlooked Series Ever
Chrono Cross ranks among my all-time favorite JRPGs. Although it faced criticism for deviating from the legacy of Chrono Trigger, my appreciation for its ambition and execution remains unwavering. With scriptwriter Masato Kato and director Kato poised to advance the story with Chrono Break in 2001, expectations soared following the trademark filing.
However, timing proved to be a significant obstacle. As numerous key developers departed Square to form Monolith Soft, and others were engrossed in the demands of Final Fantasy XI, Kato and Mitsuda remained ready to create. Sadly, interest in the project waned, leading to a shelving decision by Square management, which resulted in a mystifying silence around the Chrono series. The enormous acclaim surrounding Chrono Trigger begs the question: Why has it been so consistently neglected by Square Enix?
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