During the SQEX Asano Team Development Radio live-stream on February 17, 2022, Square Enix expressed interest in releasing more HD-2D remakes of its old Famicom titles. This is what it is already doing with Live A Live and Dragon Quest III. Because this livestream is more of a conversation, it is not an official announcement. [Thanks, Famitsu!]
According to the radio segment, Square Enix President Yosuke Matsuda wants more games using HD-2D, which lead to the team going through which past title it could remake with it. It sorted through the list to decide which games could work and which games cannot. For example, mahjong games would definitely not blend well with HD-2D. The top two games from the list brainstormed ended up being Live A Live and ActRaiser. However, Square Enix already released a remake of ActRaiser in 2021, and it was not HD-2D. The staff did not mention any other games from the list it made.
Octopath Traveler is an example of a game that uses HD-2D. Essentially, the characters are 2D pixel art, while the backgrounds use 3D CG. This will make the characters “pop” against the background and preserves the unique look of 2D games on modern HD consoles. Square Enix is already employing HD-2D in many of its upcoming titles. For example, Triangle Strategy and the Live A Live remake will have it.
Due to Square Enix’s interest in HD-2D, it may remake more of its past titles in the future. Triangle Strategy will come out on the Nintendo Switch on March 4, 2022. The Live A Live remake will come out on the Nintendo Switch on July 22, 2022.
