Square Enix has a lot on its plate with the development of the Kingdom Hearts series with a third iteration as well as the whole Star Ocean series.  However, one of its powerhouses is the Final Fantasy series, and fans of the games remember its deep mythology, developed characters, and its nostalgic value of a franchise that is decades-old.  This is the latest news on Final Fantasy 15 release date, and what to expect from the huge franchise. 

Engadget is not off when they say that "everything hinges on Final Fantasy 15."  After all, the game has spent a decade in "development hell", and the director, Hajime Tabata, is well aware of the many that have declared the franchise dead.  Tabata has looked to market Final Fantasy 15 based on successful games in the past few years like CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Bethesda's Fallout series. 

Last week, fans finally got their wish as the release date for Final Fantasy 15 finally came with an explosion of confetti of September 30th, 2016.  Not only did the release date get announced, but there will be a Platinum Demo available to download on the PS4 and Xbox One now.  This is a five-part anime series called Brotherhood Final Fantasy 15 on YouTube, starring the protagonist Noctis, and the first part can be watched here. 

There are also plans for a CG movie known as Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy 15.  The film has a cast that includes Sean Bean as King Regis, Lena Headley as Princess Luna, and Aaron Paul as Kingsglaive soldier Nyx.  So far, the film does not have a known release date, but it will be directed by Takeshi Nozue, the co-director of another Final Fantasy CG film known as Advent Children.  The purpose of the film is to introduce newcomers to the world of Final Fantasy, and so it will serve as a parallel story to that of Final Fantasy 15. 

For those that aren't familiar with the world of Final Fantasy, it is very rich.  It takes place in a world that feels like Earth but is more advanced in some places than others.  GameInformer has "5 Exciting Places that You Will Want to Visit in Final Fantasy 15", and they look very realistic and beautiful. 

If you are a fan of the Final Fantasy gaming franchise (and it has been around since 1987), then you have probably already pre-ordered the "Day One Edition" that includes an exclusive "Masamune" downloadable sword to use within the game. 

There is also the Deluxe Edition that includes steel book packaging along with a bonus outfit, weapon, and skin for Noctis' car, and costs about $89.99.  Then there is the Ultimate Collector's Edition, which will sell for $269.99 that includes a hardcover art book, soundtrack, exclusive Play Arts Kai Noctis figure, four in-game item packs, as well as the same bonus content of the Deluxe Edition.  By the way, the Ultimate Collector's Edition will be exclusive to Square Enix's Online Store (limited to 30,000 units worldwide), and it will include a mysterious sixth episode of the Brotherhood Final Fantasy 15 anime that will not be released online.