Square Enix has officially announced the return of its Dissidia Final Fantasy series after an eight-year hiatus. However, excitement quickly turned to disappointment among long-time fans when the publisher confirmed that the new title will be released exclusively for mobile platforms.
The upcoming game, described by Square Enix as the “next evolution” of the franchise, will be fully revealed during a livestream on 14 October. For now, the company has launched a teaser website featuring a darkened image showing the silhouettes of ten familiar Final Fantasy characters.
A mobile revival for a classic fighting series
The Dissidia Final Fantasy series originally gained popularity on the PlayStation Portable (PSP) as an action-packed fighting game that brought together iconic characters from across the Final Fantasy universe. Players could engage in one-on-one battles featuring heroes and villains from multiple generations of the franchise, including fan favourites such as Cloud, Squall, and Zidane.
Following its success on PSP, Square Enix expanded the Dissidia branding into other projects, including Dissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia, a turn-based mobile role-playing game released in 2017. While Opera Omnia earned a loyal following, many fans had hoped that any new Dissidia title would mark a return to the fast-paced, console-based fighting style of the original games.
Fans react with frustration and low expectations
Initial fan response has been far from positive. Many expressed disappointment that the new Dissidia will once again focus on mobile gameplay, particularly given Square Enix’s inconsistent track record with maintaining its mobile titles. Earlier this year, the company shut down the Kingdom Hearts mobile spin-off, following a similar fate for NieR Re[in]carnation, one of its more niche entries.
On Reddit, several fans voiced scepticism over the announcement. One user wrote, “I know people hate mobile and gachas, but Opera Omnia was so good. I have little faith this will be anywhere near as good, but I can dream.” Another pleaded, “Square, please, at least remaster Duodecim.” A third added, “I’d be excited if SE didn’t have a history of [end of service] in surprisingly quick succession.”
Their concerns highlight a broader trend of caution among players who have grown wary of investing time and money into mobile games that often face early discontinuation.
What to expect from the new Dissidia reveal
While the official title and gameplay details remain under wraps, the teaser image has already sparked speculation about the playable roster. Fans have identified several characters from past Final Fantasy instalments, including Lightning from Final Fantasy XIII, Cloud from Final Fantasy VII, and Prompto from Final Fantasy XV. Others believe the silhouettes represent Auron from Final Fantasy X, Zidane from Final Fantasy IX, and Rinoa from Final Fantasy VIII.
Square Enix has promised that more information will be unveiled during the upcoming livestream on 14 October, which is expected to reveal gameplay footage, character details, and release plans.
Despite the disappointment surrounding its mobile exclusivity, the return of Dissidia Final Fantasy signals Square Enix’s ongoing interest in revitalising its classic franchises for new audiences. Whether this latest entry will capture the spirit of the beloved fighting games remains to be seen.
