Longtime JRPG maker Square Enix officially announced DISSIDIA DUELLUM FINAL FANTASY, a brand-new entry in the well-known crossover series. Here’s the catch, though: the game is coming exclusively to the mobile market, hitting both the iOS’s App Store and Android’s Play Store sometime in 2026.
This latest installment will be free to play (unlike some of Square Enix’s other offers, which tend to be oh-so-pricey) and aims to continue the tradition of the Dissidia Final Fantasy series, featuring numerous iconic warriors from the long-running Final Fantasy franchise together in a new adventure.
According to the information available, the game’s core gameplay centers on a high-stakes 3v3 team boss battle arena. Two teams race against the clock and each other—along with roaming monsters—to defeat a powerful boss faster than the enemy side. Words like “exhilarating” and “stunning” were thrown around the media alert in order to bring attention, but the Japanese publisher states that the game, which will bring cel-shaded visuals, will have a more intuitive user interface and gameplay, in order to accommodate the more casual approach of mobile platforms.
Square Enix even pulled a Miyamoto and said the game will be playable with one hand.
DISSIDIA DUELLUM FINAL FANTASY brings Square Enix’s characters to a modern day Tokyo
If you ever wondered how some of Final Fantasy’s most prominent characters would fare living in a real life metropolis, well…DISSIDIA DUELLUM does not answer that question, since the game is based in a fantasizes version of Tokyo.
In this case, a blue-looking crystal (it’s Final Fantasy: of course there’s a weird crystal) appeared all of a sudden, where monsters, again, all of a sudden, were polluted by its strange energy emissions, entering into a clash with humanity.
In Square Enix’s own words, this is when “armed warriors emerge, as if they were answering to a cry for help. As they conceal their identities and quickly disappear after battle, people began to call them ‘Ghosts’.”
You can guess who these “Ghosts” are.
But there are some differences: because the game is set in Tokyo and a modern setting to boot, all characters had their visuals reworked to be more…normal looking, so to speak.
Speaking of which…
DISSIDIA DUELLUM characters revamp classic heroes visuals for a more contemporary look
Watch out, ladies: Kain Highwind is sporting a suit, a fedora hat and a strangely-tied ponytail, like a proper gentleman with street smarts.
The game’s website lists several characters taking part on the game’s release, so we compiled a list (and a gallery) for your convenience below:
- Warrior of Light (Final Fantasy): A versatile unit who provides support to allies while still holding the front lines. Passive ability: “Light’s Blessing” (increases the attack of nearby allies). Unique ability: “Shield of Light” (decreases damage taken by all allies by 15% while held).
- Kain Highwind (Final Fantasy IV): A proud Dragoon who specializes in closing the gap to semi-distant foes. Passive ability: “Honor of the Dragoons” (increases ATK when a unique ability attack lands — 20s). Unique ability: “Jump” (hold to leap forward and launch nearby foes into the air).
- Krile Mayer Baldesion (Final Fantasy V): A supportive mage who excels at bolstering allies and sharing bravery. Passive ability: “Inherited Hope” (increases bravery gained by the team when purifying a crystal). Unique ability: “Encourage” (hold to continuously give your bravery to allies).
- Terra Branford (Final Fantasy VI): A long-range attacker who can protect herself by launching foes into the air. Passive ability: “Half-Esper” (decreases cooldown time of fire abilities). Unique ability: “Tornado” (hold to launch nearby enemies into the air).
- Cloud Strife (Final Fantasy VII): A well-rounded fighter able to handle a variety of combat situations. Passive ability: “A Sword Entrusted” (increases damage dealt to bosses). Unique ability: “Ascension” (hold to charge a great distance forward, then unleash repeated attacks that launch foes into the air).
- Rinoa Heartilly (Final Fantasy VIII): A ranged unit with hidden power and strong area attacks. Passive ability: “Sorceress’s Might” (increases bravery bonus when you respawn). Unique ability: “Sorceress’s Leap” (hold to warp forward; hold longer to increase travel distance).
- Zidane Tribal (Final Fantasy IX): A nimble thief skilled at stealing bravery and disrupting opponents. Passive ability: “Master Thief” (increases movement speed when HP is at 40% or below). Unique ability: “Dash & Steal” (hold to dash and steal bravery from foes in front of you — does not work on enemies using Bravery Burst).
- Lightning (Final Fantasy XIII): An expert at swift battlefield movement and taking down enemies quickly. Passive ability: “Bright Blaze” (increases damage dealt to monsters, excluding bosses). Unique ability: “Spinning Blitz” (hold to dash and repeatedly attack nearby enemies).
- Gaia (Final Fantasy XIV): An oracle-like fighter who boosts action speed and fortifies defenses while weakening enemies. Passive ability: “Necklace of Eternal Ice” (increases DEF while action speed is increased). Unique ability: “Reinforcement” (hold to increase action speed for 20 seconds).
- Prompto Argentum (Final Fantasy XV): A ranged specialist who uses varied attack methods to support team play. Passive ability: “Royal Retinue” (increases damage during a burst chain). Unique ability: “Rapidus SMG” (hold to continuously attack enemies in front of you; swipe to adjust aim).
Hmmm, maybe it’s just the RPG strategist in me, but I’m kinda missing a tank or two here: maybe Final Fantasy XV’s Gladiolus Amicitia instead of Prompto?
Well, Square Enix can always add more characters later, if it is to their liking (i.e.: “this game does well enough”). It will be free to play, like we said, so it is a safe speculation that DISSIDIA DUELLUM FINAL FANTASY will go through content updates from time to time.
Also, notice how the list above only mentions heroes, but DISSIDA has employed villains in the past so…Ardyn Izunia, anyone?
As for the rest, the game will feature a fully Japanese-voiced main story, along with short episodes that offer glimpses into the daily lives of each character. Fans will also be able to collect abilities featuring artwork drawn by Square’s lineup of artists.
Android Closed Beta Test and Social Media Raffle
Not only did the announcement give us a lot of details to look forward to, DISSIDIA DUELLUM FINAL FANTASY will also have some other stuff to look out for.
First of all, Square Enix is hosting a closed beta test for Android users that’ll go live on *checks notes* oh, right now. Registration is already up and it stays that way until October 28. The play test itself will run from November 6—14 (November 7, if you’re on UTC timezones), exclusively for the United States and Canada.
Finally, to commemorate the upcoming closed beta, the publisher is also hosting a raffle on the official social media accounts. Twenty random winners will receive an Amazon Gift Card (like this one) simply by following and reposting the Closed Beta Test announcement on the official DISSIDIA DUELLUM FINAL FANTASY account on X or Facebook (@DDFF_EN, in case you’re wondering).
