As we close out the year that was 2013 I feel it’s important to look back at Square Enix and the various things they achieved while looking forward to the future of Final Fantasy established earlier in the year. We’re breaking it down nice and simple for you – so feel free to take a read and post your own thoughts below. What impressed you? What disappointed you? We’d really like to know.

The beginning of 2013 ushered in the world’s first extended view of Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII – the final chapter in the generation-long Final Fantasy XIII series. While Japanese fans saw its release this past November, western fans will have their go come February of the new year as it marks the final send-off for a game some enjoyed while others may have wished for its departure long ago. We got our hands on the domestic release ourselves and have shared our detailed impressions in a review here. For those waiting on the English version, North American fans will be able to pick up a newly announced collector’s edition upon release.

Originally announced back in 2011, Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD Remaster finally resurfaced this year after a long period of silence. Back when it debuted, Square Enix had promised only the first game would be making its way to the PlayStation 3 and PS Vita but now the package will include both X and X-2 in their International versions along with an extra 30-minute voice drama during the end credits. Although the game is out in Japan, the rest of the world will be waiting until March to relive Tidus and Yuna’s journey through Spira to defeat Sin.

By far one of the most important announcements of the year was in regards to Final Fantasy Verus XIII – a game hidden in secret for two years following its gameplay preview a few years ago. As we near eight years since its original announcement, Square Enix saw fit to rename the game into a full-fledged maintain FF title at E3 – Final Fantasy XV. Instead of releasing on the PS3 as originally intended, the game will now release some time in the future on both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Since then, details have been sparse, with communication falling back to an all-time low despite previous promises of the contrary. According to director Tetsuya Nomura, Square Enix will re-reveal the game again when the timing is right – although its continued absence leaves us little hope that all is well in a game that has been in development for perhaps too long.

The resurrection and re-launch of Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn marked an astonishing turn-around for an MMO that arrived three years ago in a broken state and was eventually rebooted by newcomer Naoki Yoshida. His team achieved what others may have thought impossible as his team has created one of the truly great Final Fantasy games in quite some time and now one of the best games in the series. Despite being an MMO, Final Fantasy XIV is a rich experience that blends a strong narrative, interesting gameplay and beautiful graphics that combine together to form the vast world of Eorzea. As we said in our review – which can be read here – it is a game that should gather a look from both MMO fans and single-player FF fans alike. With more content set to arrive in the first part of 2014 – along with a PS4 version – FFXIV will continue to delight for (hopefully) years to come.

2013 can’t be talked about without touching upon the elephant that is mobile gaming. Final Fantasy saw several releases on mobile platforms this year as the company has geared up its efforts – including the likes of Final Fantasy IV: The After Years, Pictologica Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy Agito, Final Fantasy Tactics S and mobile ports of Final Fantasy V with VI forthcoming. While their certainly is a market for these games, it’s a bit of a shame to see Square Enix drag their brand through the mud to get there. Inconsistent ports and blatant cash-ins such as All The Bravest have become common place and a large source for fan negativity – all in an effort to chase quick profits while seemingly ignoring what made the FF franchise great in the first place. Its obvious Square Enix will continue to pursue mobile titles in the new year, but it begs the question: will they eventually achieve quality or continue to be products built on the potential of what could have been?