Final Fantasy Type-0 HD

Final Fantasy Type-0 HD is an action role-playing game that remasters a Japan-only PlayStation Portable title for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and later Windows. Developed by Square Enix and HexaDrive, it launched worldwide in March 2015, with a Steam port following in August. As a spin-off of the main Final Fantasy series, it belongs to the Fabula Nova Crystallis subseries, which shares a common mythos. The story follows Class Zero, fourteen students from the Dominion of Rubrum, who become entangled in a war after the Militesi Empire attacks the other Crystal States of Orience. Their mission to repel the empire reveals secrets behind the conflict and the crystals themselves.

Development began in mid-2012, partly to promote eighth-generation consoles. The team, led by original director Hajime Tabata, initially considered ports for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 but focused on PS4 and Xbox One after the PS4’s strong showing at the 2013 Tokyo Game Show. HexaDrive handled the remaster, having previously worked with Square Enix on *The 3rd Birthday* and HD remasters of *Ōkami* and *The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker*. The upgrade includes improved graphics and a broader color palette, but the core experience remains largely unchanged from the PSP version. Multiplayer was removed, and its exclusive items and magic were folded into the single-player campaign. Four difficulty levels replace the original’s three, including an easier option. A new support personnel (SP) system lets AI-controlled characters replace party members, with SP points earned in battle used to buy special items. Costumes from the original’s demos and DLC are unlockable, alongside new ones for the HD version.

Gameplay is real-time action, similar to *Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII*. Players control Class Zero, selecting three members for missions while the rest serve as reserves. The lead character can be swapped at any time, with AI controlling the other two. Outside missions, players explore a scaled-down world map on foot, chocobos, or airships. Between missions, free periods allow exploration of the Akademeia home base, chocobo breeding, and side quests in liberated towns. Experience points and levels are gained by defeating enemies, while Phantoma collected from foes upgrades magic skills. Each character can summon Eidolons for limited periods at the cost of health.