Team Asano, the team at Square Enix famous for crafting hits such as Bravely Default and Octopath Traveler, has big plans for 2025. The studio’s head, Tomoya Asano, teased several upcoming releases in a recent chat about future goals. Known for developing the unique HD-2D graphics engine, which has breathed new life into classics like the Dragon Quest 3 remake, Team Asano might be gearing up for either all-new experiences or fresh takes on beloved games next year.
Earlier this year in June, a tipster hinted at a sequel being in the works at Team Asano. Many fans think this could mean another chapter in the Bravely Default saga, following the last entry, Bravely Default 2, which charmed audiences in February 2021. Yet, there’s also chatter about a follow-up to Live A Live, a well-received remake of the 1994 original. Other past ventures from the team include the tactical RPG Triangle Strategy and the lifestyle game Various Daylife, though the latter seems unlikely to make a return due to its lackluster reception.
In a detailed conversation with 4Gamer, translated by Gematsu, Asano spoke eagerly about his plans for 2025. He mentioned that Team Asano will be unveiling “various things” they’ve been preparing, hinting at a mix of projects. Among these potential releases is the anticipated remakes for Dragon Quest 1 and 2, set to follow the same HD-2D style as their predecessor. Since Asano referred to “various things,” it’s reasonable to speculate that more than just these remakes are on the way, suggesting an exciting year ahead for fans.
When Square Enix announced the remade Live A Live in 2022, they also hinted at more HD-2D projects under development. Although Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D had already been confirmed, its earlier predecessors had not. It’s quite plausible that additional titles beyond those previously mentioned are lined up for an HD-2D transformation, potentially becoming part of the highly-anticipated Switch 2 catalog in 2025.
Even though Tomoya Asano’s hints have sparked anticipation among Square Enix’s loyal JRPG fans, it’s worth remembering past instances where excitement didn’t lead to immediate news. For instance, in February 2024, Asano tweeted hopeful prospects for the Bravely series, yet this year has almost wrapped up with no updates. Perhaps 2025 will bring the announcements many fans have been yearning for—adding to an already thrilling lineup awaiting them.
