Earlier today, Square Enix hosted a stream for Final Fantasy 7: The First Soldier, premiering gameplay from the mobile battle royale game as well as a host of other new details. One big announcement made during the showcase was that the spin-off will be getting a closed beta very soon, with the test set to debut in early June. The beta will be open to players from the US/Canada and Japan only.
Those selected for the beta will be able to access the game starting June 1, with US players having until June 7 to trial Final Fantasy 7: The First Soldier and Japanese fans getting until June 8. To be in with a chance to play the game, players will have to reserve their slot early, with registration starting today. Those interested in registering will have until May 27 at 8:00 PM PT in North America/Canada and May 28 at 12:00 AM JST in Japan.
In the US, they'll have to go through the Google Play Store, meanwhile, Japanese players will have to sign up through Square Enix. Unfortunately, that does mean that US players will only be able to access the beta via an Android device, while Japanese players will be able to try out The First Soldier on Android or iOS. Those playing on Android will need to have a 64-bit device with Android 7.1 or newer, as well as 3GB of free space. Meanwhile, iOS players in Japan will need an iPhone 8 or newer with 2GB of free space.
For those who aren't aware of The First Soldier, the game is a big departure for the franchise, offering a battle royale experience set in the same universe as Final Fantasy 7. The online game takes place 30 years before Cloud sets off on his seminal adventure to stop Sephiroth, centering on the SOLDIER program and the battle-hardened warriors that are born from it. It's currently slated to release later this year.
Alongside the new details, The First Soldier stream also revealed a new trailer for Final Fantasy 7 Remake: Intergrade, showing off more of the game's new Yuffie-focused chapter. It seems the iconic character will go up against a myriad of intimidating villains throughout her brief appearance in the PlayStation 5 remaster, including Shinra's Head of Weapons, Scarlet. The trailer also showcases Final Fantasy 7 mainstays like Weiss, Ramuh, and Nero, who will all be making a return during Intergrade. It's shaping up to be an interesting return to Final Fantasy 7 Remake, with early footage teasing several new faces and an array of significant visual enhancements.
Final Fantasy 7: The First Soldier is slated to launch later this year on Android and iOS devices.
Source: Twitch, Final Fantasy 7: The First Soldier