They may not get as much press or focus as Square Enix’s console and PC titles, like the upcoming Forspoken and Final Fantasy 16, but the company clearly considers its mobile games, such as Nier: Reincarnation, an important priority. In fact, Square Enix has recently announced a new studio dedicated entirely to mobile games, with a particular focus on high-quality, free-to-play fare.
Simply called Square Enix London Mobile, the company has also confirmed the studio’s first two projects. The first is Tomb Raider: Reloaded, a top-down action-adventure shooter, which was already announced in 2020. It’s being developed by Emerald City Games, with Square Enix London Mobile coming in to assist. Crystal Dynamics, the studio in charge of the franchise, is helping too, although it is likely more occupied with Avengers, Perfect Dark, and the next mainline Tomb Raider game.
Featuring the classic iteration of Lara Croft as opposed to the modern reboot, Tomb Raider: Reloaded soft launched in select regions earlier this year for Google Play and the Apple App Store. A global launch is still on track for 2022.
The second project, however, is brand new and, surprisingly, is a mobile game based on Avatar: The Last Airbender. Unfortunately, Square Enix didn’t share any other details about the game itself (not even its name), only adding that Square Enix London Mobile will be working on it alongside Vancouver based studio Navigator Games. Navigator Games CEO Will Moore has described the opportunity to work on such an iconic IP as a privilege, and that the team is looking forward to sharing it with the fans.
The Last Airbender franchise is no stranger to video games, but none of them are particularly well known. The most notable Avatar game is probably the Legend of Korra action game from Bayonetta studio PlatinumGames. It released in 2014 and was met with a mixed reception from fans and critics and is also no longer available to purchase digitally as it was removed from digital storefronts in 2017.
In recent years, in lieu of any Avatar games, its cast has instead made appearances in Nickelodeon crossover games, with the most recent example being Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, a platform fighter similar to Super Smash Bros. As far as Avatar characters go, it includes Aang, Korra, and Toph, although fans are hoping more will be added as DLC.
Square Enix certainly has its hands full when it comes to mobile games now. It still has new, mobile exclusive Hitman and Just Cause titles in development, plus Final Fantasy 7: The First Soldier, a battle royale spin-off that will also serve as a prequel to the original Final Fantasy 7 and will be launching later this year.