Square Enix unveiled The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales during the latest Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, introducing a bold new step for its signature HD‑2D aesthetic. Set for release on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2026, the game already invites players into its world thanks to a freely downloadable “Debut Demo” now available exclusively on the Switch 2 eShop. Players who launch the demo can also share feedback via a survey open through September 30.
In The Adventures of Elliot, players accompany Elliot and his fairy companion, Faie, as they journey beyond the magical walls of the Kingdom of Huther into ancient ruins filled with monstrous tribes and lost history. The adventure spans time and space itself, weaving through a land called Philabieldia under threat of magical beasts and ruin.
Gameplay leans into retro inspiration—think Secret of Mana and early Zelda—but modernized for dynamic action. Players wield seven types of weapons, from swords to chains and sickles, each customizable with Magicite to fit different combat styles. Faie isn’t just a companion; she can be controlled independently in co-op, used strategically in combat, or deployed to retrieve hidden items.
Square Enix calls it a single-player action-RPG, but the HD-2D engine brings a familiar visual nostalgia with modern customization and real-time intensity. It’s the first time the studio has applied the HD-2D style—previously used in turn-based games like Octopath Traveler and Dragon Quest III HD-2D—to an action-driven world.
A debut demo is live today on the Switch 2 eShop, letting players test the combat, world, and Faie’s abilities firsthand. Feedback collected through the survey could influence development as the team gears up for a full launch in 2026.
In a packed Nintendo Direct lineup filled with sequels and remasters, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millenium Tales stands out not only as Square Enix’s first original action‑RPG built in HD‑2D, but as a bet that nostalgia can still collide meaningfully with innovation. For anyone hungry for retro aesthetics, deep customization, and time‑bending adventure, Square Enix is serving a serious appetizer—to be followed by a full course in 2026
