In line with its strategic “reboot” initiative, announced earlier in 2025 and projected to unfold over the next three years, Square Enix is making significant adjustments to its game portfolio. This involves the imminent discontinuation of two veteran mobile games from its most prominent franchises in Japan, effective by the end of October.
The impending closure of Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius and Dragon Quest of the Stars was officially confirmed through Square Enix`s social media posts, as reported by GamesIndustry.Biz. Both titles originally launched in 2015. Their international versions had already been shut down previously—Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius outside Japan last year, and Dragon Quest of the Stars internationally in 2021. Now, these Japanese versions are scheduled to be delisted on October 31. Furthermore, in-app purchases for both titles have already been suspended.
Notably, before their final shutdown, Dragon Quest of the Stars will celebrate its 10th anniversary on October 15, followed by Final Fantasy: Brave Exvius on October 22, adding a bittersweet note to their discontinuation.
This trend of portfolio rationalization isn`t new for Square Enix. According to director Yoji Fujito, the company considered shutting down the 23-year-old MMO Final Fantasy XI last year but ultimately decided against it due to its continued popularity and large active player base. However, other projects haven`t been so fortunate. Reports indicate that developer People Can Fly had plans for Outriders 2, but the sequel was reportedly overruled and subsequently canceled by its publisher, Square Enix. This decision was reportedly followed by layoffs within People Can Fly, with Outriders 2 cited as one of two projects axed in the wake of these departures.
Despite these closures and cancellations, Square Enix is also looking to the future with new game releases. Among them is The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, a new HD-2D action-RPG. This title is expected to launch on upcoming platforms such as Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2026, signaling the company`s continued investment in new gaming experiences.