A new Square Enix brand points to the return of a popular PS1 horror series. When nostalgic PlayStation gamers think of the PS1, they are likely to associate the console with a few different genres, such as JRPGs and horror, two genres that many believe are underrepresented in the modern era, at least compared to previous generations. Especially as far as this game is concerned, it falls into the latter camp.
More specifically, on April 20, Square Enix filed a trademark in the United States for Fear effect, a horror-action adventure series that debuted back in 2000 via Kronos Digital Entertainment and Eidos Interactive and via a game of the same name. After the release, the game sold well and was well reviewed. This lead to Fear Effect 2: Retro Helix, which despite its name was actually a prequel. It hit a year later, also via PS1, and to a similarly positive reception. The series was then dormant until 2015, when Fear effect Sedna, a sequel, was released via Sushee, Forever Entertainment and Square Enix. It’s unclear how it sold, but it was a big critical flop. At the time, many wondered if that would be the end of the series; however, a year later a remake, Fear effect reinvented, was announced by Forever Entertainment. It’s been three years since we got a noticeable update on Fear effect reinventedso it is unclear what the status of it is, but it is possible that this new trademark points to its existence.
In order for Square Enix to renew the trademark, it must prove that it uses it to a certain extent. However, the guidelines for this are quite mild, so this renewal may not point in the direction of Fear effect reinvented or any other game, but that’s the implication.
For now, take the speculation here for what it is, which is speculation. The brand is genuine and new, but it’s hard to know what to make and not to make out of it.
At the time of release, neither Square Enix nor Forever Entertainment nor any person involved in any of them have commented on the trademark or the speculation it has created. If this changes, we will update the story accordingly.
H / T, Gematsu.