Square Enix announces E3 2012 lineup

It’s about that time again… and this morning Square Enix has revealed their official E3 2012 lineup. Highlights include Hitman: Absolution, Sleeping Dogs, Quantum Conundrum, Tomb Raider and a whole lot of iOS and Android titles.

Read on for the details.

Square Enix, Inc., the publishers of SQUARE ENIX interactive entertainment products in the Americas, today announced its title lineup for E3 2012. With one of the most powerful and diverse lineups in company history, Square Enix will show off classic franchises and original titles with exclusive footage and hands-on demos including the return of Agent 47 in HITMAN: ABSOLUTION , the engaging puzzle gameplay of Quantum Conundrum , the open world action of Sleeping Dogs , and a number of innovative mobile titles.

“At this year’s E3, Square Enix will have one of the most comprehensive and diverse portfolios of titles available in its history,” said Yoichi Wada, president and representative director of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd. “Our mission is to entertain and engage a wide range of consumers with the best possible interactive experiences.”

“From fantasy worlds filled with some of the industry’s most identifiable characters to innovative, original content, the lineup from Square Enix at this year’s E3 is one of the strongest in the industry,” said Mike Fischer, president and chief executive officer of Square Enix, Inc.

To get a first-hand look at upcoming games from Square Enix, please visit booth 1647 in the South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center. E3 attendees will be able to experience exclusive theater presentations for Quantum Conundrum, Sleeping Dogs and HITMAN: ABSOLUTION, and preview and play the following Square Enix titles:

HD Consoles and PC Lineup

Quantum Conundrum
Platform: Windows PC, PlayStation Network for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox LIVE Arcade for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft
Developer: Airtight Games
ESRB: E (Everyone)
Available: June 21 for Windows PC, Summer for PlayStation 3 system and Xbox 360
From the mind of PORTAL co-creator Kim Swift, Quantum Conundrum features engaging puzzle gameplay with the introduction of the Inter-Dimensional Shift Device (IDS), an invention that gives players the ability to shift to and from various dimensions, manipulating the world around them in order to solve puzzles of ever-increasing difficulty.

American Mensa Academy
Platforms: Windows PC, Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation Network, iOS, Android
Available: July
American Mensa Academy is a brain training game that will give player’s minds the ultimate cerebral workout. Created in direct collaboration with Mensa, American Mensa Academy is packed with 100+ replayable levels of fun and stimulating mini-games and challenges for everyone, plus for those really looking to test their grey matter, there is a rigorous test designed to calculate your Mensa score, directly inspired by questions faced by those attempting to join the renowned global high IQ society.

Sleeping Dogs
Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system, Windows PC
Developer: United Front Games
ESRB: Rating Pending (RP)
Available: August 14
Sleeping Dogs catapults players into the role of undercover cop Wei Shen, tasked with taking down one of the world’s most fearsome criminal organizations from the inside — the Hong Kong Triads. As players explore the bustling and crowded Hong Kong island, through its neon-lit side streets and sprawling street markets, an incredible story unfolds of loyalty and betrayal where Wei begins to question his own motives as he is sucked in deeper than he could ever imagine.

HITMAN: ABSOLUTION
Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system, Windows PC
Developer: IO INTERACTIVE (Square Enix Group)
ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)
Available: November 20
HITMAN: ABSOLUTION follows Agent 47, a cold-blooded assassin, who takes on his most dangerous contract to date. Betrayed by those he once trusted — and now hunted by the police — he suddenly finds himself at the center of a dark conspiracy and must embark on a personal journey through a corrupt and twisted world.

Gameglobe
Platform: Online browser
Developer: Hapti.co (Square Enix Group)
Available: 2012
Gameglobe is a unique browser-based experience that allows players free access to endless game worlds and creative possibilities, all in HD quality. Players can choose to either create their own game or simply play the multitude of levels available at launch.

TOMB RAIDER
Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system, Windows PC
Developer: Crystal Dynamics (Square Enix Group)
ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)
Available: Q1 2013
Armed with only the raw instincts and physical ability to push beyond the limits of human endurance, TOMB RAIDER delivers an intense and gritty story into the origins of Lara Croft and her ascent from a frightened young woman to a hardened survivor.

Handheld and Mobile Lineup

DARIUSBURST SECOND PROLOGUE
Platform: iOS
Available: Now
The shooting game hit has arrived! This stunning 3D iPhone game adapts elements from both the critically-acclaimed PlayStation Portable and arcade editions of DARIUSBURST, adding silky smooth touch screen controls and a host of exclusive new features. Climb aboard your sleek Silverhawk fighter and defend your home planet Darius against monstrous fishlike invaders!

RAYSTORM
Platform: iOS
Available: June
The classic 1996 arcade shooter is back! After a brutal war with rebellious colony planets, Earth is on the brink of destruction. It’s up to you to take control of the experimental R-GRAY fighter and bring the fight to the enemy! To succeed in your mission you’ll need lightning-fast reflexes, advanced weaponry, and no small amount of luck!

GUARDIAN CROSS
Platform: iOS, Android
Available: July (iOS), TBD (Android)
A creature-based card game that features a fully unique battle system in which players take on the role of “tamers” who capture, raise, and control powerful beasts known as “Guardians.” In addition to quests to unlock the secret of why the Guardians have woken after a millennium of slumber, other features include a coliseum system that allows players to challenge other tamers from around the world in head-to-head combat.

THEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY
Developer: Square Enix/indieszero Co., Ltd.
Platform: Nintendo 3DS system
ESRB: E10+ (Everyone 10 or older)
Available: July 3
The first FINAL FANTASY rhythm game, THEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY features more than 70 musical scores spanning entire 25 years of the franchise’s history. THEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY features music from key events, lush field themes and decisive battle arrangements.

HEROES OF RUIN
Developer: n-Space
Platform: Nintendo 3DS system
ESRB: T (Teen)
Available: July 17
HEROES OF RUIN challenges players to carve their own adventure, either venturing alone or joining forces with other heroes through seamless drop-in/drop-out co-op multiplayer. Players will enter an ever-changing world where danger waits around every corner. Heroes can explore and fight through wild, varied and dynamic environments, discovering new layouts and routes each time they play.

KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance]
Developer: Square Enix
Platform: Nintendo 3DS system
ESRB: E10+ (Everyone 10 or older)
Available: July 31
Celebrating the franchise’s 10th anniversary, KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance] features a spectacular story that promises to be a fun backdrop to the colorful cast of Disney characters making their 3D debut on a handheld title. In addition to brand new worlds, KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance] will also feature never before seen gameplay elements.

DEMONS’ SCORE
Platform: iOS, Android
Available: Summer
Demons’ Score is a breakbeat action game that seamlessly fuses music and battles. The Unreal Engine 3 is used to deliver thrilling touch-based gameplay through a mind-blowing fusion of stunning graphics and music created by hit songwriters.

FINAL FANTASY DIMENSIONS
Platform: iOS, Andriod
Available: Summer
Drawing upon the roots of the series with such features as beautiful 2D pixel art, job-driven character growth, additional scenarios in which to inherit the jobs of your adventuring companions, and a classic story of light, darkness, and crystals, FINAL FANTASY DIMENSIONS delivers the best of FINAL FANTASY, retro and fresh alike, directly to your smartphone.

KooZac
Platforms: iOS, Android
Available: Summer
KooZac, the award-winning number puzzler is coming to iOS and Android. Previously released online, the game has been played over 15 million times across 135 countries. KooZac offers three ways to play with the overall objective of positioning the falling blocks on top of each other to make a target number.

Motley Blocks
Platforms: iOS, Android
Available: Summer
Motley Blocks is a fast-paced, 3D puzzle game. Drag your finger across the screen to connect blocks of the same color as they rotate in a cyclonic pattern. Release your touch to send the blocks to the center of the cyclone and reveal a fun image. Use power-ups to help complete harder levels. In addition to solving puzzles, make your own in the level creator and share them with friends!

Qwirkle
Platforms: iOS, Android
Available: Summer
Qwirkle is a matching game requiring tactical maneuvers and well-planned strategy. Earn points by building rows and columns of tiles that share a common shape or color. Use power-ups and add an additional layer of strategy to the game! Play with multiple friends asynchronously in classic or arcade modes.

SolaRola
Platforms: iOS, Android
Available: Summer
SolaRola stars Wiz and Waz, the game’s blob-like gung-ho duo, tasked with bouncing across a number of challenging planets with the ultimate aim of saving the galaxy. Using whatever comes to hand, the daring pairing must thwart the plans of their nemesis, Ping the Unmerciless who has kidnapped the six guardians of SolaRola’s universe. With each planet inhabited by all manner of enemies and hazards, the player must navigate Wiz and Waz across a number of ill-positioned obstacles including rocks, slime, bombs and trampolines.