The Final Fantasy series is one that has seen a seemingly endless number of spin-offs over the years. The acclaimed RPG franchise has been the jumping off point for titles such as Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, whilst the Disney team-up Kingdom Hearts may well even include Marvel and Star Wars characters in future releases. It was no surprise, then, that Square Enix revealed Final Fantasy Explorers at E3 2014, a 3DS title offering players a higher focus on action.

At the time, however, the game was only scheduled for a Japanese release of December 2014, with no official news of a Western port on the cards. Finally, it looks as though the game is going to see an international launch, with Square Enix revealing that Final Fantasy Explorers will hit North American shores on 26 January 2016, with a European release coming three days later on 29 January 2016. The news was revealed on the official Final Fantasy Facebook page, along with a trailer for the game.

Final Fantasy Explorers acts as a hybrid of the aforementioned Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles series and the Capcom-developed Monster Hunter franchise. The game is primarily focused on a four player co-op multiplayer experience, using the Nintendo handheld’s wireless ability, but Final Fantasy Explorers also offers a single-player mode. Thankfully, multiplayer will not only rely on local connection either, as the title is functional with both online and local team-ups.

The game’s plot focuses on a world on the brink of war, with different factions fighting over crystals that act as a vital power source. That’s where the player comes in, forming a party of explorers on an island rich in crystals, fighting fearsome monsters to the backdrop of this turmoil. The end goal of the 3DS exclusive is to conquer a “newly discovered Grand Crystal” on the island.

With an emphasis on forming a band of explorers with friends, players will be able to choose from a wide selection of jobs, including Final Fantasy staples such as the Black Mage and White Mage. Meanwhile, players will be able to recruit certain enemy monsters for battle. Gamers will also have the ability to call upon the assistance of powerful eidolons such as Ifrit and Bahamut, as well as the chance to transform into legendary characters from the Final Fantasy franchise.

The announcement of the North American release of Final Fantasy Explorers is not the only exciting news about the franchise in recent months. The reveal of a full remake of Final Fantasy 7 was one of the highlights of E3 2015, whilst Final Fantasy 15 is currently scheduled for release in December 2015. Fans of the franchise awaiting news of the title will not have long to wait – Square Enix has some big plans lined up for Gamescom.