Final Fantasy Games That Could Use A Remake

Highlights

Final Fantasy‘s
roots lie in the wildly successful
Final Fantasy 7
, sparking a reimagined 3D adventure.
Forgotten gems like
Mystic Quest
and
Tactics
hold potential for 3D remakes and modern adaptations.
Revenant Wings
and
Ring of Fates
offer unique gameplay worth revisiting through console remakes.

As a long-time fan of the Final Fantasy series, I can’t help but feel nostalgic about some of the lesser-known titles that deserve more recognition. Growing up, I remember playing the North American version of Mystic Quest, which was actually released as Final Fantasy USA in Japan. It may not have been a mainline entry, but it had all the classic elements of music, crystals, and turn-based combat that made me fall in love with the franchise in the first place.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my excitement for Square Enix’s successful franchise, Final Fantasy. It didn’t start off as a money-making machine, but it surely transformed into a blockbuster hit with the arrival of Final Fantasy 7. This game is arguably the most beloved title in the series and has even received a remake. The remake project is quite ambitious, and so far, two out of its three parts have been completed.

There have been smaller remakes and remasters in the series, like Final Fantasy 4 on the DS. Most of the bigger games have received remasters at least, but these other, more forgotten games haven’t been touched. Let’s check out which Final Fantasy entries are most deserving of a remake, from spinoffs to mainline games.

6 Final Fantasy

Where It All Began

Final Fantasy Games That Could Use A Remake

Metacritic Score: 79 (GBA)

The classic role-playing game “Final Fantasy” has undergone numerous remakes and re-releases over the years. Among these versions, some believe that the Game Boy Advance (GBA) edition reaches the peak. Nevertheless, there is a compelling argument for Square Enix to produce a new, 3D version of the original game from the NES era. In the year 2022, “Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin,” a cooperative project between Team Ninja and Square Enix, was unveiled as an alternative 3D take on the series’ origins.

The initial promotion suggested this was a new take on the original game, but the shocking finale unveiled it as a prequel, setting the stage for the happenings in “Final Fantasy.” To align with this change in context, Team Ninja could revamp the game into a more immersive 3D action-adventure experience, focusing less on Soulslike mechanics.

5 Final Fantasy Mystic Quest

A Truly Forgotten Gem

Metacritic Score: N/A

As someone who grew up in the 90s and was deeply immersed in the world of video games, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia when I think about the unique case of “Final Fantasy Mystic Quest.” This game holds an intriguing place in gaming history, especially for those of us who grew up straddling the line between Eastern and Western gaming cultures.

I remember playing “Super Mario USA” back in my gaming days, little did I know that this name is actually used for “Super Mario Bros. 2” in Japan. In the PAL region though, they completely dropped the “Final Fantasy” label and renamed it “Mystic Quest Legend.” I can’t help but feel a pang of sadness, as this game has all the makings of a classic “Final Fantasy” entry. The music is out of this world, there are crystals to collect, and the combat is turn-based. It may have been lost to time now, but I truly believe it deserves another look and appreciation.

4 Final Fantasy Tactics

The First Strategy-Inspired Spinoff

Metacritic Score: 88 (PS1)

Final Fantasy Tactics provided PS1 users with an additional reason to cherish the console, apart from Final Fantasy 7. This game represented the initial spin-off in the series to incorporate tactical grid combat, and it was remarkably difficult, arguably even surpassing the challenge level of other games in the Final Fantasy franchise.

Despite its challenges, what made the game exceptional was its gripping narrative filled with mature topics and the innovative Job system. It quickly gained popularity among fans and spawned several sequels on handheld Nintendo devices. However, despite being ported to PSP as Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions, it hasn’t undergone a significant remake since then. It has been absent from console platforms for over a decade now, which is the real shame.

3 Dirge Of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7

Vincent’s Big Breakout

Metacritic Score: 57 (PS2)

Square Enix appears to be putting significant effort into reimagining the world of Final Fantasy 7, extending beyond just the main game. In 2022, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 received an enhanced version rather than a full remake, serving as a prelude. The Yuffie DLC in Final Fantasy 7 Remake unveiled Deepground, which is the organization featured in Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7.

Square Enix has a valid reason to remake the game, not just to enhance Vincent’s run-and-gun experience in “Dirge of Cerberus.” However, there is another project named “Final Fantasy 7 Ever Crisis” underway, which involves remaking parts of the entire franchise as turn-based RPGs. While this initiative caters to the mobile market, it may not align with the desires of those who prefer the original action game style of “Dirge of Cerberus.”

2 Final Fantasy 12: Revenant Wings

An RTS For The Series

Metacritic Score: 81 (DS)

In an unusual move for the “Final Fantasy” franchise, “Final Fantasy 12: Revenant Wings” is the major installment that has been transformed into a Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game. Previous titles, such as “Final Fantasy 7 Remake,” have featured RTS-style mini- games, like Fort Condor. As a follow-up to the original PS2 version, “Final Fantasy 12: Revenant Wings” brings Vaan and Penelo together with Balthier and Fran for thrilling sky pirate escapades.

During their journey, they gained the power to call upon monsters for battle assistance. This feature turned out to be effective, earning positive feedback from critics, despite the DS’s compact screen size. Enhancing the visual space through a console revision could alleviate some concerns regarding the graphics in Final Fantasy 12: Revenant Wings.

1 Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring Of Fates

An Improved Multiplayer Sequel

Metacritic Score: 77 (DS)

In their initial outing, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles marked a new cooperative journey within the series. Debuting on GameCube, this title boasted an exclusive multiplayer feature using Link Cables. Conversely, in its successor, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates, the hassle of setting up multiplayer was significantly reduced as it utilized the DS’ inherent capabilities instead.

A more enhanced version emerged, focusing less on the burden of Miasma. The customization of characters became richer, and the gameplay felt more streamlined. In 2020, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles underwent a remaster. Now, it’s only fair that Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates receives the same upgrade. Perhaps, even Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time could be included in the package.

2024-07-18 05:04