Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters Should Just Be the Tip of the Iceberg

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Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters Should Just Be the Tip of the Iceberg

As a seasoned veteran of the Final Fantasy universe, spanning decades and countless adventures, I can wholeheartedly say that Square Enix has truly outdone themselves with the Pixel Remasters. These remasters are not just polished versions of the classics we know and love, but they breathe new life into them, making them accessible to a whole new generation while maintaining the nostalgic charm that has kept us hooked for so long.

Over the last few years, great strides have been made to port the main entries of Final Fantasy onto contemporary systems, and among the finest of these efforts are the Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters. Unlike Square Enix’s HD-2D remakes that boast opulent production and novel features, the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series surpasses standard remasters with substantial adjustments and newly crafted assets. From Final Fantasy 1 to 6, these games have never appeared or sounded as good, providing newcomers an opportunity to explore these classic titles in their most refined versions.

At the close of games such as Final Fantasy 7, 8, 10, 10-2, and 12 receiving their own remasters, with the ongoing project for the Final Fantasy 7 Remake and whispers of an FF9 remake in the air, Square Enix has done a commendable job preserving and modernizing the Final Fantasy franchise. It’s intriguing to consider what may come next from these initiatives. If nothing further materializes following the Pixel Remasters, there are numerous prospects for projects based on those classic titles yet to be addressed.

How Final Fantasy Can Finish What The Pixel Remasters Started

For future projects with less development intensity, it might be beneficial for Square Enix to consider additional remasters of classic Final Fantasy games. The 3D versions of Final Fantasy 3 and 4, along with the 2D and 3D editions of Final Fantasy 4: The After Years, could all potentially receive updated remasters as part of a new collection. Square Enix might label this new title by connecting it to the older Pixel Remasters, perhaps calling it the “Final Fantasy Polygon Remaster Collection” or something similar. Additionally, there’s a growing demand for a remastered trilogy collection of Final Fantasy 13.

Pixel Remasters For Other Series’ Are Still On The Table

Beyond the possibilities within the realm of the “Final Fantasy” series, there’s a general anticipation that Square Enix will also work on enhancements similar to their pixel remaster projects for other franchises they own. A revamped version of “Chrono Trigger” often comes up in these discussions, but it’s not the only game worthy of such treatment. The classic “Mana” series could greatly benefit from having its own pixel remasters, and games like “Dragon Quest 4” to “7” might choose pixel remasters over the resource-heavy HD-2D remakes of their predecessors.

Final Fantasy’s Pixel Remasters Should Impact More Games

The significance attached to the initial six numbered Final Fantasy series opens up possibilities for them to appear more frequently as guests in other games. When considering crossover opportunities, Kingdom Hearts collaborating with classic Final Fantasy games is an idea that immediately springs to mind, given the series’ focus on characters from PlayStation 1 and 2 games. However, there are additional options. A fresh iteration of Fortune Street or a new release of Dissidia Final Fantasy would highlight the characters and settings from the oldest Final Fantasy titles, and it’s high time for new installments in these games as well as other spin-off series such as Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon or Final Fantasy Tactics.

Classic Final Fantasy Could Get New Follow-Up Titles

It’s worth mentioning that only the original and fourth installments of the “Final Fantasy” series, specifically “Final Fantasy 1” and “Final Fantasy 4”, have had follow-ups or prequels. These include “Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin” for the first one and “FF4: The After Years” for the fourth. Expanding on these classic games could be beneficial, perhaps by creating another “Final Fantasy” game in a Soulslike style, a turn-based RPG, an action title like the “FF7 Remake”, or something else entirely. The revamped versions of the earliest “Final Fantasy” games, the “Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters”, have brought these old titles back into play, opening up new opportunities for exploration and character revisits.

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2024-09-02 14:35