The Final Fantasy series has had myriad releases over its nearly 40 years. Oddly, some of the biggest highlights are not the original releases of games, but instead their remakes. Some are simple remasters, while others are top-to-bottom recreations. In each of these remakes, any number of things can be altered. New graphics, music, content, and even gameplay systems are common across these re-releases. Let’s take a look at the very best Final Fantasy Remakes you can play right now.
The Most Advanced Remakes (Back Then)
The Gameboy Advance had a slew of Final Fantasy content in its heyday. Five of the franchise’s main installments received updates when ported over to this console. Final Fantasy I and II were combined into the Dawn of Souls collection. This included the core games with new graphics and music, and an extra campaign for FFII. However, the updated versions of FF IV, V, and VI were even more exciting. Featuring touched-up graphics, music, and scripts, these games went even further with extra content. They all featured bonus dungeons and new ways to power up your characters. For anyone who couldn’t grow up with the original versions of these games, the Advance ports were worth investing in.
Boldly Leaping Into the Third Dimension
Following the Gameboy Advance ports, the Nintendo DS was the next game to see Final Fantasy Remakes. Final Fantasy III came first, marking the first official release of the game in North America. Featuring 3d graphics, named party members, and an updated script, it was a massive revamp of the NES classic. The game maintained its NES difficulty curve which kept gamers engaged. Afterward, FFIV was graced with a similar remake. In addition to 3d graphics, FFIV was given voice acting and brand-new gameplay mechanics. Some additions to the story also helped flesh out the classic experience. Fans loved the treatment these games got. These versions have PC ports and are available on Steam.
Revisiting the Pixels
Still, despite love for the 3d classics, many fans wanted modern releases of the original games. This led Square to launch the Pixel Remasters of FFI-VI. All six classic games were given completely updated pixel art, along with a revamped soundtrack. Emphasis was put on keeping the gameplay close to the original releases, lacking in the bonus content of other remakes. Still, fans found the updated graphics and music to be enticing. Newer fans found themselves engaged with these classic RPGs for the first time. As far as Final Fantasy Remakes go, they are the truest to the source material. All in all, many consider the Pixel Remaster collection the definitive version of these six games.
Final Fantasy VII: The GOAT?
We cannot discuss Final Fantasy Remakes while ignoring the elephant in the room. Final Fantasy VII has released two incredible remakes, with a third on the way. 2020’s Final Fantasy VII Remake blew away fans. The original PS1 game received modern AAA graphics, gameplay, and presentation. The story of the game was not simply recreated, but enhanced and expanded. Connections were made to the other FFVII games and content. When FFVII Rebirth launched earlier this year, it was even more shocking in its open world and deep gameplay. As we await the third and final part of the trilogy, they may go down as the greatest remakes in gaming history.
The Worthiness of Remaking Classics
Some tire of revisiting old content via remakes and ports. It is certainly the case that people desperately want new content and stories. However, nostalgia is a tantalizing prospect. It is easy to draw upon this resource to make sales. However, there are legitimate reasons for remakes to exist. Sometimes old versions of games are hard to acquire. Sometimes, the technology of the time wasn’t ready for the game developer’s vision. In the case of games like FFVII Remake, you can use a remake to touch the original audience of your game in a new way. More Final Fantasy Remakes are inevitable, and I hope Square continues to impress with their quality.
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