Square Enix and Capcom are dominating the gaming industry with their phenomenal remakes. I feel as if gamers were skeptical of the great classics of the past being remade for modern tastes but over time have become more and more welcoming. Square Enix’s Final Fantasy VIIRemake and Rebirth are some of the best RPGs of all time. Square Enix has been showcasing that they understand the genre fundamentally. It’s safe to bet on whatever they decide to remake in the future. There have been rumblings of other remakes in the works at Square Enix. Hopefully, someone at Square Enix will stumble across this article. Square, here are 6 other Final Fantasy games that deserve a remake.
6. Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII
©Box art for Dirge of Cerberus on PS2
- Release Date — August 15, 2006
- Release Platforms — PlayStation 2
- Metacritic Score — 57
I’m sure many gamers are hoping that Square moves away from Final Fantasy VII after the conclusion of the remake trilogy and I agree. But if anything needs a new coat of paint, it’s Dirge of Cerberus. Maybe the game doesn’t need a complete remake but a DLC for Final Fantasy VIIRebirth telling the backstory of Vincent Valentine in the style of this game could be groundbreaking. Square’s already dabbled with third-person shooter gameplay after its release. I would love to see what the team does with their newfound experience.
This title is critically panned but it has its fair share of supporters. The game’s user score on Metacritic is 7.9 out of 277 votes. The game has to be doing something right. I’m sure fans of the game wouldn’t mind a complete overhaul fixing its more mediocre aspects and giving fans and newcomers alike something to hold on to.
5. Final Fantasy VI
©Digital Storefront Artwork - Original
- Release Date — April 2, 1994
- Release Platforms — SNES, PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, Android, iOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4
- Metacritic Score — 92
You could argue that this title is perfect as it is. Many fans think that this title is the true pinnacle of the franchise and while I disagree I can’t argue its impact. Final Fantasy 6‘s director Yoshinori Kitase has already talked about remaking this game in an interview. He said that if this game were to receive the same treatment 7 is getting it would take around 20 years to develop. This makes sense just based on the scale of the game, its world, and its characters.
With games becoming more dense and massive in scale it’s important to be wary of scope creep. If Square decided to remake Final Fantasy VI a lot of the game would have to be trimmed so that the game doesn’t cost a billion dollars to make. Fans of the game probably wouldn’t like that in the long run but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to see Square try.
4. Final Fantasy IX
©Main cast of Final Fantasy IX
- Release Date — April 2, 1994
- Release Platforms — PlayStation, iOS, Windows
- Metacritic Score — 94
Final Fantasy IX feels more like a black sheep when compared to the rest of the PlayStation-era Final Fantasy titles. Where VII and VIII are darker and more modern titles, IX goes back to the series’ roots. Many fans believe that Final Fantasy as a whole has moved too far from the original themes that made them fans in the first place. Many people love this game, it’s the highest-rated game in the series for a reason.
Square Enix has been hinting that a Final Fantasy IX remake is on the way for the last few years, and fans have been sharing what they want from the game on social media. Most fans think the remake should be 1 to 1. The original title has some of the franchises’ most loved characters and character arcs. If they attempt to give the game the treatment VII received it could move too far from what made the original great.
3. Final Fantasy XIII Trilogy
©Logo for Final Fantasy XIII
- Release Date — March 9, 2010
- Release Platforms — PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows
- Metacritic Score — 83
Maybe fans aren’t looking for a from the ground up remake but there is an audience for a remaster on modern consoles. Final Fantasy XIII was the original black sheep of the series before XV. This game was my introduction to the series so I have a huge bias towards it. It will always have a special place in my heart even if it isn’t as good as some of the other more loved titles. Final Fantasy fans have pushed for a rerelease or a remaster for modern consoles for years.
This game might be perfect for a remake when you think about it. The title’s development cycle was a rough one and a lot of the game’s content was watered down or spread out to other titles. If the original vision of the game could somehow make it to the masses I think most fans of Final Fantasy would be interested. A remake could be the perfect vehicle for achieving the potential of what the games could’ve been. But most fans are probably fine with a remaster.
2. Final Fantasy Tactics
©Gameplay screenshot - Original
- Release Date — October 9, 2007
- Release Platforms — PlayStation, PSP, iOS
- Metacritic Score — 88
Vanillaware’s phenomenal tactics RPG, Unicorn Overlord has caused Square Enix fans to beg for another Final Fantasy Tactics. The original title is regarded as one of the best Final Fantasy ever. Many fans praise its amazing pixel art and well-written narrative. With the HD-2D art style becoming increasingly popular with the release of Octopath Traveler and its sequel, some fans have wanted a remake of Tactics in that style.
Square hasn’t shown much interest in giving the fans what they’re asking for but that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. It seems we’re still in the thickest part of the remake chapter of the industry. With more anticipated remakes receiving announcements and releasing to critical acclaim it’s only a matter of time for Final Fantasy Tactics.
1. Final Fantasy VIII
- Release Date — September 7, 1999
- Release Platforms — PlayStation, Windows
- Metacritic Score — 90
This game would benefit from a remake more than any other game on this list. Final Fantasy VIII was the black sheep before XIII. The game landed on its feet and over 20 years later fans look back on it fondly. However, this could’ve been the magnum opus, the shining pinnacle of the series. All it needs is a bit more focus and some of its edges polished a bit. I’m not saying that this game should’ve been more aligned with the rest of the franchise. I’m saying that this game felt like it didn’t know what story it wanted to tell.
Final Fantasy VIII‘s story is full of contrivance and plot convenience that makes complete sense when you realize it was written by three writers who barely collaborated. The story’s scenario just kept changing hands and it led to what we have today. Much of the story’s narrative is heavily debated with some people believing the popular “Squall is Dead” theory and others believing the “Rinoa is Ultimecia” theory.
There’s a lot to talk about when it comes to this title and a lot of questions that should be answered. A Final Fantasy VIIRemake-styled reimagining would do wonders for this game. They wouldn’t even have to change the narrative much. Just please provide a better explanation for the party’s memory loss than what we got. The junction system could probably stay completely as is with a better tutorial and I don’t think anyone would complain about a better fleshed-out narrative. Just tell us Square, is Rinoa Ultimecia?
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Final Fantasy III (SNES) gameplay screenshot.