Final Fantasy Wish List December 18, 2015

Today marks the 28th anniversary of the Japanese release of Final Fantasy, and to celebrate the release of this console classic we at this website wanted to share some of our hopes and dreams about what we would like to see from this beloved franchise in the future.  Don’t worry, since Final Fantasy VII Remake was officially announced as in development, it won’t be brought up here.

Like with most of the editorials we write on this site, we have to preface this with the disclaimer that we won’t presume to dictate Square Enix’s future business plans. These are just some desires that Final Fantasy fans have been talking about for some time.

So, with all that out of the way, let’s get started shall we?

Restore Final Fantasy VI’s original 16-Bit Graphics on Android, PC and iOS

I’m bringing this up first because it seems to be a pretty hot button topic right now. Final Fantasy VI was rereleased on the PC earlier this week and immediately brought on a huge fan backlash. The outrage had nothing to do with the game’s quality, Final Fantasy VI is still considered one of the finest games ever made, the backlash was over the “updated” graphics engine Square Enix has continued to use when republishing this game on newer hardware. The PC users are hardly alone in being forced to look at this horrible graphics palate, it had previously been used in the game’s Android and iOS ports. Given the incredible amount of care that went into the game’s original graphics when it was first released on Nintendo’s 16-bit console, it’s a shame the game’s newest players have to look at such awful graphics.  Why doesn’t Square Enix patch the recent games to allow players the option to choose which graphics they prefer?

What are the odds we’ll see this?  Next to zero. The fact that Square Enix continues to use this graphics package in all of these rereleases, even after all its negative feedback, makes me suspect that the graphics engine might have been retooled for either legal or technical reasons and it might be very difficult to restore the original graphics. My advice would be to download the games on either the PlayStation 3 or Wii.

Release the Final Fantasy XV Demo for Everyone on Xbox One and PS4

There’s no bigger multiplatform game on track for release next year than Final Fantasy XV.  People have been looking forward to playing this game since it was first announced for the PS3 in 2006 under the title Final Fantasy Versus XIII. The graphics look amazing and the gameplay looks like a lot of fun. Square Enix included an official playable demo for Final Fantasy XV inside early copies of Final Fantasy Type-0 HD over a year before the final game was expected to release and from what I’ve heard, the demo is really good. In fact many players commented the demo alone justified the purchase. Well, aren’t demos supposed to be freely distributed?  They’re supposed to make you want to buy the full version of the game.  New copies of Final Fantasy Type-0 HD are getting harder to find, and demo codes are running out.  Why doesn’t Square Enix release this demo to the Xbox and PlayStation digital marketplaces?

What are the odds we will see this?  I would give it a 15% chance. Final Fantasy XV‘s developers have stated on several occasions during Final Fantasy Type-0 HD‘s launch that they would only offer the Final Fantasy XV demo to people who bought one of the initial printings of Type-0 HD.  Without a doubt, that improved the sales of the game it was paired with but it left a bad taste in a lot of fan’s mouths.  I hope this policy doesn’t remain perminant as we get closer to XV‘s release, a lot of work went into that demo, and it would be a shame to see it played by so few people.

Re-Release Final Fantasy VIII and Final Fantasy IX to the PS4 as a Digital Download.

Three numbered Final Fantasy titles were released on the original PlayStation over a decade and a half ago. All three of them are still frequently referenced as staple games in the RPG genre, and many players still debate which is their favorite game from that era.  However, the PlayStation 4 cannot play PS1 games and newer gamers who lack older hardware can find themselves unable to play these staple RPGs.  Meanwhile, Final Fantasy VII was re-released on the PlayStation 4 a week ago. The port was based on a slightly updated PC version, which kept the game’s original graphics mostly intact.  It may be the exact same game players remember playing on the original PlayStation, but is that really a bad thing?  If Square Enix could bring Final Fantasy VII to the PS4, why couldn’t they bring the later PS1 era numbered titles as well?

What are the odds we will see this?  75% For Final Fantasy VIII, 55% for Final Fantasy IX.  Square Enix has already done a modern PC port of Final Fantasy VIII, and it looks pretty good. In theory, that PC-port could be adapted to the PS4. While there currently is no modern PC port for Final Fantasy IX, I’m sure it will end up on the PS4 if the previous games sold well.  So if you want to see more classic Final Fantasy games on the PS4, buy Final Fantasy VII now.

Bring the NES and SNES Final Fantasy Games to the Wii U’s Virtual Console

Some time ago, Nintendo rereleased the original three numbered NES and SNES Final Fantasy titles released to the US on the Wii’s Virtual Console. They’re still available to download at a reasonable price if you have a Wii, but if you’ve upgraded to the Wii U, you can only play these downloadable games on the Wii U’s Wii emulator. Because of that, the games can’t be played solely with the Wii U controller or take advantage of Wii U’s Virtual Console features, like the ability to save at any point.  Why doesn’t Nintendo bring those games to the Wii U’s eShop?

So, what are the odds?  50/50.  Nintendo has been slow to release games on the Wii U’s Virtual Console, but they are doing it. The fact that the games have already been released on the Wii is a good sign Nintendo will eventually make the games Wii U native, but I don’t even want to think about how long we may have to wait before it happens.  I would have to give its chances even odds.

What do you think of the list?  Not enough wishes?  Stay tuned tomorrow for Part 2!

Happy Birthday, Final Fantasy December 18, 2015

Today marks the 28th Anniversary of the release of the very first Final Fantasy game in Japan, making today essentially the 28th birthday of the Final Fantasy franchise.

Final Fantasy was intended to be the final project for Square, a company unable to capitalize on the success of the 8-bit Nintendo home console.  With only enough money for one more project, the game’s director decided to make a game he would have been happy to play. It was expected to be a  commercial flop and the final game ever to be released by Square. Instead it became one of the strongest franchises in the history of gaming, and many of the later games would go on to become incredible commercial successes, fan favorites and added to numerous best of lists.

What can we say about this franchise twenty eight years later?  There have been fourteen numbered games (including two massively multiplayer games which are still in operation), two feature-length movies, numerous spin offs, and tons of rereleases and ports to new platforms.

So, raise a glass everyone. Happy Birthday Final Fantasy!