Summary
Final Fantasyis a franchise that has been ruling the JRPG roost for decades. For most, it’s the yardstick upon which all other games in the genre are compared, and the way it has changed and evolved over time has made it a trailblazer since the very beginning. From the near-universally belovedFinal Fantasy 6to the somewhat polarizingFinal Fantasy 8, its history is storied, and its influence is massive.Final Fantasy 8may be controversial, but its lasting impact on the franchise is undeniable.
The recent remake ofFinal Fantasy 7has reminded fans of their love of tales and characters of the past. A remake of the ninth mainline outing is not confirmed, but has been rumored for years, and recently anEpic Games Store leakhas alluded to its existence. However, while this would be an exciting proposition, there’s one title that Square Enix should give the treatment first, asFinal Fantasy 8needs it a lot more.
Final Fantasy 8 Could Benefit from Change
One of the big talking points ofFinal Fantasy 7 Remakewas its willingness to change the storyand bring something new. It wasn’t an exact replica of the story presented in 1997, rather it sat alongside the PlayStation classic, adding to its greatness rather than mimicking it. This meant that both new players and seasoned fans could get something new from the experience as it had vital story beats that were all-new, and thus it wasn’t completely predictable. This is a philosophy that doesn’t have to be unique toFinal Fantasy 7 Remake, especially if Square Enix decides to give the same treatment to its immediate follow-up.
A remaster ofFinal Fantasy 8released in September 2019 with new features and polished graphics.
Final Fantasy 8has more than its fair share of issues, be it the awkward setting and tone, some of the clunky dialogue, and the ‘Junction’ system that dampened the feeling of actual progression. It’s a game that valiantly tries new things, but with most new additions, it missed the mark, enough to ensure thatFinal Fantasy 9returned to a more conventional overall product. A remake could be the perfect means to bring forward the things thatFinal Fantasy 8does well, like music and the beloved game Triple Triad, while restructuring or replacing the areas in which it falters.Final Fantasy 7 Remakereminded players of that game’s wonder,Final Fantasy 8 Remakecould rehabilitate a game that was far more polarizing.
A Potential Final Fantasy 9 Remake is Exciting, But Not Necessary
Final Fantasy 9may have been overshadowed somewhat on release thanks to it launching so late in the original PlayStation’s life, but over the last 24 years, it has enjoyed renewed adoration and is widely believed to beone of the bestFinal Fantasygamesthere is. Its legacy is large, even being ported to PlayStation 4 in 2017 and Switch and Xbox One in 2019, with new people discovering Zidane’s story almost a quarter of a century after it first hit shelves. In truth, a remake of it would be welcome news, but it would have the same reason for existing asFinal Fantasy 7 Remake, which is simply to recreate a masterpiece, whereas8receiving the treatment feels like a more constructive move.
Omitting Final Fantasy 8 Remake Could Create a Long Term Problem
The public consensus onFinal Fantasy 8may be mixed, but if Square Enix decides not to pursue a remake of it and instead cover9, it makes the topic of future remakes feel uncertain. IfFinal Fantasy 8is not deserving, then it calls into question which games will be remade moving forward. There are obvious candidates, like the aforementionedFinal Fantasy 9as well asSNES classicssuch asFinal Fantasy 4and6(2and3in the West) which are each some of the JRPG genre’s greats.
Final Fantasy 9returned to a high fantasy setting for the first time since the fifth mainline game, after6,7, and8experimented with modern influences.
Titles likeFinal Fantasy2,5,8, and12which aren’t as universally beloved, and perhaps could benefit the most from the remake treatment being omitted would only serve to create a rift between the great and the good. Instead, following up the superbFinal Fantasy 7 Remakesaga with a new take on the eighth game would keep to the sequence of the series, and could serve to heighten the anticipation forFinal Fantasy 9’s turn. It’s an idea that has worked wonders forResident Evil, as3, much likeFinal Fantasy 8, was sandwiched between two brilliant titles, and was made better by its remake.
