Wishlist for a Final Fantasy Tactics Remake

For years now, whispers and speculations have been hinting at the return of Final Fantasy Tactics in the form of a remake or remaster. This all started with the notorious Nvidia GeForce Now leak back in 2021, and since then, fans have been navigating through a maze of mixed signals about Square Enix’s intentions to revisit this PS1 classic. Trusted sources in the industry have fueled hopes by asserting that a remake is on the horizon, yet creator Yasumi Matsuno has been quick to temper expectations. Despite where things stand officially, there’s little doubt among fans that a fresh take on Final Fantasy Tactics would be warmly embraced. It presents a golden opportunity to innovate while also preserving the cherished elements that made the original so captivating.

Considering Square Enix’s track record of revamping its past gems, imagining what a modern version of Final Fantasy Tactics might look like is not entirely far-fetched. The company’s recent success with Tactics Ogre: Reborn in 2022 provides a possible blueprint for this ambitious endeavor. While adding enhancements to streamline gameplay and improve user experience would undoubtedly excite players, there’s a compelling argument for the classic game’s integrity to remain largely unchanged. Should Square Enix be in the workshop, crafting this remake or remaster for today’s platforms, fans have clear preferences about which areas could be upgraded without straying from Matsuno’s original masterpiece.

What a Final Fantasy Tactics Remake Needs

An Update to Final Fantasy Tactics’ Visuals That Retains the Original’s Aesthetic

One area where a remake might naturally gravitate towards enhancement is the visuals. Yet, it’s a delicate task for Square Enix. The distinct blend of 2D character sprites against 3D backgrounds has aged gracefully, preserving the game’s nostalgic charm. This visual quirk is so deeply entwined with the game’s identity that even later installments like Final Fantasy Tactics Advance preserved the original’s style. A possible sweet spot could be adopting the HD-2D approach seen in other Square Enix revivals, combining the remarkable designs of Akihiko Yoshida with modern graphical finesse to elevate the game for contemporary audiences while keeping its heart intact.

A Final Fantasy Tactics Remake Should Introduce New Jobs

Though the tactical gameplay of Final Fantasy Tactics has aged with finesse and remains a beacon of strategic balance, the introduction of new jobs is an enticing possibility for a remake. The War of the Lions reissue deftly added four new jobs without skewing the game’s intricate difficulty curve. Bringing in new roles or guest appearances from other Final Fantasy entries could spice up the play, like introducing a "Dominant" job mimicking Final Fantasy 16’s summoning abilities or a nod to Final Fantasy 15 with a "Prince" job inspired by Noctis.

The Story, Music, Menus, and UI Should Remain Untouched in a Final Fantasy Tactics Remake

While updates can breathe fresh life into various aspects of the game, there are core elements from the 1997 original that should remain sacrosanct. This includes its gripping narrative and memorable soundtrack. Yasumi Matsuno’s script might only need a refined translation, while the iconic score by Hitoshi Sakimoto and Masaharu Iwata would benefit merely from an audio remastering. Additionally, any tinkering with the distinctive menus and user interface might detract from the authentic Final Fantasy Tactics experience, supporting the case for keeping these beloved features just as they were in the game’s initial release.