This article contains spoilers for Final Fantasy VII Remake, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, and Final Fantasy IX.
Recent rumors about a Final Fantasy IX remake evoke a degree of apprehension. Part of this reluctance arises from Square Enix already providing a modern remaster of the original FFIX, which ensures its accessibility and preservation for both long-time fans and new players. However, a more substantial concern stems from Square Enix`s approach to the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy and the broader industry trend regarding remakes.
The topic of video game preservation is currently a prominent one within the gaming community. The Video Game History Foundation reports that roughly 87% of all video games released before 2010 are classified as `critically endangered,` implying that only about 13% remain readily accessible today. This highlights a significant number of games at risk of being irrevocably lost to history.
Nevertheless, this doesn`t imply a lack of effort from companies in preserving some of their more popular titles. In recent years, Capcom has successfully launched well-received remasters and re-releases for beloved franchises such as Resident Evil, Ace Attorney, and Mega Man. Similarly, Konami delivered a highly anticipated Metal Gear collection, and Square Enix itself has provided numerous excellent remasters for its Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy series.
Another approach companies employ when revisiting classic games is the `remake` strategy, which involves rebuilding titles to modernize controls, graphics, or even narrative elements for contemporary players. Prominent examples include the remakes of Resident Evil 2, Silent Hill 2, Demon`s Souls, and Dead Space. Given that their original versions are widely regarded as timeless masterpieces, it`s understandable why studios might opt to reinterpret these experiences through a fresh perspective instead of merely replicating them. However, while many of these comprehensive overhauls are celebrated as successes, certain defining qualities of the originals can occasionally be diminished or lost during adaptation. This issue is particularly evident with Square Enix`s Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, which functions less as an update and more as a complete reimagining, using the original Final Fantasy VII solely as a foundational concept.
This is precisely why the idea of Square Enix undertaking a complete remake of Final Fantasy IX from the ground up, rather than striving to preserve its original vision as closely as possible, causes me to hesitate.
Upon Square Enix`s announcement of the Final Fantasy VII remake, reactions were a mix of excitement and apprehension. Queries arose concerning its combat system—would it be turn-based? Would it faithfully adhere to the original narrative? Would it be released as a single game? These questions were eventually answered with the reveal of an ongoing trilogy featuring real-time action combat and significant alterations to pivotal story events, essentially positioning Final Fantasy VII Remake as a covert sequel to the original. Ultimately, for better or worse, the current iteration of Final Fantasy VII is not a direct substitute for the original experience.
This naturally leads to speculation regarding a potential Final Fantasy IX remake. Given the existence of a modern remaster, it`s plausible that Square Enix might pursue a more ambitious remake strategy for FFIX, akin to their approach with Final Fantasy VII Remake. The crucial questions then become: will this be yet another reinterpretation? Will Square Enix compromise the original version`s unique charm and distinctive elements to appeal to contemporary audiences? Final Fantasy IX is renowned for being a homage to the earlier Final Fantasy era, a characteristic evident in its art direction and gameplay. The game showcases some of the series` most stunning artwork through its pre-rendered backgrounds, which vividly bring the world of Gaia to life, resembling storybook illustrations and greatly enhancing the game`s fantastical ambiance. I can`t help but wonder if a significant portion of Final Fantasy IX`s inherent charm would be diminished if these were to be replaced by fully 3D environments in a remake.
Furthermore, I ponder if a Final Fantasy IX remake would introduce story alterations, similar to those seen in the VII Remake. Specifically, I`m concerned whether pivotal moments, such as the revelations involving Mog or Vivi, risk being rewritten or losing their original emotional impact. Final Fantasy IX is highly esteemed by many as the zenith of storytelling within the Final Fantasy series. To rebuild it entirely from scratch carries the potential to introduce creative modifications that could fundamentally change how players experience its narrative. Consider, for instance, Square Enix`s treatment of Aerith`s death in Final Fantasy VII, an iconic scene and one of gaming`s most recognizable images, depicting Sephiroth impaling the beloved party member with his Masamune. In Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, this moment becomes a convoluted blend of visions, dream sequences, and time jumps, rendering it unrecognizable, perplexing, and significantly less potent.
Could Square Enix once again forsake the classic Active Time Battle (ATB) system, a hallmark of games like Final Fantasy IX, in favor of a more action-oriented gameplay style, perhaps to appeal to fans of Final Fantasy XVI or Final Fantasy VII Remake? The ATB system inherently encouraged players to engage in strategic decision-making and deliberate each turn. In contrast, Final Fantasy VII Remake often allows players to simply mash the attack button in most encounters, with reliance on abilities typically reserved for late-game and boss battles. While VII`s transition to real-time action felt somewhat fitting given its futuristic setting, Final Fantasy IX`s distinct fantasy aesthetic and core identity are deeply intertwined with its classic ATB system. Such gameplay alterations might also affect iconic sequences like the sword fight open tournament, potentially reducing it to a quick-time event, much like the Shinra parade in Final Fantasy VII Rebirth.
Final Fantasy IX, while beloved, isn`t without its imperfections; some of its concepts feel less than fully realized. For instance, the Trance system, FFIX`s equivalent to Final Fantasy VII`s Limit Break, allows party members to transform into more potent forms upon sustaining significant damage. Despite its occasional mechanical quirks, Trance effectively communicates a character`s mounting fury and will to persevere in perilous combat, contributing to the game`s overall appeal. Removing such a feature in a remake would be akin to eliminating the codec calls from the Metal Gear Solid series for the sake of streamlining, thereby sacrificing a crucial aspect of its identity—a fate that indeed befell later entries in that franchise.
Another character aspect that might undergo changes is Zidane himself. Despite his popularity, he possesses a few problematic personality traits, notably his womanizing tendencies and overly flirtatious behavior towards Garnet. However, it is precisely these characteristics that lend profound meaning to his actions, character arc, and overall development throughout the narrative, culminating in his apparent death and subsequent heartwarming return to Garnet, a truly memorable moment in the series. If his personality were to be excessively sanitized for the sake of presenting him in a more conventionally positive light, it could diminish the emotional resonance and fundamentally alter the perception of the game`s concluding moments.
Is there a possibility that my concerns are unfounded, and a Final Fantasy IX remake could successfully bypass the pitfalls encountered by the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, instead perfectly capturing the original game`s unique charm? Perhaps. Does the emergence of a new, reinterpreted Final Fantasy IX inherently negate the value or existence of the original? Absolutely not. However, if this new iteration is subsequently championed as the definitive way to experience the game, yet it fails to embody the core elements that made the original so special, then isn`t a certain degree of its inherent magic diminished?
It is paramount to retain the ability to revisit the past and experience games in their unadulterated forms. When developers diligently preserve and make these cherished titles accessible, it represents a positive stride forward. Square Enix has exemplified this by re-releasing Final Fantasy IX for modern gaming hardware. Nevertheless, when companies opt to needlessly remake beloved titles solely for the sake of modernization, they inadvertently jeopardize the overall public perception of these games—even if the original source material remains intact. Something intangible is lost when distinctive ideas and design principles are diluted into a `one-size-fits-all` model and then branded with the name of an established classic. Final Fantasy IX stands as a masterpiece in storytelling, gameplay, and design, arguably marking a high point for the franchise. Should it receive a remake, my earnest hope is that Square Enix will meticulously remember what made it so extraordinarily special from its inception.