Why a Final Fantasy 9 Remake Would Be a Huge Mistake!

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As a long-time gamer, the announcement of the Final Fantasy 7 remake felt like a dream come true, since fans had been yearning for its modern update for over a decade. With Final Fantasy 9 being another beloved game in the series, it’s no wonder that anticipation for a potential remake has grown – if there will be one. While the idea of seeing FF9 revamped with better graphics and mechanics is exciting, I personally don’t think a Final Fantasy remake is the best move right now. Square Enix continues to hint at a possible FF9 remake, but I believe their resources could be put to better use elsewhere.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but reminisce about the captivating experience that Final Fantasy 9 offers, especially with its upcoming 25th anniversary. The recent nods to it in Final Fantasy 14’s Dawntrail have certainly stirred up excitement within our gaming community. Frankly, if a remake announcement is imminent, Dawntrail’s second half seems like an intentional teaser rather than just part of the game itself!

Final Fantasy 9 Still Runs Well

As a gamer, I can attest that even though it’s been around for a while, “Final Fantasy 9” still stands out as an impressive game. The PC port makes it easily accessible, and it performs smoothly in both graphics and gameplay, considering its age. Sure, it might not compete with the latest Final Fantasy games in terms of modernity, but it maintains its status as a timeless classic. Frankly, I don’t feel a remake is necessary at this point. There are other titles within the series that struggle to run smoothly and have only received minor updates. A full-scale remake could provide them with a much-needed boost. Moreover, it would give players a chance to revisit these early games that laid the foundation for the Final Fantasy series.

It’s a pity to transition from reimagining Final Fantasy 7 straight to Final Fantasy 9, bypassing Final Fantasy 8, which is often overlooked and undervalued despite being entertaining. Final Fantasy 8 isn’t as smooth-running as Final Fantasy 9, and I recall the irritation I felt when attempting to play its PC version, encountering numerous issues. Given such problems, Final Fantasy 8 would likely benefit more from a remake at this stage. Admittedly, I’d also cherish seeing my favorite game in the series, Final Fantasy 6, remade, but it would require a considerable amount of time to accomplish. Final Fantasy 8, at least, has a solid foundation in terms of design and models to streamline the process.

I Don’t Want Final Fantasy to Rely on Remakes

In simpler terms, remakes often serve as a fallback strategy for companies struggling with their latest releases, which can dampen the creativity and daring spirit of development teams working on future main games or expansions. While I comprehend the appeal of playing it safe, from a player’s perspective, it becomes disheartening as the magic that initially captivated me seems to fade away.

It seems that Square Enix appears to be leaning towards remakes, given the reception of some of their recent works. For instance, Final Fantasy 15 faced several development challenges, and Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail’s Steam reviews show a mix of opinions, with more recent ones trending negative. Considering only the Final Fantasy series might lead one to believe that revisiting older games could help revitalize it.

Instead, I’m keen on witnessing a greater number of innovative steps being taken, as they often lead to success. For instance, consider FF16, which introduced numerous modifications to its traditional gameplay formula, and it proved effective. The game was captivating and the world was engaging to traverse. Yet, if remakes dominate the scene, we’ll miss out on those unique experiences where every aspect feels novel. The thrill of discovering a new world for the very first time will grow increasingly scarce.

Essentially, I’m not keen on a remake of Final Fantasy 9. I dislike the trend of remakes dominating the scene. Although I comprehend the logic behind having separate teams for remakes, it seems that the popularity of these remakes leads to more being made, which in turn encourages developers to play it safe instead of aiming to be pioneers within the gaming industry. Square Enix once spearheaded innovation in gaming, and I don’t want to witness the spirit and ambition that drove them to explore new boundaries in gaming and storytelling diminish.

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2025-04-14 01:12