Square Enix’s Forgotten PS1 Masterpiece Is Perfect for Its Next Remake

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The original PlayStation is remembered for many classic games, including role-playing games like *Final Fantasy VII*, *The Legend of Dragoon*, *Suikoden II*, Xenogears, and *Dragon Quest VII*. These games, especially those from Square Enix like the iconic Cloud and Sephiroth adventure, really showcased what the new hardware could do. While many popular titles thrived, some great games were overlooked, including a Square Enix RPG that never quite received the recognition it deserved.

Square Enix has been focusing a lot on updating older games like *Final Fantasy Tactics*, the *Dragon Quest* series, and *Final Fantasy VII Remake*, but they’ve largely overlooked a really interesting project from the past. I think it’s time they revisited *Vagrant Story*. It’s a game that deserves more attention.

Vagrant Story Is a Cult Classic That Deserves Modern Recognition

Vagrant Story is a remarkably ambitious game from Square Enix. Even compared to their popular franchises like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest, it features exceptionally deep and realistic characters – heroes with flaws and villains you can almost understand. The game’s world is a complex, gothic setting where politics, religion, and magic collide, focusing more on power struggles than a simple quest to save the world. What really set it apart on the original PlayStation was its willingness to be complex, nuanced, and unique. Sadly, because it wasn’t part of the Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest series, it didn’t receive the same level of recognition.

I still remember the characters Ashley Riot, Sydney Losstarot, and Romeo Guildenstern from *Vagrant Story*. While they initially seem like typical heroes and villains from a Japanese role-playing game, the story quickly reveals their complex and ambiguous natures. Square Enix delved into themes of manipulation, obligation, and self-discovery through these characters in a way they hadn’t before. What begins as a hunt for the villainous Losstarot soon unfolds into a conspiracy that questions who is really in control, skillfully weaving together a large-scale political narrative with a deeply personal one.

By the time you finish *Vagrant Story*, it feels less like a standard Japanese role-playing game and more like a Shakespearean play. It’s filled with serious themes like betrayal, fate, and self-sacrifice, all set in a grim fantasy world. The story is intentionally unclear, constantly making you question what’s happening. It’s always surprised me that *Vagrant Story* didn’t receive more praise and isn’t remembered more often today.

Why Vagrant Story’s Combat and Story Were Ahead of Their Time

The combat in *Vagrant Story* is particularly memorable. Unlike most games of the era which used either turn-based or real-time combat, Square Enix created a unique system that blended the two. It was a daring move for the late 90s, emphasizing careful timing, strategic thinking, and trying out different approaches. Players could link attacks together, aim for specific body parts, and change their tactics mid-battle.

The game’s combat system was cleverly designed, but unfortunately, it wasn’t explained well. Players often found it awkward and confusing, and they were right to feel that way. Square Enix made the combat in *Vagrant Story* overly complex, or at least didn’t do a good job of teaching players how it worked. While the developers aimed high, this ultimately held the game back. Combined with difficult menus and a steep learning curve, it’s easy to see why many players gave up on it.

The story and way it was told were just as impressive as the battles in *Vagrant Story*. The game featured a detailed plot and richly developed world, throwing players into a complex situation where characters weren’t simply good or evil. Looking back, the writing was remarkably forward-thinking, and I think Square Enix should consider bringing *Vagrant Story* back on today’s gaming systems.

Quality-of-Life Fixes and Changes That Would Transform Vagrant Story

While *Vagrant Story* is built on a solid base, it definitely shows its age. Managing items is overly complicated, the graphics look old-fashioned, and the menus aren’t very user-friendly. The combat feels awkward and could be difficult for new players to pick up. A remake could fix these problems without changing what made the original game special.

To make this game more enjoyable for everyone, we could focus on improvements that enhance the experience without changing what makes it special. I’d love to see simpler menus, more responsive controls, and updated visuals. The music is already great and would fit a remake perfectly, but it’s important to also offer the original soundtrack. Most importantly, the combat system needs some attention – ideally, Square Enix could refine it instead of completely removing it.

As a long-time fan, I’ve seen Square Enix do amazing things with remakes and remasters, like they did with *Final Fantasy VII Remake*. I don’t think *Vagrant Story* needs *that* level of overhaul, but honestly, it deserves some attention! If Square Enix decided to give this PS1 classic a modern refresh, I really think it could become one of their best remakes ever.

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2025-09-28 00:11