The reason for the delayed re-release of Final Fantasy Tactics was due to the fact that the original source code had been misplaced: "Maintaining such data was not common practice at the time."
Hey there, bud! So, I gave Final Fantasy Tactics a whirl on my phone with an emulator, and let me tell ya, it was less than ideal. It's probably perfect for Advance Wars though. This year, we've all got a chance to enjoy it like it was meant to be, thanks to Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles hitting PC and consoles. But it's not as simple as hitting a big ol' "smooth graphics filter" button.
Kazutoyo Maehiro, the director of this rerelease, spilled the beans to Square Enix in an interview about the challenges they faced. Seems the original master data and source code were long gone. This ain't because they were mishandled or anything, it just wasn't the norm back in the day to keep that stuff. So, they had to basically rebuild Final Fantasy Tactics from scratch by analyzing several existing versions, piecing together the programming, and even playing the original game extensively to grasp the gameplay by feel.
The result? A sleek new UI, full voice-acting, additional dialogue from original writer and director Yasumi Matsuno, autosaves, adjustable battle speed, and a boatload of other updates. If you're after the original experience, they've included a classic mode with the old-school graphics and most of the changes and additions reverted.
Maehiro mentioned there'll be fans of the original game who might think it doesn't require much embellishment. He admits, he's felt that way about other remastered titles too. So, they've included both an enhanced version, geared towards modern tastes and newcomers, and a classic version based on the original build of the game for those purists.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles will be dropping on Steam on September 30.
Now, if you're lookin' for a relaxed gaming sesh, check out the best cozy games! If anime's your thing, we've got you covered with the best anime games. Want to stroll through the world of JRPGs? We've got the classics and more waiting for you. Fancy a futuristic cyberpunk adventure? Our top picks have got you sorted. And if you're obsessed with gacha games, we've got the best of the freemium world right here.
Keep yourself updated with the latest gaming news, reviews, and hardware deals from your pals at PC Gamer. Oh, and by the way, our guy Jody Macgregor, who wrote this piece, grew up with a Commodore 64. So, yeah, you can imagine the struggle of using a code wheel to play Pool of Radiance. Jody, whose first article for PC Gamer was about the audio of Alien Isolation, has since written about why Silent Hill belongs on PC and how weird Lost Ark can get. Enjoy the games!
- Fans of the original Final Fantasy Tactics game might appreciate the classic version included in Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, which resembles the original build with most changes and additions reverted.
- If you're interested in smartphones and technology, don't miss the gameplay improvements provided by Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles on PC and consoles, compared to playing the game on a phone with an emulator.
- Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles offers updated components such as a sleek new UI, full voice-acting, and autosaves, making it more appealing to both modern players and newcomers.
- Contemplate purchasing Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles on Steam, releasing on September 30, for an enhanced gaming experience with improved visuals and additional dialogue from the original writer and director Yasumi Matsuno.
