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Square Enix's track record of re-releasing classic Final Fantasy games hasn't been the greatest in recent years. However, the company hopes to change that with Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster, a set of updated versions of each of the first six Final Fantasy titles. The first three Final Fantasy entries have been revealed to launch at the end of this month--Final Fantasy I, II, and III will all be available on PC and mobile on July 28th. IV through VI will be launching later this year, though they lack a solid release date.

Additionally, the current Steam and mobile versions of Final Fantasy I, II, V and VI will be delisted on July 27th, as to not confuse buyers. These versions launched in 2015, and featured completely redone character portraits and new stylized graphics, which were controversial at the time.

The original FINAL FANTASY comes to life with completely new graphics and audio as a 2D pixel remaster!

A remodeled 2D take on the first game in the world-renowned FINAL FANTASY series! Enjoy the timeless story told through charming retro graphics. All the magic of the original, with improved ease of play.

Earth, fire, water, wind... The light that once shone within the four Crystals was lost. Darkness covered the land, until the only hope for humanity rested in legends past. Become the Warriors of Light and embark on your own journey to restore power to the Crystals and save the world.

Switch between classes to improve your characters. Traverse the wide world with your airship and other vessels. Return to the game that started it all.

KEY FEATURES:

• Universally updated 2D pixel graphics, including the iconic FINAL FANTASY character designs created by Kazuko Shibuya, the original artist and current collaborator.
  
• Beautifully rearranged soundtrack in a faithful FINAL FANTASY style, overseen by original composer Nobuo Uematsu.
  
• Improved gameplay, including modernized UI, auto-battle options, and more!
  
• Dive into the world of the game with supplemental extras like the bestiary, illustration gallery, and music player.

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As to what you can expect from Pixel Remaster, Square Enix claims that these graphics are "completely updated", with designs done by the original character designer and artist, and will include rearranged versions of Nobuo Uematsu's soundtrack. Gameplay-wise, the games will have modernized UI, auto battle options, and new extras such as a music player and bestiary.

Source

 

[VartioArtel]

Curious to see the FFVI remastered

See first 2 images in my post for comparisons.

 

[jt_1258]

60 usd would be pushing it...50 or 45 feeling more like what it might actually be worth...what a rip off :/

 

[hippy dave]

It looks well done but that bland font is a weird choice, I expect that to get modded within minutes of release.
I'm not an RPG/Final Fantasy person so I'm not invested in these, but the "pixel remaster" idea is a nice one that could be good for various games if done well.

 

[VartioArtel]

It looks well done but that bland font is a weird choice, I expect that to get modded within minutes of release.
I'm not an RPG/Final Fantasy person so I'm not invested in these, but the "pixel remaster" idea is a nice one that could be good for various games if done well.

Agreed on the font. THe font's the ONLY weakpoint and people have been making fun of SQEXs fonts since the Chrono Trigger Steam Release.

 

[Cyan]

It looks better than what I thought.
I'm also curious about FFVI, it seems they added new background?
I'm currently playing the patched GBA version for the first time, I'll have to test that new "pixel perfect" version now...

At least, I'm happy they didn't change the sprites too much. (unlike Legend of mana which look ugly with original pixelated sprites)

I'm always wondering why old games are still expansive when all the work already happened and has been completed years ago, and they didn't have to pay as much devs for an HD/remaster. (this is not a remake, not a new game, they have the same source code, script, etc.)

 

[BitMasterPlus]

Will I check these out? Ehh....maybe. I've played FF 1-4 on the PSP, and currently working my way on FF 5 and 6 Advance with patches, so we'll see what these remakes will offer.

 

[MarkDarkness]

Here we go again.

These do look okay, though. Massively overpriced, though... and Square only does 50% discounts tops, so half of that is as little as it will ever cost.

 

[Glyptofane]

I am actually kind of excited for 3. I love the 3D version but I wanna play this 2D version. I know there are fan translations of the 2D games but I want to try this one

Yes, this is the main one I'm interested in too. It's also the only one without a previous official 2D version in English and the only one that wasn't already 16 bit or with a 16 bit style remake as well, so basically all new or at least something close to that even if it was just cobbled together with assets from the others.

 

[DarthMotzkus]

Will I check these out? Ehh....maybe. I've played FF 1-4 on the PSP, and currently working my way on FF 5 and 6 Advance with patches, so we'll see what these remakes will offer.

What is those patches on gba version you and Cyan are talking?

 

[BitMasterPlus]

What is those patches on gba version you and Cyan are talking?

You can search on "romhacking.net" and search Final Fantasy V and VI Advance for a few patches.

 

[Jayro]

They could have at least given them the Octopath treatment...

 

[VartioArtel]

It looks better than what I thought.
I'm also curious about FFVI, it seems they added new background?
I'm currently playing the patched GBA version for the first time, I'll have to test that new "pixel perfect" version now...

At least, I'm happy they didn't change the sprites too much. (unlike Legend of mana which look ugly with original pixelated sprites)

I'm always wondering why old games are still expansive when all the work already happened and has been completed years ago, and they didn't have to pay as much devs for an HD/remaster. (this is not a remake, not a new game, they have the same source code, script, etc.)

They completely redid the sprites. The color balance is different on the characters, which make some parts stick out more. New detailing lines (IE: the top of the exhaust pipe on the Magitek armors) are included to make some things stick out more and less rounded. They added new detailing to the ground and other small differences throughout the whole.

Basically put this isn't some upscale or rescale, they have indeed resprited everything or forsaking that, completely retuned the colors to make everything feel more detailed and less blurred.

My key examples here using the two images I posted include the Magitek Armors. You can compare the color difference between the Heels and notice there is a noticeable difference.

I made these for a discord for example, the HDPR version and the original sprite ripped from the games.

Seeing as the 2nd is a DIRECT SPRITE RIP (edit: from Spriter's Resource), that means there is no game engine or console graphics chips tomfoolery, that is 100% how the sprite looks in the original design.

And with just that you can see how the colors are more blurry and muddy. The exhaust like I said is more rounded and looks more like gunbarrels, and the helmets look more dull, like they're more a resistance movement.

 

[the_randomizer]

I think I will just play the PS1 versions instead.

Enjoy the shitty audio compression and longer loading times

Steam version looks like hot trash

 

[mattyxarope]

Yeah, this isn't looking great.

Vice did an article about this:

https://www.vice.com/en/article/qj83yp/final-fantasy-remasters-reignite-controversies-over-pixel-art

 

[BitMasterPlus]

View attachment 268922
Yeah, this isn't looking great.

Vice did an article about this:

https://www.vice.com/en/article/qj83yp/final-fantasy-remasters-reignite-controversies-over-pixel-art

Yeesh, all they need to do is use the PSP FF's as a base, then make a proper remaster for the 5th and 6th games to boot.

 

[VartioArtel]

Why are people comparing it to the PS1/PSP/GBA versions? The sprites are clearly meant to be based on the original NES/SNES versions, not the PSP/GBA sprites. Or thank god not the Mobile sprites (compare the '2013' Butz and Faris to the old ones and you'll see my point, they're horrendous)

The idea is they're meant to be true-to-essence upgrades of the original releases, not a redesign (IE: FF1 PS1) and definitely not an abomination ("FF5-2013", "FF6-2014").

The idea is these are supposed to be the original games with vastly improved graphical fidelity and redone spritework. Not a redone version of the PS1/GBA/Etc versions.

 

[SS4]

With all the re make/master of these games we can already get awesome experience, like the GBA version of V and VI with the SNES music patch, The 3D remakes on the DS of III and IV were also pretty neat.
As long as you avoid the mobile version which are the worst and were even ported to steam ffs rofl.

 

[the_randomizer]

View attachment 268922
Yeah, this isn't looking great.

Vice did an article about this:

https://www.vice.com/en/article/qj83yp/final-fantasy-remasters-reignite-controversies-over-pixel-art

So you would prefer the horrible Steam/Android versions? Those are an abomination.

 

[raxadian]

Enjoy the shitty audio compression and longer loading times

Steam version looks like hot trash

Actually the PS1 versions were direct ports with some extras throw in. THE PS1 version of FF 1 and FF2 even rank HIGHTER that the Nes version by agregatng score reviews. I am talking about Final Fantasy Origins.

The third game? Well the DS port is okay I guess.

Final Fantasy IV, I got the one that came with Chrono Trigger for PS1, is two CDs, and is a decent direct port with some videos to fill CD space.

 

[the_randomizer]

Actually the PS1 versions were direct ports with some extras throw in. THE PS1 version of FF 1 and FF2 even rank HIGHTER that the Nes version by agregatng score reviews. I am talking about Final Fantasy Origins.

The third game? Well the DS port is okay I guess.

Final Fantasy IV, I got the one that came with Chrono Trigger for PS1, is two CDs, and is a decent direct port with some videos to fill CD space.

And FFV with the garbage Engrish translation and really muffled sound effects.