The director of Final Fantasy 8, Yoshinori Kitase, has shattered the hopes of fans who were eagerly waiting for a remake of the game once the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy is completed. The reason behind this disappointment is none other than the tremendous amount of work it would require. In an interview with IGN ahead of FF8’s 25th anniversary, Kitase mentioned that if a hypothetical remake of Final Fantasy 8 were to happen, significant changes would need to be made. He specifically mentioned the need to rework the game’s divisive Junction system, character stats, and abilities like magic. This system allowed players to customize characters’ passive traits and active abilities during battles by assigning various upgrades. Kitase acknowledged that the Junction system was challenging for some players to understand and emphasized the importance of balancing the difficulty and approachability of the battle system in any potential remake.
Unfortunately, Kitase did not provide much hope for a Final Fantasy 8 remake. He made it clear that the chances of it happening were slim. The astronomical cost and effort required to recreate an RPG of such length and complexity with modern-day visuals and gameplay are major obstacles. Kitase stated that undertaking such a project would be a massive investment of time and effort for the development team. The tremendous success of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake, which took decades to materialize and had to be split into three separate games, further emphasizes the challenges involved in remaking a game of this magnitude. It is evident that Square Enix needs to carefully consider any future projects of such nature.
Even remaking older 2D Final Fantasy games seems unlikely in the near future. Kitase previously suggested that it would take around two decades to remake Final Fantasy 6, even though there is interest within the Square Enix staff. It is clear that the company has its hands full with the completion of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy. The uncertainty surrounding the release date of the third part of the trilogy only adds to fans’ anticipation. However, perhaps it is for the best that Final Fantasy 7 was the chosen game for a remake. The older games in the series still hold up well, and the partially remade SNES games with chibi sprites and unappealing fonts demonstrate that not every Final Fantasy game should undergo a remake.
Despite the disappointment surrounding the lack of a Final Fantasy 8 remake, fans can take solace in the numerous other projects that Square Enix has in store. The expansive line-up of minigames alone in the upcoming FF7 Rebirth suggests that there will be plenty to keep both players and the company occupied for a significant amount of time. While the dream of a Final Fantasy 8 remake may feel like a distant fantasy, the enduring appeal of the series continues to captivate fans and provide them with immersive and memorable experiences.
The director’s candid words have dashed the hopes of fans longing for a Final Fantasy 8 remake. The daunting task of recreating a lengthy RPG with modern-day visuals and gameplay, coupled with the complexities of the Junction system, make it improbable at this time. As fans eagerly await the final installment of the FF7 Remake trilogy, it is a reminder that there is still much to appreciate in the existing Final Fantasy games. While dreams of remakes may remain unfulfilled, the enduring magic of the series lives on, promising new adventures and experiences for years to come.
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