Square Enix Producer: Full Remakes of Past Final Fantasy Games Could Be Too Ambitious

Future full-scale remakes of classic Final Fantasy titles, similar to the ongoing Final Fantasy VII Remake project, could prove too large in scope to complete in a single installment, according to Final Fantasy XIV producer Naoki Yoshida. He indicated that such endeavors might necessitate multiple parts, potentially even exceeding the planned three-part structure of the Final Fantasy VII Remake.

During a Q&A session at Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest in Berlin, Yoshida explained that larger games in the series, such as Final Fantasy VI, present significant challenges. "If we did remake those other titles, we'd probably end up having to release them in four or maybe even five installments," he stated through a translator. This outlook stems from the immense scale of these older titles, which often feature extensive narratives and numerous playable characters.

If the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, with its third installment Revelation scheduled for a Spring 2027 release, takes over a decade to complete, the prospect of similarly scaled remakes for other games becomes a daunting one. The current Final Fantasy VII project expands significantly on the original game's story and gameplay, a approach that has yielded varied results. Yoshida highlighted Final Fantasy VI as an example of a game with an immense scope, noting its large cast of characters and a world that undergoes drastic transformation.

However, alternative approaches to remaking older Final Fantasy games could mitigate the scale issues. A more direct recreation, focusing on graphical overhauls and quality-of-life improvements for titles like Final Fantasy VIII or IX, could offer a more manageable development cycle and potentially a single release. Furthermore, for games with distinct art styles, such as the pixel-art of Final Fantasy VI, Square Enix could leverage its HD-2D engine, similar to its use in the upcoming Final Fantasy Resonance. This method could allow for a remake to be completed in a single package, significantly reducing the perceived development burden and making such projects more feasible.