Ooh, he stated the factor. No, my dearest of long-time readers, the RPG Reload isn’t making a daily comeback. However with Sq. Enix’s Remaining Fantasy Pixel Remaster sequence about to make the hop to consoles someday within the subsequent month or two, I believed it is perhaps good to look again on these video games. The earliest of the bunch are virtually two years outdated now, they usually’ve all seen fairly just a few patches and bug fixes since launch. I additionally needed to have a sober have a look at the video games, away from the preliminary glow of getting shiny new variations of a few of my favourite RPGs. So right here we’re, and there we will go, recreation by recreation. Beginning, in fact, with…
Remaining Fantasy ($11.99) – [Review]
This and the second recreation have seen so many remakes and rereleases over time that it’s onerous to type out precisely which one received probably the most issues proper. Fortunately, the fundamental framework of this preliminary journey appears to be sturdy sufficient to shine underneath quite a lot of circumstances, and I no less than can have a whole lot of enjoyable with any model of it. The Pixel Remaster is a purer absorb some methods, forcing the participant to make use of the Vancian magic system and eradicating all the further content material added in since Remaining Fantasy Advance began that specific ball rolling. With the hindsight of a few years, I nonetheless totally approve of the previous resolution whereas remaining combined on the latter.
I believe the sport’s problem stability works higher with the Vancian magic system, even with it being primarily simply as straightforward because the earlier model in virtually each different regard. As for the eliminated content material? It had an inclination to be very meta, with bosses drawn from later video games within the sequence and no actual narrative help for why all of that stuff was there. The additional content material from the PSP model that additionally made its means into the cellular variations tried a bit tougher to repair that side, and I relatively favored the way it was accessible from the Temple of Fiends. The story and world definitely make extra sense with out the additional dungeons and managers, however they have been a whole lot of enjoyable and added a whole lot of worth to an in any other case comparatively brief recreation.
This Pixel Remaster launch didn’t have as many points as a number of the later ones, so it’s solely had just a few updates that fastened minor bugs and tweaked the UI a bit. It’s not too totally different now than it was again at launch, but it surely didn’t want a lot work anyway. Sadly, the poor font stays in place. For higher or worse, Sq. Enix appears to wish to stand by it. We additionally nonetheless don’t have exterior controller help in any of those Pixel Remasters, which is one other baffling resolution on Sq. Enix’s half.
Is it higher than the one we had earlier than?
I like that new soundtrack and the classic-style pixel artwork, however the earlier model we had was based mostly on the PSP model, which itself had a pleasant soundtrack and visible fashion. I truly discover myself lacking that further content material, too. It’s an in depth name, however I’m going to go together with a no on this one.
Remaining Fantasy II ($11.99) – [Review]
The sequence black sheep has by no means actually proven its true fangs to the Western viewers due to just about each one of many localized remakes firming down its problem. The Pixel Remaster is a bit more tough than a number of the earlier reissues, but it surely’s nonetheless significantly much less of a problem than the unique. In contrast to with the Pixel Remaster of the primary recreation, there are not any main mechanical modifications right here from the earlier reissue. It will get an overhaul to its presentation, cuts the content material launched in Daybreak of Souls, and that’s about that. It has had even fewer updates than the primary recreation, however a kind of fastened a bug that ended up making the sport a bit tougher.
Is it higher than the one we had earlier than?
No, on this case I can definitely say it isn’t. The earlier cellular model was based mostly on the PSP model, so it regarded and sounded fairly good. The reduce content material is the large challenge right here, because it added significantly to the sport each narratively and when it comes to issues to do. It’s a lesser recreation with out Soul of Rebirth, no query of it. Not one of the additions and enhancements make up for its loss, and I’m unsure how they might.
Remaining Fantasy III ($17.99) – [Review]
That is the place we get into some fascinating variations with the Pixel Remaster sequence. Remaining Fantasy III traditionally had fewer remakes than the opposite 8-bit video games, and when it lastly received its first one it was a drastic change. The anonymous Onion Children have been become named characters with personalities and particular person again tales, and the gameplay techniques have been closely altered for stability functions and to accommodate the constraints of the Nintendo DS’s 3D capabilities. This Pixel Remaster is predicated on the unique 8-bit model and follows it significantly extra rigorously than the 3D model. It fixes bugs, removes the constraints on the Job Class system, and tweaks a number of the jobs for stability functions.
It’s a very nice model that’s extra trustworthy to the unique recreation than the 3D model, and that’s necessary as a result of we’ve by no means had an official localized model of the unique Remaining Fantasy III earlier than. This one has additionally solely had just a few updates because it launched, but it surely didn’t have very many points to cope with. As such, these updates have been primarily to repair small unintended gameplay points.
Is it higher than the one we had earlier than?
Significantly so, however in the event you don’t agree the earlier model remains to be accessible to buy and play. The 3D model is an fascinating various take that’s price operating by means of no less than as soon as, however the unique model this Pixel Remaster is predicated on simply hangs collectively higher. Add in some beautiful new visuals and organized tunes and it’s a real winner.
Remaining Fantasy IV ($17.99) – [Review]
The sequence stepped to 16-bit with this installment, and that is the place the sequence begins getting extra sophisticated and bug-prone as a result of implementation of the Energetic Time Battle system. Remaining Fantasy IV has been remade and rereleased greater than another recreation within the sequence, and it’s one of many few the place most of these efforts have been stable. It’s additionally had just a few fascinating forks, which makes this “again to fundamentals” Pixel Remaster an fascinating one. Whereas it could initially appear to have rolled again to the Tremendous Famicom unique, it consists of various parts from later variations.
The additional recreation content material from the Advance model onward has been eliminated, and with it goes the get together customization characteristic that allowed you to carry whoever you needed with you into the late recreation areas. The result’s a significantly polished tackle the inventory recreation, which I suppose is the target of the Pixel Remaster sequence. For cellular followers, that’s factor. The prevailing cellular model of Remaining Fantasy IV, the 3D remake, makes a whole lot of modifications in an effort to throw curveballs at long-time followers who had already performed this recreation to dying. As such, that is the primary time an expertise reflective of the unique recreation has been accessible to cellular gamers.
This recreation got here in very popular at launch, however has solely had a few updates since. These updates have been virtually solely dedicated to smashing bugs, however there have been some small visible tweaks made as effectively. The sport is usually steady and dealing as meant at this level, so I suppose these have been well-aimed bug fixes.
Is it higher than the one we had earlier than?
I don’t contemplate the 3D remake of Remaining Fantasy IV to be consultant of the unique recreation however relatively a incredible complement to it. I do just like the Pixel Remaster higher of the 2, however I’m awfully keen on that 3D model too. Play them back-to-back for optimum impact. Luckily, the 3D model remains to be accessible so you are able to do simply that.
Remaining Fantasy V ($17.99) – [Review]
One factor I’ll say in regards to the Pixel Remasters of the 16-bit video games is that the visible makeovers are typically a bit extra delicate. If the unique video games used half-sized sprites, so do the Pixel Remasters. Even with added colours, it’s onerous to make these little fellows look rather a lot higher than their 16-bit cousins. At any fee, this model of the sport provides the presentation the makeover that every one of them acquired, cuts out the additional content material added within the Advance variations onward, and fixes some bugs from the unique recreation. When it comes to mechanics and balancing, it builds on the earlier cellular model of the sport and makes just a few different tweaks on high of it. A stable model of a stable recreation that by no means actually had many dramatic additions or modifications in its rereleases, solely shedding some bonus dungeons and some bonus jobs that weren’t actually that fascinating to start with.
This model got here in even hotter than Remaining Fantasy IV at launch, with a delicate lock-up that occurred very reliably in opposition to the ultimate boss and one of many non-compulsory tremendous bosses. The job system and the way in which issues work together make this by far probably the most mechanically sophisticated of those six video games, and there have been some points with all of that as effectively. It has had a number of updates since its launch, and after a whole lot of work it appears to be in a correctly functioning state.
Is it higher than the one we had earlier than?
This is perhaps a controversial take, however I say that it isn’t. I like the brand new music and the constant artwork fashion is definitely an general enchancment from the awkward mismatched property within the earlier cellular model. However I miss these huge, expressive new sprites, and I definitely appreciated its stability. The additional content material isn’t a lot, however I suppose I’d relatively have it than not if I’ve the selection. Nonetheless, the hole isn’t dramatic right here by any means and I might simply see somebody preferring the extra visually constant look of the Pixel Remaster.
Remaining Fantasy VI ($17.99) – [Review]
Here’s a recreation that has had a significantly much less type therapy with its rereleases and remakes. Certainly one of Sq.’s true masterpieces, one might say that the unique was so close to to excellent that it’s unsurprising any makes an attempt so as to add to it solely resulted in a worse expertise. Like lots of the different video games, it received some new content material added in its Sport Boy Advance model, and as with the opposite Pixel Remasters it has been eliminated right here. It was first rate content material however probably not something game-changing, so it’s not a large loss. Mechanically and when it comes to stability it builds on the earlier cellular model, however fixes some bugs and makes further tweaks.
The most important change on this model comes with the well-known opera scene. The warbles of the unique music have been swapped out for a full vocal monitor, and the play itself is offered in Sq. Enix’s HD-2D format, the one time any of the Pixel Remasters dip into that fashion. It takes what was already some of the memorable scenes of the sequence and makes it shine even brighter. Any fan of this recreation owes it to themselves to see this in motion, and dare to dream of what a full-on remake of this all-timer might appear to be if Sq. Enix needed to go all-in.
This was one other one which had a whole lot of issues at launch and took various patches to get into correct form. There have been a whole lot of progression-blocking bugs that would happen, and Gau might trigger every kind of messes. A number of updates later, it appears to largely be working because it ought to. Nonetheless no controller help or change to the font, however that’s the case for all of those Pixel Remasters.
Is it higher than the one we had earlier than?
Sure. Whereas I believed the brand new sprites created for the earlier cellular model had their charms, the grittier story of Remaining Fantasy VI works higher with a grittier artwork fashion, to say nothing of the general enhancements to visible consistency. The brand new opera scene is an absolute barn-burner, and that is one soundtrack that calls for to be heard in its organized kind. The one critical loss right here is the controller help, and I’ll maintain lighting a candle hoping Sq. Enix will add it to those video games in some unspecified time in the future.
So there we go. An abuse of the beloved RPG Reload model? Probably. An excuse for Shaun to put in writing about Remaining Fantasy video games once more? Extraordinarily possible. But it surely’s too late to return now, so I hope you no less than loved this little have a look at Sq. Enix’s huge make-good try for the primary six installments of its landmark franchise. As all the time, thanks for studying!
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