Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster’s script was adjusted to support voice acting. Read on to learn more about the changes the developers have made and why there will be two versions of the game.
Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster Updated Content
Updated Script to Support Voice Acting
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles will have an updated script to accommodate the inclusion of voice acting. In an interview with JP Games on June 21, original Scriptwriter, Scenario Writer, and Editor Yasumi Matsuno mentioned that there will be no changes to the story, but instead, substantial updates to the script.
According to Matsuno, the goal of the remaster is to "present everything that was so fun and interesting about the original 1997 PS1 game in an updated format." Moreover, the script was adjusted to improve the reading and listening experience of the audience.
He added, "The result of this is that we have made tweaks to almost the entire script. That is to say that we shifted to a ‘listening-first’ approach in order to support the new voice acting implementation."
Matsuno admitted that these adjustments may be due to his age and changes to his perceptions. He stated with a laugh, "There may well be some minor changes to how certain lines are phrased that reflect this. If my writing technique has improved, then that's great, but if it's just that I've got older and my sense of perception has grown dull, then I'm sorry."
Presenting Final Fantasy Tactics To New Players
The upcoming release of FF Tactics Remaster will feature two versions: the Classic version, which closely resembles the original, and the Extended version, which offers updated visuals and other improvements. Many fans wondered why the game did not receive an HD 2D overhaul compared to other Square Enix re-releases, such as the Dragon Quest games and Live A Live.
In a separate interview with JP Games on June 22, Director Kazutoyo Maehiro and Art Director Hiroshi Minagawa explained why the game will have two versions and their reasoning for not going for an HD 2D approach.
Maehiro stated that the team’s objective was to present FF Tactics Remaster to a new audience. He knew that presenting the game in the same way it was 30 years ago would not be perceived well by modern players, which is why they decided to develop an "Enhanced version." Moreover, they still acknowledged that fans of the original game still want to have a similar experience when it was first released, hence, the "Classic version."
Maehiro elaborated, "Reproducing the original game from the ground up, might seem like no great feat at a glance, but for us, it basically meant developing two games in one go, so taking into account things like staffing and costs, it was a pretty huge undertaking. That being said, the prevailing sentiment in developing the two versions is that we wanted to give something back to the fans who have shown so much support."
Meanwhile, Minagawa revealed that they considered using 3D character models and highly detailed maps for the game, but ultimately decided to stick with the original art assets. He explained, "The reason for this is that as we were reviewing the graphics data from the original game, we were struck once again by how the developers had been able to use all sorts of trickery to do what they wanted within the confines of some incredible restrictions relative to today."
Minagawa noted that they applied the same style as developers do when creating HD 2D games, albeit with some differences. He stated, "The atmosphere is quite different to other HD-2D titles like OCTOPATH TRAVELER due to differences in the colouring and how the sprites were put together, but technically speaking, it's the same.":
FF Tactics has been in the hearts of many for almost three decades, and its upcoming remaster catering to both new and old audiences ensures that the legacy of the classic turn-based tactics lives on.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is set to be released on September 30, 2025 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC. To stay up to date with the latest information about the game, check out our article below!
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Final Fantasy Tactics: Matsuno explains the story adjustments of the new edition
Why the new edition of Final Fantasy Tactics doesn't offer HD 2D visuals, but two game modes
