So I saw they released Final Fantasy Resonance. And it seems like an amalgam game. Like a best of episode. And that’s not what I mean. For me growing up FF7 was my introduction to the series. I had a Super Nintendo but I just missed FF6 somehow. I think it would be awesome if Square Enix’s next mainline title was a throwback (visually) and sported modern retro pixel graphics. All new characters and a new storyline though. They won’t do that but I think it would be awesome.
I also really enjoyed Xenogears, one of my top three games of all time for sure. There is a game on steam called Chained Echos that hit some of those same notes.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1229240/Chained_Echoes/
This is the kind of thing I’m talking about.
Temu Final Fantasy made in RPG Maker was practically its own genre several years ago.
There’s a few still around today, like Crystal Project, although that one isn’t an RPG Maker special.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2159270/Kingdoms_of_the_Dump/
Kingdoms of the Dump got overshadowed in last year’s holiday rush. 93% positive audience score.
I see games like this, and I think I just have to be in the right mood for them. Like the main character is a trash can or wears a trash can. I’m all for humor but I just can’t take that seriously enough to really get into it.
That’s not a critique on the art, I think it’s just not for me.
I just want a true FF7 remaster that changes nothing about the game, just updates the graphics. I don’t want action combat. I want the original slow-ass turn-based combat.
Already exists. I think it’s called 7th Heaven? It’s like Memoria for FF9, texture upscaling, UI edits, and mod support. I suppose that’s not helpful if you’re talking about wanting it on a non-PC platform, though.
I mean, there is a somewhat hd version available on steam that came recently. Still has the polygons of the original, but looks WAY better; much more clean. Not sure if that’s what you’re looking for, but I’ve been enjoying it quite a bit.
Also available on GOG I think if you want to make sure you’ll be able to play it forever
I completely agree with this. I think there is a mod that just updates the graphics on pc.
FF7 wasn’t the first game I ever played but it was the first one I really loved. I didn’t know there were “slow” games before that.
I worked at Electronics Boutique when it was released. We sold hundreds of copies. We also had a LOT of people returning it the next day because it was the first time they had ever encountered a JRPG, or turn based combat.
just… play the original.
We want the original with modern graphics, it aint complicated
No it’s ugly lol
Bravely Default is an incredible successor to FF5. I like to joke that someone at Square realized during development that this game is actually good and thus they couldn’t put the FF name on it.
Seconding this. Bravely Default I & II are classic Final Fantasy.
I liked 4 heroes of life where the system got it’s start.
Octopath Traveler 2 is basically a modern retro Final Fantasy game. Made by Square as well.
It is not final fantasy it is romancing saga
Is it better than OT1? I bought that one on sale a while back and it hasn’t gotten to the top of the que yet.
Quite a bit in my opinion. They fixed a lot of the pain points that OT1 had. The story is much better, characters actually talk to one another, and the battle system got much better as well.
It’s more Chrono Trigger than Final Fantasy, but I’m keeping an eye on Threads of Time.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2090210/Threads_of_Time/
No release date or demo yet, but all the previews look sick as fuck. Hopefully they don’t fumble this.
I’ll keep an eye out for this one.
Last game I bought like this was really really bad and I had to refund. I hope this team is more intelligent and capable.
Maybe give the Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters a look
I have tried them. 4 is good and 6 is awesome. I wanted to like FF5 more than I did though. I like the job system, but the random battles just start to feel like work after a while and the story didn’t grab me either. On that note, Final fantasy tactics is incredible and I’ve already plaid through to twice since the re-release, that one’s a real master piece. No notes.
Play FF:Tactics PS1 with a content mod, such as Journey of the Five.
It scratches the itch.
Maybe not what you’re asking for but if you like ff5 job system you might like the indie game crystal project which takes inspiration from it.
I’ve seen several recommendations for crystal project. I’ll have a look into.
I wish they‘d use the system in FFX again
I haven’t played FFX since it came out but I do remember absolutely hating the grid level up mechanic. I remember liking the way they handled summoning though.
That system may actually be the absolute best of its kind. FFX isn’t even my favorite, but the combat system WAS really really good.
I hope not. That the Sphere grid was great, but the turn-based combat was like watching paint dry, and that’s coming from a fan of FFIX.
FFX-2 ATB though, I wouldn’t mind.
Chained Echos was fun at first. I didn’t like how grindy it got after a while.
I recommend Rise of the 3rd Power . Its very final fantasy like with jrpg elements. Tiny indie with a lot of heart. The game has some great music, pixel animations, and I enjoyed the story. https://store.steampowered.com/app/698700/Rise_of_the_Third_Power/
One of the same studios older titles is Ara Fell : Enhanced Edition https://store.steampowered.com/app/440540/Ara_Fell_Enhanced_Edition/ its pretty good as well.
Both are on sale at the moment.
If your looking for more of a jrpg with even more style Small Saga is fantastic! https://store.steampowered.com/app/1320140/Small_Saga/
If your looking for silly Epic Battle Fantasy 5 : https://store.steampowered.com/app/432350/Epic_Battle_Fantasy_5/
…I like everything Matt Roszak makes to be honest. My wife has like 50+ hours in the newest find matts cats game.Hope that helps!
Oh wow, Small Saga reminds me of The Rescuers or Secret of Nimh. That’s definitely going on the list!
Its one of my favorites. Goes on sale from time to time.
Thanks for the recommendations, I’ll check these out.
Have you played Sea of Stars? Absolutely, drop dead GORGEOUS pixel game with phenomenal music. Its not the hardest game, but it is a true love letter to old school JRPGs. One of those games that sticks with you long after you’ve beaten it.
It’s on Game Pass if you have it, otherwise you can grab it on Steam. It’s worth every penny.
Sea of Stars has some of the most beautiful art and music I’ve seen in a game of its type… and quite possibly the worst writing, too. It’s hard to overstate how awful the writing is. And the gameplay can’t save it. It’s not bad, but it’s not a game you’d play “for the gameplay” either. It’s okay.
It’s frustrating because their previous project, The Messenger, actually has pretty solid writing. It’s less story focused but the handful of NPCs are fun and have some clever lines.
I can’t really recommend people spend their money on it. If you’re going in expecting, idk, Chrono Trigger or something you’re gonna be really mad.
Unfortunately, the non-spoiler story summaries I’ve seen suck.
Twists like in FF7 where a certain person is killed, or a bad guy suddenly helps you, are big and valuable - they get you really invested in the character impact of the plot. Anything that starts and ends with “big evil god wants to destroy the world” feels dull and unsurprising. It’s part of why I never understood Dragon Quest hype.
It’s about the journey, not the destination, and the journey has plenty of twists and turns. You may know the start, you may know the end, I promise you do not know how you get there.
Is the Lord of the Rings bad because you know they’re going to destroy the ring in Mount Doom and defeat Sauron by the end?
I won’t say it’s absolutely the game for everyone, but I really don’t think you’d be as disappointed as you’re expecting. Personally, I was VERY invested in the characters by the end.
Thanks for the recommendation! Sometimes it feels like I got into JRPGs way past their prime. This one looks really fun.
Sea of Stars is excellent. If you’re experienced with JRPGs it’s not going to be super difficult and if you’re not it has a great selection of difficulty options that you’ll unlock as you play.
Octopath Traveler scratched that itch for me
OT2 was sooo much fun! I enjoyed it quite a bit.
Afaik it’s not released yet, just announced. Drops in October I think. It’s also a reimagining of Brave Exvius, for those who missed it or never played it.
Elliott is allegedly a Zelda-like, which sounds interesting to me, even the Navi is apparently even worse there.
Can also recommend Ara Fell and Rise of the Third Power for a retro jrpg itch.
Can also recommend Ara Fell and Rise of the Third Power for a retro jrpg itch.
Seconding these, both excellent. For another indie FF-like I’ll add Crystal Project.
Can also second the Crystal Project!
Eliott looks like an Ys game (napishtim, origin, felghana)
Chained Echoes is masterful
I agree, that game is very well done. The art, the music, the combat was a new take on it and also very good.
I went back and played 4,5, and 6 via emulators a few years back. I’d give those a shot if you haven’t yet!
I really enjoyed the DS remake of 4.
I’ve been waiting and following this game for a while. https://store.steampowered.com/app/2177510/EthrA/
sprite based and the direct ff6 should have gone instead of whatever 7 and so forth was.
This looks interesting. I’ll check it out.
