Aside from being the game that was largely responsible for popularizing JRPGs in the West,Final Fantasy 7was many players' first game in the series and has long been the game that is most recognizable in the franchise. Given its place in the series' limelight, it makes perfect sense as to why Square Enix chose to remakeFF7for modern audiences withFinal Fantasy 7 Remakeand the upcomingFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth. Still, there is another (and perhaps greater)Final Fantasytitle that has an oft-requested update:Final Fantasy 6. As the greatestFinal Fantasytitle from Square Enix’s legendary SNES catalog,Final Fantasy 6is more than deserving of its own remake.
Releasing on the SNES in 1994 asFinal Fantasy 3,Final Fantasy 6is widely regarded as not just one of the bestFinal Fantasygames but also one of the best RPGs ever made. Featuring a shocking mid-game plot twist and some series-best mechanics,Final Fantasy 6is a fan favoritethat seems to only get better with age, further evidenced by its popularity among the 6 titles on offer as part of theFinal Fantasy Pixel Remasters. If and when Square Enix decides to remakeFinal Fantasy 6, it should implement the same template used for the upcomingDragon Quest 3remake instead of the full-3D re-imagining afforded toFinal Fantasy 7.
RELATED:Dragon Quest 3’s HD-2D Remake is Just as Exciting as Final Fantasy 7’s Trilogy
Using Octopath Traveler’s Perspective for a Graphical Facelift
Square Enix’s ownOctopath Travelerseries was developed as a callback and homage to the classic RPGs in the company’s library, complete with grindy turn-based combat and gorgeous sprite-based artwork. In a style now referred to as “HD-2D”, graphical assets are pixilated but presented from a 3D perspective with depth of field instead of the traditional top-down view of the SNES Square Enix output. Square Enix has already remade two of their classic games with graphical updates that adopt this style - 2022’sLive-A-Liveand theupcomingDragon Quest 3remake. A potentialFinal Fantasy 6remake would also fit naturally within the HD-2D style.
AlongsideChrono Trigger, thesprite-based graphics ofFinal Fantasy 6were some of the most impressive that Square Enix were able to squeeze out of the SNES. While a full-3D re-imagining of the characters and locations ofFinal Fantasy 6would be interesting to see, a large portion of the game’s charm and nostalgia comes from the original 2D perspective. By updating the graphics in a way that retains the spirit of the original game, Square Enix could both please fans and implement a successfully proven visual technique.
Keeping the Core of Final Fantasy 6 Intact While Adding Features
Even though not much is known about theDragon Quest 3remake aside from what was revealed in the announcement trailer, it appears as if Square Enix is aiming to keep most of the features of the original game while updating the visuals using the modern 2D approach ofOctopath TravelerandLive-A-Live. A potential remake ofFinal Fantasy 6should also followSquare Enix’s work onDragon Quest 3by maintaining the narrative and mechanics of the original while adding some quality-of-life features such as those found in theFinal Fantasy Pixel Remasters.The core ofFinal Fantasy 6still raises it to the status of arguably the greatest game in the franchise, and a remake shouldn’t counter that impression.
Instead of making unnecessary changes or cutting content, an updated HD-2D remake ofFinal Fantasy 6should instead expand upon elements of the original that players have held in high regard for almost 30 years. Developing the backstory of key characters, expanding the bestiary, or even adding new Espers for players to collect and use in battle are just some of the options that come to mind whenconsidering waysFinal Fantasy 6could be updated. As a luminary of 16-bit JRPG design,Final Fantasy 6deserves an update that stays true to the spirit of the original as much asDragon Quest 3’s remake.
