Fans have been asking forFinal Fantasy 7 Remakeever since the concept of an HD remake was introduced by Square Enix itself. Back during 2005’s E3 presentation, PlayStation’s show featured a PS3 tech demo that fully remade the originalFinal Fantasy 7opening. Many figured, even then, that a full on reimagining of the classic JRPG was still impossible. Regardless, fans still asked for it, and thusFinal Fantasy 7 Remakewas revealed and released in 2020. Inevitably that’s led to many theory crafting and discussing whatFinal Fantasygame could be “next,” if another game even is remade.
Most will argue that classic entries likeFinal Fantasy 5orFinal Fantasy 6, or other early 3D games likeFinal Fantasy 9, deserve the remake treatment as well. However, if there’s any other game that deserves a remake in theFinal Fantasyseries, from a mechanical and graphical standpoint, it’sFinal Fantasy 8. The eighthFinal Fantasygame ended up in the unfortunate scenario as the game that would follow up onFinal Fantasy 7, a game that helped cement the JRPG genre in the west.Final Fantasy 8took a lot of creative risks, some of which worked wonders, while other changes added some unnecessary tedium, some of which could easily be remedied by a remake.
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Reimagining Final Fantasy 8’s Complex, Convoluted Storytelling
In terms of what worked forFinal Fantasy 8, the game made a lot of ambitious narrative and world design choices that made this entry surprisingly unique.Melding the cyberpunk futuristic themes ofFinal Fantasy 7alongside traditional influences like sorcerers and iconic summons,Final Fantasy 8had a weirdly intriguing story. However,Final Fantasy 8’s narrative does introduce plot devices like time travel and alternate dimensions that do add some convolution to an otherwise interesting premise. It’s certainly not the best story in theFinal Fantasyfranchise, but it’s often recognized as the “dark horse” of the franchise for this reason, among some others.
Narrative issues like this are what remakes of games are perfect for. It gives a chance for writers like Kazushige Nojima, one of the original scenario writers on bothFinal Fantasy 7,Final Fantasy 8, as well asFinal Fantasy 7 Remake, to reinventFinal Fantasy 8’s confusing storyline. Similarly strange time travel and alternate dimension aspects seem to havefound their way intoFinal Fantasy 7 Remake’s narrative, so giving the eighth game the same treatment would ironically be appropriate. Plus, pair that with the gameplay tweaks and redesigns that the originalFinal Fantasy 8definitely needs, fans may be more open to a more engaging version of its confusing story.
Final Fantasy 8 is Mechanically Creative, Functionally Tedious
Speaking of what didn’t work inFinal Fantasy 8, the risks taken in reforming the battle and RPG systems in the eighth game were also controversial.The Junction/GF summons system, in tandem with the necessity to “Draw” magic, altogether made character builds and leveling up/experience gain a real slog. The final dungeon in Ultimecia’s Castle exemplifies this tedium wholeheartedly; if players enter that dungeon on the lower-end of levels, the game’s final dungeon really can be tough as nails. That’s also, in part, due to the nature of the final dungeon’s design, but even throughout the main story does the game require a significant amount of grinding.
This is because optimal builds of characters requires players to be on their toesfor every single subsystem inFinal Fantasy 8’s RPG mechanics. Players should always be drawing magic from enemies, either that or using Card Refining (part of another system to manage) to make better magic. If players prefer to use the Refine route, that means they need to be on top of managing GFs (Guardian Forces, or summons) and “Junction-ing” accordingly. The beauty ofFinal Fantasy 8’s Guardian Forces and Junction-based systems means there’s limitless creativity, but it also means the learning curve is incredibly steep, arguably far steeper than any otherFinal Fantasygame.
A Remake Could Remedy Final Fantasy 8’s Biggest Issues
Gameplay mechanics, in tandem with the game’s convoluted narrative, are exactly the kinds ofpain points that aFinal Fantasy 8remake can remedy. All of the ideas presented inFinal Fantasy 8’s Junction/GF systems are unique, but a concerted effort to make the game less grind-intensive would improve gameplay immensely. Pair that with similar narrative efforts employed in expandingFinal Fantasy 7 Remake’s story, andFinal Fantasy 8could easily become a much more enjoyable experience.Final Fantasy 8is certainly a fine game on its own, but is still held back by its own ambition extending too far.
To be fair, it’s not likely thatFinal Fantasy 8will ever see a fully-fledged remake likeFinal Fantasy 7has. The seventh entry is far more iconic and impactful compared to its successor. Not only that, but consideringtheFinal Fantasy 8Remasteredversioncomes with a pretty significant graphical overhaul, that may be the extent of loveFinal Fantasy 8will receive. Now, to be fair, games likeFinal Fantasy 6orFinal Fantasy 9getting remade wouldn’t be a shame by any means. Those entries are fantastic in every regard, even to this day, butFinal Fantasy 8is the best example of aFinal Fantasygame that needs a remake moreso than it would benefit from one.
Final Fantasy 8 Remasteredis available now on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
