Opinion – The Final Fantasy VII Remake Needs To Make Changes

Note: Square Enix's remake of Final Fantasy VII was big news at PSX over the weekend, including discussions surrounding its battle system and multi-part structure. With some fans crying foul about these alterations to the original formula, we thought it would be a good time to revisit this opinion piece about the value and necessity of change for Final Fantasy VII Remake. This story was originally published on July 1, 2015.

The unveiling of Square Enix’s upcoming Final Fantasy VII remake at E3 seemed almost too good to be true. With the reveal, Final Fantasy fans united in joy and surprise at the prospect of the RPG classic’s return. But that was only the first step. Now that the game is confirmed, Square Enix faces the more difficult task of living up to fan expectations that have been percolating for a decade.

Like many RPG fans, I was obsessed with Final Fantasy VII when it released back in 1997. It is one of my fondest gaming memories, and one of the most significant titles in the industry’s history. Square Enix first sparked rumors of a remake at E3 2005 with a tech demo showing off a visually upgraded version of FF VII’s intro. In the 10 years since, many gamers have agreed that they want to revisit the story of Cloud and company. However, what form should that new version take? Should it be a faithful adaptation of the original, with the only visual changes to make everything look better? Many fans are hoping for that – but it would be the biggest mistake Square Enix could possibly make.

The original PS3 tech demo from 2005

After the remake’s announcement, I wrote a feature about the things that should and should not change for the Final Fantasy VII remake. I received some passionate and strongly worded responses via comments, email, and social media. Some of them were disputing specific points I brought up (like the battle system), but many of them also were resistant to the idea of any change whatsoever. Here’s a small sample:

“are you sure you want the remake??? Cuz, it should mostly stay the same, that's the point... if you want garbage, play new ff”

“Leave Final Fantasy VII alone. The fans that have demanded a remake of the game want the game they bought 20 years ago to simply look better. They do not want a completely different game.”

“FF7 needs to stay the same base game and mechanics. Maybe a graphic/audio update, voice acting, and more opt content. No dif.”

“If you even played (or appreciated) final fantasy 7 in its entirety you would not try to alter the game in anyway. It won the hearts of gamers because it stayed true to a formula, not ‘what would sell.’ I hope you do not write another article.”

These sentiments are coming from a reasonable place; I am, in fact, among the millions who played (and appreciated) the original, and I understand the desire to re-experience something you love with a modern sheen. There’s nothing like playing a great game for the first time, and I’ve often wished I could recreate that sensation with certain titles. However, the success and popularity of games are products of their time and place, and that isn’t something you can replicate with a visual overhaul. The only way you’re going to capture all of the highs and lows exactly the way you remember them is by playing the original. For the remake, Square Enix needs to expand its horizons and bring in a new audience.

Even though fans have wanted it for years, the Final Fantasy VII remake isn’t just for them. Why would Square Enix spend the money and time necessary for a project of this scale only to sell it to people who are already fans? Appealing to nostalgia is certainly a part of the strategy, but Final Fantasy VII is 18 years old; many gamers today weren’t even born when it came out, so Square Enix can’t rely on faithfulness to the original to make the remake relevant. Video games – and RPGs in particular – have evolved a lot in the last two decades. Not just graphics, but battle systems, voice acting, interface, cinematography, pacing, and progression have changed with the times. To have a shot at success, this needs to be something that can stand alongside its competition on store shelves – not something that plays like a PlayStation game with a new coat of paint.

Reveal trailer for the FF VII remake

In the ‘90s, Japanese RPGs were juggernauts. Today, the games that adhere to the traditional format only have niche appeal. I don’t like this fact, but it’s the truth. Personally, I would love to see the market flooded with more modern forays into the genre in the vein of Lost Odyssey, Ni no Kuni, and Persona 4. I’d also like to see more developers emulate the 16-bit style (like 2011’s Radiant Historia). Unfortunately, the sales numbers seem to show that these games can’t be as successful as they once were.

You can say that this is a cynical approach, focused more on what will sell than what is the best artistic vision for the game. But sticking to an outdated formula doesn’t seem any more authentic or wise. Only the developers can decide the best direction for the re-imagined version of Final Fantasy VII. One vision for the game was already executed years ago with the best tools available at the time. With all of the new advances, hardware, and opportunities, why assume that creators would want to adhere to a design rooted in the late ‘90s? In fact, some of those decisions may have been necessary concessions due to technical limitations, and this could be the chance to do things that weren’t possible at the time. Even if that’s not the case, assembling a replica of something you’ve already made does not seem interesting from a creative standpoint. Shouldn’t the team be free to modify its vision according to the options available?

All other points aside, everything boils down to one simple argument: If the remake doesn’t bother to rethink or reinterpret anything, it’s a wasted opportunity. The story, characters, and mechanics of Final Fantasy VII are known quantities; the whole point of a remake is to reinvigorate the familiar with the surprising. If all of the battles and narrative beats are the same as they were before, what’s the point of making something new? If it only looks better, but doesn’t contribute anything unique to the world or the gameplay, then there’s no reason for it to exist. If you want the same game you know inside and out, play the PlayStation original. If you’re excited to explore new facets of the Final Fantasy VII universe and see how it can expand, keep an open mind and start coming to terms with the inevitable changes on the horizon.