Should I play the Final Fantasy pixel remasters?

[Xdqwerty]

I have already downloaded the gba versions of final fantasy 1 and 2, the ds versions of 3 and 4 and the original snes versions of 5 and 6, and idk if I should play the pixel remasters

 

[breremarer]

I played 1-6 on emulators back in the day, and am currently working my way through the FF6 Pixel Remaster.

I can only speak for that entry, but as far as I can tell: it features nothing you don't already have. Unless it's at a crazy discount, or purchasing them would somehow make playing them easier for you, it's not worth it.

 

[Xdqwerty]

I played 1-6 on emulators back in the day, and am currently working my way through the FF6 Pixel Remaster.

I can only speak for that entry, but as far as I can tell: it features nothing you don't already have. Unless it's at a crazy discount, or purchasing them would somehow make playing them easier for you, it's not worth it.

I never said I would buy anything

 

[ATenderLad]

Maybe just 3 and 4, the DS remakes are pretty markedly different in some ways, and the 3D appearance isn't too attractive.

 

[Xdqwerty]

Maybe just 3 and 4, the DS remakes are pretty markedly different in some ways, and the 3D appearance isn't too attractive.

Yeah I think the ff3 pixel remaster would be better, although I love the 3d version of ff4

 

[ATenderLad]

Yeah I think the ff3 pixel remaster would be better, although I love the 3d version of ff4

I like that one better too, though the encounter rate burned me out eventually.

 

[Lee__Kanker]

I never said I would buy anything

Atta boy

I heard they have a lot of mods and its the one remake FF3 has thats close to og so why not

 

[Xdqwerty]

Atta boy

I heard they have a lot of mods and its the one remake FF3 has thats close to og so why not

What are the best mods? Aside from the ones that change the text fonts

 

[Iguana-0]

As long as it doesn't have the Ted Woolsey crap. Go ahead and give it a shot.
[I think i might get some hatred from the Woolsey fanboys if there are any]

 

[Xdqwerty]

[I think i might get some hatred from the Woolsey fanboys if there are any]

His translation works are quite divisive (I have also seen some websites like for example tv tropes wiki praise them)

 

[ZeromusVX4]

I didn't really mind 1 and 2 since to me the psp versions are vastly superior but from 3 onwards I'd say it's an interesting way to replay them

 

[Mochi Panic]

I personally think the Pixel Remaster is worth playing over the other versions of FF 1-6. The Pixel Remasters are the best looking versions of those games and they all have some nice quality of life features. They're designed for people who are new to FF and don't want to spend fortunate on the older remakes. Sure you miss out on extra dungeons and bosses, but they're mostly just damage sponges.

 

[Xdqwerty]

Sure you miss out on extra dungeons and bosses, but they're mostly just damage sponges.

I think those are only worth it on Chrono Trigger

 

[Mochi Panic]

I think those are only worth it on Chrono Trigger

The Extra stuff in Chrono Trigger at least gave you new story content that connected it to Chrono Cross. I don't remember if fans liked the new addition's to the story though.

 

[Xdqwerty]

The Extra stuff in Chrono Trigger at least gave you new story content that connected it to Chrono Cross. I don't remember if fans liked the new addition's to the story though.

I mean, square enix kept the extra content for a reason when making the PC and mobile ports

 

[What's His Face]

I have already downloaded the gba versions of final fantasy 1 and 2, the ds versions of 3 and 4 and the original snes versions of 5 and 6, and idk if I should play the pixel remasters

At full price? NEVER. But if you ever see them on a 90% discount, sure. There is nothing new about the games other than being able to adjust Gold/Exp. gains, speed, and auto battle. The extras found in the GBA/DS/PSP games are entirely missing as these remasters are based on the original releases.

 

[Xdqwerty]

At full price? NEVER. But if you ever see them on a 90% discount, sure. There is nothing new about the games other than being able to adjust Gold/Exp. gains, speed, and auto battle. The extras found in the GBA/DS/PSP games are entirely missing as these remasters are based on the original releases.

I only pirate games

 

[Boo Man]

Final Fantasy IV: Complete Collection
this is a good version im playing atm

 

[Leon]

I'll list the best versions of the games in the pixel remasters, you can decide for yourself.

FF1&2 - PSP versions are generally what i consider the best versions, though the GBA version is pretty good too, pixel remaster misses some of the extras in other versions, with FF2 missing a entire extra story segment that's not in the pixel remaster.

FF3 - Both the 3d and pixel remaster versions have large differences from each other, i 3D has a more in depth story, pixel remaster is more like the original version, while lacking set characters.

FF4 - The 3d versions are different than the rest, however overall i consider the FF4 complete collection or whatever it's called on the PSP as the definitive version of the original version, while also adding extras, the after years part can be skipped and is generally considered a cash grab by S-E by the fanbase.

FF5 - This is probably the "safest" pixel remaster choice, though it lacks the extras of the gba version, it has vastly better music and feel making it and the SNES versions the definitive versions.

FF6 - This one is similar to 5, except the extras are a bit bigger, that said i'd still consider the pixel remaster of SNES versions the better versions to play as the music is done much better, though you will miss out on a couple of summons, it's not a gamebreaker and if your really broken up about it the one choice that does matter can be safely hacked in to get both (ragnarok magicite or sword).

 

[Patches]

I went the GBA route as well I don't mind it though if using a guide may have to fish a little harder to find exactly what you are seeking since there are so many versions with so many changes.

 

[weltanschauung123]

The GBA versions are suboptimal. Soundtrack is heavily compressed and the lighter palette looks ugly on larger screens - though there are hacks that fix this.

 

[BassForever]

For a first time play the Pixel Remasters are fine versions of FF1-6 to play with lots of great QoL improvements.

If you want max content then the best versions are

FF1-2 PSP
FF4 PSP
FF5-6 GBA

For 3 there never was an extra content 2D version to consider.

I feel that the 3 and 4 3D remakes are worth playing as well.

 

[Leifang]

Everybody else already mentioned PSP versions being definitive and 3D ones of 3 and 4 being good, and I agree, my 2 cents on games that I played a lot:

***

Final Fantasy 1 has two separate magic systems. Original Famicom/NES, Wonderswan color port, and PS1 versions, as well as Pixel Remasters, have D&D style system with spell charges per level. Anyone who played Sorcerer in NWN or Baldur's Gate will understand. GBA & PSP releases changed it to mana system. So pick what type of magic you want, it's the single biggest gameplay change and it's not stated on covers which magic each game has.

I actually enjoyed playing PS1 version as the one that fixed a bunch of stuff and updated graphics without changing magic completely, now you can do Pixel Remaster to get a similar experience... So:

FF1 original, PR or PS1 for old school magic
FF1 GBA or PSP for updated magic

***

Steam version of FF4 3D remake has normal and hard difficulty to choose, DS original is ONLY hard so get PC port instead of emulating. 2D version of Final Fantasy 4 was heavily cut down in American SNES release, it's missing half the skills, but was made easier to compensate. The music also sounds really thin and sprites are small as they developed the game for 8-bit consoles. So stay away from original release of 4, compared to, say, 6 where original version is already good enough.

So for 4: ignore SNES, choose any later version depending on which you think looks better, but be wary of DS difficulty. 3D version on Steam is very good and can let you change from normal to hard on New Game+ after getting OP armors and it removes touchscreen gimmick summon and changes a few quest to accomodate. Highly reccomended!

***

Finally, FF5 and FF6 never got releases with upgraded graphics (PSP sprites are much bigger and smoother than Pixel Remaster ones), but got botched ports on mobile and PC with redrawn art, and badly-implemented filtering. You can't buy those but they're freely available in obvious places.

The thing with these two Old Version FF5 & 6 ports, they had a modding scene before getting delisted, IMO definitive Final Fantasy 5 version is the old PC port with PSP-style sprites mod on top, it looks gorgeous, and for 6 there's Brave Steel with sprites based on Brave Exvius. Again, better looking version than PR if you can get it to work. BUT both games were good in original form, and they didn't change graphics in FF5/6 releases on PS1 or GBA, just added content so there's nothing wrong playing all games on Gameboy Advance emulator.

***

For 3D games there's not much reason to use old versions since you can mod the newest releases anyway. So absolutely pick 8 Remaster, HD version of X, and 12 international system, for non-remake 7 the 7th Heaven tool will downgrade any version anyway.

tl;dr: 2D games each have reasons to play the older versions, 3D not so much.

 

[Boog111]

I have already downloaded the gba versions of final fantasy 1 and 2, the ds versions of 3 and 4 and the original snes versions of 5 and 6, and idk if I should play the pixel remasters

I played 1, 3, and 5 on the pixel remasters. I felt it was worth it. The experience, gold, and skill rewards can be tweaked so that it is not as grind heavy as the original versions.

 

[Mecharocca]

Big time. They're great ways to 'get the point of them' in really handy QOLs to multiply XP, Gold and other content where applicable. Don't know about you but with age, time feels more cherished, so I personally don't mind if something typically taking me 11 fights to level up can take 6.

In terms of script quality and art it's perfectly fine as a collection.