Should I play the Final Fantasy pixel remasters?

[Ocarina]

I only pirate games

Best Line Ever.

Post automatically merged: Dec 26, 2024

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]

I Don't like his translations.

Always will be Tina and Mash to me.

So you'll get my support.

 

[RageBurner]

They aren't bad games, but the fact they lack the GBA extras is a big knock against, in my opinion.

Honestly, FF3PR is the most justifiable of the bunch because we never got an improved sprite version of it (IMO the PSP should have gotten it, to fall more in line with FF1, 2, and 4 PSP), instead of just a port of the DS's 3D version.

 

[Pockets]

I love the Pixel Remasters. I think they get a pretty bad rap mainly due to not having the extra content or being as ambitious as a full 2D-HD remake, but I personally love the aesthetic they went for trying to adhere to the original pixel art and designs while not having the color or hardware limitations to consider. It's beautiful and I think it's some of the best pixel art I've seen in a long time, especially the environments. IMO, it's the best these games have ever looked. FFVI is the only game where the new sprites are a downgrade, but that can easily be fixed with mods.

They're great versions of the games, I just wouldn't recommend paying full price for them and definitely check out the mods. If there's something you don't like about them whether that be the difficulty/balance changes, the sprites, the music, sound effects, UI, translation, etc, there's most likely a mod that addresses it.

 

[Mopeybloke]

I like how they look, but my attempts at VI were never successful. The overworld's too bright, and looks bad. Most importantly, all these games, as well as their Dragon Quest ports, update at some arbitrary internal frame rate, then get presented at 60 FPS, meaning they never look smooth while scrolling. It's too bad.
The interface is also not as responsive as the original game as far as VI goes. I might be the only person that cares about game feel in menu-driven RPGs, but I do!

 

[Xdqwerty]

I like how they look, but my attempts at VI were never successful. The overworld's too bright, and looks bad. Most importantly, all these games, as well as their Dragon Quest ports, update at some arbitrary internal frame rate, then get presented at 60 FPS, meaning they never look smooth while scrolling. It's too bad.
The interface is also not as responsive as the original game as far as VI goes. I might be the only person that cares about game feel in menu-driven RPGs, but I do!

iirc the dragon quest remasters are only for mobile devices and nintendo switch

 

[Mopeybloke]

I think so. I can't get no DQ on PC.
I was going to go for the HD-2D versions, but they're getting the Squenix Tax+ Denuvo, so they made my purchasing decisions easier this year.

 

[Xdqwerty]

I think so. I can't get no DQ on PC.
I was going to go for the HD-2D versions, but they're getting the Squenix Tax+ Denuvo, so they made my purchasing decisions easier this year.

I think you could emulate the snes versions of the original trilogy tho (they were on cdromance iirc)

 

[MistHunter]

Mmm...
Hopefully, final fantasy III pixel remaster, because it's the only one missing from the gameboy advance remakes... yet, you can enjoy it, via nintendo dual screen and playstation portable.

 

[Xdqwerty]

Mmm...
Hopefully, final fantasy III pixel remaster, because it's the only one missing from the gameboy advance remakes... yet, you can enjoy it, via nintendo dual screen and playstation portable.

Yeah but those versions are completely different

 

[MistHunter]

Yeah but those versions are completely different

And you are right. that's why 'hopefully'.

 

[Boo Man]

feels like the "wait" option in battle settings is broken on all versions of all the games

 

[Leon]

I think so. I can't get no DQ on PC.
I was going to go for the HD-2D versions, but they're getting the Squenix Tax+ Denuvo, so they made my purchasing decisions easier this year.

For what it's worth, S-E always removes denuvo after a bit of time so you can probably just wait it out.

 

[bubbyrude]

i don't think there's any reason for you to play the pixel remasters unless you just want to play through the games quickly again without manually entering any cheat codes, since they're built in. they aren't really offering anything new aside from some bug fixes, maps and remastered soundtracks. visually i think they're worse in many cases.

For what it's worth, S-E always removes denuvo after a bit of time so you can probably just wait it out.

not always. FFXV still has it unfortunately.

 

[miguk]

My take on them from playing various versions:
General: The PR's music is the best of any versions. Graphics are the best of any non-PSP versions. QoL is better than most versions (or 2nd best in some cases). No extras from the PSP/DS/GBA versions or FMVs from the (load-time-riddled) PS1 versions.

FF1: One of the best versions, but lacks the extras from the PSP & GBA versions (all 3 have different art styles, too, though PSP is a hi-res version of GBA, while PR is a 16-bit-esque version of NES). Uses the magic charge system from the original release instead of MP, which isn't as bad as some think it is. Worth a playthrough just to see the original playstyle and artstyle modernized.
Ranking: S-tier - PSP; A-tier - PR; B-tier - GBA; C-tier - NES/FC; D-tier - PS1; F-tier - WS & MSX2

FF2: Best in terms of gameplay (fixed a lot of issues that plagued it since the FC), but 2nd for story. Same artstyle and extras issues as FF1. Play it if you want to avoid frustration in play and are fine with only the original story, but go with PSP if you want the extended story and can handle the weird leveling system.
Ranking: A-tier - PSP & PR; B-tier - GBA; C-tier - NES/FC; D-tier - PS1; F-tier - WS

FF3: The definitive version. It loses some minor extras from the DS/PSP version, but nothing that negates the value of PR's gameplay improvements. DS/PSP alters the story mildly, too (main characters get names, personalities, and cut scenes not in the original FC version). They are also in (dated) 3D graphics, which look grey and bland next to the PR's brighter, fresher looking 2D.
Ranking: S-tier - PR; A-tier - PSP; B-tier - DS; C-tier - FC

FF4: If you are a stickler for SNES-style graphics, this is the best. However, if you prefer high-res graphics, go with the PSP. Again, no extras from the PSP/GBA or DS versions. The DS version is practically a different beast in terms of graphics (dated 3D, though not as bland as FF3), translation (super accurate, but super wordy), and extras (weird New Game+ mode). Also notable, PR has the best version of the last boss battle music.
Ranking: S-tier - PSP; A-tier - PR & DS; B-tier - MSU-1 (J Hard Type w/ PR music); C-tier - GBA; D-tier - SFC; E-tier - SNES; F-tier - PS1, & WS

FF5: Practically the best despite a lack of extras. GBA version has more job classes, which is fine for a replay; beware the GBA's poor sound quality, though.
Ranking: S-tier - PR; A-tier - MSU-1 (Pixel Freemaster); B-tier - GBA; C-tier - SFC; F-tier - PS1

FF6: Another definitive version. Still missing GBA extras, but they are so-so anyways. PR soundtrack is notably even better than other entries in the series. SNES versions are good, but be wary of glitches (some of which can erase game saves) on any non-patched copies. PS1 has interesting FMVs, but otherwise not worth it.
Ranking: S-tier - PR; A-tier - MSU-1 (Pixel Freemaster w/ bug fixes); B-tier - GBA; C-tier - SNES/SFC; D-tier - PS1

 

[Dyne]

I think so. I can't get no DQ on PC.
I was going to go for the HD-2D versions, but they're getting the Squenix Tax+ Denuvo, so they made my purchasing decisions easier this year.

Emulating the Switch version might be the solution

 

[Xdqwerty]

FF1: One of the best versions, but lacks the extras from the PSP & GBA versions (all 3 have different art styles, too, though PSP is a hi-res version of GBA, while PR is a 16-bit-esque version of NES). Uses the magic charge system from the original release instead of MP, which isn't as bad as some think it is. Worth a playthrough just to see the original playstyle and artstyle modernized.
Ranking: S-tier - PSP; A-tier - PR; B-tier - GBA; C-tier - NES/FC; D-tier - PS1; F-tier - WS & MSX2

The PS1 and wonderswan versions werent that bad

FF5: Practically the best despite a lack of extras. GBA version has more job classes, which is fine for a replay; beware the GBA's poor sound quality, though.

Wasnt there a music restoration patch?

 

[RageBurner]

The PS1 and wonderswan versions werent that bad

Wasnt there a music restoration patch?

There is, yes. It targets the European version specifically. The patch does a lot to mitigate the sound quality.

 

[Xdqwerty]

There is, yes. It targets the European version specifically. The patch does a lot to mitigate the sound quality.

And what's wrong with playing the european version?

 

[RageBurner]

And what's wrong with playing the european version?

Nothing at all, I was just pointing it out, in case you wanted to try it yourself. Actually, when it comes to GBA ports of Final Fantasy you should always go with European versions. They are released later and often have less bugs.

 

[Xdqwerty]

Nothing at all, I was just pointing it out, in case you wanted to try it yourself. Actually, when it comes to GBA ports of Final Fantasy you should always go with European versions. They are released later and often have less bugs.

Yeah and they also offer more languages than just english

 

[RageBurner]

Yeah and they also offer more languages than just english

Indeed, which should have always been the industry standard if you ask me.

 

[Xdqwerty]

Indeed, which should have always been the industry standard if you ask me.

Atleast it started being like that since the mid to late 2000s

 

[miguk]

The PS1 and wonderswan versions werent that bad

Wasnt there a music restoration patch?

The PS1 versions had load times not in other versions, mild extras mostly ported to the later versions, graphic improvements only in FF1&2, and none of the better extras (new dungeons, story expansion, jobs/espers, etc) of the GBA/PSP versions. Their one advantage was the FMV, which vary in quality and didn't add much to the games (and unlike with Chrono Trigger, they were not integrated into the gameplay, but tacked on at the start and end). They are dated and not worth wasting time on aside from historical review.

WS versions were just low-res versions of the PS1 versions minus the load times and FMVs. Again, dated in light of new versions.

Patches exist for most 8/16-bit versions, but aside from the MSU-1s, I didn't feel like going over them, as it's a bit complicated to review everything. That said, there's no way to upgrade the resolution of the GBA versions, which are the lowest res versions of each game (aside from WS).

 

[Boog111]

You're right. Definitely don't have as much time to grind as I used to. QOL updates have made things so much better in RPGs.