Draft:Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster

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Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster
Developer(s)Tose, Square Enix
Publisher(s)Square Enix
Artist(s)Kazuko Shibuya
Composer(s)Nobuo Uematsu
SeriesFinal Fantasy
EngineUnity
Platform(s)
Release
July 28, 2021
    • Final Fantasy I, II, III
    • iOS, Android, Windows
      • WW: July 28, 2021
    • PS4, NS
      • WW: April 19, 2023
    • Final Fantasy IV
    • iOS, Android, Windows
      • WW: September 8, 2021
    • PS4, NS
      • WW: April 19, 2023
    • Final Fantasy V
    • iOS, Android, Windows
      • WW: July 28, 2021
    • PS4, NS
      • WW: April 19, 2023
    • Final Fantasy VI
    • iOS, Android, Windows
      • WW: February 23, 2022
    • PS4, NS
      • WW: April 19, 2023
Genre(s)Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster[a] is a series of video game remasters of the first six installments in the Final Fantasy role-playing video game series developed by Tose[1] and Square Enix and published by Square Enix. The series includes remasters of the original versions of Final Fantasy (1987), Final Fantasy II (1988), Final Fantasy III (1990), Final Fantasy IV[b] (1991), Final Fantasy V (1992), and Final Fantasy VI[c] (1994), available standalone or in the Final Fantasy I-VI Bundle[d] compilation. It is notably the first release of the original Final Fantasy III outside of Japan, as only the 2006 3D remake had released internationally prior to the Pixel Remaster.

The Pixel Remasters feature rearranged music supervised by original composter Nobuo Uematsu, redrawn sprite art by original artist Kazuko Shibuya, updated user interface, additional content such as an illustration gallery and bestiary, and other enhancements. Initially released on iOS, Android, and Windows, the games had a staggered release date between July 2021 and February 2022 before all six games released together on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch on April 19, 2023 in commemoration of the franchise's 35th anniversary.

The series received generally positive reviews, with critics praising the upgraded presentation, rescored music, quality-of-life enhancements, included extras, and balancing, while criticizing its technical issues at launch, English font, and the lack of additional content featured in earlier versions. The series has sold over three million units worldwide.[2]

Content[edit]

Main articles: Gameplay of Final Fantasy, Final Fantasy (video game), Final Fantasy II, Final Fantasy III, Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy V, and Final Fantasy VI
Included titles
1987Final Fantasy
1988Final Fantasy II
1989
1990Final Fantasy III
1991Final Fantasy IV
1992Final Fantasy V
1993
1994Final Fantasy VI

The Pixel Remaster series remasters the first six installments of the Final Fantasy series originally released between 1987 and 1994 on the Nintendo Entertainment System and Super Nintendo Entertainment System.[3] It marks the first international release of the original Final Fantasy III, the first release of I and II on PC, and the first widescreen release of V and VI.

An illustration gallery featuring character, monster, and concept art done by long-time series artist Yoshitaka Amano, a music player, and a bestiary of enemies encountered by players throughout the games have been implemented.[4]

The Pixel Remasters lack the changes and additional content implemented in other versions of the games, most notably the dungeons, superbosses, jobs, and other bonus content featured in the Game Boy Advance versions[e] and later iterations based upon them, such as Final Fantasy IV: The Complete Collection.[5]

Development and release[edit]

The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series was announced at E3 2021 with games to be published on iOS, Android, and Microsoft Windows via Steam.[6]

Preceding the launch of the Pixel Remaster series, the prior 2010 mobile releases of Final Fantasy and II, 2014 mobile releases of V and VI, as well as their 2015 Steam iteration, were delisted from digital platforms as of July 28, 2021.[7][8] The 3D Nintendo DS remakes of Final Fantasy III and IV were retitled and remain available on digital platforms.[9]

On December 18, 2022, the 35th anniversary of the Final Fantasy franchise, Square Enix announced the Pixel Remaster series would release on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 in spring 2023.[10] The console versions released on April 19, 2023, alongside the Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remaster -FF35th Anniversary Edition- physical collector's edition including all six games, and introduced new quality-of-life enhancements; the selection of a pixel-based font, modifiers for the encounter rate and amount of EXP, "gil", and ability points gained, rebalanced difficulty, and the selection between the original or remastered soundtracks.[11] On January 31, 2024, the Steam and mobile versions received an update to include the quality-of-life enhancements implemented with the console release.[12]

Reception[edit]

Aggregate review scores
Game Year Metacritic OpenCritic
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster 2021 PC: 80[13][f] 87[19]
Final Fantasy II Pixel Remaster 2021 PC: 77[14][g] 67[20]
Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster 2021 PC: 79[15][h] 76[21]
Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster 2021 PC: 83[16][i] 88[22]
Final Fantasy V Pixel Remaster 2021 PC: 82[17][j] 95[23]
Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster 2022 PC: 87[18][k] 91[24]
Final Fantasy I-VI Pixel Remaster Collection/-FF35th Anniversary Edition- 2023 PS4: 87[25][l]
NS: 84[26][m]

The Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series received generally positive reception. According to review aggregator Metacritic, all six remasters, as well as the compiled collection featured in the -FF35th Anniversary Edition- collectors edition, received "generally favorable" reviews for Windows,[13][14][15][16][17][18] PlayStation 4,[25] and Nintendo Switch.[26]

Critics lauded the updated presentation for the Pixel Remasters, particularly the rearranged soundtracks.

The lack of content available in prior versions was criticized. Criticism was also pointed at the original English language font,

Following the success of the Pixel Remaster series, Square Enix has considered potential re-releases of other legacy games.[27][28]

Sales[edit]

The series has sold over three million units worldwide as of September 2023.[2]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Japanese: ファイナルファンタジー ピクセルリマスター, Hepburn: Fainaru Fantajī Pikuseru Rimasutā
  2. ^ Initially titled Final Fantasy II in North America.
  3. ^ Initially titled Final Fantasy III in North America.
  4. ^ Also known as FINAL FANTASY I-VI Pixel Remaster Collection digitally or FINAL FANTASY I-VI Collection in physical versions.
  5. ^ Also known as the 'Finest Fantasy for Advance' project in Japan.
  6. ^ Based on 12 reviews.
  7. ^ Based on 10 reviews.
  8. ^ Based on 10 reviews.
  9. ^ Based on 9 reviews.
  10. ^ Based on 14 reviews.
  11. ^ Based on 14 reviews.
  12. ^ Based on 15 reviews.
  13. ^ Based on 17 reviews.

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "TOSE developed "FINAL FANTASY Pixel Remaster". | News | TOSE CO., LTD". www.tose.co.jp. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  2. ^ a b "Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster games top 3 million copies in two years". www.gamedeveloper.com. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  3. ^ "Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster games coming soon to Steam and mobile". Destructoid. 2021-06-13. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  4. ^ Diaz, Ana (2021-06-30). "Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster's first three games come to PC and mobile in July". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  5. ^ Donaldson, Alex (2021-07-31). "The Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters are a strong effort, but there's room for improvement for the inevitable console ports". VG247. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  6. ^ Bailey, Kat (2021-06-13). "Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Collection Revealed - E3 2021". IGN. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  7. ^ Lada, Jenni (2021-07-01). "Older Final Fantasy Android and iOS Games Will Be Delisted". Siliconera. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  8. ^ Lada, Jenni (2021-06-29). "FFV and FFVI PC Versions Will Be Delisted From Steam in July 2021". Siliconera. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  9. ^ Wiseman, Liam (2021-06-30). "Two Heavily Criticized Final Fantasy PC Ports Are Being Pulled From Steam". IGN. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  10. ^ Bankhurst, Adam (2023-04-05). "Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters: Switch and PS4 Release Dates Announced". IGN. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  11. ^ Life, Nintendo (2023-04-05). "Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Series Launches On Switch Later This Month". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  12. ^ Jody Macgregor (2024-01-31). "Two years after release, the Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters on Steam finally achieve feature-parity with the console versions". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  13. ^ a b "Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster for PC critic reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  14. ^ a b "Final Fantasy II Pixel Remaster for PC critic reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  15. ^ a b "Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster for PC critic reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  16. ^ a b "Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster for PC critic reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  17. ^ a b "Final Fantasy V Pixel Remaster for PC critic reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  18. ^ a b "Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster for PC critic reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  19. ^ "Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Reviews". OpenCritic. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  20. ^ "Final Fantasy II Pixel Remaster Reviews". OpenCritic. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  21. ^ "Final Fantasy III Pixel Remaster Reviews". OpenCritic. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  22. ^ "Final Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster Reviews". OpenCritic. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  23. ^ "Final Fantasy V Pixel Remaster Reviews". OpenCritic. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  24. ^ "Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster Reviews". OpenCritic. Retrieved 2024-04-09.
  25. ^ a b "Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster: FF35th Anniversary Edition for PlayStation 4 critic reviews". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  26. ^ a b "Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster: FF35th Anniversary Edition for Nintendo Switch critic reviews". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  27. ^ Macgregor, Jody (2023-07-10). "Following the success of Final Fantasy's Pixel Remasters, Square Enix is considering more old games". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  28. ^ Adam, Khayl (2023-07-09). "Square Enix Plotting More Retro Revivals After Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster Success". Push Square. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
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