If you’re anything like me, you’re tired of the rumours surrounding Final Fantasy 9 Remake.
First, we unofficially learn that the remake is happening, but it’s far, far off. Then, it suddenly starts sounding like a pipe dream. After that, Final Fantasy Tactics and a bunch of othertitles from the Nvidia leakturn out to be real, so it’s looking like we’re revisiting Gaia after all! And now, finally, it seems the remakewasreal but is nowlikely cancelled. I’m tired. A little part of me, though, is also relieved.
On one hand, there was an exhilarating, almost giddy hope; the thought of revisiting Gaia in a truly modern form is breathtaking. On the other, a bone-chilling dread, a cold sweat born from the fact that for tens of thousands of us, Square Enix would absolutely mess it all up.
What Makes FF9 So Special?
Let’s be clear: Final Fantasy 9 isn’t just another game in the series. It’s a meticulously crafted fairy tale, a poignant journey back to the classic JRPG’s roots after the experimental dieselpunk escapades of its predecessors.
It’s a game that resonates deeply, a comfort blanket for many thanks to its gorgeous art style and iconic OST, not to mention a masterclass in character and world-building. A remake has the potential to be glorious, a triumphant reintroduction of a beloved classic to a new generation and a thrilling revisit to an old friend for us elderly millennials, but I also don’t have it in me to withstand the caustic debates and firestorms that the likes of the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy has set off. If a remake of FF9 turned out to be a sequel in disguise, I can’t imagine a single person being happy.
There is simply no way a remake would get away withanyof the decisions it makes if it were to alter things. Change the narrative even one iota? The purists will riot. Keep the battle system untouched? The one big flaw of the original gets trashed in today’s nastier world. Make a deviation away from the turn-based roots? We get another thousand op-eds about how Clair Obscur should have taught us more than it already has. I haven’t got the patience…
It Could Be Done Well…
Theoretically, there is a remake that ticks as many boxes as humanly possible, and here’s a few ideas:
Even with theseone hundred percent perfect ideas for what this remake should be, I’m sure there would be a plethora of angry voices who have their ownimperfectideas of what should be done to this masterpiece to bring it into the modern era.
While I was terribly excited by the rumours of the remake, I have to admit that, having given the game a recent replay, it arguably doesn’t even need one. It more than holds up.
If the rumours are all true - that we had the remake all but confirmed but it’s been cancelled rather close to the finishing line - then it’s possible that the impossibility of remaking such a beloved piece of video game history played a significant role. Square Enix needs to truly nail this, and it’s a tall ask.
Final Fantasy 9 holds a truly special place in the hearts of millions. It’s a game that taught us about life, loss, and the enduring power of doing the right thing. It’s a game that reminded us why we fell in love with JRPGs in the first place, and for plenty, like myself, it’s the one that got us into gaming as a medium in the first place. Square Enix, please, either do it justice or leave it alone.
