Square Enix shared new details for Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, confirming the upgraded remaster will include content cut from its original release.
While details are scant, the newly upgraded remaster has been rebuilt from scratch as the original master and source code were never archived. The team has faithfully rebuilt the game in a “Classic” version to capture its original release, as well as an “Enhanced” version.
Once the game was rebuilt, its team decided to refine and improve the experience, while adding content cut from the original release, like expanded character dialogue, especially once you recruit certain characters.
“One of the things we had to cut the first time around was character dialogue,” Kazutoyo Maehiro, director on the new release, said. “This was disappointing for me, as it was for Matsuno, who worked on the script additions and refinements for The Ivalice Chronicles. So this time we added dialogue while making overall story additions and refinements.
“For example, in the original game certain characters rarely spoke once they were recruited, but here we added conversations that play during battles. When sending them into specific battles, characters like Agrias, Cid, and Mustadio speak considerably more. Some of these dialogues aren’t just exchanges between characters, but also complement the narrative, or touch on the heart of the story, such as why war veteran Marquis Elmdore chose the path he did.”
It wasn’t mentioned if cut content is being added to both versions of the game, though the UI is confirmed to have a “complete graphical overhaul” for its Enhanced version.
“The goal was to create ‘the optimal solution to playing Final Fantasy Tactics today’,” Maehiro said. “Even if the game design is excellent, people won’t appreciate it if the controls aren’t great.”
The team commented on the previous reveal that the game’s script was being “modified” for the new version, which brought some concerns from fans. They confirmed with the addition of voiceovers, the script had to be adjusted so voices flow better.
“One of the biggest reasons we decided to add to and refine the story was because this game features voiceovers,” Maehiro explained. “If we simply added voiceover without adjustments it would have sounded unnatural. So we adjusted the lines so they could flow as a conversation, greatly enhancing their immersion, while the additions clarify the characters’ thoughts, goals, and backgrounds.”
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is set to launch for Windows PC (via Steam), Xbox Series X|S, Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 on September 30th of this year, worldwide.
