Final Fantasy II shows dualistic production

Posted Jun 26th 2007 5:00PM by Andrew Yoon
Filed under: Final Fantasy, Video

There's no denying that Square Enix makes incredible CG with its games. The upcoming Final Fantasy remakes on PSP are no different. As one can see by the intro cinematic to Final Fantasy II (above), Square puts a lot of effort into making their cinematics look gorgeous. While we appreciate the added effort into movies like the one above, we'd much rather see the time and money go into completely revamping the game engine. When one considers how the actual gameplay looks (video after the cut), one can't help but be a little disappointed.

Tags: ff2, ffii, final fantasy, final fantsy ii, FinalFantasy, FinalFantsyIi, square enix, SquareEnix

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-26-2007 @ 6:09PM

Xoonaka said...

Looks like the same CG from PS1... so yeah, they really should've focused on some shiny new stuff for the PSP version.

Lousy DS getting full remakes and re-envisionings...

6-26-2007 @ 6:09PM

Michael K. said...

If they revamped the gameplay like you said you want, it would increase costs a lot, they would have to work through the entire game. Since people are already complaining about the cost at its current state, making it more expensive would drive some people away. You can't charge too much for games that have been rereleased a half dozen times like these.

6-26-2007 @ 6:15PM

Xoonaka said...

I'm sure if they could do FF3 like they did, they could manage with FF2 or FF1. They're charging 30 bucks for the same game as the PS1 title. Might as well have released it on PSN for $10.

They wouldn't have had to charge more, they're already charging too much.

6-26-2007 @ 6:23PM

merc25 said...

@Micheal K.: Please SE is going to be making a killing off of these games. Just because something cost thirty bucks does mean that thirty bucks of time/resources went into making it.

Is it just me or does the gameplay video look like someone has frame skipping on, or are you supposed to walk that fast?

6-26-2007 @ 7:07PM

Xoonaka said...

Yeah, there's definitely some speed up. Not to mention, I'm pretty sure someone did a cut between the town to the overworld map. Makes me scared for loading times.

...I wish I were strong enough not to buy this, but I know I will.

6-26-2007 @ 9:08PM

Otty said...

What I don't understand is why do they keep doing hte same Final Fantasy games over and over and over?

Why not shovel out Chrono Trigger, Secret Of Mana, Dragon Warrior III-V, Xenogears, or Vagrant Story? THOSE I'd buy!

And maybe they will someday...they did Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth and are doing Final Fantasy Tactics. Shoot, I wouldn't even mind a straight port of Dragon Quest/Warrior VII. On the smaller PSP screen, those grainy graphics of the original may not look so bad!

6-26-2007 @ 10:18PM

GoBob said...

@Otty

I'm actually glad that they re-released FF1 and FF2. I never had the PS1 or GBA ports, so I'm really glad to see this. Though, I will likely not buy FF2. FF1, definitely. I have always wanted to play that game.

P.S. If they re-released Chrono Trigger, I would have a party.

6-26-2007 @ 11:15PM

Phil said...

Damn, and to think i respected Square for a while. What a bunch of opportunist bastards... Lets see, FF1, FF2 and FFtactics, none of which they even attempted to revamp the gameplay or graphics. Jerks.
AND its 30 damn dollars to boot.
Anyone still wondering why there is piracy on the PSP?

6-27-2007 @ 1:15AM

Benzitor said...

Stop spitting on SE like this...

Even if i had the ps1 and the gba versions, those re-release are somehow splendid...like the ultimate version. Crisp graphics ( turn on the ps1 or the gba and compare, its simple, and like ff tactics, its similar but somehow better... ), real great musics, and a bit faster to play.

Its like mixing the gba versions ( portable, new dongeons ) and add the ps1 cgi, with a way higher res graphics( or it is just the fact that the tv never gave credit to those great sprites ).

And dont ask me, i also have the ff3 on DS and i am all for the 2D versions. I hate the DS version, and i am still sad they with do the same with the 4.

The only thing they should have done, is like the psp version...true to the original feel.

In my opinion, the only downside is the animations...this could have been a nice revamp, if the enemy sprites had some movement, because this really look old school...

@GoBob

I rather advice you to buy the 2...or both. The adventure is far more interesting, and the dialogue possibilities add a lot to the adventure...

SE is making easy money ( and could have make those release 20$ ) but those games are nothing but legends and it is the kind of games i would play 10 years in the futur without feeling odd ( contrary to ff3, that i hardly want to finish, and would forget as soon as i played it... )

I think chrono trigger would be an excelent choice for the psp, since the system is really harcore gamer targeted ( valkirye profile, star ocean...etc ) secret of mana as well, and vagrant story would be delightfull.

Keep releasing old gems as soon as you can produce some crisis core to balance...i am 100% behind this politic.

6-27-2007 @ 2:27AM

cafecito said...

Xenogears would be the sweetest! But I think they lost the license to Namco somehow... since they're making the "Xeno" games right now. Still, I think Xenogears is by far the best of the series.

Bout FF1 and 2 ... meh. I'd gladly get 'em if both came in one UMD, but they don't. Sad thing is, I bet both would easily fit in 1 UMD and still leave a lot of free space!

6-27-2007 @ 7:16AM

txa1265 said...

OK, so they're cashing in - so what? They have done some serious work in delivering us the 'ultimate' versions of Final Fantasy I & II. They have not dumped 'shovelware' ports that we have seen on ... well, every console / handheld / PC in existence ever! They actually enhanced the graphics & music and added another bonus dungeon on top of the additions found in 'Dawn of Souls'.

So take to heart what the reviews are saying - this are nicely done versions of true classics, but nothing more. Have you played them recently? Then save your money - there is nothing inherently deserving an additional purchase. But if you missed out before, *this* is the version to get.

6-27-2007 @ 11:51AM

Xoonaka said...

Considering the GBA versions were better received then the PS1 versions, I think loading times will be a major issue here.

I do find it odd the review made no mention of them. And I'm not convinced "Ultimate" is the word for these versions.

But, as I said previously, as my soul belongs to Square I'm still going to buy it regardless.

8-21-2007 @ 5:00PM

Xphile said...

I'm going to agree with Benzitor about this.

I didn't like the way FF3 was put into 3d. I'd rather have better 2d graphics that are crisp and clear than only semi-decent 3d graphics... in which the 3d really doesn't add anything to the game.

Exactly what in game play can be changed? You change too much, and you're going to have people pissed off because you really made a different game and slapped the title "FF1" onto it.

So if you already have FF1, thats fine, no real need to run out and buy this. If you don't have FF1 or haven't experienced this, then you can go buy a new "modern" version of the game and get the experience that you missed all those years ago.

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