Square Enix’s Next Big Final Fantasy Game Has An Important Lesson To Teach

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is Square Enix’s next big entry in the franchise, and even though it’s a remastered version of the game released in 1997, future titles in the series could learn something from it. Announced during PlayStation’s State of Play event in June, the remaster will bring the title to modern platforms. The game will release on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2, which is arguably the best console for Final Fantasy Tactics.

Releasing on September 30, The Ivalice Chronicles will come with a series of optimizations that will make the game more approachable to modern audiences. This includes a mode with improved graphics for those who want to avoid the classic visuals, while another is tailor-made for players who want the original experience – this mode will also come with the War of the Lions translation. The game also includes quality-of-life updates, like auto-save.

FF Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles Has Two Versions

Classic & Enhanced Modes Offer Different Experiences

Out of the many new features that the remaster will have, the fact that Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles has two versions is what stands out the most. The Classic mode will allow you to play a recreation of the classic 1997 game and live the original experience with its traditional pixelated graphics and gameplay settings, alongside the aforementioned War of the Lions translation.

In the meantime, the Enhanced version will have more polished 3D-centered graphics – even though the enhanced graphics for Final Fantasy Tactics are divisive. It will also feature gameplay improvements, adjustments to the story, and the campaign will have fully voiced dialogue. This version will also feature a new difficulty level called Squire, which should make it even more approachable to new players and those who haven’t been in touch with tactical RPGs before.

More Games Should Offer Classic Or Enhanced Options

Final Fantasy Tactics’ Approach Should Be An Example

The possibility of playing The Ivalice Chronicles in either Classic or Enhanced versions is a great feature, as it offers you the choice to experience the game in the way you prefer. If you want to better understand how the game like felt back in 1997 and see what granted it its legendary status among tactical RPGs, you can pick Classic mode. This will grant you access to the closest recreation of the original experience.

Meanwhile, if the features offered by the Classic experience push you away, you can instead opt for the Enhanced version. This will allow you to avoid the feeling of playing something that can come across as outdated. With improvements to the graphics and gameplay in Final Fantasy Tactics’ Enhanced version, you’ll be able to feel like you’re playing a modern game, even if within the restraints of a traditional tactical RPG.

Both versions of the game will have the aforementioned system optimizations, such as auto-save and bug corrections. As such, you won’t have to worry about encountering issues if you go with the Classic version. More games should follow The Ivalice Chronicles’ example and feature Classic and Enhanced versions, allowing you to choose which you prefer for a better experience with the game without losing out on too much.

Developer Square Enix has done something similar in the past with the Chrono Trigger port for modern platforms. While it is not split between different modes like Final Fantasy Tactics, you can choose the type of graphics the game will feature.

I played Chrono Trigger with its original pixel-art sprites rather than the high-resolution 3D sprites, which didn’t please me. Even so, I got to experience the game fully with the auto-save feature, as well as the anime cutscenes that made it into the PC version.

Future Final Fantasy Remasters Should Follow This Method

Older Games Under Square Enix’s Belt Could Reach More Players

Seeing how a moderated version of this approach worked for Chrono Trigger in the past, and how hopeful the release of The Ivalice Chronicles seems, I believe that future Final Fantasy remasters should use this method. Including the Classic and Enhanced versions of older Square Enix games could be a way of catering to two distinct audiences that could possibly avoid the game entirely if a minor detail like its graphic style isn’t to their taste.

If the company ever looks back to offer a new remaster of Final Fantasy 6, for example, it could consider featuring the Classic mode, much like what the Pixel Remaster series currently offers, as well as an Enhanced mode with improvements similar to those seen in The Ivalice Chronicles.

This includes completely voiced dialogue, renewed graphics and character sprites, UI optimizations, and more. Such an approach could even work with 3D games, like Final Fantasy 10 or Final Fantasy 13.

This is especially true if Square Enix avoids working on some of the most requested Final Fantasy remakes and opts only to remaster them.

With The Ivalice Chronicles in particular, there are some underlying issues regarding the Classic and Enhanced versions, as the Classic version comes with the War of the Lions translation, which is divisive since it cuts some content. On the other hand, the Enhanced version’s graphics don’t please everyone, myself included.

Even so, Square Enix’s approach of considering both modes in Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is positive and should be taken as an example for future remasters in the series.

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Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles

Tactical

RPG

Strategy

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Released: September 30, 2025
ESRB: Teen / Fantasy Violence, Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Mild Language, Drug Reference
Developer(s): Square Enix
Publisher(s): Square Enix
Franchise: Final Fantasy
Number of Players: Single-player
PC Release Date: September 30, 2025
Xbox Series X|S Release Date: September 30, 2025
PS5 Release Date: September 30, 2025
Nintendo Switch Release Date: September 30, 2025