As September rolls in with a bunch a planned releases, one specific game is already garnering attention: Final Fantasy Tactics:The Ivalice Chronicles is a remaster of the original, 1997 game that brought upon a novel approach to the eponymous JRPG franchise’s combat system, adopting a more strategic progression paired up with one of the greatest storylines the brand has ever put out.
And none of that will be used for this new project.
Ok, we’re stretching the truth a bit here, I’ll admit: it is the same game we remember, but in a recent interview with GamesRadar+, game director Kazutoyo Maehiro was asked about a particular episode the Japanese publisher went through, that culminated into it losing the original game’s source code completely—and how did they adapt this very problematic hurdle to bring the “new” title.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is, before anything, a “rebuilding”
“When we first decided that we were going to start this process, and we were going to start development, we came to the realization that we didn’t have the original source code for the game,” director Kazutoyo Maehiro stated.
“So the project actually started from us using what resources we did have available to us, whether that be the retail copy of the game, or the smartphone version, and analyzing that code, and then from that analysis, rebuilding The Ivalice Chronicles.”
So, essentially, this remaster is a bit of a mish-mash between several versions of Final Fantasy Tactics, which in turn were all based on the original, PlayStation game, but without actually being the original, PlayStation game. Makes sense?
Well, it kinda does, considering that they had a very unusual approach to ensure the game actually comes out. Fans will be pleased to know that, after years upon years of asking Square Enix to remake/remaster Final Fantasy Tactics, The Ivalice Chronicles not only answers that demand for them, but because of them:
“On top of that”—Maehiro stated—“we actually had to go to different websites made by fans and look for data there, because we know you guys do such a good job of keeping all of that up to date.“
It is important to mention, however: this absolutely, 100%, without a doubt, is the original game, not some “guessed as we went” version of it. Just in case you were wondering, the loss of the source code did not stop Square Enix from achieving its goals.
So yeah, pat yourself on the back a little, would ya? It is, at least partly, because of you yelling loud enough that we’re getting a remaster of a game that, for all effects and purposes (and many outlets that actually played preview builds of it) is looking pretty solid.
That, and we’re also getting a lot of neat, new stuff too: Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles will have a physical release, which isn’t really news, but there are some points of attention, as only the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch will get an actual disc/cartridge. In Japan, though, that also applies to Switch 2 and PlayStation 4 (although, to be fair, the Switch 2 version is the “code-in-a-box” type of thing, in true Nintendo fashion).
Moreover, this time around, we’re getting an extra, Deluxe edition that included:
- The full game (I know it might sound redundant, but given the most recent Borderlands 4 Collector’s Edition fiasco…)
- Weapon: Akademy Blade (Raises a unit’s speed attribute slightly while equipped)
- Headwear: Akademy Beret (Prevents the Charmed status while equipped)
- Combat Garb: Akademy Tunic (Grants Shell while equipped)
- Accessory: Ring of Aptitude (Boosts JP earned while equipped)
- Consumable Items: Phoenix Down x10
- Black Equipment for Ramza
- Red Equipment for Ramza
We’re also getting a Collector’s Box for you people who like physical trinkets to collect dust in a poorly-cleaned game room. That includes:
- Special Art Box
- Ramza Beoulve Figure (Akademy Version)
- Zodiac Stones Acrylic Art Set
- Chocobo Mini Plush set
- Pop-up Art – “Outlying Church”
- Art Sheet Set
These are all available for preorder here and here, respectively.
Also, the remaster itself comes with a handful of improvements: a brand new user interface, a new “Tactical View” for better combat planning, voice acting from some well-recognized Final Fantasy voice actors, voice rework for English and Japanese (sadly, no Brazilian Portuguese localization or subtitles, which offends me personally, Square Enix!), updated textures with a more 3D feel, new difficulty levels and the usual speed-through feature for you to plow through the easier battles without wasting time.
Oh, and the original game from 1997 also comes in all packages.
Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles will launch on September 30, 2025 on PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, PC, and Xbox Series X|S.
