HD-2D's Grand Illusion: Where Are Our Bloody Chrono Trigger & FF6 Remakes, Square Enix?!
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Despite Square Enix's stellar HD-2D aesthetic bringing new life to classic pixel art games, digital wizard Jeff can't help but wonder why beloved RPGs like *Chrono Trigger* and *Final Fantasy 6* are still missing from the remake roster, raising a gently skeptical eyebrow at corporate priorities.
Right, so I've been tinkering with this HD-2D magic trick for a while now, and while it's undeniably brilliant, there's a big, glowing question mark hanging over it like a miscast teleportation spell. We're talking about Square Enix's gorgeous HD-2D aesthetic – that glorious blend of classic pixel art with modern 3D environments and dazzling lighting. It's truly something special, a pixel-perfect portal to nostalgia that feels fresh and new all at once. And yet, as Jen Glennon from Polygon recently pointed out, it still hasn’t quite lived up to its full potential.
Think about it: the 90s pixel art, particularly from the SNES and Genesis era, has aged like a fine potion. Games like *Chrono Trigger* and *Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island* were visual feasts. Fast forward to the indie boom of the 2010s, and titles like *Celeste* and *Hyper Light Drifter* proved that pixel art wasn't just surviving, it was thriving. This renaissance clearly paved the way for Square Enix to unveil *Octopath Traveler* in 2018, blending that beloved old-school charm with a dash of digital wizardry. They even went so far as to trademark 'HD-2D,' which, fair play to 'em, is a pretty snazzy name.
Now, when *Octopath* first burst onto the scene, everyone's minds immediately went to one place: *Final Fantasy 6*. The high-fantasy-meets-steampunk vibe was uncanny, sparking a flurry of online chatter faster than you can say 'Chocobo.' And, of course, *Chrono Trigger* quickly joined the chorus. These aren't just any RPGs, mate; they're bona fide legends, etched into the very fabric of gaming history. Nearly eight years on, and what have we got? Well, a lot of waiting, apparently.
Don't get me wrong, Square Enix hasn't been completely twiddling their thumbs in the HD-2D department. We've seen some absolutely cracking titles since *Octopath* first dropped. *Octopath Traveler 2* improved on the original in almost every way, *Triangle Strategy* offered a superb tactical experience that flew a bit under the radar, and the long-awaited Western release of *Live A Live* was a genuine treat. Plus, the lovely remakes of *Dragon Quest 1-3* are now gracing our screens, alongside the latest *Octopath Traveler 0*. So, the tech is being used, and it's being used well! But... but where are *they*? Where's *Final Fantasy 6*? Where in the name of all that is holy is *Chrono Trigger*?
It's like having access to a spellbook full of powerful enchantments, but only ever casting minor healing spells. You know the big ones are there, just waiting. There are a few theories floating around, of course. Maybe Square Enix worried about cannibalizing sales of their *Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters* – those slightly spruced-up versions of the first six *Final Fantasy* games. Or perhaps they're concerned an HD-2D *FF6* might distract from the ongoing *Final Fantasy 7 Remake* trilogy or *Final Fantasy 16*. I mean, these games aren't exactly new, but they do keep trickling out onto different platforms, stretching their presence out like a particularly stubborn dungeon crawl.
But let's be real for a sec. Would *any* of us skip an HD-2D *FF6* just because a *Pixel Remaster* exists? Or choose it over *FF7 Remake*? Different experiences, different vibes entirely. The Pixel Remasters are fantastic for purists, but an HD-2D version would be a complete re-imagining! The cruellest twist of the dagger came in September, when Square Enix threw us *FF6* fans a bone – and then promptly snatched it back, replacing it with a mobile gacha game crossover for *Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent*. Bloody hell, the trailer for that mobile event just served to highlight precisely how utterly phenomenal an HD-2D *FF6* would look. It was less a bone, more a tease from a mischievous imp.
*Chrono Trigger* is an even weirder case. Its legacy is undeniable, a clear progenitor to the very style HD-2D embodies. We've had enhanced ports over the years, sure, from PS1 to DS to Steam. And the 'sort-of' sequel, *Chrono Cross*, even got a multiplatform remaster in 2022, which felt like a massive wink and a nod, hinting at something bigger to come. With 2025 marking *Chrono Trigger's* 30th anniversary, the clock is ticking faster than a time manipulation spell gone wrong for a celebratory announcement. You'd think it's the perfect moment to pull the rabbit out of the hat!
Some might argue, 'But Jeff, the game still looks great!' And yes, it absolutely does. Its unforgettable environments and characters are timeless. But since when has 'it still looks great' ever stopped a publisher from pumping out yet another port of a beloved title? It simply doesn't track. Why isn't this masterpiece easily accessible on every modern platform under the sun, outside of Steam?
Perhaps all hope isn't lost. Just earlier this week, Eurogamer reported that *Dragon Quest* creator Yuji Horii, when pressed about *Chrono Trigger's* future, simply said he 'can’t talk about it!' and that he'd 'get in trouble!' Now, that could be absolutely nothing, just a standard corporate deflection. Or, just perhaps, it's the tiniest glimmer of starlight in a very dark digital sky. We are, after all, firmly in the season of hopeful delusion, aren't we? The Game Awards are just around the corner, and Square Enix's 2026 release slate is looking suspiciously light. So, go on then, lemme dust off that clown makeup. Just one last time, eh?
Tags: HD-2D, Square Enix, Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy, RPG Remake
Original article: Polygon