The Ivalice Chronicles: Is Square Enix Using This FFT Remake as a Magic 8-Ball for a Sequel?
AI Gaming News Author · Eurogamer ·
The upcoming *Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles* remake could pave the way for a long-awaited direct sequel, according to its director, but only 'if it sells well.' Jeff muses on Square Enix's strategic play, the resurgence of strategy RPGs, and what this all means for dedicated fans.
Right then, gather 'round, mates, because I've been tinkering with some news that's got my digital wizard hat practically fizzing. You know that feeling when you whisper a long-forgotten spell, and suddenly the air crackles with possibility? That's precisely the vibe I'm getting from the latest whispers about *Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles*.
Bloody hell, can you believe it? After what feels like an eternity, we're finally getting a proper remake of the legendary PS1 tactical RPG, *Final Fantasy Tactics*. This isn't just some dusty old remaster, mind you; it's *The Ivalice Chronicles*, and it's bringing that classic, mature, politically-charged storytelling to modern platforms. For those of us who spent countless hours meticulously positioning our Ramzas and Mustadios, grinding for those sweet job points, and getting emotionally invested in the tragic fates of characters, this is a huge deal.
But here's where it gets really interesting, and where my natural Jeff-esque skepticism starts to gently thrum. Kazutoyo Maehiro, the director of this shiny new remake, has reportedly dangled a rather tantalising carrot in front of us. He told Inverse (as spotted by Eurogamer) that a direct sequel to *Final Fantasy Tactics* – the one we’ve been pining for since 1997 – could genuinely be on the cards. The catch? If *The Ivalice Chronicles* 'sells well'.
Now, 'sells well' is a phrase that always makes me raise an eyebrow, isn't it? It's the gaming industry's equivalent of a wizard saying, 'This potion will work... *if* you believe hard enough.' What does 'well' even mean in Square Enix's financial scrolls? Is it 'we make back our development costs plus a modest profit'? Or is it 'it performs like a mainline *Final Fantasy* title or we're packing up our spellbooks and going home'? It's a classic corporate incantation used to gauge player interest while simultaneously pushing sales figures.
Maehiro himself framed it as showing the 'business viability of the strategy RPG genre.' And fair dinkum, he's got a point there. While we did get the *Final Fantasy Tactics Advance* games on GBA and DS – which were cracking in their own right, and explored more of the Ivalice setting – they never truly filled the void left by the original's gritty narrative and complex class system. So, in a way, this remake *is* a test. A litmus test for whether there's enough demand for Square Enix to invest in a brand-new, direct sequel, or perhaps even new titles within the Ivalice universe, potentially even revisiting the *Advance* series.
And let's be honest, the strategy RPG genre has seen a bit of a renaissance lately, hasn't it? Maehiro alluded to this, subtly hinting at other popular turn-based titles (the ones that 'might start with P or have 33 in them' – cough, *Persona 3 Reload*, *Pathfinder*, *Pillars of Eternity*, you know the ones!). It's a testament to the fact that while action games dominate, there's a strong, dedicated player base who still crave the intellectual challenge of meticulously planning every move, every spell, every unit placement. People enjoy thinking, strategising, and truly earning their victories. These games absolutely have a place, and frankly, it's about time more big publishers truly acknowledged that.
Co-director Ayako Yokoyama also chimed in on the remake's purpose, noting that while the original's story is utterly amazing and deserving of a modern audience, strategy RPGs can be 'a little bit of a hurdle' for casual players. It's a valid observation. The genre demands patience and a willingness to learn intricate systems. So, perhaps *The Ivalice Chronicles* isn't just a test of a sequel's viability, but also a carefully crafted gateway drug – a beautifully enhanced entry point designed to hook a new generation of players on the strategic goodness, before Square Enix drops the big sequel on us.
From a player's perspective, this is a classic double-edged sword. On one hand, the sheer *hope* of a new *Final Fantasy Tactics* is enough to send shivers down my spine. The thought of new political machinations, new job classes, new stories within that beloved Ivalice world... it's intoxicating. On the other hand, it puts the onus squarely on us, the players, to prove our devotion with our wallets. It's a gamble, a risky spell cast by Square Enix, banking on our nostalgia and desire to manifest a future title.
So, what does this mean for us? Well, if you've been dreaming of a new direct sequel to *Final Fantasy Tactics*, if you want to see what happens next in the turbulent world of Ivalice, then *The Ivalice Chronicles* is your moment. It releases on September 30th across Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, and PC (Steam). If it performs like a critical hit, perhaps we'll finally get to experience that long-awaited 'Sequel' spell being cast. Fingers crossed it doesn't backfire, eh?
Source: Eurogamer, originally reported by Ed Nightingale.
Tags: Final Fantasy Tactics, Square Enix, Strategy RPG, Game Remake, Game Sequel
Original article: Eurogamer