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[Vawn]

Final Fantasy VII Remake is a great game - my personal GOTY. But, it's not really a Remake - it's more a retelling mixed with a pseudo-sequel to the original.

From the combat, story, gameplay, etc this is NOT FFVII. It's a reimagining of FFVII.

I recently decided to replay Final Fantasy 1 on PSP. This is one of two remakes for this game - both stay very true to the original.

After I beat FF1, I wanted more so I immediately jumped into FF2 PSP - again the second time this game was remade.

Then, I jumped into FF3 PSP. This is mostly the same as the DS version, and while a bigger difference than FF1 and 2, it is still Final Fantasy III.

Now, I just finished FFIV PSP. This is one of four versions this game has. The PSP version is probably the best, but the DS version is interesting in that it deviates the most in art style. But you could play any of them and know you've played Final Fantasy IV.

I was thinking of moving on to FFV now. FFV doesn't really have as many options (I'm not interested in a mobile phone version). The best option is the GBA version, which is mostly just a better translated version than what we got on PS1. The same is true with FF6.

FFV and VI still hold up fine. A graphical remake would be good, but not as needed, especially with VI, which still is beautiful.

But, then I thought, what would I do about FFVII? Would I just replay the same PS1 version that been ported to everything? Even IF the rest of the Final Fantasy VII Remake games were out - that's not really FFVII.

I want to play a FFVII with similar attention the NES FF games received. The same gameplay, the same maps, locations of items, bosses, etc. Clean up the translation, add minor quality of life improvements. Make the characters look less blocky, but still feel like they belong in the original FFVII world.

I hope we still get this. While, I love FF7 remake on PS4, it is not really what its name implies.

 

[Pallas]

How is it not a remake? They literally remade it from scratch. Are you saying that you want a turn base FFVII remake?

 

[Synless]

How is it not a remake? They literally remade it from scratch. Are you saying that you want a turn base FFVII remake?

FF7 Remake is quite a bit different in many ways compared to what the poster is showing in the many examples. It’s a whole new game.

 

[Azio]

Well, there is no harm in playing both versions. The gameplay itself will make both the remake and the original one complete different games.

You will also get the complete story experience with the original one besides the gameplay.

 

[Vawn]

How is it not a remake? They literally remade it from scratch. Are you saying that you want a turn base FFVII remake?

Story alone, it's not a Remake.

Spoiler

FFVII Remake is more a sequel to FFVII. You're going back in time to witness the events of FFVII, but things are literally being changed by Sephiroth. It is clear throughout the story that what happened in VII is supposed to happen, but Sephiroth is trying (and often succeeding) to change that story. The whisperers are trying to stop him.

That is NOT Final Fantasy VII. That is all new.

But, yes, I want something along the lines of every other Final Fantasy remake. The combat is mostly identical to the originals. You can pull up maps from the NES versions and every dungeon, treasure, etc will be the same in the PSP versions. They updated the graphics, added quality of life improvements (battles go a bit faster, shops show if gear will increase stats, etc.) - but it's still the same game.

 

[Pallas]

FF7 Remake is quite a bit different in many ways compared to what the poster is showing in the many examples. It’s a whole new game.

Yes but it is still a remake, what the poster wanted(I’m assuming here) is for something closer to the original, such as turn base battles.

 

[Tranquil]

How is it not a remake? They literally remade it from scratch. Are you saying that you want a turn base FFVII remake?

Seems like OP just wants a FFVII that's more true to the original game but has some quality of life and graphic improvements. Like what he said in the post.

 

[hybrid_birth]

I agree. I'd like to see a turn based ff7 remake that has all the content from the original with improved graphics, and so on.

 

[unintelligent orange]

I want a true FF7 remake that is 100% faithful to the original too - because I know it's better in some ways (1990s-early 2000s FF was great). Chances of us getting it now that Square is remaking defiling the original FF7 with the remake are very slim though. Square would have to outsource it likely, and I dont trust that.

The remake is good though so far, for the most part (judging as it's own body of work). But I feel like it will be too watered down by the end of it, as they're trying to add filler content too much to extend it's length over 3 parts and really cash in on the nostalgia of FF7. Several plot points in part 1 took waaay too long to get to due to all the additional filler they added. And I can tell that even from the outside looking in, it's noticeable even without reading a plot synoposis.

I have never played the original FF7 (miraculously), and now that remake has started to be made IDK if I should go back to the fidelity of the 1990s original and play it having experienced part 1 of the remake so far. Even if the story is better and I like turn based combat more than the newer system.

I have been tempted to play the original though. For those that havent heard, there is a fan made HD remaster mod being made called Remako, check it out here:

CaptRobau's Place

The site for the Remako Mod, a Final Fantasy VII mod that uses AI to improve the graphics of this classic JRPG.

captrobau.blogspot.com

 

[Vawn]

Well, there is no harm in playing both versions. The gameplay itself will make both the remake and the original one complete different games.

You will also get the complete story experience with the original one besides the gameplay.

And I want both. I love the new game(s). I'm excited to see where the story goes - because we literally don't know.

But I simply also want the normal FF7 remade with less drastic updates. Yes, turn-based combat. Even random encounters. I'd like sharper 4K CG backgrounds, upgraded character models and slight QoL improvements like we saw with FF1-4 remakes.

 

[Vawn]

Seems like OP just wants a FFVII that's more true to the original game but has some quality of life and graphic improvements. Like what he said in the post.

Yes, but not INSTEAD of these new games. I'm asking for a much smaller undertaking like Square has done several times already with the other games in the franchise.

I'd expect it to be done by a separate team or even licensed out.

 

[Teslerum]

I have been tempted to play the original though. For those that havent heard, there is a fan made HD remaster mod being made called Remako, check it out here:

CaptRobau's Place

The site for the Remako Mod, a Final Fantasy VII mod that uses AI to improve the graphics of this classic JRPG.

captrobau.blogspot.com

Remako is outdated by now and hasn't been worked on for a year. You want Satsuki's mod

[FF7PC]FF7 SYW "ArkTsukiVock" (v4) upscale : Battle, world map, fields, videos

[FF7PC]FF7 SYW "ArkTsukiVock" (v4) upscale : Battle, world map, fields, videos

forums.qhimm.com

I'd best combine it with the Reunion mod for the retranslation.

[FF7PC-98/Steam] Multiple mods and Modding Framework-The Reunion [R06f]

[FF7PC-98/Steam] Multiple mods and Modding Framework-The Reunion [R06f]

forums.qhimm.com

 

[unintelligent orange]

Remako is still being worked on, though albeit slowly. Satsuki's mod does seem better though, hadn't heard about this one until now. Very tempted to play it.

 

[Vawn]

For reference, I never played the original FF7 (miraculously), and now that remake has started to be made IDK if I should go back to the fidelity of the 1990s original and play it having experienced part 1 of the remake so far. Even if the story is better and I like turn based combat more than the newer system.

You absolutely should. You'll soon realize that the new game's story isn't really a Remake, but more of a sci-fi sequel that

Spoiler

is using time travel and alternate universes to recreate the events of the original game into a new game.

I'd go as far as to say, not only should people still play FFVII after FFVII Remake exists, but they shouldn't even play FFVII Remake UNTIL they've played FFVII.

I just still want a version that can be used as a substitute for the dated PS1 game.

 

[The Cartographer]

You know what, they might actually make a more faithful 7 remake at some point in the distant future.
FF7 is one of the Square Enix's most important brands and I'm sure that they will find a way to milk it more even after the 7R project will be completed.

 

[peronmls]

I can see it being a re-imagining. I think the only way I'd play it turned base is if it was similar to FF13 minus the auto battle obviously. I feel the same way about RE2re. Fixed cameras did add another feeling of gameplay "whats around the corner". That said I think there is more of a reason to play and keep both games. Original and the remake. They all have gamplay elements that are unique that the other doesn't have.

 

[Rean no Kiseki]

What you want isn't a remake but a remaster (a face lift) AKA the same game but with pretty modern graphics, voice acting and orchestral soundtrack.

I'll never understand the thirst or the need for 1:1 face lifts they bring nothing new to the table, and before anyone brings up REmake that game changed a lot from the original 1996 game, it had a different feel, different looking mansion with new enemies and new puzzles and rooms, etc.

 

[The Hamburglar]

all this re-imaging crap is just Square deflecting on the fact that they knew they couldn't deliver the whole game as a full remake, due to their own incompetence and saw a money grabbing opportunity. Obviously the fan boys fell for the lie.

I fully expect the sequel to sell less.

 

[Teslerum]

Remako is still being worked on, though albeit slowly. Satsuki's mod does seem better though, hadn't heard about this one until now. Very tempted to play it.

Yeah, I just saw his post while looking up the thread. I'd still recommend Satsuki, but I'm glad he wants to finish it.

On my site, I told you what to expect from the next Remako update. That's still the same:

• Compatibility with Reunion R06c
• Easier install procedure (improved 7th Heaven 2.0 IROs, with more options)
• HD magic textures
• HD user interface (menu, HUD, minigames, credits, etc.)
• Bug fixes

As I explained then, I also wanted to make development more transparent. So I plan to do the following:

• weekly updates regarding the progress (on my site, at the very least)
• a beta before release, so more than one people can scour the mod for bugs

I understand that a lot of people have jumped ship to Satsuki's mod. And that's fine. But some still like my mod, so for them, I want to finish this thing proper. Hopefully, the new approach will help this mod get to a completely bug-free release in a short time.

 

[Damigos]

OP. what you want is a remaster, not a remake

 

[Vawn]

What you want isn't a remake but a remaster (a face lift) AKA the same game but with pretty modern graphics, voice acting and orchestral soundtrack.

I'll never understand the thirst or the need for 1:1 face lifts they bring nothing new to the table, and before anyone brings up REmake that game changed a lot from the original 1996 game, it had a different feel, different looking mansion with new enemies and new puzzles and rooms, etc.

The term Remaster is used for games going from 720p to 1080p or something like that, with a few other tweaks. I don't consider remaking the entire graphics engine, etc a remaster, but semantics.

Last of Us on PS4 is a remaster. To me, this isn't just a remaster:

 

[Danjin44]

Sorry...like it or not FFVII got its remake and now the game that actually deserves proper remake is....

 

[brian0057]

Square Enix are geniuses
They took Final Fantasy XV, mixed it with XIII, applied a FFVII skin mod, sold it as a Remake and people actually fell for it.
I'm not even mad, that's amazing.

 

[T_LVPL]

Finally got an iPad on Friday first thing I did was buy FF5.

 

[Vawn]

Finally got an iPad on Friday first thing I did was buy FF5.

How is it? The mobile graphics turned me off fast.

 

[Psykodad]

Well, they were pretty clear Remake was going to be a modern day reimagining of the original. So not sure what you were expecting.

And imo, the game design of the original is archaic.
Too niche to be amazing, even though it'd sell just as well because of the title alone.

Some things need to stay in the past.

 

[T_LVPL]

How is it? The mobile graphics turned me off fast.

The graphics are slightly blurry, need to work out a way of sharpening them. The graphics are better than the PSX version though, which I used to own but never finished.

 

[mortal]

Sounds like you want a remaster ala Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, MediEvil

 

[Vawn]

Well, they were pretty clear Remake was going to be a modern day reimagining of the original. So not sure what you were expecting.

Spoiler

Well, it wasn't a time traveling, alternate universe-hopping Sephiroth who came to change the entire plot of the real game, including saving characters who died in the original.

Call me gullible, but I didn't expect swarms of magical ghosts to be battling against Sephiroth and then us.

I wasn't expecting Cloud, Tifa and Barret from the real FF7 timeline to come back in time to battle and ultimately be killed by this new cast.

I didn't expect the end boss of Midgar to be Sephiroth. And Cloud to be able to go toe to toe with him, which completely contradicts the original plot.

I guess all that is what "Remake" means now.

Again, I loved the PS4 game, but is NOT Final Fantasy VII.

 

[T_LVPL]

Square Enix are geniuses
They took Final Fantasy XV, mixed it with XIII, applied a FFVII skin mod, sold it as a Remake and people actually fell for it.
I'm not even mad, that's amazing.

I fell for nothing. They completely nailed the atmosphere of the original, which was my biggest worry going into this whole project.

 

[Vawn]

Sounds like you want a remaster ala Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, MediEvil

Ok, well semantics. I know the names, but to me those are more than a simple remaster. But yes, that's what I want.

 

[ULTROS!]

I want to play a FFVII with similar attention the NES FF games received.

Here you go:

 

[Pejo]

I agree with you OP. I recently went through on the PC version of FF7 and tried to mod the fuck out of it for an experience similar to the one we're looking for, but even after getting everything to work (it wasn't easy), it still had no cohesiveness. Things were inconsistent, models looked out of place with other models in the game, etc. I'd love for SE to do an actual remake of 7 where they make a consistent level of the 3D models, release high rez pre-rendered backgrounds, etc. It would be awesome and I'd buy it day 1.

 

[mortal]

Ok, well semantics. I know the names, but to me those are more than a simple remaster. But yes, that's what I want.

Oh I agree, those certainly aren't simple remasters. There's different levels of remastering.

The FFVII Remake is in fact a remake, even if some find the results to be unsatisfactory.

Something like this maybe?

 

[TheAssist]

I actually think a mod is the closest thing to what you want. I personally dont understand the need tbh, because the original is still very much playable on anything that can calculate 2+2.

The thing is, even if there was a remaster of some sort, people would still just piss mone about everything

 

[Fbh]

Nah I'm fine.
I don't see the point in 1:1 remakes, just go play the original. I said it in another thread but when playing something like the SOTC remake the first few hours are like "wow this looks amazing" and then you get used to the new visuals and it's just like playing the same old game again.
If companies will continue making AAA remakes of games, I hope they use this approach. 7 remake captured what I liked of the original while providing a new experience with an expanded story, new areas and a cool new battle system, and it still provides the joy of seeing these characters and locations with new updated graphics and remade/remixed music.

What I do like is enhanced ports or remasters. Moving forward what I'd expect is something like FFIX on PC with the Moguri mod. The same game but enhanced to look nice on modern screens.
Up until recently they had the excuse that the whole "deep learning" tech was new. But after the Moguri mod and seeing how nice a fan made project like that can look there's no excuse for future re-releases having blurry backgrounds.

Square Enix are geniuses
They took Final Fantasy XV, mixed it with XIII, applied a FFVII skin mod, sold it as a Remake and people actually fell for it.
I'm not even mad, that's amazing.

Fell for what? They were pretty open about the content that would be in the game, they showed plenty of gameplay and even released a demo.
I feel like I got a fun and compelling game not unlike many other $60 releases.

If them incorporating elements and ideas from the stuff they've made in the 20+ years since releasing FFVII is somehow bad I don't get it.

You make it sound like someone just copy/pasted some code from previous games and made FF7 remake in an afternoon.

 

[Rean no Kiseki]

The term Remaster is used for games going from 720p to 1080p or something like that, with a few other tweaks. I don't consider remaking the entire graphics engine, etc a remaster, but semantics.

Last of Us on PS4 is a remaster. To me, this isn't just a remaster:

But IT IS a remaster! Just because the term was basterdized in this gen doesn't mean it holds a different meaning TLOU PS4 was a port, Final Fantasy 1 on PSP was a remaster, same game touched up with no difference to the base game, except fixing the crappy translation and bugs and modifying the diffculty and using an arranged OST, it's the same 1987 game underneath it all, same basic story, same battle system and same journey.

Look at Shadow of The Colossus PS4 for another more recent example or the Halo anniversary edition (disclaimer i know nothing about Halo but what i read is it's the same game with touched up graphics and maybe some control issues)

 

[Psykodad]

Spoiler

Well, it wasn't a time traveling, alternate universe-hopping Sephiroth who came to change the entire plot of the real game, including saving characters who died in the original.

Call me gullible, but I didn't expect swarms of magical ghosts to be battling against Sephiroth and then us.

I wasn't expecting Cloud, Tifa and Barret from the real FF7 timeline to come back in time to battle and ultimately be killed by this new cast.

I didn't expect the end boss of Midgar to be Sephiroth. And Cloud to be able to go toe to toe with him, which completely contradicts the original plot.

I guess all that is what "Remake" means now.

Again, I loved the PS4 game, but is NOT Final Fantasy VII.

Spoiler

Not saying some changes were necessary or that I'm happy with all of it, but I remember reading somewhere that the Whispers are symbolic for the hardcore nostalgic fans that want absolutely no changes at all.
So a lot of it is likely to be symbolic of SE not wanting to be held back by what was.

I respect that and I'm happy they are making the FF VII they would make in this day and age, as if it saw it's first release.
They just need to be consistent and not go overboard or introduce useless characters like that motorcycle moron.

I just think a 1:1 translation wouldn't necessarily be better than what we have now.

One thing's for sure, they absolutely nailed the atmosphere, characters and experience as a whole.

 

[Rean no Kiseki]

Square Enix are geniuses
They took Final Fantasy XV, mixed it with XIII, applied a FFVII skin mod, sold it as a Remake and people actually fell for it.
I'm not even mad, that's amazing.

I see you continue your streak of Hot Takes™.

What are you going to tell us next? Old good new bad?

 

[Vawn]

The FFVII Remake is in fact a remake, even if some find the results to be unsatisfactory.

Is it?

Spoiler

The story literally acknowledges things are happening differently than they're "supposed to" because the timeline is being messed with by outside, supernatural forces.

The original versions of Cloud, Barret and Tifa from the end of FFVII travel THROUGH TIME and are killed by these alternate universeversions of themselves.

IDK, I stick to that not being a Remake, but a sequel that uses time travel and alternate universes (one of which results in Zack being alive from our actions in FFVII "Remake").

 

[MMaRsu]

Its not a remake at all.

Its a reimagining

 

[mortal]

Is it?

Spoiler

The story literally acknowledges things are happening differently than they're "supposed to" because the timeline is being messed with by outside, supernatural forces.

The original versions of Cloud, Barret and Tifa from the end of FFVII travel THROUGH TIME and are killed by these alternate universeversions of themselves.

IDK, I stick to that not being a Remake, but a sequel that uses time travel and alternate universes (one of which results in Zack being alive from our actions in FFVII "Remake").

Hey I'm not much of fan with the direction they decided to take either. Although it's still is a remake in the most technical sense of the word.

 

[Vawn]

One thing's for sure, they absolutely nailed the atmosphere, characters and experience as a whole.

I absolutely agree. It's my GOTY.

I'm just one of those crazies who replay all Final Fantasy games every couple years. This version doesn't count to me as FFVII. I'll likely play it AFTER I play the normal version. I just would like an upgraded version of that.

 

[Rat Rage]

THIS is FINAL FANTASY!

 

[Danjin44]

Vawn If you want to get more technical I would consider this Remake as soft reboot rather than "Remake".

 

[Endless Fluff]

Ok, well semantics. I know the names, but to me those are more than a simple remaster. But yes, that's what I want.

It's actually not semantics. Crash Bandicoot, Spyro and Medieval were remakes (you got it right, they're getting it wrong), just like Halo 1 and 2 from the MCC are remakes. Anything that gets a completely new engine is a remake.

I'm also completely with you. I wish Square went the same route they already did with FF3 for the DS. A remake that stays true to the original, but feels modern. The fact that they're writing fan fiction for a remake and then call it "reimagining" makes it just as bad as the Hobbit. It's a decent game, but it's definitely not FF7.... it's a Final Fantasy with the same characters in the same setting, but new Story and gameplay.

You know what it reminds me off? Final Fantasy X-2. They should've called it Final Fantasy VII-2.

 

[#Phonepunk#]

no, OP doesn't want a remake. you want a remaster. what we got was a remake. you just want them to change nothing.

those "remasters" of the SNES/NES games look like cheap phone crap. so no thanks.

also you are comparing a 3D game to a bunch of 2D games. which is ridiculous. far easier to remake an old NES 2D game.

 

[Danjin44]

no, OP doesn't want a remake. you want a remaster. what we got was a remake. you just want them to change nothing.

those "remasters" of the SNES/NES games look like cheap phone crap. so no thanks.

also you are comparing a 3D game to a bunch of 2D games. which is ridiculous. far easier to remake an old NES 2D game.

Recently whats considered "remaster" or "remake" become confusing. Is Shadow of the Colossus on PS4 considered "remaster" or "remake"? I even heard the devs using original code to make the PS4 version. What about Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition? they completely change the engine and the models, is that also considered "remaster"?

 

[Vawn]

Vawn If you want to get more technical I would consider this Remake as soft reboot rather than "Remake".

I wouldn't. Because the originsl storyline exists IN this world, but is being changed from new events and characters (basically time travelers of some sort).

The game shows events that are supposed to happen, but no longer will/do because characters events in FF7R changed history. That's not a reimagining, that's just a sequel that revolves around time travel and other supernatural events.

 

[Vawn]

You know what it reminds me off? Final Fantasy X-2. They should've called it Final Fantasy VII-2.

I'm glad someone is on the same page as me. This is much closer to a sequel to FFVII than a Remake.