Final Fantasy 13 was first introduced to us back in 2009, almost four years after Final Fantasy 12 was released, and fans had been eagerly anticipating the next installment. But when it finally arrived, there were mixed reactions, including complaints about its linearity, the lack of towns and NPCs, and the limited control over the characters. At the time, Square Enix kept its game production behind closed doors and didn't take in a lot of feedback — especially from Western fans.
The game has been revisited by many different Final Fantasy fans since then, and some, like myself, have come to love it again. Almost all staple entries in the series have found their way to modern consoles, so it's about time that the FF13 trilogy gets a remaster. (And no, I'm not talking about the backwards compatible versions on Xbox.)
The Paradigm System was an addition to the Final Fantasy series' combat mechanics, and it revolutionized the JRPG genre. Battles were reorganized in a dynamic and strategic manner, with real-time battles allowing players to switch between different combat roles or paradigms. This allowed for a fun way to mix the "holy trinity" of RPG classes, with "Commando" to attack, "Medic" to heal, or "Sentinel" to tank, promoting tactical decision-making and synergy among party members.
In spite of criticisms, the character development was a high point. As Lightning, Snow, Vanille, and other characters faced their own internal struggles amidst the chaos of the world around them, you'd uncover rich, multidimensional characters. The trilogy's protagonist, Lightning is determined and strong. She carries the burden of responsibility on her shoulders as she fights against Cocoon's oppressive forces as a stoic and focused soldier. As the trilogy progresses, her layers are gradually peeled back, revealing a vulnerable side and a fierce devotion to protecting those she loves.
Snow, the idealistic rebel with a gold heart, embarks on a personal journey of self-discovery, finding himself thrust into leadership roles as he campaigns for a better future (driven by his love for Lightning's sister, Serah). However, his unwavering optimism and desire to protect others sometimes blind him to the consequences of his actions. Snow learns that he needs to confront his own flaws and stay balanced through trials and tribulations. The mysterious Vanille carries a heavy burden of guilt and a dark secret that gnaws at her conscience. Taking responsibility for her actions and seeking forgiveness, she embarks on a journey of self-acceptance and redemption.
With all the remakes, remasters, and rereleases surrounding the modern Final Fantasy landscape, Square Enix has the opportunity to further improve the player experience with quality of life enhancements. In the original trilogy, players earned Crystarium Points (CP) to unlock new abilities and improve stats. By refining this system, a remaster could provide many clearer visual cues as well as more streamlined menus, making the progression system easier to navigate. Players could then track their growth, make informed decisions, and fully maximize their characters' potential. And for the love of everything, Square Enix, please give us the ability to start the game at the beginning of Chapter 11 after we’ve played through the game once. It’d be nice to get past the beginning parts and just dive into the deep mechanics.
I'd like to see an option similar to Final Fantasy X that allows characters to switch roles at the beginning of the story. We replaying fans deserve more freedom; I should be able to change Snow into a healer or Lightning into a Sentinel if I want.
The second and third entries of the trilogy would also need improvements, but to a lesser extent. A core gameplay element of Final Fantasy 13-2 is time travel, which allows players to discover different eras and alter history. Nevertheless, time travel could be implemented in a more cohesive manner and with clearly defined objectives. It is possible to create a more engaging and coherent experience by simplifying the time travel mechanics, providing clearer guidance, and ensuring the consequences of altering events are more tangible.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy 13 introduced several unique mechanics and concepts, but there are areas where the game can be improved further to enhance its experience. In Lightning Returns, players had a limited amount of time to complete various quests and objectives, which made time management a central aspect. Even though the concept was innovative, refining those time management mechanics would help alleviate potential frustration or pressure. Playing the game would be enhanced if time constraints were clearly indicated, time management was made more flexible, and important events were clearly marked.
A new generation of gamers would be able to experience this trilogy through enhanced visuals, faster loading times, and quality of life improvements, while returning fans can relive the magic. This forgotten gem deserves to be rediscovered once again, so get on it Square Enix!