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The first six Final Fantasy games are being remastered this year with updated graphics and audio.
The overhauled collection will be released in separate batches throughout 2021. The first of these will include Final Fantasy 1, Final Fantasy 2, and Final Fantasy 3, all of which will launch simultaneously on July 28.
What Is the 'Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster' Collection?
Prior to the franchise's seventh instalment, all the initial Final Fantasy games shared a traditional pixel-art aesthetic. This meant that they had undetailed 2D sprites for characters (8-bit for the first one and 16-bit for the sixth) and a very low resolution.
To revamp these older games for a contemporary marketplace, publisher Square Enix announced at its E3 conference that it would be updating them with polished visuals and convenient quality-of-life improvements. At the same time, the publisher is being careful to preserve what made the titles so popular in the first place and will be staying true to the original designs.
For example, assets have been redrawn from the ground up, with the oversight of the original team, and each title's soundtrack has been rearranged by original composer Nobuo Uematsu. Meanwhile, the gameplay has undergone various enhancements as well, with the introduction of a modernized user interface, support for mobile touchscreen controls, and the ability to save your progress at any given time.
The original Final Fantasy games are exemplars of the JRPG (Japanese Role-Playing Game) genre and have inspired countless imitators in the 30 years since they debuted. To date, the franchise, according to the publisher, has sold over 161 million units worldwide and has produced some of the most beloved titles of all time, including the newly remade Final Fantasy VII.
As such, if you have never played any of the original classics before, then these authentic remasters will be the perfect opportunity for you to see what all the fuss is about.
How Much Will the 'Final Fantasy' Pixel Remasters Cost?
The first half of the remastered collection will be released for PC and mobile devices on July 28. According to the Steam page, Final Fantasy 1, Final Fantasy 2, and Final Fantasy 3 will each be available from 1 p.m. ET.
You can pre-purchase the entire bundle (including the imminent remasters of the fourth, fifth and sixth games) for $95.94. Alternatively, you can pick up each title on its own, with prices ranging from $11.99 for the earlier releases to $17.99 for the newer ones.
Customers who do pre-purchase any of the pixel remasters will receive a 20 percent discount, two exclusive wallpapers and three music tracks. Plus, the games themselves are going to be supplemented with bonus materials, including bestiaries for you to pursue, concept art galleries and designated music players.
In related news, Final Fantasy VII's remake was recently upgraded for the PS5, where it was given a new DLC chapter. Here is everything you need to know about that.
