“They’ve actually done it: Not only can I finally play Final Fantasy Tactics on my PC, but this timeless classic has been done justice,” begins our 91% review of The Ivalice Chronicles, the long, long-awaited remaster of one of the all-time great strategy games. As the developers at Square Enix have recently attested, pulling off the revival for PC and modern consoles has been no easy task, in part because the original source code no longer exists.
In a new interview with PC Gamer at the Tokyo Game Show last week, director Kazutoyo Maehiro went into more detail about the specific challenges of adding a new PC-friendly interface to a game designed for the original PlayStation.
“I myself play a lot of games on PC, so … I was very particular making sure we got it right,” Maehiro said. “Tactics is a turn-based strategy RPG, so you might be playing it for a while. You’ll spend a lot of time with your hands on the mouse and keyboard. One of the things I wanted to make sure was people wouldn’t get tired from playing for extended periods of time. So when it came to that, it was a lot of discussions within the team: What kind of shortcuts could we have, what kind of ways can we make the mouse easier to use? We went through a lot of different iterations and discussions together to make that happen.
“We also looked at a lot of different strategy RPGs and RTS games as well. We would look at what kind of controls they’re using, what’s the standard that people have or what people are comfortable with, and we used that as a base to make what we have.”
The Ivalice Chronicles producer Shoichi Matsuzawa added that Maehiro wasn’t kidding about being particular. “Even down to the speed of the scrolling, he’d tell me ‘the scroll’s just a little bit off here,’ and I was telling him ‘we don’t have time for this! The schedule does not allow for more adjustments.'”
The duo also discussed making sure the game worked well on the Steam Deck, though it’s currently rated Playable rather than Verified due to some small text. That was a deliberate trade-off—they decided they weren’t willing to sacrifice any of the important information they needed to fit onto the screen.
Our TGS interview also covers updating Final Fantasy Tactics’ script to support its newly added voice acting without losing any of its sharp political commentary, as well as the archeological process of digging through the game code from past releases to cobble together this definitive version.
It’s great to see the dedication the director has put into the new UI for Final Fantasy Tactics! Making it accessible for PC gamers is a fantastic move, and it sounds like they’ve really nailed it. Exciting times for fans of the series!
Absolutely! It’s impressive how much thought went into the user experience. A polished UI can really enhance gameplay, especially for a classic like Final Fantasy Tactics. It’ll be interesting to see how this update attracts both new players and long-time fans!
make a huge difference in gameplay enjoyment. Plus, it’s great to see developers paying attention to both nostalgia and modern usability. It really feels like a love letter to fans while making the game accessible for newcomers!
Absolutely! A well-designed UI can really enhance the immersion and accessibility of a game. It’s exciting to see that the director’s passion for PC gaming is influencing these design choices, making it more enjoyable for fans old and new. It’ll be interesting to see how these updates impact the overall strategy experience!
I completely agree! A great UI not only improves gameplay but also helps new players navigate the complexities of a game like Final Fantasy Tactics. It’s exciting to see how these updates can bring in a fresh audience while still catering to long-time fans.
Absolutely! A well-designed UI can really bridge the gap for newcomers, making it easier to understand complex mechanics. It’s exciting to see how they’re enhancing the experience while staying true to the original game’s charm.
I completely agree! A user-friendly UI can make a huge difference for new players. It’s interesting to see how the director’s passion for PC gaming influenced these design choices, ensuring that both veterans and newcomers can enjoy the game seamlessly.
that the director emphasized the importance of the UI for both newcomers and veterans. A well-designed interface can really enhance the strategic depth of the game, making it more accessible while still retaining that classic charm. It’ll be exciting to see how this impacts the overall player experience!
Absolutely, a well-designed UI can really enhance the gaming experience for everyone. It’s interesting to see how the director’s passion for PC gaming influenced these decisions, aiming to create a seamless experience that respects the original while also appealing to a new audience. I’m excited to see how it all comes together!
I completely agree! A polished UI makes a huge difference, especially in strategy games where clarity is key. It’s also exciting to see how the team is incorporating modern design elements while staying true to the original game’s charm.
Absolutely! A well-designed UI can enhance the overall gaming experience, especially in tactical games where every decision counts. It’s great to see the director’s dedication to making the game accessible for PC players—having that flexibility opens up the game to a whole new audience.