It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of the Final Fantasy series. I’ve been enthralled by the games ever since I played the Super Nintendo Final Fantasy II on a tiny TV in my bedroom back in 1996, staying up way past my bedtime - sorry, Mom. I’ve loved the complex themes, the dramatic stories, the strategic gameplay, and of course the series’ hallmark music. Since then, I’ve played nearly every game in the series - and have replayed many of them, many times. So, I was excited to hear that several of the best games of the series are getting a re-release soon on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.
Final Fantasy VII, which is possibly the most popular Final Fantasy game of all time, was released in 1997 for the original PlayStation. It follows the protagonist Cloud, an amnesiac mercenary, hired at the start of the game by a terrorist group fighting against a corrupt Corporatocracy. The game was the first one in the series to be 3D, and had an expansive world to explore. It was the second-best-selling game on the PlayStation, and has been re-released several times - but if you haven’t played it yet, this new release will give you a new opportunity.
Also being re-released is Final Fantasy IX. The final game in the series on the PlayStation, the game moved away from the futuristic look in the previous three games, going back to the classic high-fantasy setting. Released in 2000, it was developed as something of a retrospective for the series as a whole. It’s a great piece of nostalgia for people who are more familiar with the first five entries in the series.
Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy X-2, and Final Fantasy XIII are also being re-released. Final Fantasy VIII, my personal favorite of the series (don’t @ me), is conspicuously missing, especially considering these will all be released in 2019, Final Fantasy VIII’s 20th anniversary year. Here’s hoping that they’re keeping it as a special surprise to fans.
