“Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters: Comparisons”

When Square Enix announced Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters at E3 2021, the response from fans was not exactly enthusiastic. Many people who grew up with these games, as well as those who didn’t, clamored for years for ports to modern consoles, simple remakes, remasters, or full remakes in the vein of Final Fantasy VII Remake. When all we got was a fairly uneventful trailer that told us these brand new remasters would be coming to Steam and Mobile, all hell broke loose.

However, we’re not here to chat about the backlash or the choice of platforms Square Enix decided on, or even SE’s apparent mistreatment of its legacy franchises and/or fans. Instead, I’d like to ask what a “Pixel Remaster” even is. It appears that we got a bit of an answer last night from footage surfacing in a Japanese video featuring interviews with developers, including Sakaguchi and Uematsu (note: updated video link at 6:30pm CST 6/29/21).

The Pixel Remaster screenshots were taken from a video, so keep that in mind.

Above you’ll note a comparison of Final Fantasy VI’s iconic intro sequence featuring SNES, GBA, Mobile, and Pixel Remaster graphics.

In my opinion, it’s a huge step forward from the Mobile version and its redrawn, smoothed-down sprites. I also anticipate the final game will be clearer and crisper than the screenshot.

Mobile

SNES

What interests me most is the choice of color, shading, lighting, and contrast. It appears that the Pixel Remaster is darker and therefore moodier, unlike the brighter Game Boy Advance version. In this sense, the Pixel Remaster appears more authentic to the original version of the game.

You’ll also note several embellishments: more buildings along the cliffside representing the steam city of Narshe, complete with cozy little lights in the windows. The snow and precipice themselves are also more detailed. When you compare the character sprites, though, differences become even more apparent.

Pixel Remaster

SNES

It appears to me that there’s a lack of contrast and the characters look a little flatter. This is clearest in Terra’s hair which has its brightest highlights removed and its darkest shadows brightened. The result is something which, in my view, has a little less dynamism thanks to less contrast.

SNES

Now it makes sense that FF I through III stood to gain the most from a visual upgrade. Compared to the original NES/FC graphics, they look like completely different games on a different system.

See the difference?

However, with the later FFs in the Pixel Remasters series, it seems like there’s a bit of a downgrade in order to meet somewhere in the middle. Visual consistency appears to be the theme of the Pixel Remasters project, but at what cost?

FFV Pixel Remaster

It’s a small complaint compared to the lack of console presence for what were initially console games, but it’s interesting to make the comparisons, nonetheless. Personally, I’m somewhat satisfied to know that there’s an authenticity brought to these FF remakes, though it remains to be seen what other surprises wait in store.

I think, visually, it could’ve turned out a LOT worse…

What do you think of the look of the Pixel Remasters?

Don’t forget to check out the full video.

(video screens for Pixel Remasters found via @Wario64)
(video link via @MatWBT)

Red formerly ran The Well-Red Mage and now serves The Pixels as founder, writer, editor, and podcaster. He has undertaken a seemingly endless crusade to talk about the games themselves in the midst of a culture obsessed with the latest controversy, scandal, and news cycle about harassment, toxicity, and negativity. Pick out his feathered cap on Twitter @thewellredmage or Mage Cast.