FINAL FANTASY PIXEL REMASTER: Retro Review

The game that started it all. It’s no surprise that the first entry into the Final Fantasy world has gotten a remaster. With so many remasters and remakes, it only makes sense to re-release this classic. Whether you're familiar with the first Final Fantasy game or have never even booted it up before, we're going to dive into what this game has to offer!

Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster stays true to the original game in many ways—in fact, being that it’s a remaster, do not expect many changes to the core game itself. This means that if you're not a fan of the original game or retro turn-based RPGs, this game may not be for you.

First and foremost, the recreation of character sprites, environments, and battle screens looks wonderful. Visually, the game manages to retain its retro look while still upgrading, leaving you with a nostalgic yet crisp presentation that makes it feel like a quality remaster. A wonderful treat was experiencing a 3D effect very reminiscent of what the Super Nintendo's 3D chip was capable of producing (e.g., F-Zero) while piloting the Airship. Although this effect was definitely NOT something in the original game for the Nintendo Entertainment System of the 1980s, it served as a tasteful addition to the experience while still retaining that retro feel.

The turn-based battle encounter screens are redressed with very thoughtful pre-rendered backgrounds (which did not exist in the original). These backgrounds are specific to the map location you're in. There are quite a few of them as well—although it would have been nice to see more, it’s nothing that breaks the consistent quality this game offers.

Some other very important visual enhancements added to the battle sequences are none other than the battles themselves. Spells and attacks are drastically enhanced visually. Some spells (e.g., Flare) are so graphically overhauled that they seem on the verge of being overdone, but they stay within the sideline, keeping that nostalgic vibe intact. This most definitely adds to the fun factor and satisfaction when casting, especially during boss battles.

Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster isn’t just a visual overhaul. Let’s not forget about the audio. The music sounds exceptional, with professional mixing and mastering. This was played on a Nintendo Switch in handheld mode, and even with the built-in speakers, the audio is well-balanced and clear. When docking the Nintendo Switch and playing through a TV soundbar, the audio truly shines. That’s when I immediately recognized the high-quality sound this remaster has to offer.

There are some negative aspects to the game—and while these are just my opinions, they are not specific to the remaster but rather the original game itself. Knowing where to go can seem daunting, as it’s not always clear how to progress the plot. I found myself using a guide (sparingly, to try to keep the experience as authentic as possible). They did make things slightly easier by allowing key items to automatically progress the storyline, rather than requiring you to manually select them from the menu. Simply walking into certain areas with the correct key item in your possession will move the game forward.

Another gripe I had with the game was the sheer number of encounters. The original had many as well, so I suppose this stays true to the source material—but as I progressed to about 65% of the game, I found myself over-leveled and used the much-appreciated “Encounters Off” feature (thank you, Square Enix). There is also an “Always Run” feature, which I often used in conjunction with “Encounters Off” to speed up the experience.

The game can feel like it drags on just a little, even though it’s relatively short and simple (simple when you know where to go, at least). But with those few annoyances aside, upon completing the game I was left with a very grand sense of accomplishment—especially after a difficult final boss fight and a beautifully written epilogue that brought much-needed clarity to the story. The plot itself doesn’t always explain things well, but the ending was great to experience and left me feeling happier than I had at many moments while playing. Not because the game was bad—but because it was wrapped up perfectly.

For gamers who want to relive the nostalgic adventure of Final Fantasy—or for those who never had the chance to—we highly recommend Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster.

The following review score is based on the game itself as well as the remaster features and changes made:

Score: 7/10