Yoshinori Kitase, the director of Final Fantasy 8, as well as a series producer, recently shared his thoughts on potential changes to the game’s combat system in a hypothetical remake.
Final Fantasy 8 is known for its experimental nature, particularly with its Junction system, which allows players to enhance the stats of their characters.
In an interview with IGN, Kitase expressed his desire to overhaul the battle system, with a specific focus on the Junction system. He acknowledged the challenges players faced with this system, especially in terms of difficulty and approachability.
“The Junction system in Final Fantasy 8 was quite complex,” Kitase remarked. “Players had to customize it to overcome challenges, but for some, it was difficult to grasp the best strategies.”
Kitase emphasized the importance of balancing difficulty and accessibility in a potential remake. He expressed a desire to revisit and refine the game’s mechanics to provide a more balanced experience for fans.
However, Kitase clarified that his comments were merely speculative and not indicative of any concrete plans for a remake.
In a separate conversation with Eurogamer, Kitase discussed the complexities of remaking older games, citing the substantial amount of content and resources required.
“We’ve realized that remaking games from eras like the Super Nintendo and PlayStation One requires much more effort and resources than we initially anticipated,” Kitase explained. “It’s made us more cautious about taking on similar projects in the future.”
Despite the challenges, Kitase remained open to the idea of remakes in various art styles, not just realistic ones. He also addressed the possibility of a 2D-HD remake of Final Fantasy 6, stating that developers within the company could explore different styles based on what they feel would best suit the game and appeal to fans.
Kitase also touched on topics such as balancing side quests with the main story and the potential inclusion of Tifa in Tekken 8, showcasing his ongoing involvement and interest in the gaming industry beyond the Final Fantasy series.
