By now, I'm sure you've heard that we're getting the long-awaited Final Fantasy VII Remake. Sony's reveal at their E3 2015 conference drew adulation, tears, and criticism from all corners of the gaming world. Final Fantasy VII Remake, whenever it drops, is sure to be one of the most lucrative titles Square Enix has ever shipped.
Unlike other re-releases, the Remake won't be a simple re-skinning of the original title. Instead, Square Enix announced they are rebuilding their 1997 bestseller from the ground up. It's a rarity, but the company has done it before; in 2006, Square remade Final Fantasy III for the North American handheld market.
Regardless of your feelings on the game, Final Fantasy VII Remake is destined to be a massive hit, and it's likely that its success will propel others in the industry to remake classic favorites in the same mode. Here are eleven great candidates for ground-up rebuilding.
Chrono Cross
Despite the first game's popularity, the 1998 sequel to Chrono Trigger is the real litmus test for JRPG fans. Chrono Cross still looks pretty freaking awesome, but it hasn't been given nearly the same amount of love as its predecessor. With a third title lurking somewhere out in the ether, this sophomore hit is due for a comeback.
Chrono Trigger
With Chrono Cross on the list, I couldn't very well leave out the one that started it all, could I? True, you can get Chrono Trigger on basically any platform you want - including mobile - but that doesn't mean the market is too flooded for a total overhaul of the 1993 SNES title.
Final Fantasy VI
Choosing the single Final Fantasy title you want remade the most is, well, difficult. The inclination to shout "All of them!" before laughing maniacally is strong. But Final Fantasy VI stands out as the last 2D game in the franchise, making those modern graphics seem all the sweeter.
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Right now, Rockstar is riding high on the success of Grand Theft Auto V, and that's OK. Eventually, though, the franchise will have to move forward, and outdoing GTA V is a mission I don't envy. A true San Andreas reboot could be just the thing to float Rockstar between new installments.
Half-Life
Yes, yes, I know. We all want to see Half-Life 3. And Left 4 Dead 3. Basically Any Valve Game 3. But just think about how much fun it would be to relive Gordon Freeman's adventures in hi-def.
Jade Empire
I know a lot of people who feel that Jade Empire is the BioWare franchise-that-could-have-been, but - for whatever reason - wasn't. The original Xbox title was massive, gorgeous, and original. With BioWare's continued success and the popularity of kung-fu titles, a Jade Empire remake would be a certain hit.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
Yes, Ocarina of TIme did get a fantastic 3DS port that massively upgraded its aesthetics. And yes, we do have other Legend of Zelda games to look forward to. But a ground-up rebuild of one of Nintendo's most iconic games for home console? No one would pass that up.
Metal Gear Solid
Hideo Kojima has parted ways with Konami and his blockbuster franchise, and that makes us all really, really sad. For some, the idea of completely remaking Metal Gear Solid will seem ludicrous, even blasphemous, without Kojima's input. Given the ways in which the franchise's gameplay has changed over the years, however, a new Metal Gear Solid for a new generation of gamers would be pretty fantastic.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Like Final Fantasy VII, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic has a reputation that precedes it. Hope for a KOTOR remake is more well-grounded than for most games on this list. After acquiring rights to the Star Wars franchise, Disney inked an exclusive video game deal with EA, who - in turn - announced that KOTOR developer BioWare would be one of three companies making new games for the franchise.
Suikoden II
Suikoden III was one of the first JRPGs I played on PlayStation II, but the experience was always slightly tainted by the reputation of its predecessor. Suikoden II is legendary, thanks - in no small part - to its rarity. And while it has been ported to both PSP and the PSN, it would - like Final Fantasy VI - benefit tremendously in a graphics overhaul to bring it into the modern day.
Valkyrie Profile
Valkyrie Profile is an unforgettable PlayStation title that has spawned two prequels and a PSP port. It's the perfect JRPG cocktail, complete with a unique battle system, dark story, Norse mythology, multiple endings, and a large cast of playable characters. With a phoenix down hovering over the JRPG genre, now is the perfect time for Square Enix to revive Valkyrie Profile for a new generation.
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So... that list turned out a bit more RPG-heavy than I thought it would. What games would you like to see given the Final Fantasy VII treatment? Let me know in the comments!
Published: Jul 16, 2015 02:31 pm