V for the PSP

[Mirage]

No idea, but I will agree that in many cases, older final fantasy games could use a bit of rebalancing. Many characters in FF6 are for example very underpowered compared to others, and some lv.4 limits in FF7 are just complete trash.

[Wolf Kanno]

Re-balancing has its issues, the DS remake of IV changed boss patterns and had to to counter the abusive new skill system, on the other hand, the GBA port was rebalanced into easy mode to balance out being able to use some of the other cast members in the end.

I feel FFV is perfectly balanced, but VI and beyond could stand to be made more challenging by powering down ALOT of abilities (and the Junction system requires a complete overhaul if you ask me) but traditionally most of the ports/remakes of the earlier games have been made easier.

The GBA/PSP versions of FFI/II are jokes compared to the originals, especially since they completely changed the magic systems. IIIDS was completely rebalanced to allow the player to be able to use most of the Job Classes for the final sections whereas the original made it very difficult to see the ending without a 2 Ninja/2 Sage team, without having almost max levels and abusing the Blackbelt HP growth mechanic (even then, you may still need to use with the right team). FFIV has pretty unforgiving difficulty spikes and the final boss fight is made more manageable by stealing a specific item, which the game never even hints at. For the most part, the ports make the games less grind heavy and nerfed several elements. The problem is that this difficulty is pretty much all these games have going for them anymore, so playing the watered down versions of the first couple of FFs on a lazy afternoon is nowhere near as rewarding as actually having to invest some time and interest into tackling the originals, though it still depends on the game.

As for an FFV remake, I'm pretty sure its going to happen, but what platform will depend. I actually think DL would be easier than just making it for one system and SE has pretty much stated and shown they are no longer going to be playing favorites anymore for the Big 3, so this is a pretty good compromise that would allow the largest market share, and since it sounds like both the 3DS and Vita will have the ability to download games from their console brethren, you can have it on the go as well. Hell, this may even mean they have a shot at being released on XBLA as well. The other joy of doing this is that it may cut cost on materials and being DL means they have more freedom on how they want to remake it (hi-res 2D sprites/ 3D models) so its kind of a win-win situation for everyone if they go this route but I'm sure both Sony and Nintendo will screw it up by trying to pay SE to release it exclusively to their platforms.

[Mirage]

I definitely want high res 2D rather than 3D for those older games . I do agree that making the available for all consoles is good. I would prefer to play them on my PS3 rather than a tiny PSP screen.

[Wolf Kanno]

I hate the high res 2d sprites so I'd probably prefer 3D, but something a little better than the III/IV DS remakes. Still the idea the new handhelds have the ability to have DL purchases placed on them will allow everyone to be happy in regards to what platform you want to play them on cause I know I get more use out of my handhelds than my consoles.

[Mirage]

Even if some of the specific designs for some of the characters in FF4 aren't my absolute favourites, I still think keeping the 2D style lets the game keep much of the same mood that the original game had. For me, it "feels right", it feels true to its origins.

[Wolf Kanno]

My issue is that I have the 2D version, so why should I pay extra for a shiner version? The 3D allows for a different experience. While I feel the 2D version of FFIV is the definitive version, I appreciate that the 3D version allows me to experience the game in a new way, and I'm much more likely to buy a new experience over a minor update. If it wasn't for the new localizations and portability, I probably would have never touched the GBA versions of the classics.

[Mirage]

I have no problems paying for stuff to make them shinier :>

[Wolf Kanno]

Well I do

Especially since the shiny factor doesn't actually add anything to the content. Playing the PSP version of IV is the same as playing the GBA version, the PS versions, and ROM SNES version (barring the actual extra content that is mostly fluff anyway). I may love the old games, but I'm not shelling $30+ bucks to play the same game I already have three copies of, just cause the sprites have two more colors added to it and the magic effects are more colorful, its a bad investment and it just provokes SE to release a new port every console generation.

[Mirage]

Considering I haven't paid for FF5 since the Anthology collection that i got for like 20 bucks, and also sucked, I have no problems buying a PSP remake :>

[Wolf Kanno]

I have the vastly superior GBA version, and even an emulator with a pretty good fan translation. I don't need another 2D port.

[Bastian]

FFIV TCC vs. FFIV DS: While I thought the new fancy 2D sprites to be very beautiful and enjoyed playing the game looking at them it didn't feel as much of a new experience as the DS version. I kept thinking "Well, this is pretty, but... the next time I play any iteration of FFIV again, it will probably be the DS version."

So, I'd much rather have something more in that style (though with more detailed models and such) on the 3DS for FFV than a PSP prettier-sprites version.

[Mirage]

I have the vastly superior GBA version, and even an emulator with a pretty good fan translation. I don't need another 2D port.

You mean the graphically and audially inferior GBA version .

seriously, the music quality is terrible.

[Wolf Kanno]

Compared to VI Advance, its nowhere near as bad. Its negligible if you ask me, and I've never really saw the complaint with the graphics cause the games just became a few palettes lighter which frankly I felt FFV needed.

Besides, if its going to be those fuggly sprites, and lame CGI spell effects that make all the tier magic look the same, from the PSP ports; then I'll take the washed color and uber midi OST from the GBA.

[Mirage]

There is nothing in this world I want more than a high res faris sprite.

[Wolf Kanno]

I would rather have her Amano design.