Fans have been asking for Final Fantasy 7 Remake ever since the concept of an HD remake was introduced by Square Enix itself. Back during 2005's E3 presentation, PlayStation's show featured a PS3 tech demo that fully remade the original Final Fantasy 7 opening. Many figured, even then, that a full on reimagining of the classic JRPG was still impossible. Regardless, fans still asked for it, and thus Final Fantasy 7 Remake was revealed and released in 2020. Inevitably that's led to many theory crafting and discussing what Final Fantasy game could be "next," if another game even is remade.
Most will argue that classic entries like Final Fantasy 5 or Final Fantasy 6, or other early 3D games like Final Fantasy 9, deserve the remake treatment as well. However, if there's any other game that deserves a remake in the Final Fantasy series, from a mechanical and graphical standpoint, it's Final Fantasy 8. The eighth Final Fantasy game ended up in the unfortunate scenario as the game that would follow up on Final Fantasy 7, a game that helped cement the JRPG genre in the west. Final Fantasy 8 took a lot of creative risks, some of which worked wonders, while other changes added some unnecessary tedium, some of which could easily be remedied by a remake.
Reimagining Final Fantasy 8's Complex, Convoluted Storytelling
In terms of what worked for Final Fantasy 8, the game made a lot of ambitious narrative and world design choices that made this entry surprisingly unique. Melding the cyberpunk futuristic themes of Final Fantasy 7 alongside traditional influences like sorcerers and iconic summons, Final Fantasy 8 had a weirdly intriguing story. However, Final Fantasy 8's narrative does introduce plot devices like time travel and alternate dimensions that do add some convolution to an otherwise interesting premise. It's certainly not the best story in the Final Fantasy franchise, but it's often recognized as the "dark horse" of the franchise for this reason, among some others.
Narrative issues like this are what remakes of games are perfect for. It gives a chance for writers like Kazushige Nojima, one of the original scenario writers on both Final Fantasy 7, Final Fantasy 8, as well as Final Fantasy 7 Remake, to reinvent Final Fantasy 8's confusing storyline. Similarly strange time travel and alternate dimension aspects seem to have found their way into Final Fantasy 7 Remake's narrative, so giving the eighth game the same treatment would ironically be appropriate. Plus, pair that with the gameplay tweaks and redesigns that the original Final Fantasy 8 definitely needs, fans may be more open to a more engaging version of its confusing story.
Final Fantasy 8 is Mechanically Creative, Functionally Tedious
Speaking of what didn't work in Final Fantasy 8, the risks taken in reforming the battle and RPG systems in the eighth game were also controversial. The Junction/GF summons system, in tandem with the necessity to "Draw" magic, altogether made character builds and leveling up/experience gain a real slog. The final dungeon in Ultimecia's Castle exemplifies this tedium wholeheartedly; if players enter that dungeon on the lower-end of levels, the game's final dungeon really can be tough as nails. That's also, in part, due to the nature of the final dungeon's design, but even throughout the main story does the game require a significant amount of grinding.
This is because optimal builds of characters requires players to be on their toes for every single subsystem in Final Fantasy 8's RPG mechanics. Players should always be drawing magic from enemies, either that or using Card Refining (part of another system to manage) in order to make better magic. If players prefer to use the Refine route, that means they need to be on top of managing GFs (Guardian Forces, or summons) and "Junction-ing" accordingly. The beauty of Final Fantasy 8's Guardian Forces and Junction-based systems means there's limitless creativity, but it also means the learning curve is incredibly steep, arguably far steeper than any other Final Fantasy game.
A Remake Could Remedy Final Fantasy 8's Biggest Issues
Gameplay mechanics, in tandem with the game's convoluted narrative, are exactly the kinds of pain points that a Final Fantasy 8 remake can remedy. All of the ideas presented in Final Fantasy 8's Junction/GF systems are unique, but a concerted effort to make the game less grind-intensive would improve gameplay immensely. Pair that with similar narrative efforts employed in expanding Final Fantasy 7 Remake's story, and Final Fantasy 8 could easily become a much more enjoyable experience. Final Fantasy 8 is certainly a fine game on its own, but is still held back by its own ambition extending too far.
To be fair, it's not likely that Final Fantasy 8 will ever see a fully-fledged remake like Final Fantasy 7 has. The seventh entry is far more iconic and impactful compared to its successor. Not only that, but considering the Final Fantasy 8 Remastered version comes with a pretty significant graphical overhaul, that may be the extent of love Final Fantasy 8 will receive. Now, to be fair, games like Final Fantasy 6 or Final Fantasy 9 getting remade wouldn't be a shame by any means. Those entries are fantastic in every regard, even to this day, but Final Fantasy 8 is the best example of a Final Fantasy game that needs a remake moreso than it would benefit from one.
Final Fantasy 8 Remastered is available now on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.