The team behind Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles faced an unusual challenge when creating the upcoming remake. Instead of simply remastering the original 1997 strategy RPG, Square Enix’s developers were forced to rebuild the game from scratch after discovering the source code was missing.
According to Bloomberg, director Kazutoyo Maehiro explained that the original data had been lost due to the gaming industry’s lack of standardised practices in the 1990s. At the time, when Square translated Final Fantasy Tactics from Japanese into English for international release, the company overwrote the original Japanese version’s code. This decision left no usable foundation for a modern remake.
Maehiro said the team had to recreate the game by studying the 1997 PlayStation version, analysing the master disc and referring to the 2011 release Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions. In addition, the developers turned to fan-made databases, which contained valuable information that had not survived in the official archives. Speaking at PAX West 2025, Maehiro acknowledged that fan contributions provided important insights into aspects of the game that might otherwise have been lost.
Balancing the game while staying true to the story
One of the design debates centred on Count Cidolfus Orlandeau, a character known to fans as Thunder God Cid. Long considered one of the strongest and most unbalanced characters in the series, his arrival in the player’s party often overshadowed other allies. Some fans had suggested that his power should be reduced in the remake to create a more balanced gameplay experience.
Maehiro, however, told Bloomberg that the team chose to preserve Cid’s original strength. He explained that his overwhelming power was an important part of the narrative, saying, “his role in the story is being that compelling character who joins your party.” Instead of reducing his abilities, the developers decided to improve other characters to maintain balance while keeping Cid’s legendary status intact.
This approach reflects the team’s wider philosophy: to honour the original spirit of the game while still making adjustments to enhance the experience for a modern audience.
Looking ahead to the franchise’s future
With The Ivalice Chronicles set for release at the end of September, Maehiro hinted at the possibility of continuing the series if the game is well-received. He suggested that the success of this remake could open the door for sequels or even brand-new titles within the strategy RPG genre.
For now, fans will soon be able to revisit one of Square Enix’s most celebrated tactical adventures, rebuilt from the ground up for a new generation of players.
