Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles Remaster—Square Enix Details Challenges and Content Changes

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles Remaster—Square Enix Details Challenges and Content Changes Square Enix has officially pulled back the curtain on Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, an eagerly anticipated remaster of its legendary tactical RPG, set for release in 2025 across modern platforms, including the Nintendo Switch.

As fans count down to the launch, new insights from the development team reveal both the technical hurdles faced and the content lineup for this updated edition. First released in 1997 on the Sony PlayStation, Final Fantasy Tactics is celebrated for its intricate storyline, deep tactical gameplay, and the memorable Ivalice setting.

Over the decades, the game has made waves through various re-releases, the most notable being 2007’s Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions on PlayStation Portable (PSP), which introduced a refined script, additional job classes, and cinematic cutscenes.

Now, with The Ivalice Chronicles, Square Enix is striving to create the definitive modern version while honoring the legacy of the original. In a recent interview published on the Square Enix website, director Kazutoyo Maehiro of Creative Unit III provided a deep dive into the remaster’s creation.

Maehiro described the technical process as "arduous," noting that the team had to reconstruct the game from multiple existing versions.

As a significant portion of the original’s PlayStation source code had been altered, removed, or lost over time, developers found themselves piecing together the new build from archival code, previous ports, and even hands-on play sessions with the classic title to capture its essence. Maehiro explained, “We reviewed various iterations of Final Fantasy Tactics and rebuilt the game’s programming from the ground up.

At times, we relied on our direct experience with the original game to recreate elements accurately.

The result demanded not only new feature implementations but also an effort similar to porting a vintage arcade experience onto early Nintendo hardware.” While Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles will include several enhancements—such as a modernized user interface, adjustable battle speeds, autosave capability, refreshed voice acting and dialogue, plus quality-of-life improvements—it will not offer all content found in previous versions.

Specifically, additions exclusive to The War of the Lions, like the Dark Knight and Onion Knight job classes and the multiplayer mode, will not be part of the 2025 release. Addressing fan concerns about missing content, Maehiro said, “We certainly considered including jobs, abilities, and features from The War of the Lions.

However, the original Final Fantasy Tactics already offers a complete gameplay and narrative experience.

Making significant alterations could detract from what fans cherished, and would fail to preserve the game’s foundational strengths.

Our aim was to focus on the characters, jobs, and design that made the 1997 release an enduring classic.” Though some players may be disappointed by the absence of the PSP and iOS-exclusive content, the remaster aims to spotlight the essence of the original game, refined for contemporary systems like the Nintendo Switch and the eShop.

Square Enix’s approach continues to honor the studio’s legacy in RPG development and its ongoing commitment to delivering polished experiences for longtime fans and newcomers alike. Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles will launch in 2025, joining an expanding suite of classic RPGs revitalized for Nintendo Switch via the eShop and celebrated through recent Nintendo Direct presentations.

For fans of tactical role-playing games, the remaster promises a fusion of nostalgia and modern convenience, even as it remains rooted in its iconic origins.

Final Fantasy Square Enix Enix Square PSP Final Fantasy Tactics Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles The Ivalice Chronicles Ivalice Ivalice Chronicles Final Fantasy Tactics The Ivalice Chronicles Creative Unit III Kazutoyo Maehiro The War of the Lions Nintendo Switch eShop Nintendo Direct