This isn’t one of Ondore’s lies. Gamers are really getting the chance to go back to Ivalice, and it’s never looked better.
At almost 30 years old and with over a dozen titles, the Final Fantasy video game franchise is in a unique position: at just about any given time, there’s an installment that’s ripe for a remake. With so many beloved classics in the series, the continuing evolution of gaming technology means developer Square Enix always has candidates from a generation or two of hardware ago that fans would love to experience again with spruced-up visuals and more modern gaming conventions.
The latest title to get this treatment is Final Fantasy XII, which Square Enix has just announced is being remade in HD for the PlayStation 4.
Final Fantasy 12 originally came at a time when the franchise was particularly enamored with Zodiac themes and naming conventions, and so the PS4 game will be titled Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age. Based on 2007’s Final Fantasy XII: International Zodiac Job System (itself an upgraded PlayStation 2 rerelease of 2006’s plain-vanilla Final Fantasy XII) the most noticeable change for the PS4 version will be high-definition character models, backgrounds, and cutscenes.
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age looks to keep its predecessors’ combat engine more or less intact, although many are probably keeping their fingers crossed that unlike the original version, the PS4 title will be able to easily handle multiple spell effects simultaneously, which would make battles quicker-paced and more dynamic.
On the audio front, the entire soundtrack is being rerecorded, but traditionalists will be glad to know the original arrangements will also be included with the new game. Players will also have the choice of English or Japanese voices, at least in the Japanese release (Square Enix has not stated whether overseas versions will have bilingual dialogue). The developers are also promising an updated, more enjoyable character customization system, an auto save function, and an improved high-speed mode, which allows you to speed up the gameplay and get to your favorite parts of the quest all that quicker.
Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age is scheduled for release in 2017.
Follow Casey on Twitter, where as soon as there are pictures of HD chocobos, he’ll be talking about them.
Source: Famitsu via Hachima Kiko
Top image: YouTube/スクウェア・エニックス
Insert images: YouTube/スクウェア・エニックス, Square Enix
New Final Fantasy VII Remake version coming, brings ninja girl Yuffie to Midgar【Video】
And now, without further ado, here’s Final Fantsy VII Remake’s Cloud in a dress【Video】
New Final Fantasy VII Remake trailer shows off biggest scene stealer, brothel owner【Video】
Final Fantasy XV is getting its own anime series and CG movie 【Videos】
“They will bounce” promises Final Fantasy director as Tifa joins fighting game cast
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
The story of our reporter P.K. Sanjun’s heart attack
Japanese vending machine find introduces us to a new drink you can’t get anywhere else
Super! Eel Bread takes Japanese sushi into uncharted territory
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
7-Eleven Japan releases their second lineup of upsized foods from a muffin to bukkake soba
McDonald’s Japan adds curry French fry flavor, regional-taste burgers to its menu with Gotochi Mac
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
161-year-old Kyoto confectionary maker releases new edible Pokémon lineup
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
7-Eleven Japan is releasing Greedy chocolate chip and whipped cream sandwiches
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Final Fantasy VII’s PS4 port now available
Final Fantasy VII Remake cafe opens in Tokyo, and we stop by for Cloud and Sephiroth mocktails!
New Final Fantasy VII remake trailer shows off Aerith and Sephiroth【Video】
Final Fantasy VII remake gets delayed, but bad news comes with a promise
Japanese high school Final Fantasy VII not an April Fool’s Joke, is playable this month【Video】
Square Enix now hiring talented individuals for key positions in Final Fantasy VII remake
Cloud makes unforgivable date mistake in Final Fantasy VII teaser video from Square Enix【Video】
Final Fantasy developer Square Enix makes working from home a permanent option for employees
Final Fantasy VII Remake’s Cloud (dress version) is getting the high-end figure treatment【Photos】
Final Fantasy VII cafes are opening in Tokyo and Osaka to celebrate legendary game’s remake
Final Fantasy XV might end up having playable female characters after all
Final Fantasy VII Remake director discusses Tifa’s visibly smaller breats
Final Fantasy VII gets new combat engine, oh and it’s now a multi-part series, too 【Video】
Final Fantasy XVI cafe menu brings Eikon drinks, Torgal parfait to Tokyo’s Square Enix Cafe【Pics】
Final Fantasy XVI’s story and primary development are finished, Square Enix hiring “final” staff
Final Fantasy VII art team reveals old-school way they got the game’s sandwiches looking so good