FF7 Remake

I have complicated feelings in relation to the Final Fantasy VII remake. FF7 is without a doubt one of my favourite games (or possibly my absolute favourite game) ever, so logically I should be excited to see it remade.

However, I also feel like a huge part of why I love it is because of the major things that a remake would change. I love the ridiculous graphics and the fun, campy moments they can provide. I love the horrible translation errors (in which the most shocking and significant scene in the game is accompanied by the misspelling of the word because). I love "this guy are sick" and was crushed when the version available on Steam changed it to "this guy is sick." I love the beautiful backgrounds contrasted with Lego people. I love the way that the graphics add to the charm, camp and often ridiculousness of the game, and also the way that they still function effectively in the game's more serious moments.

I can't imagine the Wall Market with modern graphics. I can't imagine Yuffie angrily shaking her fist at everyone with modern graphics. I can't picture Nanaki and Red in their sailor suits with modern graphics. Chocobo racing with modern graphics would be cool, but altogether a completely different type of experience. These things just worked perfectly with the graphics they had, and I think that remaking them will change the entire experience in a way that will make it a completely different game with a completely different atmosphere altogether.



This isn't to say that I think a remake is a bad idea. I'd love to see some of the major scenes in the first game with contemporary graphics. And, if handled well, they could produce a really good game. However, it will ultimately be a very different game, and not just a "better" version of the original, which means the remake also has the potential to be very bad if not handled properly. And Squenix has had problems with handling Final Fantasy-related things properly for over 10 years.

Now, I don't necessarily think it will be either good or bad at the moment, since I've literally only seen the 2 minute trailer that everyone else in the world has seen. However, I am keenly aware that it could be either. I'm also aware that there is no possibility of it being a strict improvement on the first game, since I don't think there is any way to fully capture the spirit of the first game without using the same art style and graphics.

It won't be better than the original, and it will never replace the original. What it will be is different. And there is potential for good different and bad different. At the moment, I have no way of anticipating which of these two things it will be. I have to hope for the former, and fear the potential for the latter, as I would love to see a well-done new take on my favourite game, and would be very sad to see a poorly done remake of a classic that robs it of its spirit.

So for now, I am extremely excited, but also somewhat apprehensive and a tiny bit scared. As more footage and updates are released, I know my feelings will end up leaning more towards one or the other, but for now it's simply complicated. The excitement is winning out right now, as the promise of a good game outweighs the fear of a bad game (since if it's really bad, I can always pretend it doesn't exist, such as my choice to believe that there are only three Star Wars movies), but this excitement is one that is tinged with a bit of nervousness.