The Final Fantasy Tactics remaster has received a much-anticipated update, introducing New Game+ to the beloved turn-based strategy game. This feature, a long-standing request from fans, allows players to carry over their units and inventory from a completed game save into a new game, enabling them to grind these units up to Level 100. While the update brings a host of UI improvements and adjustments, it has also sparked debate among fans about the necessity of New Game+ and the potential implications for the game's future.
One of the most exciting aspects of the update is the ability to obtain multiple instances of the missable Genji equipment. This top-tier gear, which can only be stolen from Marquis Ondore during a specific battle in Chapter 4, is now accessible multiple times. Additionally, players can finally pick up any of the optional party members they may have missed during their first playthrough, providing a more comprehensive and rewarding experience.
However, the absence of new difficulty levels or level scaling in New Game+ has been a point of contention for seasoned players. The update also fails to include content from the PSP version, The War of the Lions, which has led to calls for Square Enix to add aspects from this version. Fans are particularly keen to see the restoration of Lions-only content, such as FF12's Balthier as a playable character, additional job classes like Onion Knight, and extra story scenes.
Yasumi Matsuno, the director of the original Final Fantasy Tactics, explained that New Game+ was a feature he had been requesting since the beginning of the remaster project. He believed that the numerous guest characters in the game needed more opportunities to shine during a single playthrough. However, budget and development resource constraints at the time led to the feature being postponed. The commercial success of the remaster has now allowed developers to work on new updates, and some fans hope that this signals a continued focus on the title's endgame content.
Despite the excitement surrounding New Game+, some players have questioned its necessity, given that the game lacks multiple endings and challenging secret bosses. Others, however, view Matsuno's comments as a positive sign, suggesting that developers will continue to work on the game, potentially adding new dungeons or other optional endgame content. The future of Final Fantasy Tactics looks bright, with fans eagerly anticipating further updates and expansions to this classic strategy game.
