Although Final Fantasy VII is widely regarded as one of the best entries in the series, if not the very best, many believe that Final Fantasy VI is on the same level, if not even better, deserving a full remake. As such, it is not surprising to see how many AI-powered remake concepts have been shared online in the past, but it is definitely surprising to see one catch the eye of the series creator Hironobu Sakaguchi.
"What is this? It's amazing!" said Sakaguchi-san enthusiastically on his X profile while sharing a recent AI-powered remake concept of the game featuring the recreation of many of the most iconic sequences of the game, including Sabin suplexing the Phantom Train and glimpses from the Opera House sequence where Celes temporarily takes the place of Maria to trick Setzer into kidnapping her.
The high praise from the creator of one of the most popular JRPG series of all time, however, seems to be an isolated opinion not only within the community but also among fellow developers. "No, Sakaguchi-san, please stop after the first line," replied Akitoshi Kawazu, creator of the SaGa series, who also worked on the original Final Fantasy and its sequel as a game designer.
However, he believes Final Fantasy VI deserves a 3D remake. "By the way, the other day, I was chatting at a sushi restaurant with an MIT grad American who was in Shimokitazawa for tourism, and he said he likes FF6 and likes Mash. I do think 6 is definitely suited for a 3D remake."
Members of the community also highlighted how something is off with this Final Fantasy VI AI remake. "I was thinking that if Square Enix remade it, Locke and Tina wouldn't have faces like this, you know," said user @yuuwa_message_M. "Details have those delicate differences that only the people who created them can make, and I think watching this made me realize that those are what create the big differences."
@inchiki19790918 shares a similar sentiment. "It's amazing, but somehow it feels different from the texture when you guys were making it. It's like, metallic or something... Back then, FF had a softness to it, with warm light and darkness."
As a huge Final Fantasy VI fan, I can only agree with the community. The sixth entry in the series has a very unique feel, and the original's visuals and aesthetics do a great job conveying the changes the world undergoes during the adventure, something that seems to be completely lost in this AI remake.
Besides not agreeing with Sakaguchi-san on this AI remake, the consensus seems to be clear on one thing: Final Fantasy VI deserves a remake. While a decade-long undertaking like the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy is unlikely to be on the table, with the release of the third and final entry in the series looming ahead, Square Enix is likely discussing what's next for the series besides the obligatory 17th main entry in the franchise, which has yet to be formally announced.
However, with Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy director Naoki Hamaguchi preferring to support a new creator rather than directing another remake, it remains to be seen if any other developer would be willing to undertake the development of a highly requested project such as this.
About the author: Francesco De Meo has been covering video games and technology since 2012, starting his career at small outlets like Gamersyndrome and GeekSnack. After joining Wccftech gaming section in 2015, he quickly expanded his video gaming coverage with in-depth reporting, interviews with iconic industry figures such as Grasshopper Manufacture founder and No More Heroes creator Goichi "Suda51" Suda, Resident Evil series creator Shinji Mikami, Team NINJA's president and Nioh series director Fumihiko Yasuda, and Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama, reviews and on-the-ground coverage of major industry events such as Gamescom and E3. When he's not reporting or reviewing, Francesco can be found playing the genres he loves most, spending time with his six cats, reading, writing music, playing guitar and drumming for his progressive rock band.
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