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(Image credit: Square Enix/Yasumi Matsuno)
Today, June 20, marks the 27th anniversary of Final Fantasy Tactics, and original director Yasumi Matsuno took the opportunity to share some images of the beloved strategy RPG in its original form.
In its earliest prototype, Final Fantasy Tactics was not turn-based - it would’ve been a real-time strategy RPG. Matsuno previously revealed this detail back in 2018 during a stream promoting a Final Fantasy 14 crossover, but now he’s provided a much clearer look at the early plans for the game, complete with some of the most gorgeous pixel art I’ve ever seen.
“This is a sample image from early 1996,” Matsuno says onTwitter(Googletranslated). “We had hoped to continue development with the aim of creating an RTS like ‘Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen,’ but unfortunately this was scrapped, and the game ended up being released in the form it is today. The strong jaggedness is due to the PlayStation’s resolution at the time being 256x224.”
「ファイナルファンタジータクティクス」発売から27周年おめでとうございます！6年前のFFT生放送配信で公開した「FFTの初期企画」のサンプル画像をアップしてみます。96年初頭のサンプル画像となります。… pic.twitter.com/9y9RrtZw7UJune 20, 2024
「ファイナルファンタジータクティクス」発売から27周年おめでとうございます！6年前のFFT生放送配信で公開した「FFTの初期企画」のサンプル画像をアップしてみます。96年初頭のサンプル画像となります。… pic.twitter.com/9y9RrtZw7UJune 20, 2024
In English, Matsunoaddsthat this is “only a sample image for planning purposes. It was not actually developed on PlayStation. They are pseudo-game screens configured to actual specifications.” It’s unclear how far along this version of the game got, but it’s easy to imagine how those Ogre Battle fight mechanics might’ve been implemented here.
So why did the game eventually switch to the turn-based SRPG that we ended up getting? Matsunoputs itpretty simply: “My boss said, ‘NOT THIS ONE!'” It’s tough to argue with the beloved classic that Final Fantasy Tactics eventually became, but I can’t help but wonder what this version of the game might’ve looked like.
Does Matsuno have any regrets about the game’s change of direction? “If I had to mention one thing,” hesays, “it would be the event scene as shown in the sample image. I wanted to make it that kind of performance.”
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Earlier this year, Matsuno suggested thatFinal Fantasy Tactics fans stop begging for a remake and give Unicorn Overlord their support instead, because “the market for tactical RPGs is small.”
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5
Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
1
Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”