FFX HD is a Remaster, not a Remake

For those hoping that the FFX HD remake would overhaul the game (which it honestly needed), then you’re going to be disappointed. It has been confirmed that the upcoming port of Final Fantasy X is simply a remastering of the game.

Whenever this means that the International features will be in or not remains questionable. I feel that it is likely however, as the International edition released in Japan and Europe adds a good degree of content. Namely high-powered boss versions of all Aeons, a new optional boss with 12 million HP, and a much more flexible Sphere Grid and other misc. features.

Taiwanese site GNN had this question posted in Chinese, which I have translated. I’m not confident in my Chinese so I posted the original question as well in case I got it wrong.

Ｑ：想請教橋本先生，去年東京電玩展前夕發表預定在 PS Vita 上推出的《Final Fantasy X》，究竟是以「高解析度強化移植（HD Remaster）」還是以「重製（Remake）」方式製作？

Ａ：是以 HD Remaster 方式製作，不過畫面會比原本漂亮很多，還請玩家多多期待！

Q: “We would like to ask Mr. Hashimoto about the PS Vita version of Final Fantasy X announced at the Tokyo Game Show last year. Are you producing a HD Remastering or a complete system remake?”

A: “It is an HD Remaster production, the looks are much prettier than the original but it’s also what a lot of the players are looking forward to.”

Kind of disappointing really. FFX has a large degree of balance issues. Namely being that a player with a decent degree of skill can take on the entire game without leveling once by relying on instant death weapons, petrify grenades, and the fact that Rikku’s items do a fixed amount of damage. It’s very easy to break the game, and in addition to this the ultimate weapons in FFX do not require any combat to power up with the exception of Lulu’s Onion Knight and Yuna’s Nirvana, but neither of these is a challenge for skilled players, even at the minimum level.

I’m still going to buy it, FFX is the last good Final Fantasy to me.