Final Fantasy VI arriving this winter, FF VII being considered

Final Fantasy VI (teaser 001)

It has never been a better time to be both a Final Fantasy and an Apple fan. Square Enix released Final Fantasy V for the iPhone and iPad back in March (and Final Fantasy IV hit iOS last December), however the publisher isn’t resting on its laurels.

According to Square Enix director Takashi Tokita, the next chapter in the Final Fantasy saga is set to unfold in the coming weeks as the firm, formed as the result of a merger between Square and Enix, gears up to release Final Fantasy VI on iOS and Android this winter. More information follows right below…

Originally released in North America in 1994 as Final Fantasy III, the game won’t be a straight port, Takashi told gaming blog Kotaku. Instead it’s “like a remake of the original VI” with some enhancements and polished 2D graphics.

The battle systems have been altered for the other mobile remakes for Final Fantasy and VI will be the same. For instance grinding was an issue and people had to spend a lot of time leveling up. Now on the mobile devices the battle systems have been adjusted so you don’t have to fight as much and can enjoy the game for what it is.

They won’t stop there as the upcoming mobile release of Final Fantasy IV: The After Years is on the horizon as well. Originally released on smartphones in Japan and as a downloadable Wii game in the U.S, the mobile edition is basically a 3D remake of the original release.

More importantly, Square says a mobile release of Final Fantasy VII is being considered as well though no definite decision has been reached yet.

Takashi said his company is well-aware it has “tons of VII fans”, including those sitting in its offices, and hinted Square “would like to one day be able to work” on the mobile edition of the VII provided “this Legacy project works out well”.

He refused to comment on Final Fantasy VIII, IX, X and beyond.

The Final Fantasy franchise has some ardent following and mobile releases typically do well on iOS and Android so I have no doubt in my mind Square will continue to milk the series for all it’s worth.