The tactical RPG genre is about to receive a major revival, as Square Enix prepares to bring back a beloved classic with the highly anticipated Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster.
Originally released on the PlayStation in 1997, Final Fantasy Tactics earned a cult following thanks to its deep strategic gameplay, compelling story, and most of all, its robust and flexible job system.
With the remaster now officially in the works, fans old and new are excited to see how the modern version will enhance and celebrate the key elements that made the original a masterpiece.
Square Enix has confirmed that the Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster will not only update the game visually but will also emphasize improvements and refinements to its iconic job system and gameplay mechanics.
In this TazaJunction.com article, we’ll explore what makes the remaster so exciting, how the job system is being reimagined, and why this game might become the new gold standard for tactical RPGs in the modern era.
Table of Contents
A Tactical Legacy Returns
The original Final Fantasy Tactics helped define the tactical RPG genre for generations. With its isometric grid-based combat, deep character customization, and morally complex narrative, it stood out from other RPGs of its time.
Now, with the Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster, Square Enix is aiming to honor that legacy while modernizing the experience for today’s gaming audience. Fans have been asking for this remaster for years, especially after its absence from the early wave of Final Fantasy remasters.
The return of this title comes at a perfect time, as interest in strategy and tactics games is resurging thanks to the success of titles like Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Triangle Strategy, and Tactics Ogre: Reborn.
Visual and Audio Enhancements
While gameplay and systems are at the heart of the Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster, visual upgrades are a major component of the project. Square Enix is known for its attention to graphical fidelity, and the remaster will receive a complete visual overhaul.
Expect enhanced character sprites, smoother animations, and redrawn environments that preserve the original’s aesthetic charm while taking advantage of modern hardware.
The development team has reportedly taken a “faithful reimagining” approach rather than a full 3D remake, meaning it retains the look and feel of the original while being crisper and more immersive.
Alongside visuals, the Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster will feature a re-recorded soundtrack, with orchestrated versions of its most iconic themes.
However, players will reportedly have the option to toggle between the original and remastered soundtracks — a nod to longtime fans who prefer nostalgia.
The Heart of the Game: The Job System
At the core of the original game’s success was its job system — a flexible, rewarding framework that allowed players to customize their characters in nearly endless ways. The Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster highlights this system with thoughtful tweaks and quality-of-life improvements.
The job system allows players to assign roles or “jobs” to characters — such as Knight, Wizard, Archer, Monk, and dozens more — each with unique abilities and stat growth. Over time, characters can unlock advanced jobs based on experience and progression in prior roles.
In the remaster, job requirements are being rebalanced to make progression more intuitive and rewarding. Players will also benefit from a redesigned interface that simplifies job navigation, skill equipping, and ability tracking.
Whether you want to craft the perfect tank, a glass-cannon mage, or a utility hybrid unit, the Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster provides unparalleled freedom in how you build your squad.
Modernized Gameplay Features
While the job system is a central focus, Square Enix is also updating the core gameplay mechanics in the Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster to appeal to modern players without losing the essence of the original.
Key updates include:
- Improved Battle UI: A new interface for managing skills, unit placement, and turn order.
- Rewind Feature: Players will be able to undo a limited number of actions per battle — a welcome addition for new players.
- Autosave Functionality: Battles will now autosave at the start of each turn, reducing the risk of losing hours of progress.
- Updated Tutorials: Streamlined and interactive tutorials will help first-timers understand systems faster.
These improvements ensure that the Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster respects veteran players’ expectations while making the game more accessible for newcomers.
Deep Storytelling, Preserved and Polished
One of the defining features of Final Fantasy Tactics was its mature, politically charged storyline. Set in the kingdom of Ivalice, the narrative explores themes of betrayal, social class, war, and destiny — all told through the perspective of Ramza Beoulve, a noble-born warrior caught in a web of conflict and corruption.
The Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster retains the original narrative but enhances it with modern localization. The writing will receive a full polish, with new English translations that aim to bring more clarity and emotional depth without altering the story’s core.
Cinematic cutscenes will also be upgraded to HD, and key story moments will be voiced in multiple languages, including Japanese and English.
Accessibility and Platform Availability
While Square Enix hasn’t yet confirmed every platform, the Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster is expected to launch on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch. A mobile version may also be in development, following the company’s pattern with other remastered titles.
The game’s accessibility improvements, combined with platform flexibility, could allow the Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster to reach a much broader audience than ever before. Whether you’re playing docked on a console or on the go with a handheld, the deep tactical gameplay will be available wherever you are.
Community Excitement and Competitive Potential
The fan community has responded with overwhelming excitement to the announcement. Social media channels, fan sites, and forums are already discussing optimal job paths, challenge runs, and character builds. Some even speculate that the remaster could introduce online multiplayer modes — though this hasn’t been confirmed.
The reintroduction of the Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster could also open the door for future expansions or downloadable content. Imagine cooperative tactical battles, community challenges, or competitive ladder modes. The job system lends itself well to these kinds of innovations, and Square Enix may be exploring these possibilities behind the scenes.
Why the Job System Still Stands Out Today
Even decades later, no tactical RPG job system quite compares to that of Final Fantasy Tactics. The reason? It rewards experimentation. The Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster brings this forward once again, allowing you to build characters that are as unique as your strategy.
You can create a White Mage who dabbles in Time Magic, or a Thief who has mastered Ninja skills. You can make every unit a hybrid, or create a team of pure specialists. No two players will build the same army — and that’s the beauty of it.
The job system isn’t just a gimmick; it’s the soul of the game. And the remaster is placing that soul front and center.
Final Thoughts
The Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster is more than a nostalgia play — it’s a revival of one of the most intelligent, emotional, and innovative games ever made. By focusing on the job system and improving the gameplay without sacrificing the heart of the original, Square Enix is giving fans exactly what they’ve been asking for.
Whether you’re returning to Ivalice after decades or experiencing its political drama and strategic depth for the first time, the Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster promises to deliver a journey that’s both familiar and fresh.
With its enhanced job mechanics, modern gameplay upgrades, and commitment to honoring the original’s story, this remaster is set to become the definitive way to experience one of the greatest tactical RPGs of all time.