A remake for FInal Fantasy VII

Well, just when I was thinking to myself that I had some free time, I ended up being swamped by work AND being addicted to an anime (I'll talk about that another time.)

This post is about my deepest gaming desire.

Well, that and much more, but having a FF7 remake is indeed one of my biggest dreams. I remembered that when the Playstation 3 was first released, everyone was 'ooh' and 'aah'-ing, but I wasn't too swayed. Those were the days when my gaming experience is limited to Final Fantasy. (It still is, but at least I have more knowledge in other games!)

Then, I boldly made the statement: "If they remake FF7 on the PS3, I'll buy it in an instant!" And well, I guess you've guessed that I obviously do not have a PS3. Nevertheless, my declaration still stands. I'll buy the console that supports the glorious, legendary remake... if they ever get down to it.

Years ago, SquareEnix released the all-too-tantalising FF7 opening just to show us the awesome graphics that PS3 supports. Many of us know the video, but I'm just going to show it anyway.




I mean, look at that! How much epic-ness is that? Of course many people saw this in the epilogue of Crisis Core, which shows the same quality, but wouldn't you want to see the rest of FF7 being shown in HD!!?!?!

I know I do, I'm positively dying for the day to come.

But sadly, we all know the answer in our hearts. We fight it, we ignore it, we try to justify it, but it's clear as day that SquareEnix will not remake this game anytime so soon. Here are some of my reasons why they are holding back their horses:

1. Focusing on other games
This should be a no brainer for Final Fantasy fans. Square is currently busy with many projects. Some of which they are also kinda delayed in releasing. I'm talking about Final Fantasy 13 Versus. It was hyped up way too early because now it seems like they are shirking responsibility. Of course, I know it's because it's the fifth and last game in the Fabula Nova Crystallis compilation (similar to the FF7 compilation, just that the world is set in FF13). So for sure Versus will not be out till the preceding four titles are released.

EDIT (27/1/2014): So now FF13 Versus will become FF15. Yay. As long as it's not that horrible Cocoon place.

Back to the main point. FF7 remake won't even be considered because of the fact that there are simply too many titles to work on now. Personally, I can relate to this. Last year, one of my fics "Their Memories of Fukinara High", ended prematurely. I commented then that I might return to it, but as I delve deeper into the FF7 fandom, I find that it's hard for me to go back to SDK too. Partly because of the research I got to do again and because my pool of readers are gone already.

The supporters of FF7 remake will not be a dying race (yet), that's for sure. But the research will take Square quite some time, which brings me to my next point.

2. Different team of developers
FF7 was made in 1997. It's going to be close to 20 years (in 4 years' time). Many changes have been made to the company. The most famous one that we know of is Nobuo Uematsu leaving Square. He's not the only one. Many of the original team are no longer in Square. If we want a remake, what is better than reuniting all the heroes to work together? However, things aren't as easy as it sounds. The amount of liasion, the costs, the old dirty politics (if there were any) dug up again...

Like I said, it's really hard. It's probably easier to find a new team of artists and developers to do the remake, but would the fans appreciate it? I know for sure that if the FF7 remake music is not done by Nobuo Uematsu, I would not be as excited. Nobuo Uematsu is a non-negotiable for me - He MUST compose the music, if not co-arrange or direct. But that's just me.

3. System Requirement
Even though Final Fantasy 13 looks freaking awesome on a PS3, I can tell that the system requirements for a FF7 equivalent is going to be hard. We ARE assuming that in the FF7 remake, the graphics would be as darn HD as in FF13, right?

If that were the case, imagine. The entire Midgar, with every nut and bolt visible to the eye. The world map, all in your control to explore, changes the scenery with every step that you take. Even the chocobo has to be animated carefully and let's not forget the other nitty gritty details like summoning summons and falling snow in Icicle Inn.

Before I lose you in your imaginative ecstasy, can you imagine the amount of power needed to support such a game? Square is unable to deliver it adequately (I believe they can and have the technology to do it, but they choose not to yet). That is why FF13 is so linear in storyline, as compared to FF7 to 9.

4. Backup plan

*insert Keanu conspiracy meme here*

Well, in this meme they said in case SquareEnix ran out of ideas for a game, but I see it more as a backup plan in case none of their works are successful anymore and they are plunging towards bankruptcy.

The legend of how Final Fantasy first began was that Square released "Final Fantasy" as their last-chance in the gaming industry. Seeing how increasingly unpopular some titles are nowadays, maybe they are really keeping the remake as a last-attempt before it really becomes their 'final fantasy'.

Perhaps I should write a post on the things that I want to see on the remake :3

So, what do you think? Do you think there should be a remake?

Special thanks to:
oldivai for the youtube video

Commitment and Reviews

Recently, I received a review to one of my old fics. It was nice to see some old names from the other fandom. Which brought me back to my own reflections again.

You see, before I started "I Want To Be A Turk!", I kinda wrote a semi-ending for my previous fic and I moved on. I naively thought then that I could finish "I Want To Be A Turk" in 6 months and then go back.

How foolish I was.

I admit, even now I feel the dread of needing to complete Days of Exile. But reading the review from my old readers renewed my commitment to update and complete Days of Exile.

So yeah. That's that. A short but genuine post about how I've been feeling. Even if I no longer feel the passion to write about Days of Exile (which really isn't the case, I promise!), I will finish the story because of my commitment. The day I fail to do so... I'm sure I'll at least apologise here on this blog before I go. If that doesn't happen, then you should figure out that some divine intervention prevented me from doing so, if you know what I mean! Of course, I really need support and encouragement from everyone once in a while. You know that you guys are really important to me, right?

Okay, on to another topic. Guys? When you want to give some suggestions to the author, be careful of how you phrase your words. I feel that a reviewer should never make his suggestions sound to the author as if he is commanding the author to take his suggestions. I'm speaking as a reviewer myself. At the very least, be polite and neutral about it so you don't seem pushy. I mean, dear reviewers, please don't use absolutes like "I want the story to continue this way." Sensitive authors (like myself :P) could be easily offended and you probably won't know why.

So I usually 'protect' myself by adding disclaimers like "This is just a suggestion", or "I'm just saying these things but you know your story best." Sometimes, I also assure the author that no matter the outcome, I would continue reading his/her story. And I do, even when the story becomes an atrocity (which hardly happens).

Now, speaking as an amateur author, I'm not too sure if other authors feel this way. Authors love comments, reviews and suggestions, but it's not cool when you get the vibe from your readers that they won't support you if you write the story this way. 'Nuff said.

Now, if you were to excuse me, I'll go write some stuff on Days of Exile.

Have a good week ahead!

Final Fantasy 7 videos

Despite the epic sounding title, I'm only referring to MAD videos.

To those who do not know the meaning of MAD videos, they are fan made videos on certain games/anime. Unlike AMVs where you don't need a storyline, most MAD videos are parodies, if not mashups of different fandoms.

Sounds awesome, right?

Anyway, today I thought I would like to share some of my favourite MAD videos from Final Fantasy VII. These MAD videos are actually redrawn to fit into anime openings and endings. Yes, you get to see your beloved FF7 characters prancing in an opening theme of an anime. Some of the anime is not very popular, so I'll include the original opening video for your comparison. After watching this, you must admit. They are done really well.

Without further ado, let's begin!

1. Ouran High School Host Club/Final Fantasy VII
Many anime watchers would know this anime. There are many versions, but this one is the one that I like. Feel free to compare them. That's why they are embedded here. In case the video doesn't work, you can always find them on Youtube.

This is the original video:



This is the MAD video:



2. Baccano/Final Fantasy VII
This video is the one that got me started on finding all the MAD videos on FF7. I never watched the anime "Baccano", but I was so impressed with how the creator seamlessly placed everyone in FF7 into this anime opening. So I watched the anime in the end and it was quite enjoyable.

I would want to see this MAD video with One Piece characters. That would be epic :D

This is the original opening (sorry for the scary thumbnail!):



Unfortunately, I can't find the MAD video (because the video is unavailable in my country now). Perhaps you guys have better luck. Just search anything with "Baccano" and "Final Fantasy 7" and you might find it ^^

3. Ghost in the Shell/Final Fantasy VII
We save the best for the last. These last two MAD videos are my favourites, for two reasons. One, again the characters fit the opening video well. Two, the context of FF7 fits the opening songs so. darn. well. You'll know what I mean.

This particular MAD video gave me chills, because of the accuracy of the parallels drawn between Ghost in the Shell and Final Fantasy VII.

Original Video:



MAD Video:


4. Cowboy Bebop/Final Fantasy VII
To those who didn't have the privilege to watch Cowboy Bebop, it is an anime packed full of badass-ness. This anime practically reeks badass and coolness, just retains a small hint of humour. For such a rugged looking opening, the MAD video certainly lived up to its name.

Original video:


Behold! The MAD video... Turks Bebop!!! (*cue for Reno fans to scream*)



And that's it, my little obsession with MAD videos. Go watch them on Youtube, I'm sure there's something for everyone! If you know the anime Durarara, you'll be happy to know that there are hundreds of MAD video on their ending song, "Trust Me". It's a really easy video to edit, I suppose.

Now, if you would excuse me, I wanna go find some One Piece MAD videos.