Final Fantasy IX Gets A Surprise Re-Release On PlayStation 4
When it comes to the question of the best Final Fantasy game, the original PlayStation's Final Fantasy IX usually gets left out of the debate. Many will tell you either Final Fantasy VI or Final Fantasy VII are the best, with a few weirdos claiming that Final Fantasy VIII is actually at the top of the list, but there aren't many throwing their support behind Final Fantasy IX. Perhaps it's time to revisit the PlayStation classic with a fresh pair of eyes?
Square Enix is giving us the opportunity to do just that, announcing at the Tokyo Game Show today that Final Fantasy IX is now available on the PlayStation 4. The game, as with all PS1 re-releases, is only available digitally, and through there are improvements to be found within the PS4 version, this isn't a full remake. Sorry Final Fantasy IX, but it looks like you won't be getting the Final Fantasy VII treatment.
Still, for someone who has never played the game or people who would like to revisit it, this re-release might still be worth your time and money. Square Enix promises that cinematics and character models have been given an HD coat of paint, and indeed, the character models we see in the launch trailer do appear to be quite a bit sharper than those of a standard PS1 game.
Aside from better looking character models and cutscenes, Final Fantasy IX is also arriving on PS4 with an auto-save feature. Players will have seven different boost abilities at their disposal, allowing them to play in high speed mode or no encounters mode. The Master All Abilities booster, on the other hand, sounds like it'll be completely game breaking, as it allows players to automatically master equipped items. Look for similarly overpowered boosts for characters levels, gil, and magic stones.
Finally, we've got PS4 trophies and remote play with the PS Vita to look forward to. Final Fantasy IX is available on the PlayStation Store beginning today, and picking it up early will shave a few bucks off the price. While the game will normally be priced at $20.99, early adopters can get it for $16.79 until September 29.