A New Hope for Ivalice: Final Fantasy Tactics Remake Could Pave the Way for a Sequel, Says Director

For decades, fans of Final Fantasy Tactics have yearned for a true sequel, a new chapter in the sprawling, politically charged world of Ivalice. While the beloved 1997 classic received spiritual successors and handheld spin-offs, it never got a proper follow-up. Now, a glimmer of hope has appeared on the horizon. In a recent interview, Kazutoyo Maehiro, the director of the upcoming remake, Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, revealed that the game’s sales performance could be the key that “opens the door” to a sequel.

“Showing the Business Viability of the Strategy RPG Genre”

Maehiro’s comments are a powerful acknowledgment of a long-standing question in the gaming industry: can a dedicated, niche genre like the strategy RPG still generate the kind of blockbuster sales that publishers demand? According to Maehiro, the upcoming remake is a way to prove exactly that. “If The Ivalice Chronicles can do well, that’s good for the fans, they can enjoy it,” he told Inverse. “But, at the same time, it shows the business viability of the strategy RPG genre.”

His words suggest that the future of Final Fantasy Tactics isn’t just a matter of fan demand, but of cold, hard numbers. A successful launch for The Ivalice Chronicles would signal to Square Enix that there is a large and eager market for this style of game. This could not only lead to a sequel but also to remasters of other titles in the series, such as the Game Boy Advance game Final Fantasy Tactics Advance and its sequel, A2. Maehiro expressed a strong desire to see this happen, stating, “We’d really like to see that happen.”

This is a particularly significant point, as the strategy RPG genre has seen a resurgence in recent years, with the critical and commercial success of games like Triangle Strategy and Fire Emblem: Three Houses. These titles have proven that a thoughtful, well-crafted strategy game can find a wide audience on modern consoles. Square Enix’s decision to greenlight the Final Fantasy Tactics remake is a clear sign that they are paying attention to this trend, and Maehiro’s comments confirm that the game’s success will be a crucial factor in determining the future of the franchise.

A Ground-Up Remake for a New Generation

It’s important to remember that this is no simple port. As many fans have pointed out, the original source code for Final Fantasy Tactics was lost, forcing the development team to rebuild the game from scratch. This process, which Maehiro describes as a “full-blown resurrection,” has given the team the opportunity to add new features, including a completely new script, full voice acting, and a suite of quality-of-life improvements. The game will also feature a new, hand-drawn aesthetic that aims to maintain the magic of the original while looking more refined on modern screens.

The director’s hope for a sequel, however, goes beyond just a new game. He also expressed interest in creating an entirely new IP for the genre. “I’d love to be able to take all these new systems we’re able to create, expand it even further and maybe explore the idea of creating a new world with new characters,” he said. This suggests that a successful remake could not only revive a dormant franchise but also spawn entirely new, creative endeavors from the talented team at Square Enix.

For now, the fate of the franchise rests on the success of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles. For longtime fans and newcomers alike, the message is clear: if you want to see the saga of Ivalice continue, it’s time to show Square Enix that the demand for a new Final Fantasy Tactics is alive and well.