After years of being exclusive to Nintendo GameCube title, Final Fantasy Chronicles: Remastered Edition is finally heading to other platforms. But, fans who are seeking a more open gameplay experience might be disappointed for its region-locked multiplayer.
The announcement truly does come off as dismay, especially for those who have experienced the game’s local co-op back in the day. Not necessarily a feat that every player can get into, as it required a GBA and a cable in the process. However, those who did would probably recall the novelty that comes with playing with friends in an RPG using an extended controller.
Online Multiplayer
Sadly, however, local cooperative play is not something that the director has in mind when remastering the classic GC title. Officially, the game will not be having local co-op mode. But in its place is a feature that, on paper, looks better than literally flocking friends to play local co-op—online play.
The idea of playing with another person from the other side of the world, while nothing new, still feels exciting. One, which embodies heavily the social aspect that comes with playing games with a person of similar interest. It is also undeniably convenient, too, considering the nature of internet-centric gameplay.
Just imagine what a bummer it would be to limit that possibility in favor of classifying a group of players according to region. And a buzzkill the company has been when it did.
*In online multiplayer mode, a player will only be matched with others in the region specific to player’s software.
Not an MMORPG
The statement can be vague. But it’s quite clear that the proclamation boils down to reducing the scope by which players could play with others.
Suffice to say that the game is not an MMORPG but a traditional one, only with an online multiplayer element. But, considering that the game is set to launch on multiple platforms and with cross-playability, the constraints greatly hampers possibilities.
There may be a logical explanation as to why Square Enix is going on this route. But the effect does not seem to be as positive. At least, according to preliminary impressions to the actual thing.
Looking at the bright side, though, the level of limitation that Square Enix is imposing seems to be a reversible thing. Despite no guarantee of the thought being a possibility, we can only hope for the developers to alter its course when possible.
Image used courtesy of FINAL FANTASY/YouTube Screenshot