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Square Enix has recently announced that one of their most beloved tactical RPGs is making its grand return in FINAL FANTASY TACTICS The Ivalice Chronicles releasing on September 30, 2025, and the development team has shared heartfelt messages about bringing this beloved strategy RPG back to life across PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
Director Returns After 30 Years
Kazutoyo Maehiro, who now serves as director, revealed a personal connection to the project. “I was actually a member of the original game’s development team when I was just starting my career,” he shared. Nearly three decades later, he finds himself leading the revival of the same game that helped launch his career.
Maehiro explained that the project began with a simple desire to bring Final Fantasy Tactics to modern platforms for new players. The team created two versions to serve different audiences – an enhanced edition with full voice acting, updated script, and new content, plus a classic version that stays true to the original experience while adding quality-of-life improvements like auto-save.
The director expressed confidence in the final product, stating he believes what the team created together “is worthy of being called the quintessential version of Final Fantasy Tactics.”
Art Director Reflects on Visual Evolution
Art Director Hiroshi Minagawa discussed the challenge of updating the game’s distinctive look. He remembered how the original Final Fantasy Tactics launched during a time when games were moving from pixel sprites to 3D graphics, and the team tried to combine both styles.
For the new version, Minagawa’s team worked to respect the original’s feel while giving it a modern interpretation. He emphasized how the addition of voice acting will help players connect more deeply with the pixel art characters, bringing them to life in ways the original couldn’t achieve.
“We have worked together with a new generation of development staff to enhance and revive the world crafted by the original team,” Minagawa noted, highlighting how veteran developers mentored newer team members.
Original Writer Connects Past and Present
Perhaps the most striking message came from Yasumi Matsuno, the original script writer, who drew parallels between the game’s creation and today’s world. He recalled crafting the story during Japan’s economic collapse in the 1990s, when corporate bankruptcies and unemployment created widespread despair.
Matsuno explained how he created the story of Ramza, a young man fighting against social class systems, and Delita, who tries to use chaos to advance his position. These characters represented different responses to social upheaval – resistance versus opportunism. His closing message to players was simple but powerful: “The will to resist is in your hands.”
