Skip Random Encounters in Final Fantasy 9 on PC
By Cody Gravelle 26 December 2015
The Steam Page for the upcoming PC release of Final Fantasy 9 reveals a few of the port’s newer features, including some options that will save gamers a lot of time if they choose to use them.
Although the Steam Page doesn’t detail the release date information that keyboard and mouse fans of the PS1 classic have craved since the announcement of Final Fantasy 9 for the PC and mobile, it does describe how the re-release of the game will include a few ease-of-life changes for those who want them. Final Fantasy 9‘s PC release will include the option to turn off random encounters during gameplay, a feature that is likely to generate some heated discussion among devotees and purists.
Of course, the ability to turn off random encounters is a wonderful inclusion for those gamers who have experienced Final Fantasy 9 before and simply don’t want to deal with the annoyances of low level enemies when back-tracking through earlier areas later in the game. Complimenting that feature will be seven other “game boosters,” including “high speed,” which will likely make the grinding process much easier. Square Enix is essentially following the same optional time-saving plan they have employed to great success with other mobile and PC ports like Final Fantasy 7.
Final Fantasy 9 will also feature a full list of Steam trophies, for those inclined to collect the PC service’s equivalent to achievements. If gamers aren’t sold on playing Final Fantasy 9 based on the modern improvements being made to the PC port, however, perhaps they should look towards the critically acclaimed narrative as well. Those still not satisfied with Final Fantasy 15 director Hajime Tabata’s explanation on the role of women in the upcoming PS4 game, for instance, might be pleased to revisit the strong female characters in Final Fantasy 9 instead, as the princess-turned-magical-hero Garnet, child prodigy Eiko, and nigh-unstoppable knight Beatrix all play significant roles over the course of Zidane and company’s journey.
The decision to port Final Fantasy 9 to the PC and mobile platforms is also a keen decision on Square’s part to stir up interest in the series’ older titles ahead of the massive Final Fantasy 7 Remake project that is set to take the gaming world by storm upon its completion. Given that the game’s producer, Yoshinori Kitase, stated that 2016 will be a year of preparation for Final Fantasy 7 Remake, it seems that fans looking for some nostalgia might have to turn towards Final Fantasy 9 this year.
And while Final Fantasy 9 might not feature the exciting flashy new features like the full voice acting in Final Fantasy 7 Remake, it’s still a classic in a franchise with more hits than misses and promises to be a great time sink while waiting out the bigger RPG releases this year and next. Although there are only rumors regarding a concrete release date so far, it shouldn’t be too long before PC and mobile gamers are asked to save the world of Gaia from the clutches of evil once more.
What do you think of the ability to skip random encounters entirely in Square’s recent Final Fantasy PC and mobile ports? Does it make the game too easy or too little like old school Final Fantasy titles? Let us know in the comments below.
Final Fantasy 9 will be released on PC, iOS and Android devices sometime in early 2016.
Source: Eurogamer (via VG 24/7)
