Final Fantasy Tactics Remaster Introduces New Game+ Feature

The latest update to Square Enix’s Final Fantasy Tactics remaster adds New Game+, and fans are already debating whether Ramza’s story really needs the mode and what fresh possibilities this could open up for the beloved turn-based strategy game.

Update 1.5.0 was released on June 17, bringing a range of UI enhancements and tweaks to Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles. The highlight of this update is the introduction of New Game+, a feature absent from the original 1998 version. New Game+ allows players to transfer units and inventory from a completed game save to a new playthrough, enabling them to level up these units to Level 100.

Additional improvements in the update include a quick view of a unit’s status effects and the ability to instantly remove all gear from a unit, a useful tactic for diverting enemy attacks during battles. The new Zodiac Compatibility feature on the status screen reveals how well units work together based on their star signs, shedding light on the impact of astrology on gameplay mechanics.

While some fans are excited about the chance to acquire multiple Genji equipment pieces through New Game+, others express disappointment over the absence of new difficulty levels or level scaling, which reduces the challenge for experienced players. There is also ongoing frustration that the remaster does not include content from The War of Lions version, prompting calls for the addition of exclusive features like FF12’s Balthier as a playable character and additional job classes.

Director Yasumi Matsuno shared that the inclusion of New Game+ was a long-desired feature for the remaster project, aimed at providing more opportunities for guest characters to shine. Although the feature was initially postponed due to resource constraints, commercial success has enabled the development team to work on updates for the game. Some players question the necessity of New Game+ without multiple endings or challenging bosses, while others hope for future updates introducing new endgame content.