Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles director is a big PC gamer, and says he was ‘very particular’ about making sure they got the new UI just right
October 2, 2025
In a recent review that awarded a commendable 91%, the remaster of the beloved strategy game, The Ivalice Chronicles, has finally made its way to PC, much to the delight of fans. Square Enix has faced numerous challenges in reviving this classic, particularly due to the absence of the original source code. During an insightful interview at the Tokyo Game Show, director Kazutoyo Maehiro elaborated on the complexities involved in adapting a game originally designed for the PlayStation to modern platforms.
Adapting for Modern Play
Maehiro expressed his commitment to ensuring a seamless gaming experience for PC players. “I myself play a lot of games on PC, so I was very particular making sure we got it right,” he noted. The nature of Tactics as a turn-based strategy RPG means players often engage for extended periods, prompting the team to focus on user comfort. Discussions revolved around optimizing shortcuts and enhancing mouse usability, leading to multiple iterations to refine the interface.
Producer Shoichi Matsuzawa corroborated Maehiro’s meticulous approach, recalling instances where even minor details, such as scrolling speed, were scrutinized. “He’d tell me ‘the scroll’s just a little bit off here,’ and I was telling him ‘we don’t have time for this! The schedule does not allow for more adjustments,'” Matsuzawa shared, highlighting the balance between perfectionism and project timelines.
Compatibility and Accessibility
The team also prioritized compatibility with the Steam Deck, although the game currently holds a “Playable” rating rather than “Verified” due to some text size issues. This decision reflects a deliberate choice to maintain essential information on-screen rather than compromising the game’s integrity for the sake of compatibility.
Furthermore, the interview touched on the efforts to update the script for Final Fantasy Tactics to incorporate new voice acting while preserving its sharp political commentary. This process involved a meticulous examination of previous game code to assemble what is being touted as the definitive version of this iconic title.
Final Fantasy Tactics – The Ivalice Chronicles director is a big PC gamer, and says he was ‘very particular’ about making sure they got the new UI just right
In a recent review that awarded a commendable 91%, the remaster of the beloved strategy game, The Ivalice Chronicles, has finally made its way to PC, much to the delight of fans. Square Enix has faced numerous challenges in reviving this classic, particularly due to the absence of the original source code. During an insightful interview at the Tokyo Game Show, director Kazutoyo Maehiro elaborated on the complexities involved in adapting a game originally designed for the PlayStation to modern platforms.
Adapting for Modern Play
Maehiro expressed his commitment to ensuring a seamless gaming experience for PC players. “I myself play a lot of games on PC, so I was very particular making sure we got it right,” he noted. The nature of Tactics as a turn-based strategy RPG means players often engage for extended periods, prompting the team to focus on user comfort. Discussions revolved around optimizing shortcuts and enhancing mouse usability, leading to multiple iterations to refine the interface.
Producer Shoichi Matsuzawa corroborated Maehiro’s meticulous approach, recalling instances where even minor details, such as scrolling speed, were scrutinized. “He’d tell me ‘the scroll’s just a little bit off here,’ and I was telling him ‘we don’t have time for this! The schedule does not allow for more adjustments,'” Matsuzawa shared, highlighting the balance between perfectionism and project timelines.
Compatibility and Accessibility
The team also prioritized compatibility with the Steam Deck, although the game currently holds a “Playable” rating rather than “Verified” due to some text size issues. This decision reflects a deliberate choice to maintain essential information on-screen rather than compromising the game’s integrity for the sake of compatibility.
Furthermore, the interview touched on the efforts to update the script for Final Fantasy Tactics to incorporate new voice acting while preserving its sharp political commentary. This process involved a meticulous examination of previous game code to assemble what is being touted as the definitive version of this iconic title.