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With the current launch of Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles, I’ve put collectively a function masking all variations of Remaining Fantasy Techniques from the sport’s debut on the unique PlayStation to its most-recent launch on trendy methods. This contains the PSP model, cell ports, PS1 basic, and rather more. Whereas I’ve carried out many comparisons over the previous few months masking a single recreation throughout totally different consoles and PC platforms, in the present day’s Remaining Fantasy Techniques function is extra according to the Remaining Fantasy IX twenty fifth anniversary function and Chrono Set off ones spanning console generations.

My hope with this function is that I aid you discover the proper model of Remaining Fantasy Techniques on your wants, but in addition to elucidate the variations between platforms and variations over time. With Sq. Enix releases, there are all the time going to be variations with every new model, and it has been fascinating to find what model and what platform delivers the most effective expertise for RPGs like this. 

Remaining Fantasy Techniques launch timeline

Earlier than attending to the variations and different variations, Remaining Fantasy Techniques has had fairly the historical past with ports and re-releases throughout totally different transportable platforms main into its latest launch from this 12 months throughout all trendy consoles and PC platforms. 

June 1997: Remaining Fantasy Techniques releases on PlayStation in Japan.
January 1998: Remaining Fantasy Techniques releases on PlayStation in North America. This model was by no means launched in PAL areas.
Might 2007: Remaining Fantasy Techniques: The Battle of the Lions, a remake of the unique that includes new content material and a brand new localization, releases in Japan on the PlayStation Transportable.
October 2007: Remaining Fantasy Techniques: The Battle of the Lions releases within the West.
Might 2009: Remaining Fantasy Techniques (PS1) was launched on the PlayStation Retailer as a PS One Traditional in Japan.
September 2009: Remaining Fantasy Techniques (PS1) was launched on the PlayStation Retailer as a PS One Traditional in North America.
March 2011: Remaining Fantasy Techniques: The Battle of the Lions was launched as a downloadable title for PSP on the PlayStation Community in Japan.
July 2011: Remaining Fantasy Techniques: The Battle of the Lions was launched as a downloadable title for PSP on the PlayStation Community in North America and Europe.
August 2011: Remaining Fantasy Techniques: The Battle of the Lions will get an iOS model offered as an iPhone and iPad model individually. This model options touchscreen controls and higher-resolution visuals with not one of the technical points that plagued the PSP model.
February 2013: Remaining Fantasy Techniques: The Battle of the Lions releases on Android in Japan.
June 2015: Remaining Fantasy Techniques: The Battle of the Lions is launched outdoors Japan on Android.
September 2025: Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles releases worldwide for PS5, PS4, Swap 2, Swap, Xbox, and PC platforms.

Remaining Fantasy Techniques function variations throughout platforms

With Remaining Fantasy Techniques, there are three primary variations of the sport: the unique PS1 launch, The Battle of the Lions on PSP, and The Ivalice Chronicles (the trendy launch). Remaining Fantasy Techniques on PS1 was the unique launch, and whereas many skilled it like this, it suffered from a missing translation in comparison with future releases. Remaining Fantasy Techniques: The Battle of the Lions for PSP featured a incredible new localization alongside enhanced visuals and new content material by way of characters and lessons, added cut-scenes, and different changes. This model sadly suffered from slowdown and different technical points like decrease high quality music. 

The cell model of The Battle of the Lions makes use of the PSP launch as a base, but it surely has solely touchscreen choices for controlling the sport. Often, this might be a detrimental, however The Battle of the Lions’ cell model has incredible touchcreen controls. The cell launch additionally has not one of the technical points the PSP model has when performed on PSP or PS Vita. 

Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles goals to be the definitive model of Remaining Fantasy Techniques, but it surely lacks The Battle of the Lions content material. The Ivalice Chronicles brings in a plethora of recent options throughout high quality of life enhancements, problem choices, new voice performing, a brand new UI, new conversations in-battle, a tactical view, extra lore, the power to skip random battles, the power to skip cut-scenes, a a lot snappier UI general, and rather more. It additionally contains the Sound Novels accessible in all language variations for the primary time.

Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles additionally features a “Traditional” choice to expertise a devoted illustration of the unique Remaining Fantasy Techniques with its authentic aesthetic and basic UI, however that includes the interpretation from The Battle of the Lions and with autosave. This model additionally has the power to skip cut-scenes (not all). Whereas I recognize the inclusion of “Traditional” mode as an possibility on this package deal, the shortage of a quick ahead mode for fight makes it really feel like a missed alternative. I perceive not together with the brand new problem choices and different content material, however in case you are together with autosave, why not embrace quick forwarding? It will have made this really value revisiting for future playthroughs. 

With the model and have variations out of the best way, additionally it is value contemplating what variations of the sport are literally that can be purchased now. Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles is offered on PS5, PS4, Swap, Swap 2, PC, and Xbox Sequence X|S. That is the one model of the sport accessible on trendy consoles and PC. Remaining Fantasy Techniques: The Battle of the Lions is just accessible on cell (iPhone, iPad, and Android) or in case you are nonetheless in a position to purchase it on the PS Vita. Remaining Fantasy Techniques’ authentic launch is just accessible in particular areas the identical approach on PS Vita or PS3 by way of the previous storefront.

Observe: For the comparability pictures above, a 4K seize card was used for PS5, PS4, Swap 2 docked, and Swap 1 docked. The hand held Swap and Swap 2 pictures are by way of the system seize. The Steam Deck and ROG Ally pictures are by way of Steam’s uncompressed screenshot seize and the iPad model is by way of the system screenshot performance. The photographs have been resized to showcase variations.

Remaining Fantasy Techniques visuals and efficiency variations throughout PS1, PSP, PS5, Xbox, Swap 2, PC, cell, and extra

With so many platforms and totally different variations, there’s a lot to cowl right here. The PS1 authentic nonetheless has a timeless look, however the PSP model’s aesthetic with new cut-scenes and different additions felt rather a lot higher when it was launched. The PSP model, Remaining Fantasy Techniques: The Battle of the Lions, is unfortunately fairly sluggish in comparison with the unique with slowdowns for sure animations. This was fortunately addressed within the iOS launch. The iOS launch is notable as a result of it options excessive decision sprites and correct excessive decision show help with extra digital camera management and zoom choices. Remaining Fantasy Techniques: The Battle of the Lions seems to be glorious on my iPad Professional display for instance, and whereas it correctly scales on iPhone, the facet ratio means you’ll have a number of wasted area on the display when enjoying on iPhone or Android widescreen gadgets. The cell model is certainly finest performed on iPad.

This brings us to Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles. Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles is capped at 60fps on all platforms, however the output decision varies relying on the console. The Swap and Swap 2 variations seem to look comparable docked and handheld with the Swap 2 variations rendering at the next decision than Swap in each modes. It’s value noting that the Swap and Swap 2 variations don’t look nearly as good as they need to when performed on a 1440p or 4K display with the Swap 1 model wanting subnative even on a 1080p show. The PS5 and Xbox Sequence X variations of Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles look crisp and don’t have any points on 4K and 1440p shows. Even the PS4 model performed on my PS5 seems to be crisp just like the PS5 model. 

Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles on PC can scale up and down relying on the gadget and show. The Steam Deck even docked delivers a greater expertise than Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles Nintendo Swap 2 Version for instance. For handheld play, Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles on Swap and the Swap 2 Version each undergo from some hitching or efficiency points on the earth map whereas shifting the cursor. There are not any main points throughout precise gameplay and story moments fortunately.

Remaining Fantasy Techniques load occasions throughout Swap 2, PS5, PC, Xbox, PSP, PS1, PS4, and Swap

For testing Remaining Fantasy Techniques’ load occasions throughout platforms, I measured the preliminary load from the dashboard to the title display, loading a save, loading a narrative scene, and loading a battle, and likewise the time taken to alter the sport model. Since basic mode is a unique recreation basically, I saved the PS1 comparability for that and did a separate check for the basic mode on the identical platforms. Since basic mode would not actually have a lot loading time when you get in, I solely measured the time taken to get into the basic mode title display and loading a save there.

 I used the digital model of Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles put in to the inner storage on Swap 2, SD card on Swap OLED, inner storage on Xbox Sequence X, inner console storage on PS5, an exterior drive on PS5 with the PS4 model put in to that, the Steam model on Steam Deck OLED’s inner SSD, the Steam model on the ROG Ally inner SSD, the PS1 model put in on PS Vita, the PSP model of Remaining Fantasy Techniques: The Battle of the Lions put in on PS Vita, Remaining Fantasy Techniques: The Battle of the Lions on iPhone 15 Professional, and Remaining Fantasy Techniques: The Battle of the Lions on iPad Professional (2020).

Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles and The Battle of the Lions load occasions examined

Observe: All of the load occasions above are in seconds. Sprint to title is loading from the dashboard to the sport’s title display. Model represents loading a particular recreation model from the title display. Save represents loading into a particular save file. Story represents loading a narrative scene. Battle represents loading a battle till you’ve gotten management of the cursor. *Xbox load time is dependent upon save sync standing given how variable it’s on the platform. 

Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles Traditional Mode and PS1 load occasions examined

Observe: All of the load occasions above are in seconds.For dashboard to title, I’ve included the time to load the title display after which load the Traditional mode title display for The Ivalice Chronicles testing. *Xbox load time is dependent upon save sync standing given how variable it’s on the platform. 

Which model of Remaining Fantasy Techniques is the most effective?

I am approaching which model of Remaining Fantasy Techniques I contemplate the most effective for each newcomers and for individuals who need to know the most effective model of every of the three primary editions of Remaining Fantasy Techniques. For newcomers, Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles is completely the most effective model with its Enhanced mode that includes voice performing, problem choices, trendy UI, the tactical view (overhead), pace up choices, and extra. That is additionally the model accessible on present consoles and PC simply making it the most-accessible model of Remaining Fantasy Techniques. Whereas the shortage of some content material from The Battle of the Lions is unlucky, all the things else added right here greater than makes up for it so far as I am involved.

If you wish to simply know the most effective model of the three primary editions of Remaining Fantasy Techniques, the reply is easy. The PS1 launch itself is the one method to play that model and those that skilled it initially by way of the PS1 model would’ve positively favored an choice to play basic mode in The Ivalice Chronicles with the unique translation. Possibly it may be added in a patch later, however proper now, basic mode solely options The Battle of the Lions localization.

 For Remaining Fantasy Techniques: The Battle of the Lions, the cell model on a contemporary iOS or Android gadget is a massively improved expertise in comparison with the PSP model. As for Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles, I might say the PC model (DRM points apart) alongside the PS5 model ship the most effective expertise for enjoying on TV or a monitor. For transportable play, the Steam Deck and Nintendo Swap 2 ship the most effective expertise contemplating they provide significantly better battery life than the ROG Ally. The PS4 and Swap 1 variations, whereas not unhealthy, are the worst variations of Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles for load occasions (PS4) or visuals (Swap 1 on TV, however handheld is okay). 

Which model of Remaining Fantasy Techniques must you purchase in the present day?

It has been fascinating to revisit Remaining Fantasy Techniques throughout all its re-releases and platforms in the previous few weeks for this function. I am glad that Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicle on present platforms is nice throughout the board for its enhanced model, however in case you’re inquisitive about what I take into consideration the remainder, can discover my ideas on every platform beneath:

• Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles on Swap and Swap 2: Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles on Swap features a free improve to the Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles Nintendo Swap 2 Version. With this model, you may play handheld or docked and save information syncs between the Swap and Swap 2 variations. Each Swap variations undergo from minor efficiency points on the earth map although. If you wish to personal the sport bodily, it’s accessible as a correct bodily recreation card on Swap, however not Swap 2. You possibly can improve free of charge to the Nintendo Swap 2 Version although. I like to recommend this on Swap 2 in case you solely play handheld and may tolerate minor efficiency points.
• Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles on Steam: The Steam launch of Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles performs completely on PC and Steam Deck out of the field. It additionally helps Steam Achievements. One factor to bear in mind is that the DRM implementation treats each the Enhanced (Ivalice Chronicles) and Traditional variations as two totally different video games by way of the sport’s launcher. You may run into points launching both of them offline for the primary time. Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles can be capped at 60fps on PC and generally has points loading into Traditional mode with totally different refresh charges. I bumped into these points within the final week when retesting the sport. Apart from that, the Steam model is nice. 
• Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles on Xbox: Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles on Xbox Sequence X|S has Fast Resume help which is nice for a recreation like this, but it surely surprisingly is just not a Play Wherever title like Sq. Enix’s different current Xbox platform releases. It additionally has achievement help. I hope Play Wherever help is added sooner or later.
• Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles on PS5 and PS4: If you wish to play in your TV, care about trophy help, and do not care about transportable play (except you stream to a PlayStation Portal or cellphone which isn’t a local expertise), that is the model to get. It has the quickest load occasions in-game throughout all platforms as one other level of comparability. The PS5 model is the one different correct bodily launch for Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles. There isn’t a PS4 bodily launch within the West, however it’s accessible in Japan.
• Remaining Fantasy Techniques on PS1: The unique launch playable on PS1 and likewise digitally on PS Vita and PS3 in North America and Japan. If you would like absolutely the authentic expertise, that is the one to get, however it’s value wanting into what QOL mods can be found for it.
• Remaining Fantasy Techniques: The Battle of the Lions on PSP: This model is just accessible on PS Vita as a PSP basic, and the one cause to purchase that is in case you are not keen to play The Battle of the Lions on cell. The one factor this presents over cell is controller help, however it’s missing in each different approach in comparison with the cell launch. I do not advocate this by itself given how sluggish it feels. 
• Remaining Fantasy Techniques: The Battle of the Lions on cell: The cell variations have not one of the efficiency points on PSP they usually additionally function higher-resolution show help with the sprites wanting incredible along with extra digital camera and zoom choices throughout battles. A number of issues to bear in mind with this launch are that there isn’t any controller help and the iOS model is a separate buy for iPhone and iPad in comparison with most of Sq. Enix’s different releases on iOS which are a common single buy. The touchscreen controls are incredible although, and this stays the most effective model of Battle of the Lions.

What I need in Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles updates

After masking all of the variations, platforms, and variations for Remaining Fantasy Techniques, I nonetheless need to see a couple of issues added to Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles in order that it may be even simpler to advocate. Nothing has been introduced for potential updates, however Sq. Enix is not new to randomly updating older video games with new options or fixes a 12 months later as we now have seen with Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven’s 1.1.0 replace and even Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Version’s huge patch that mounted most points.

With Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles, I hope to see the fast-forward function improved with extra pace up choices, the power to have it toggled on somewhat than holding the button, and likewise for it to be added to the Traditional mode. Past that, I might like to see help for larger refresh charges on PC and better decision on Swap 2 when performed docked. I might additionally wish to see Play Wherever help added to the Xbox model for individuals who play on Xbox Sequence consoles and PC gadgets and handhelds. Except for these issues, I am very proud of Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles for its Enhanced mode. It’s positively my favourite method to expertise Remaining Fantasy Techniques in the present day.

Remaining Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles is now accessible on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Swap 2, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Swap, Xbox Sequence X|S, and PC (Steam). You possibly can learn Scott’s evaluate of it right here, my handheld comparability right here, and all our guides for the sport right here.