Final Verdict? Is this the best version for replay value?

[Hogooto]

So the game's been out for a month now, we've had time to think about it.

Is Pixel the best version for replay value now? Where do you all stand on this topic?

I say this is the smoothest experience of FFV I've had yet. Lvl grinding is no longer needed plus the better 'Run' design helps with choosing not to take fights, Music is beautiful, Sprites... they're clean... but they could've been better. Though, it may not have what the GBA has, cuz Sealed Temple isn't here. For just playing through New game to Final Boss on our free time, I think it's the best one we could choose.

Though what do you all think?

[Craig]

The games colors are way too bright imo. Looks better with a reshade or that one mod that restores the SNES palette. Otherwise it's the best version.

[Koby]

I prefer the Old PC version over the Pixel Remaster for FF5.

[damalyx]

i wish they fix the choppy exploration scrolling effect. the rest are good enough if you can overlook the omitted gba contents

[Hogooto]

Originally posted by Koby:

I prefer the Old PC version over the Pixel Remaster for FF5.

Aw, I can't agree with that. I can't stand the stylized sprites. They just don't look right to me. But it's not to say its a bad opinion. People like different styles, and some do not.

Originally posted by damalyx:

i wish they fix the choppy exploration scrolling effect. the rest are good enough if you can overlook the omitted gba contents

If you're referring to the on-grid walking cycle, then yeah I notice it too. I don't have a problem with it, but that's just because I'm using lower settings and it's not that apparent to me. But if I were to run it to maximum quality, I think I'll say it'll look jank.

[Hogooto]

Originally posted by Koby:

I prefer the Old PC version over the Pixel Remaster for FF5.

They do have the brightness slider, it's not much, but it works. Though mods can solve many problems. I'd like to try that SNES pallet mod when I participate in next year's Four Job Fiesta.

[Scarlet Crusade]

Originally posted by damalyx:

i wish they fix the choppy exploration scrolling effect. the rest are good enough if you can overlook the omitted gba contents

Go into your graphics card settings and force on VSync. Problem solved.

[Scarlet Crusade]

In general, I would say all of the Pixel Remaster games are definitive editions, more or less. The extra content added in the GBA/PSP versions were really not needed, mostly added for padding hours and legacy fanservice. The games stand fine on their own without them. These new versions “get it” when it comes to legacy appeal.

The new soundtracks are wonderful, keeping the feeling of the originals while also being quite fresh and inspired. Having one unified graphics model for all six classic games is also preferable to jumping all over the place as was the case before, particularly with FF3 3D (and FF4 3D but that was optional at least) and FF4 PSP being the most wildly different looking.

My biggest complaint is how buggy the recent releases have been, but they’re also fixing them, which is better support than was afforded the older releases, so that’s also nice. I’m looking forward to FFVI, but I’m also anxious about the bugs that we’ll see at launch.

[Koby]

Originally posted by Hogooto:

Originally posted by Koby:

I prefer the Old PC version over the Pixel Remaster for FF5.

Aw, I can't agree with that. I can't stand the stylized sprites. They just don't look right to me. But it's not to say its a bad opinion. People like different styles, and some do not.

That's why mods exist. I like these sprites: https://www.nexusmods.com/finalfantasy5/mods/7

[Hogooto]

Originally posted by Scarlet Crusade:

In general, I would say all of the Pixel Remaster games are definitive editions, more or less. The extra content added in the GBA/PSP versions were really not needed, mostly added for padding hours and legacy fanservice. The games stand fine on their own without them. These new versions “get it” when it comes to legacy appeal.

The new soundtracks are wonderful, keeping the feeling of the originals while also being quite fresh and inspired. Having one unified graphics model for all six classic games is also preferable to jumping all over the place as was the case before, particularly with FF3 3D (and FF4 3D but that was optional at least) and FF4 PSP being the most wildly different looking.

My biggest complaint is how buggy the recent releases have been, but they’re also fixing them, which is better support than was afforded the older releases, so that’s also nice. I’m looking forward to FFVI, but I’m also anxious about the bugs that we’ll see at launch.

Though that's not to say FF4DS is a bad remake! That game rocks, go play it! Preferably on the DS, I really don't like how they did it on the Mobile version as well as here on Steam. Though that's a nitpick of mine, if you want it FF4DS on Steam, please get it.

[Zunnoab #931]

I'm glad things aren't banished to hand held devices anymore as often as they used to be, regarding FFIV's remake.

[Lutrian]

There are things I love about the FF V pixel remaster, and things I don't like about it. It's got good quality of life features,, and awesome spell and water effects, but it lacks the extended post game of the old version. It would be great if it could offer the portrait text boxes, and higher res pixel art (similar to the PSP and old version). It would be great id these options could be changed in the configuration menu, possibly even including the old BGM. If all of this was toggle-able, and if it included the post game, this would be the true definitive version. But instead, we have two versions, one delisted (which they should re-list), and the PR, but if the features could be combined and individually enabled or disabled, this would be the ultimate version of FFV.

[paladinsama]

I´m currently playing multiple versions of the game. It is also the first time I´m playing it. (I had previously only played 1 to 4 before). I find that all versions ok, however there are small little details missing in the pixel remastered (that are in all previous versions of the game), that makes difficult for me to tell this is the best version.

For example, when the party reaches Castle Karnak for the first time, and try to get inside; the guards tells they are not allowed to get in, and pushes them back. It actually pushes your character one square back. It happens in the famicom, it happens in GBA, it happens in the old Steam version but it doesn't happen in the pixel remaster... (why?). Then when inside the fire powered ship you have to fight Motor Traps after defeating a uhm... Defeater, you can see them being lowered from the ceiling hanging from their chains, it happens like that in all versions, but in the pixel remaster they just blink into existence.

These little details that have been part of the game for more than 25 years, being removed from the pixel remaster make no sense.

[Town Greeter NPC]

Originally posted by Craig:

The games colors are way too bright imo. Looks better with a reshade or that one mod that restores the SNES palette. Otherwise it's the best version. :cupup::frogzone:

I legit don't know what the original SNES colors are supposed to look like. I know a lot of people played the original SNES version via PC means, which was also a distortion of what it was "supposed" to look like since all of those graphics were meant for CRT and all the weird things that does to a video signal. And for sure, most modern retro fans don't seem to actually remember what a CRT looked like, judging by the obsession with exaggerated screen-door scanline effects.

I think I'd need to hook up a console+cart to a TV from the 90s to really know what to compare the game to. Otherwise all we have is personal preference, I guess.

[Craig]

Originally posted by Town Greeter NPC:

Originally posted by Craig:

The games colors are way too bright imo. Looks better with a reshade or that one mod that restores the SNES palette. Otherwise it's the best version.

And for sure, most modern retro fans don't seem to actually remember what a CRT looked like, judging by the obsession with exaggerated screen-door scanline effects.

I think I'd need to hook up a console+cart to a TV from the 90s to really know what to compare the game to. Otherwise all we have is personal preference, I guess.

All CRT filters / reshades look pretty bad. The one in-game one is just completely awful though.

[Zunnoab #931]

Originally posted by Town Greeter NPC:

Originally posted by Craig:

The games colors are way too bright imo. Looks better with a reshade or that one mod that restores the SNES palette. Otherwise it's the best version. :cupup::frogzone:

I legit don't know what the original SNES colors are supposed to look like. I know a lot of people played the original SNES version via PC means, which was also a distortion of what it was "supposed" to look like since all of those graphics were meant for CRT and all the weird things that does to a video signal. And for sure, most modern retro fans don't seem to actually remember what a CRT looked like, judging by the obsession with exaggerated screen-door scanline effects.

I think I'd need to hook up a console+cart to a TV from the 90s to really know what to compare the game to. Otherwise all we have is personal preference, I guess.

One thing to keep in mind about the filters (which I never use personally) is a 27" 4:3 CRT TV in 1997 cost as much as a fairly decent 65" does today. I paid about $500 for my 27" Sony Trinitron a couple months before Final Fantasy VII came out. And this is ignoring inflation.

In short, most people are playing on far larger TVs today so even an accurate scan line filter would look exaggerated.