If the rumors regarding Final Fantasy IX Remake are true, then the developers will have the chance to go in a new direction with the story and ignore the events of FF9. This means character deaths can be avoided, cut FF9 bosses can appear, and underdeveloped aspects of the original story can be fleshed out. One thing FF9 Remake should avoid doing is using a story element that is similar to the Whispers in FF7 Remake, where there is an in-universe explanation for why events are different in the remake.
In FF7 Remake, Cloud and his friends are accosted by ghostly beings, known as Whispers. These intervene whenever the events of the story start to go in a different direction from FF7, such as injuring Jessie and forcing Cloud to take her place in the next bombing mission. At the end of the game, Cloud and his friends defeat the Whispers, which frees them from the events of the original game and will allow the story to play out in a new way going forward.
The rumors regarding FF9 Remake all stem from the GeForce Now leak of 2021, where a datamine found its name listed among other Square Enix games that could be coming to PC in the future, though the legitimacy of the list is still in question. It seems odd that Square Enix would want to remake FF9, as the FF7 Remake series is still being developed, and there has been no word regarding an FF8 Remake. In the case of FF9, there might be a reason why Square Enix would want to develop a remake so soon. It was revealed in 2021 that an FF9 animated series is in development and that it would be aimed at a younger audience. It’s possible that Square Enix wants an FF9 Remake ready for when the TV show launches, in order to cross-promote the two properties. If the FF9 TV show is meant for kids and teens, then there would be an incentive to tone down some of the darker elements of FF9‘s story in any remake, as the game had a lot of deaths for a Final Fantasy game.
FF9 Remake Can Expand The Original Without The Needing Explanation
There’s a good chance that an FF9 Remake will be episodic in the same manner as FF7 Remake. Square Enix already has a remastered version of the game on modern platforms and a remake would need to have high production values, in order to differentiate itself from the remaster. If FF9 Remake does go the episodic route, then there’s a chance for the developers to flesh out the characters and story in new ways. It’s also possible that the story could go in a different direction, possibly as part of the changes meant to appeal to the younger demographic that will (hopefully) be brought in by the TV show.
FF9 Remake doesn’t need an in-universe reason for the story to go off the rails and into new territory. The decision to include the Whispers in FF7 Remake felt as if the developers needed a justification to tamper with the story of FF7. FF9 is a beloved game, but it doesn’t have the iconic status of FF7. Calling the game FF7 Remake and having a different story without acknowledging that the story was different would have alienated many fans who were expecting a straight remake. The decision to use the FF7 Remake name still rubbed people the wrong way, even with the in-universe explanation for the changes. The characters and the story of FF9 don’t have that same level of fame, so a remake that was more of a light-hearted retelling wouldn’t need to be justified. A new direction or tone for FF9 wouldn’t require the literal arbiters of fate to justify the changes.
Two Final Fantasy Remakes Already Break Timelines
The biggest reason why FF9 Remake should ignore a storyline where the cast fight against fate to forge a new destiny is because Square Enix has been leaning on it in recent games. FF7 Remake had the Whispers, which some believe are a metaphor for the FF7 fanbase, acting as the hands of fate, in order to ensure that the events of FF7 happen as planned. It would be boring if FF9 Remake used the exact same plot to justify a new direction for the story. Not all new story content needs to be justified by the cosmos forcing its will upon the party members, and the story of FF9 Remake should be free to go in its own direction, without the need to mention it in-game.
There is also the upcoming Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, which seems to be using a similar story about defying one’s fate, as foretold in a Final Fantasy game. In this case, it’s a retelling of FF1, where the villain (Garland) is now the protagonist and his downfall will be detailed for the first time. FF1 had a storyline involving a time loop, so Stranger of Paradise has a built-in reason to go in a new direction. Producer Jin Fujiwara told the PlayStation Blog that Stranger of Paradise is an alternate retelling of FF1, which exists in a parallel universe to the original game. It seems that Stranger of Paradise is going to be a darker remake of a classic Final Fantasy game, which expands on the world, and has the opportunity for the story to go in a different direction. It’s also hinted that Garland (and the player) will be able to change his destiny this time around, though this won’t be confirmed until the game launches in March.
FF9 Remake doesn’t need an in-universe justification for going in a new direction. FF9 was limited by the hardware of the time and it’s likely that elements of the story would be modernized, even if a straight remake was attempted, so it won’t be the exact same tale as before. If Square Enix wants to do something new with Final Fantasy IX Remake, then the story should be allowed to develop on its own, without the cast becoming aware that things are playing out differently this time around.
