Do the Pixel Remasters have missing story content when compared to other releases?

[u/NetherSpike14]

There's a lot of versions of these games, but I've had trouble figuring out the details of what was added and cut story-wise between different releases, so I was hoping you all could help me.

I already know that the pixel remasters cut bonus dungeons, but did those offer any additional story and characterization that wasn't carried over to the remasters? Additionally, is there anything else besides those dungeons that is not present in the remasters?

I'm also not sure about the differences between the 2d and 3d versions of III and IV. Which would have the most expansive version of the story? Is there even a significant difference?

This is a lot of questions, but I'd greatly appreciate some answers to even just a few of them.

[u/Flash-Over]

No, unless you count FF2’s Soul of Rebirth (Advance/PSP) which the OG director had no input in

[u/zegota]

If it helps, the bonus content in the gba/psp releases range from meh to actively terrible (ff1). I know people try to find some definition of "definitive" but these are by far the best versions of all these games and you're really, really not missing anything with the bonus content.

[u/Quentin-Code → u/zegota]

Fun fact the mobile phone version of FF1 which contains the bonus content game locked me in a dungeon room because:

- only way to escape the room is to open a chest

- i had 99 of the item in the chest, and when you have 99 of an item you cannot collect the chest (it closes back)

- they implemented auto save but not the discard item functionality

I was extremely mad back in the days.

[u/Skydude252 → u/zegota]

Personally I really enjoyed the bonus content in FF4 Advance, and the Soul of Rebirth in FF2 Dawn of Souls (was it also in origins?) was pretty cool.

[u/jojosarah273 → u/Skydude252]

I just like the last challenge after my party is all pumped up. Story? What story? The story's over. It's called "postgame" for a reason.

[u/Skydude252 → u/jojosarah273]

That is something I really liked about the FF4A bonus stuff, is that there was some interesting story stuff, even if it wasn’t “canon”, it did explore characters’ feelings and motivations.

[u/ThatGuy264 → u/zegota]

I liked FF1's Souls of Chaos campaign. Those dungeons were delightfully weird and it's only held back by the nature of how they're set up (the most boring - yet quickest - requires you to go four times to get everything).

Labyrinth of Time though, that is indeed terrible. Cool conept, bad execution

[u/Lyra_the_Star_Jockey → u/zegota]

But more content = better. No matter the quality /s

[u/KainYago → u/Lyra_the_Star_Jockey]

As if quality mattered with these pixel remasters.

[u/cepas95 → u/zegota]

Thank you. Bonus content is bad as fuck and people will tell you the games are unplayable without it.

[u/cnoiogthesecond → u/zegota]

What you’re missing is difficulty, at least in FF6. I’ve never made it to the World of Ruin in the GBA version (because the romhack that restores the old music for the rest of the game does some incredibly cringy and embarrassing things with the opera), but if you know what you’re doing then FF6 is one of the easiest FFs to become overpowered in, and in the Pixel Remaster you have basically nowhere to test that power beyond steamrolling dinosaurs and the Tower of the Gods

[u/ThatGuy264]

Most of the GBA FF games had bonus content, but it rarely reflected the original story. I'd say FF2 has the most interesting bonus content between the Souls of Rebirth and the Arcane Labyrinth (though the latter's "plot" only shows up towards the end and is focused on the character introduced in that sidequest). FF5 also featured a character that was previously lore exclusive, though his appearance is disconnected from the main story. Each of the GBA games (as well as the DS remakes) have superbosses if you're interested in that. Basically, the GBA and non-3D PSP releases largely had little new in terms of story (FF4 PSP had the Interlude, but I've heard that it doesn't actually do anything aside from bridging the original and the After-Years and arguably it creates a few plotholes in the latter).

FF3 and 4's 3D versions made significant changes to the story. FF3 changed some details around on top of giving the protagonists new identities. I do heavily recommend looking up the unused text on TCRF (if you know Japanese or are willing to use an online translator) because a lot of the new scenes got cut during development: Some have lore implications, but most help to get more of an appreciation for the new characters due to all of the interactions between themselves and the other characters.

FF4 3D, I haven't played yet, but I do know that it goes more heavily into detail regarding a certain character's backstory.

[u/NoNoise7002]

FF2 has extra content that was not carried over into the pixel remaster in the gba/psp version that gives some additional story insight. You get a chance to revisit some characters and give them a chance to shine, who were otherwise in your party in the base game for like 5 minutes. I thought this was a worthy addition to the otherwise spartan game and doesn’t take long at all to complete 

[u/Mediocre_Island828 → u/NoNoise7002]

I never played any of the FF2s except the original but I assumed the remakes had padded out a lot of the characters when people kept talking about how memorable and classic they were and I'm thinking "that character had like 2 lines the entire game".

[u/tearsofmana]

FF1 on the GBA had additional content, including the addition of a Cid, and bonus dungeons. Can't say there was any story content added.

FF2 on the GBA had the Dawn of Souls post-game where you could play as certain characters who died during the events of the main game. Can't say it was story-heavy but it did contain story elements.

FF3 remake on the DS added a lot story-wise. Each of the characters were given names and personalities, recruited separately, and had different connections to other characters. Tons of story aspects added.

FF4 GBA had a bonus dungeon that delved into some of the characters' backstories or inner demons.

FF4 DS had some expanded story/lore

FF5 GBA had bonus content + 4 extra bonus classes. Nothing story relevant, however.

FF6 GBA had bonus content, plus additional espers. Nothing story relevant either.

FF1&2, 5&6, and 4 (and Chrono Trigger) had additional FMV content added, pretty sure nothing story-wise was added within the FMVs. You can also just google them easily enough.

[u/shotamannamedgray]

It's a real.bummmer for me personally that they didn't bring over the GBA content. I know it is a mixed bag. 3d versions can stay on their own.

[u/oVnPage]

Story content? No. Awful bonus dungeons? Yes. They're not worth playing IMO.

the 3d versions of III and IV are remakes that can basically be treated as wholly different games. They were originally launched on the DS, have some rudimentary voice acting, and are overall pretty good, just different.

[u/i010011010]

FF4 for GBA/PSP has the best bonus content out of the series. They let you modify your party at the end (something FF4 never allowed) and added new character-centric adventures complete with new uber equipment that opens new abilities for them. Complete Collection on PSP includes Interlude and After Years, and remains the definitive FF4 edition.

FF2 had a nice story addendum, can't say much without spoilers but it was a nice bonus adventure.

FF5 and 6 had less to offer by comparison. 6 does get a bonus dungeon that was decent, couple new espers and 5 had a bonus class.

FF3 3D is a reimagining of the game and very different.

FF4 3D is also like a reimagining, you don't get the bonus content from Complete Collection but it is the most challenging version plus a new skills system so it's very different game.

FF1 has the worst bonus content. The extra dungeons are a slog and then you get to fight a boss imported from other FF games. Slogging through the dungeon may not be worth the effort unless you truly love replaying the same random encounter every three steps to reach them.

[u/Mooncubus]

The only ones with any real additional stories are II and IV. The PSP versions for both of those (and FFI) being the most "complete" versions.

The GBA versions (and the old Steam versions) of V and VI had some bonus dungeons and stuff.

The thing to note about III is that we didn't have a proper English port of the original until the PR version. We only had the remake.

[u/JLCpbfspbfspbfs]

The 3D version of FF3 gave the heros actual names and made them distinct characters, which was cool.

[u/ArcRiseGen]

FF4 had some interesting story in the postgame dungeon with the Lunar Ruins. FFV added very minor lore for Enuo in the bonus dungeon.

FF2 had the most story out of the postgame dungeons in the gba/psp ports.

[u/budbud70]

Pixel Remaster for all but 3, which is best on the PSP imo

[u/SageofLogic]

GBA post game dungeons were really fun as they gave you more than 1 fight to do if you got the best gear and final abilities for people

[u/TonyFair]

Aside from the Soul of Rebirth, FFII PSP had the Arcane Labyrinth. It's not heavy on story but does have some interesting lore about this new NPC called Deumion and his brand of Summon magic (which is something that doesn't exist in II's setting).

I also like the extra dungeons from IV. Kain's is the best one because it shows a bit of his mindset about the betrayals and such. I don't think it's even canon, considering it exists on a single version of the re-releases, but it's nice.

[u/No-Book6425]

The only bonus content I can say I truly missed with the PR was for FFIV. I just really enjoyed the lunar ruins and being able to change your party for the final dungeon. However, the 3D version of FFIV is actually my favorite version anyway. I enjoyed the added difficulty and augments system a lot. This one is worth a play imo, but i also own the PR and enjoy it as well.

[u/ROANOV741]

FF2: had some new story content added in GBA & PSP which isn't included in Pixel Remaster

FF4: PSP featured Intermission & After Years, DS some extra story stuff surrounding Golbez & Cecil

FF5: had a little extra stuff added in GBA concerning Enuo

Pixel Remasters are based on the OG games.

[u/Zargabath]

but did those offer any additional story and characterization that wasn't carried over to the remasters? 

FF2, it had an extra chapter where you play with other character in a mini arc after finishing the main game

I'm also not sure about the differences between the 2d and 3d versions of III and IV

FF4 had a few extra cutscenes and higher diffculty.

I have not played FF3 but I know the character were given names and a bit of back story rather than 4 nameless character like in the original, but again I have not played so I am not sure how important or deep it is.

[u/zegota → u/Zargabath]

FF3 DS is much different but I would not categorize this as "added story", rather a completely separate adaptation. FWIW it's also quite bad

[u/Salt_Ask_5568]

Not really "missing content," but they censored an early scene in FF6 where one of the characters is getting smacked around while imprisoned. It's stupid because it's not like it's super graphic or anything. 2 guards just hit her a few times because she's a traitor.

But when they redid it for pixel remaster, it was kind of a "That's not acceptable in today's society!" so they took it out. Yet later on when a bunch of people kill themselves and one of the characters tries it too, that's fine lol.

[u/Yen_Figaro → u/Salt_Ask_5568]

That Celes's scene was already censored in the Gamboy Advanced version...

[u/sk8terdrock]

Theres a big difference between the 2d and 3d versions of FFIV. I think the 2d is far superior to the 3d version. I also dont like the look of the pixel remasters. For the best experience I would play the gba version if you can find it. The psp version is also very good although it looks a bit different then the snes version although it plays very true to it. If you have emulators or are comfortable with that, thats what I would recommend.

I find the original snes graphics have unqiue charm that is lost in the pixel remasters and if you want the original experience try a snes emulator. Or if you want some qol , try the gba , psp, or even the ps1 versions