SquareEnix simply never learns to adapt.

I’m not talking about new titles; I’m talking about remaking their old ones. At last count, following its initial release on the original NES, SquareEnix has issued remakes of the original Final Fantasy for WonderSwan, PSone, GBA and now, PSP as well. Over the course of at least five versions of the game, while the graphics have been upgraded mildly, the element that’s never really been mussed with is the core of the game’s thin story and lackluster game play, compared to more modern Final Fantasy titles.

Sure, you might say, the throwback game is slightly improved but the general story is so bald of plot and motivation and character depth, if it were a 40-something guy, you’d simply tell him he needs a hair transplant.

What America Idle DEN would like to see is for SquareEnix to invest enough time and talent into the game to really, deeply remake it from scratch. Sure, retain some of the most important core elements and tones of the original, but most importantly, find a way to make these four generic warriors (who in the original didn’t even have character names, though they do on PSP) as deep and intriguing and complex as Yuna or Cloud Strife or Vaan or … whoever. Bring the game world up to at least a PS2 “Final Fantasy XII” level of presentation, if not a PS3 / Final Fantasy XIII level.

In other words, divorce the game from its yesteryear technology without losing the elements that made the game a breakout hit in the first place. Think of the way the original Tomb Raider compares to Tomb Raider Anniversary; it would have to be at least that dramatic to make sense.

Of course, the likelihood of this happening is as slim as new 6’8″ Minnesota Timberwolves SG/SF, Corey Brewer. In other words, the company is still – and probably wisely – more interested in developing all-new Final Fantasy titles, rather than remaking old ones.

But then they should perhaps forget about the half-hearted measures and just stop putting out these cosmetically-enhanced, half-effort retreads and forge ahead with something new already. Like Parasite Eve 3!