While it received a polarizing reaction from fans,Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Originis an experimental release which made a significant departure from the traditional formula of the series, but also explored a new take on an existing narrative. Its adoption of a Soulslike, or in the case, developerTeam Ninja’sNioh-like approachmay separate it from the rest ofFF, but this title has also unlocked new potential for the future continuation of the franchise’s current trend of remakes.
The originalFinal Fantasyreleased in 1987 is now practically unrecognizable compared to what the series has evolved into today, butStranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Originfocused on bridging that gap in its story. Characters and worldbuilding in the series have become far more developed since the days ofFF1, but depictions of the original’s cast in other media have kept up with compelling imagery which could inspire the vision of a project in the vein of the successfulFinal Fantasy 7 Remake.
Stranger of Paradise’s Twist Ending Ties Directly into the Original Final Fantasy
Jack Garland’s Journey Made for a Surprise Prequel
The marketing around the game leading up to its release framedStranger of Paradiseto be a reimagining of the firstFinal Fantasy, but it ended up serving to bring more context and depth to that title instead. Through the revelation of a conspiracy plot, the twist ofFF Originis that the protagonist Jack is destined to become Garland, theantagonist of the originalFinal Fantasy. His companions become the four Fiends of that title as well, with their collective journey solely serving to set up the arrival of the Warriors of Light.
On top of the arc ofJack Garland’s transformation inFinal Fantasy Origin, the title’s DLCs provided direct appearances of an updated version of the Warrior of Light, a representation of the player in the first game. In following up on the updated designs provided by the likes ofDissidia, this iteration delivers a version of the character who seems fit to carry their own game. In fact, the final battle of the last DLC, “Different Future”, hands control of the Warrior of Light over to the player as they bring an end to Garland and the game as a whole.
The Potential for a Final Fantasy 1 Remake to Surpass What Final Fantasy Origin Accomplished
Transcending Previous Remakes in the Current Context of the Series
There are rumors ofupcomingFinal Fantasyremakesin the works as the currentFF7project continues, but the true ending of Strange of Paradise is almost too solid of a transition to ignore. With Garland literally passing the torch toFF1’s protagonist as the finale, it’s not difficult to imagine a new take on the Warriors of Light receiving similar development to Jack’s party in their own title.
The experimental gameplay of the prequel might not make for the best modern representation of the classic mechanics of the original game in a remake, but it can still influence an updated system that is at least on par with the action RPG systems ofFF16andFF7 Remake. Despite the somewhat niche status of the title,Final Fantasy Origincould genuinely inspire a sequel that picks up where it left off and covers the game which started it all. In a 2023 Square Enix broadcast translated byNoisy Pixel, Tetsuya Nomura stated:
“When [Final Fantasy Origin] first came out, there was a lot of negative bashing, especially online. However, I’m pleased to say that everyone watching this livestream has grown very fond of Jack and his friends. So much so that some would love to see a sequel of [the title]… If word of mouth about the game spreads through the DLC’s completion, proving that this is a title that has really resonated with everyone, there may be a time when we can meet again. I personally would love to work with Kumabe-san from Koei Tecmo again.”
Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin
WHERE TO PLAY
With the memory of their struggle buried deep in their hearts… In this hard-core action RPG, Jack must hazard numerous challenges to bring the light of the crystals back to Cornelia, a kingdom conquered by darkness.Fight your way through fierce battles with a variety of means to defeat your enemies. With multiple difficulty options and a wide selection of jobs and weapons available to customize your party, you can choose exactly how you want to play.Will restoring the crystals' light usher in peace or a new form of darkness? …Or perhaps something else entirely?
