CRT Pixels
@crtpixels.bsky.social
Celebrating and comparing retro games on the displays they were designed for! Have fun, be nice, play how you like. by @jackal27.bsky.social | FAQ: http://bit.ly/3wceznw
Help us fight Mitzi’s cancer: https://gofund.me/177ca33f
Help us fight Mitzi’s cancer: https://gofund.me/177ca33f
Oh my god where is my Gustavo
November 4, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Oh my god where is my Gustavo
Yeahhhh 6.5 hour drive. I could do it but I’d really prefer not to lol
November 4, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Yeahhhh 6.5 hour drive. I could do it but I’d really prefer not to lol
Depends on your priorities
October 4, 2025 at 5:20 AM
Depends on your priorities
My full review of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is up in our most recent episode. I should have some more comparisons and thoughts on the game here soon. Thanks!
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✨Pocketoid 238 is HERE!✨
The flood of cool games keeps coming! We've got reviews for the Switch 2 versions of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, Gearbits, Hades 2, and MORE!! Enjoy, friends!
LISTEN: www.pocketoidpodcast.com/2025/10/pock...
SUBSCRIBE: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
The flood of cool games keeps coming! We've got reviews for the Switch 2 versions of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, Gearbits, Hades 2, and MORE!! Enjoy, friends!
LISTEN: www.pocketoidpodcast.com/2025/10/pock...
SUBSCRIBE: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
October 3, 2025 at 10:21 PM
My full review of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is up in our most recent episode. I should have some more comparisons and thoughts on the game here soon. Thanks!
bsky.app/profile/pock...
bsky.app/profile/pock...
Same Deneb, same.
September 24, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Same Deneb, same.
I actually wasn’t aware of this because it’s been a while since I played War of the Lions (and the info is confusing) but I’ll have to wait for the community to compile all that.
It seems like the Enhanced version is translated from a new, modified, Japanese WotL script. Interesting.
It seems like the Enhanced version is translated from a new, modified, Japanese WotL script. Interesting.
September 24, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I actually wasn’t aware of this because it’s been a while since I played War of the Lions (and the info is confusing) but I’ll have to wait for the community to compile all that.
It seems like the Enhanced version is translated from a new, modified, Japanese WotL script. Interesting.
It seems like the Enhanced version is translated from a new, modified, Japanese WotL script. Interesting.
Wow, I wasn’t even aware of this, but yes I think those look MUCH better. Maybe modders can implement them on the PC version.
September 24, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Wow, I wasn’t even aware of this, but yes I think those look MUCH better. Maybe modders can implement them on the PC version.
I think if it’s bothering you that much it’s worth asking yourself how much the voice acting additions and QoL features matter to you. The original version is still a perfect video game in my eyes.
September 24, 2025 at 9:52 PM
I think if it’s bothering you that much it’s worth asking yourself how much the voice acting additions and QoL features matter to you. The original version is still a perfect video game in my eyes.
Thank you to @square-enix-games.com for the review code. All screenshots and video of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles taken from Nintendo Switch 2 console captures and copyright of Square Enix.
CRT photos of the PlayStation original taken by me on a 20” JVC D-Series.
CRT photos of the PlayStation original taken by me on a 20” JVC D-Series.
September 24, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Thank you to @square-enix-games.com for the review code. All screenshots and video of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles taken from Nintendo Switch 2 console captures and copyright of Square Enix.
CRT photos of the PlayStation original taken by me on a 20” JVC D-Series.
CRT photos of the PlayStation original taken by me on a 20” JVC D-Series.
So, there you have it for now.
I have more minor nitpicks, wishes (orchestrated soundtrack DLC PLEASE), and praises, but what matters is that The Ivalice Chronicles is a great way to experience Final Fantasy Tactics, for the first time, or another time.
And you absolutely should.
I have more minor nitpicks, wishes (orchestrated soundtrack DLC PLEASE), and praises, but what matters is that The Ivalice Chronicles is a great way to experience Final Fantasy Tactics, for the first time, or another time.
And you absolutely should.
September 24, 2025 at 6:22 PM
So, there you have it for now.
I have more minor nitpicks, wishes (orchestrated soundtrack DLC PLEASE), and praises, but what matters is that The Ivalice Chronicles is a great way to experience Final Fantasy Tactics, for the first time, or another time.
And you absolutely should.
I have more minor nitpicks, wishes (orchestrated soundtrack DLC PLEASE), and praises, but what matters is that The Ivalice Chronicles is a great way to experience Final Fantasy Tactics, for the first time, or another time.
And you absolutely should.
Minor characters now truly become the iconic figures of a fittingly sweeping tale. Milleuda, a character I’d always glanced over in previous playthroughs, has become one of my favorites.
I would also push Argath off the nearest ledge at any given opportunity.
The 2007 script now feels definitive.
I would also push Argath off the nearest ledge at any given opportunity.
The 2007 script now feels definitive.
September 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Minor characters now truly become the iconic figures of a fittingly sweeping tale. Milleuda, a character I’d always glanced over in previous playthroughs, has become one of my favorites.
I would also push Argath off the nearest ledge at any given opportunity.
The 2007 script now feels definitive.
I would also push Argath off the nearest ledge at any given opportunity.
The 2007 script now feels definitive.
At first I wasn’t sure what to make of the new mountain of voiced dialogue.
In practice however, every unit now feels like a genuine character rather than a faceless grunt. Soldiers jubilant praises or personalized death throes go a long way to driving home the game’s themes.
In practice however, every unit now feels like a genuine character rather than a faceless grunt. Soldiers jubilant praises or personalized death throes go a long way to driving home the game’s themes.
September 24, 2025 at 6:20 PM
At first I wasn’t sure what to make of the new mountain of voiced dialogue.
In practice however, every unit now feels like a genuine character rather than a faceless grunt. Soldiers jubilant praises or personalized death throes go a long way to driving home the game’s themes.
In practice however, every unit now feels like a genuine character rather than a faceless grunt. Soldiers jubilant praises or personalized death throes go a long way to driving home the game’s themes.
However, there is one addition here that I absolutely cannot ignore.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles might just have the best voice acting performances of any video game I have ever played.
It genuinely enhances the drama, script, and story in every way.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles might just have the best voice acting performances of any video game I have ever played.
It genuinely enhances the drama, script, and story in every way.
September 24, 2025 at 6:18 PM
However, there is one addition here that I absolutely cannot ignore.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles might just have the best voice acting performances of any video game I have ever played.
It genuinely enhances the drama, script, and story in every way.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles might just have the best voice acting performances of any video game I have ever played.
It genuinely enhances the drama, script, and story in every way.
However, the Enhanced version does add a lovely (optional) Focal Effect blur, added lighting and contrast depth, as well a possible attempt at recreating the PS1’s dithering via a storybook filter effect.
These touches do a nice job calling back to the strengths of the original on a CRT TV.
These touches do a nice job calling back to the strengths of the original on a CRT TV.
September 24, 2025 at 6:17 PM
However, the Enhanced version does add a lovely (optional) Focal Effect blur, added lighting and contrast depth, as well a possible attempt at recreating the PS1’s dithering via a storybook filter effect.
These touches do a nice job calling back to the strengths of the original on a CRT TV.
These touches do a nice job calling back to the strengths of the original on a CRT TV.
I would have preferred an option to simply switch to the original, pixellated sprites rather than an entire “Classic” version. That or have each sprite completely redone in a more hand drawn, fittingly HD art style.
Your mileage may vary.
Here is a quick comparison vs my JVC D-Series CRT’s S-Video
Your mileage may vary.
Here is a quick comparison vs my JVC D-Series CRT’s S-Video
September 24, 2025 at 6:14 PM
I would have preferred an option to simply switch to the original, pixellated sprites rather than an entire “Classic” version. That or have each sprite completely redone in a more hand drawn, fittingly HD art style.
Your mileage may vary.
Here is a quick comparison vs my JVC D-Series CRT’s S-Video
Your mileage may vary.
Here is a quick comparison vs my JVC D-Series CRT’s S-Video
My biggest issue is with the “Enhanced” visuals. Environmental textures have been smoothed out using a filter, while sprites appear to have been scaled up and drawn over. Details can smudge together or look a bit off like Gragoroth’s fingers here or Wiegraf’s boot.
September 24, 2025 at 6:12 PM
My biggest issue is with the “Enhanced” visuals. Environmental textures have been smoothed out using a filter, while sprites appear to have been scaled up and drawn over. Details can smudge together or look a bit off like Gragoroth’s fingers here or Wiegraf’s boot.
Sadly, the Classic version seems to use some kind of AI upscaling for its FMVs. The scenes themselves appear suitably pixelated to the original resolution, but in motion details smudge together as if the FMVs were AI upscaled and then recompressed.
A minor, but odd decision.
A minor, but odd decision.
September 24, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Sadly, the Classic version seems to use some kind of AI upscaling for its FMVs. The scenes themselves appear suitably pixelated to the original resolution, but in motion details smudge together as if the FMVs were AI upscaled and then recompressed.
A minor, but odd decision.
A minor, but odd decision.
The Ivalice Chronicles also offers a separate Classic version, which retains the PS1 visuals with 16:9 support, but removes PS1 dithering. It also adds an autosave feature, a lifesaver, and the somewhat controversial 2007 War of the Lions translation.
More on that later.
More on that later.
September 24, 2025 at 6:11 PM
The Ivalice Chronicles also offers a separate Classic version, which retains the PS1 visuals with 16:9 support, but removes PS1 dithering. It also adds an autosave feature, a lifesaver, and the somewhat controversial 2007 War of the Lions translation.
More on that later.
More on that later.
The Ivalice Chronicles does a fantastic job onboarding new (or lapsed) players with modernized tutorials, rebalanced difficulty options, and a slew of quality of life features.
All of these gameplay features feel like genuine enhancements that don’t detract from the core game.
All of these gameplay features feel like genuine enhancements that don’t detract from the core game.
September 24, 2025 at 6:10 PM
The Ivalice Chronicles does a fantastic job onboarding new (or lapsed) players with modernized tutorials, rebalanced difficulty options, and a slew of quality of life features.
All of these gameplay features feel like genuine enhancements that don’t detract from the core game.
All of these gameplay features feel like genuine enhancements that don’t detract from the core game.
I consider Final Fantasy Tactics to be not only one of the greatest games of all time, but an essential work of fiction.
While I always adored its poignant story, I found the idiosyncrasies of its mechanics a bit impenetrable in my youth. Today, they’re second nature.
While I always adored its poignant story, I found the idiosyncrasies of its mechanics a bit impenetrable in my youth. Today, they’re second nature.
September 24, 2025 at 6:10 PM
I consider Final Fantasy Tactics to be not only one of the greatest games of all time, but an essential work of fiction.
While I always adored its poignant story, I found the idiosyncrasies of its mechanics a bit impenetrable in my youth. Today, they’re second nature.
While I always adored its poignant story, I found the idiosyncrasies of its mechanics a bit impenetrable in my youth. Today, they’re second nature.
Yes, I did play Bubsy 4D.
September 4, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Yes, I did play Bubsy 4D.
If you’d like to hear my thoughts on the mountain of incredible games I previewed at PAX West this year, you can find Part 1 of that at my podcast:
bsky.app/profile/pock...
bsky.app/profile/pock...
✨Pocketoid 235 is HERE!✨
It's PART 1 of our PAX West previews and we've got COOL games to tell you about from @square-enix-games.com, @dreadxp.bsky.social, @cityconnection.bsky.social, and MANY more!!
LISTEN: www.pocketoidpodcast.com/2025/09/pock...
SUBSCRIBE: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
It's PART 1 of our PAX West previews and we've got COOL games to tell you about from @square-enix-games.com, @dreadxp.bsky.social, @cityconnection.bsky.social, and MANY more!!
LISTEN: www.pocketoidpodcast.com/2025/09/pock...
SUBSCRIBE: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...
September 4, 2025 at 9:22 PM
If you’d like to hear my thoughts on the mountain of incredible games I previewed at PAX West this year, you can find Part 1 of that at my podcast:
bsky.app/profile/pock...
bsky.app/profile/pock...