THE LAST REMNANT Remastered Reviews
We’d give this one a very light recommendation; if you’re an RPG nut and you have the mettle to get through the more frustrating entries of the genre, this is the game for you. If not, we’d recommend you take a pass
Square Enix's The Last Remnant Remastered is a deeply brutal JRPG that is hampered by its confusing design decisions which may drive some players away.
All that said, though? The Last Remnant Remastered still gets my recommendation for JRPG fans. The game does something with its combat system that few had tried before or after, and it is a genuine joy once you've got the hang of it. When you strip away the below-average genre trappings, all that remains of The Last Remnant Remastered is a damn fine combat system that was clearly built before any other element of the game. Even after the hundredth time Rush yelled “let's kick some A!”, I still couldn't wait to figure out how best to pincer the enemy units and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
The Last Remnant Remastered looks good, but why revisit a classic title that isn't all that great?
Born of experimentation and a combat system quite unlike anything else from its time, The Last Remnant Remastered takes all of the PC enhancements and balance changes that were never previously available on console and adds in a few graphical filters to appeal to another generation of console players.
The Last Remnant has its inherent flaws. However, there is plenty there to engross any RPG player, old or new, who needs something else. The game offers little direction and limits itself narratively, but trial and error can help polish off the rough enough to see its glimmer.
There is nothing I would change or remove from The Last Remnant, but there is room for some additions. It is fine as a simple game and the characters are lovely, but I know it has the potential to become even bigger.
From a technical point of view, the work done in this Switch version of The Last Remnant Remastered is remarkable : the visuals are stunning, even on portable mode. Alas, the intricacy of the combat system and the world design in general, inherent in the game itself, are not very engaging.
Review in French | Read full review
The Last Remnant Remastered brings back a game from the previous decade with its positive points, such as its excellent combat system and soundtrack but also some flaws of its days such as a rather lifeless world and a bland plot. Nevertheless The Last Remnant Remastered for the Nintendo Switch is an interesting work and worth picking up by its original players and newcomers to the game.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
For all it has to offer, The Last Remnant Remastered is still the same adventure longtime fans still know and love. Its visual upgrades and other changes make it the best version to play, but its lackluster plot and complex combat system might turn others away.
The Last Remnant is an interesting experiment in expanding the traditional turn-based battle system, but there are enough annoyances in that system and weaknesses in its setting and characters to keep this from reaching the heights it's clearly reaching for.
The more important question, as always, remains if the the story and gameplay are to your liking or not. To that end, I’m more on the reserved side of the equation, finding some value in both elements, but not enough to give this remaster a strong recommendation.
The Last Remnant is a fascinating and frustrating experience. Beneath a fundamentally mediocre game are a lot of interesting ideas. The story is epic and interesting, but only in parts. The battle system is wholly unique and feels massive in scope. Except you have to play the game for hours and hours before it becomes any fun. The Switch is full of quality RPG ports at the moment, and there are plenty more coming. The Last Remnant is not one of them.
With the remaster of The Last Remnant now released everyone can relive what they loved about the game. For me, it was a big improvement over the original due to all the bugs that were fixed. I can play the game smoothly and without issues and now on my PlayStation 4. Listed on the PlayStation Store for only $19.99 USD anyone can have a blast with the game. I loved the remaster and I hope you do too.
The Last Remnant Remastered is a lazy port with few adjustment. Too many game elements are the same as ten years ago, with poor attention to details.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The Last Remnant Remastered is an overall good experience, provided you have the patience to leave the game to read up on things that would normally be included in-game in a more modern gaming experience, or in an in-game guide or manual in the past.
Those that stick with it long enough, and put in the unusually big effort required to truly grasp all its ins and outs, will find a good JRPG story a few hours in, just one with hit and miss production values.
Ultimately, even if everything else were great, and the combat system worked exactly like they wanted, the game would still feel unfair. And in a 100+ hour JRPG, that constant grinding unfairness will poison any joy a game can create. There are times where I enjoy playing it, but always know a kick in the teeth is lurking around the corner.
The Last Remnant Remastered is not for the risk averse. It features a lot of design decisions, and punishes anyone who dares to ignore them. There's also a massive learning curve to account for, as the intricacies of battle will require serious effort to master. Even this critic, who has logged almost 200 hours between all three versions, still has a lot to learn. Regardless, the various gameplay systems are all satisfying to understand, and the results of a well built team that employs sound tactics are immeasurably fun to experience. What else is there to say about this game? It's a classic.
Despite having a few issues that, in the end, prevent it from being an even better game, The Last Remnant Remastered is a fun RPG, with a good and different combat system and an interesting story, specially for those that haven't played its original version.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review