Square-Enix has kept fans guessing on the actual quality of the game ever since a PlayStation 3 and PS Vita version was announced, although producer Yoshinori Kitase had us all fooled into thinking the game would be a remake after recent comments in a German interview.

Now though, Shinji Hashimoto from Square spoke in a recent interview with Taiwanese website GNN Gamer during a Final Fantasy XIII-2 event in the country. When specifically asked if the game would be a full remake or HD upgrade such as the Metal Gear Solid HD Collections, here is what he had to say, as reported from Siliconera:

“It’s being developed as an HD Remaster, but the visuals will be much more beautiful than before. Please look forward to it!”

We hope that his quote is the victim of a bad Japanese translation, but if not it looks likely that the remake idea will never happen. Just how good will the game end up looking though? We were hoping for completely remade visuals from the ground up, but we may be treated to just updated visuals to 720p instead.

The answer will come as soon as we see the first gameplay footage, so it’s too early to overlook the game already. So on the basis that it is just an HD remaster, should gamers have to pay the full price of a PS3 and Vita game for it, or will Square-Enix discount it straight away to make the game more appealing? Then there’s the little matter on if the game will include the International Version as well which featured more content, and if Final Fantasy X-2 will be bundled as well.

If you were really looking forward to this game being a full remake, let us know your thoughts now that it may just turn out to be a remaster. Still buying or not?

If you didn’t read our report last week, we told you that a Japanese magazine was reporting that a Monster Hunter game was coming to the PS Vita in Q4 2012. We thought that this may end up being Monster Hunter 4, but a report over at Gematsu shows a screenshot revealing that Monster Hunter Portable 3 is on the way for the US version of the console.

The screenshot lists preview images of all the US launch titles for the PS Vita, but also includes other games that are on the way too. Aside from a listing for Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, we also see details for Final Fantasy X and Lord of Apocalyse as well. This is exciting news for US and EU consumers, as it is the first time that we have seen a near-confirmation of FFX coming to the Vita outside of Japan – although it was pretty much evitable anyway.

Fans have been praying for a Monster Hunter game along with their purchase of a new PS Vita and it looks like those wishes may finally be coming true. We would love it if Capcom confirm the news this week officially, but we have a feeling that this may draw on as a rumor for some time. We have said before that this move is really a no-brainer for both Sony and Capcom, as a Monster Hunter game for the new handheld would surely help Sony to shift hardware units as fans look to get their MH fix on a portable console.

Don’t rule out MH 4 appearing on the Vita in the future, but for now give us your thoughts on Monster Hunter Portable 3rd possibly appearing before the end of the year. Is it about time this happened in your opinion?

As you know, Final Fantasy X launched as PS2 game back in 2001 and it is a game that is held in high esteem with many fans who believe that it is one of the best games in the entire series.

A remake is set to appear on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita sometime in 2012, but in true Square-Enix fashion, there is no indication on when the game will be coming out. So far we have had no teasers from Square-Enix on the graphics quality for the new game, but we did tell you just a few days ago that the game is thought to be much more than a HD remake.

We have a video to show you, which reveals some 1080p HD gameplay from Final Fantasy X, but played on the PC with a PS2 emulator, courtesy of TQCast. Obviously this may or may not be an accurate representation on how the remake will end up looking, but it does give you an insight on how the original graphics can be improved when upscaled to a higher resolution. The graphics shown in the video below are obviously far more impressive than the original PS2 graphics, but PS3 fans will be hoping that the game includes even more impressive visuals seen here, especially if Square-Enix are planning to add more content to the game from the original.

As for PS Vita owners though, we would be very impressed if Sony delivered a version for Vita owners that delivers graphics seen in the video below. Character models are lovely and crisp, and we feel that there’s more chance of the PS Vita version of the game getting a ‘HD’ upscale, compared to the PS3 version which hopefully will include even better visuals.

Take a look at the video below and let us know your thoughts on it. Would you be satisfied if the remake looks like this or do you expect more from Square-Enix?

Square-Enix are now preparing to release their follow-up to Final Fantasy XIII, with an immediate XIII-2 sequel, and it is a game that is looking to correct the mistakes that XIII made and once again put a smile back on the fans of faces after a disappointing 2011. Final Fantasy XIII was heavily criticized for its linearity, and although FFXIIX-2 will introduce the controversial element of DLC to a Final Fantasy game for the first time, early reviews coming out of Japan suggest that it is a game well worth waiting for when it hits the US and Europe towards the end of next month and early February.

With the ongoing question mark regarding Final Fantasy Versus XIII aside, the upcoming remake of a much-loved classic in Final Fantasy X should give fans an indication that the company are trying to return back in favor with fans, and although it may not be the infamous Final Fantasy VII remake that ‘everyone’ wants, it is still a great prospect to look forward to since FFX remains one of the best games in the history of the franchise in many gamers eyes.

We have recently heard that Square-Enix has issued a statement, once again confirming that the re-release of Final Fantasy X will be a proper ‘remake’ and not a HD remaster of any sort that we often see with many games today. Development is thought to still be at a very early stage, but the thought of Square-Enix remaking this from scratch and putting real effort into the game will be met with delight by fans who are hanging on to hope that better things will follow FFX.

Considering the fact that the company are remaking Final Fantasy X and not just giving this a HD remake shows that the company still have what it takes to deliver a quality game, and who’s to say that they won’t go on and remake Final Fantasy VII, FFVIII and FFIX in the future. Those games are obviously the cream of the crop as far as every Final Fantasy fan is concerned and it would be easy money if they did choose to remake them. The possibilities are endless as well if they do go down this route – it will be interesting to see if they add any new content to Final Fantasy X, or just build the game up on PS3 and Vita using the same content from the PS2 game.

How excited are you for the future of Final Fantasy after hearing that FFX will be a true remake? Do you think it is possible that we will finally see remakes of FFVII and other classic titles in the franchise?

The release will be in colloraboration with the ten year anniversary of the original title released back in 2001, and was announced by Square-Enix exec Shinji Hashimoto during Sony’s press conference at TGS.

Specific details on how the HD version will be made, i.e if it will be a complete remake from the ground up, or just upscaled to a higher resolution for the PS3 and Vita remain to be seen though. Also unknown in true Square-Enix fashion, is when the game will be available as Square-Enix opted not to reveal any hints whatsoever on a likely period for release.

Unfortunately, we don’t have any screenshots or a teaser trailer of the game to show you either, which sort of casts a shadow on what otherwise is a pretty exciting reveal. Final Fantasy X is a cult favorite among fans, and the chance to relive the lives of Tidus, Yuna and the monster arena will generally be met with overall praise we feel.

Just to refresh, it was a game which scored 39/40 by Famitsu and 9.5/10 by IGN. It also features some of the most breathtaking Final Fantasy music to date, with ‘To Zanarkand’ a particular favorite with fans. Hopefully this game turns out to be even better in its new form and it would be fantastic if Square-Enix are planning on bringing some new functionality to both the PS3 and Vita as well.

How excited are you about this announcement, do you rate Final Fantasy X highly? Of course, it’s not the Final Fantasy 7 remake that we all crave for, but it’s a fine start by Square-Enix. Time to play blitzball again folks – who remembers that? We’ll update you when we have some release details for you.