Final Fantasyis an RPG franchise that has dramatically evolved over the years, embracing new designs to capture the attention of different generations of gamers over 30 years.Final Fantasy 16will be no different, according to Square Enix producer Naoki Yoshida. The upcoming JRPG is going to be built to appeal to players of all ages. That also means, Yoshida admits, thatFinal Fantasy 16may not be able to satisfy the wants and needs of everyone.
Speaking with Japan-based outlet Comic Days, Yoshida discussedFinal Fantasy 16’s unique action combat.Final Fantasy 16, like its predecessors, will be leaning further into action-based combat rather than offering more traditional turn-based JRPG combat. This is by design, Yoshida admits, and done with a clear awareness of someFinal Fantasyfans' hopes for a return to classic JRPG turn-based gameplay. The issue, Yoshida says, is that the “traditional RPG style of turn-based command fighting” is no longer familiar to many younger gamers.
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“We want the world, especially the younger generation, to play the game,” is how Yoshida characterizes the development team atSquare Enix’s approach to design. He says that there are many young gamers in their twenties and teens that haven’t played a game in theFinal Fantasyseries before. Meanwhile, he says, many mainstream games are very intuitive in that they can press a button and the character “shoots a gun or wields a sword.” It’s due to this thatFinal Fantasy 16is heavily action-based.
While the implication may be that Square Enix is simplifyingFinal Fantasy 16’s gameplay to make it more accessible to players of all ages, that doesn’t mean anything will be sacrificed in doing so. Yoshida makes clear that this isn’t an argument regarding “what is good or bad.” It’s just a matter of generational preference. He even compares the situation to howRPGs likeFinal Fantasyreplaced tabletop RPG gameplay.
Yoshida also makes explicitly clear that “the first thing we need to do is make something we think is fun.” Then, he says, they can verify it “reaches the people who like it.” Fun is Square Enix’s priority when it comes toFinal Fantasy 16’s gameplay. Yoshida just wants to make sure it’s also fun for as many players as possible.
TheFinal Fantasyfranchise’s shift toward more action-based combat has undeniably proven successful in the past.Final Fantasy 7’s Active Time Battle system, a major shift fromFinal Fantasy 6and prior games, led to a massive sales increase. The most popularFinal Fantasygames since have beenFinal Fantasy 14: A Realm RebornandFinal Fantasy 15, both with real-time combat. There are undeniably going to be players who will miss turn-based combat in the mainFinal Fantasyseries, but Square Enix thinks it’s worth it if it means more people tryFinal Fantasyfor the first time.
