One of the most anticipated releases for Square Enix fans in 2023 is the next mainline entry in its iconic long-running JRPG franchise,Final Fantasy 16. Plenty of news about the game has been revealed in the past few months, giving fans an extensive look at the game.Final Fantasy 16’s showing at Sony’s State of Playhighlighted a number of features, such as the Eikon summons, the story, combat, and more.
The combat style is a bit of a sticking point with fans, with veterans decrying the series' shift from turn-based combat andFinal Fantasy 16having a heavy focus on action-oriented gameplay. The last numberedFinal Fantasygame to use a turn-based system wasFinal Fantasy 10back in 2001, with all mainline games following it being action RPGs.Final Fantasy 16’s producer, Naoki Yoshida, spoke on the divide between turn-based and action RPG fans, and why this game is opting for the latter.
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In an interview with Famitsu, translated by VGC, Yoshida explains that his team had to “reassess” the audience thatFinal Fantasy 16was appealing to. He notes that he comes from a generation of older gamers who grew up playing command and turn-based RPGs, where some find it an immersive and appealing experience. He acknowledges that the some members of the younger generation, especially those who don’t typically play RPGs, don’t find selecting commands and participating in turn-based combat appealing.
Yoshida explains this generational divide only grew with advancing console technology, which has seen a push towards action-based mechanics in RPGs rather thanturn-based games likeFinal Fantasy, citing an example of how easy it is for actions to be executed without a command system. He adds that this isn’t an argument on what is good or bad, but rather these are entirely based on a player’s preference and age.
Yoshida notes that he still enjoys turn-based RPGs and wishes to continue working on them, but also notes that the sales forecast ofFinal Fantasy 16and the impact it should have. He also touches uponFinal Fantasy 16’s lack of an open-world, where he states that he believed it would have taken him and his team 15 years to develop it. Yoshida also states that it’s possible that the next game could go back to a turn-based system or even go open world, but theFinal Fantasy 16that is being developed is the one that is within his current vision.
Final Fantasy 16will launch in Summer 2023 for PS5.
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