The long-standing debate among fans about the future of Final Fantasy`s combat system continues. With Final Fantasy XVI making a bold leap into pure action gameplay, many veterans of the series wonder if the strategic, turn-based battles of earlier eras will ever make a return to the mainline numbered titles.
Naoki Yoshida, the highly respected producer behind Final Fantasy XVI (affectionately known as “Yoshi-P”), recently shed some light on this very question during an interview at Anime Expo. His response? There isn`t a simple, “clear-cut” answer.
Yoshida explained that the choice of combat system isn`t made in isolation. It`s a decision deeply integrated with the overall vision for a game. Factors such as the desired graphical fidelity, the narrative style, and the fundamental game design all influence the type of combat that best serves the project`s goals. He emphasized that reducing the discussion solely to “turn-based versus action” overlooks this crucial, holistic development perspective.
Furthermore, Yoshida highlighted a key operational reality at Square Enix: numbered Final Fantasy titles are often developed by different teams, each potentially led by a different director. He noted that he might not necessarily be involved in the development of Final Fantasy XVII or XVIII. Imposing a strict mandate for a specific combat system across all future entries would, in his view, unfairly limit the creative freedom and unique vision of those future teams and directors. This philosophy suggests a commitment to allowing each new numbered title to innovate and define its own gameplay identity.
The question itself has gained recent traction, partly fueled by the success of titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a newly revealed game that consciously draws inspiration from classic turn-based JRPGs like earlier Final Fantasy entries and Persona. This demonstrates that a significant appetite for traditional, strategic combat systems still exists within the gaming community.
Final Fantasy XVI itself marked a significant shift not only in combat but also in release strategy, arriving on Xbox Series X|S after its initial PlayStation 5 launch and subsequent Steam release. This move, alongside other multi-platform releases like Final Fantasy Tactics: Ivalice Chronicles, signals Square Enix`s evolving approach to platform exclusivity.
Ultimately, Naoki Yoshida`s comments confirm what many suspected: the return of mainline Final Fantasy to a purely turn-based system is not off the table, but it`s also far from guaranteed. It will depend entirely on the specific creative aspirations and technical requirements of each future game, leaving fans, perhaps inevitably, to continue debating the topic until the next numbered entry reveals its hand.
