The head of Square Enix addressed fan questions about Final Fantasy 17 and 18, admitting there’s “no clear answer” regarding the future of its combat system. Naoki Yoshida says neither he nor the company can say if the next games will be turn-based or action-focused – it’s up to the developers of each project. That means the legendary franchise could take a radically new direction, and the old style may never return.

The Final Fantasy saga started out as a series of RPG adventures that stood out for their stories and classic turn-based battles. Over the years, Square Enix has become increasingly experimental, giving rise to entries like Final Fantasy XVI that are more action-driven than ever before. So, does this mean every future Final Fantasy will now feature dynamic, real-time combat? The company can’t offer a concrete answer, since each project’s development team gets to decide for themselves.

Naoki Yoshida, producer of Final Fantasy XVI and Final Fantasy XIV, touched on this subject in an interview with Anime News Network. When the success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was mentioned—a Sandfall Interactive RPG that uses traditional turn-based encounters—Yoshida reminded everyone that Final Fantasy is far more than just a series with one gameplay style. “The turns-versus-action question tends to narrow the discussion of gameplay just to the battle system,” he pointed out.

“That doesn’t consider what kind of experience the creators want to deliver. For example, if we want to achieve a certain level of graphical fidelity or tell a particular story, that also impacts how we design the systems around that.” He continued: “That includes the combat mechanics, the game design, and the feel of the gameplay. So, it’s not a simple answer as to whether things will always be turn-based or action-oriented going forward.”

According to Yoshida, the ultimate decision will always rest with the developers responsible for each new entry: “I may not be part of Final Fantasy 17, so we don’t want to hinder or limit any future director or producer – whether it’s 17, 18, or beyond.” “We don’t want to put them on rails.”

Final Fantasy IX Remake Still Missing as Fans Are Disappointed by Square Enix’s Announcements

While fans speculate about the future direction of the RPG saga, they’re also hoping for any official confirmation that a Final Fantasy IX remake is in the works. Rumors about this project have been circulating for months, and many players were expecting a reveal to coincide with FF IX’s 25th anniversary. Instead, all that’s surfaced is some new merchandise, a special video, and fresh artwork, leaving plenty of fans underwhelmed.

Source: 3djuegos