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[hussar16]

It’s important to recognize that the series has always evolved, often radically, with each new entry. That said, there are still elements that many fans feel have been lost along the way—things like a focus on traditional turn-based combat, more fantastical settings, and the whimsy that defined the earlier games.

While FFXVI represents a significant shift, the idea of a “return to the roots” for Final Fantasy doesn’t mean simply copying old formulas, but rather finding a balance between innovation and the essence of what made the earlier games so special. Square Enix could definitely benefit from embracing more of what fans loved about the older titles—something closer to the charm, creativity, and deep world-building seen in classics like FFVI or FFIX, without losing the progress they’ve made in terms of gameplay and storytelling.

In short, there’s a real opportunity for Square Enix to revisit the essence of Final Fantasy, but in a way that brings back some of the old magic while still allowing the series to evolve.

And it's not about romanticizing the past, but rather acknowledging what made those games resonate—deep storytelling, memorable worlds, and character-driven experiences. These elements can still be relevant today without being a mere nostalgia trip.

at this point ff should be only made if good ideas are there and they are original. ff16 is a rehash of old ff with action combat. agni philosphi tech demo was suppose to be ff16 but they turned it into forespoken ,they wanted mass profit with 2 hits and now they have 2 flops instead

 

[Oberstein]

at this point ff should be only made if good ideas are there and they are original. ff16 is a rehash of old ff with action combat. agni philosphi tech demo was suppose to be ff16 but they turned it into forespoken ,they wanted mass profit with 2 hits and now they have 2 flops instead

There’s no guarantee that sticking strictly to a "classic" formula would have resulted in better outcomes. Innovation requires taking risks, and sometimes those risks don’t pay off, but that doesn’t mean the Final Fantasy franchise isn’t still capable of delivering fresh and original experiences.

 

[Myths]

It’s important to recognize that the series has always evolved, often radically, with each new entry. That said, there are still elements that many fans feel have been lost along the way—things like a focus on traditional turn-based combat, more fantastical settings, and the whimsy that defined the earlier games.

While FFXVI represents a significant shift, the idea of a “return to the roots” for Final Fantasy doesn’t mean simply copying old formulas, but rather finding a balance between innovation and the essence of what made the earlier games so special. Square Enix could definitely benefit from embracing more of what fans loved about the older titles—something closer to the charm, creativity, and deep world-building seen in classics like FFVI or FFIX, without losing the progress they’ve made in terms of gameplay and storytelling.

In short, there’s a real opportunity for Square Enix to revisit the essence of Final Fantasy, but in a way that brings back some of the old magic while still allowing the series to evolve.

And it's not about romanticizing the past, but rather acknowledging what made those games resonate—deep storytelling, memorable worlds, and character-driven experiences. These elements can still be relevant today without being a mere nostalgia trip.

This response is written in a voice and structured in a manner similar to what is generated by ChatGPT. Not a shot, I’ve just become used to noticing it. Either way, it doesn’t counter what I said as the notion of a “return to its roots” is nebulous just as much as the idea of “charm.” It can effectively be reduced to ATB which was the only consistent property across those games (4-9) when you remove the series’ staples. Also, FF2 showed a stark deviation from the first game followed by FF3 being the entry to “return.” So the switch-up has been long established since the second entry.

Edit: Another important point I forgot to mention is from 4-9, they clearly focused on changing the auxiliary parts of battle. So, you’d see each game handling classes, character progression/abilities differently but the core ATB still remained virtually unchanged. Once they got to XII and beyond, that’s when they focused on experimenting on all aspects — including ATB which is why the pushback happens when all that change is compounded. To me, it seems pretty clear combat is the issue given how much people complain that aspect more than anything else.

 

[{insert code here}]

He can't even make his own, much smaller, games to sell.

He can make great games when he's given a budget (Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon). The man created FF he knows the franchise better than anyone else on the planet. All I'm saying is he should be given a second chance with it and I personally think he'll deliver on it.

 

[Red Crayon Aristocrat]

It's more than that, Final fanstasy is a millenial franchise.The elephant in the room is that 90s kids are now middle aged and too busy to support all their favorite franchises from the past. Zoomers and Alphas are suposed to replace us but they don't care about most of the 90s weeb shit because they were raised in the 2000/2010s playing stuff like COD,Roblox,minecraft,Fortnite,etc...

It is also the reason we have so many remakes of 90s games. Companies are desperately trying to reintroduce their IPs for Zoomers and alphas whom are know more about FNAF than Zelda.

Even nintendo is making movies now because they fear alphas won't buy their shit in the future.

In the case of Final Fantasy, 13 cratered it's reputation among mainstream gamers and it's literally never gone back since.

 

[RafterXL]

This is the risk you take when you release games late on other platforms. Whether the game is good or bad, it would have sold significantly more with a day 1 launch on PC. Releasing games a year later usually ends up with people forgetting, not caring, or getting a chance to see if it's worth buying without that launch day impulse buy which is huge.

Square also needs to figure out what they want, if they aren't going to do turn based they need to go full action combat. This hybrid bullshit is terrible. If all you play is JRPGs maybe you don't care, but if you play any action games at all, playing FF feels terrible. So, do one or the other, but go all in and do it better, ffs.

In the case of Final Fantasy, 13 cratered it's reputation among mainstream gamers and it's literally never gone back since.

At the time, yeah. Now 13 is the best game they've released in the last decade and a half. Actually, that's not true, their MMO is the best FF released in a decade and a half, which is even sadder.

 

[asdasdasdbb]

Franchise needs to be on Switch (2). In fact they probably should make it the lead platform.

 

[CityHunter1981]

Completely deserved. I am a huge FF fan, but this was by a huge gap the worst main entry in the series.

I finished it, but it felt like playing an okay RPG. There was no magic or the feeling that this is a main entry. Rebirth on the other hand, I absolutely loved.

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

In the case of Final Fantasy, 13 cratered it's reputation among mainstream gamers and it's literally never gone back since.

Final Fantasy XV sold over 10 million copies and FF XIV is probably Square-Enix’s most successful game ever.

XVI failed because it’s a mediocre character action game that lacks all the charm and depth that gamers like about JRPGs. Stop trying to blame some game you didn’t like from 15 years ago.

 

[Hot5pur]

I am a big action fan and not a fan of JRPGs or probably RPGs in general unless they are heavily action focused.
FFXVI was amazing (just finished it today actually). The story was out of this world, and cinematic moments, bosses, voice acting, just incredible production values.
In comparison FFVII remake was hot trash that I couldn't wait to be over.

FFXVI criticisms are probably that's its RPG elements are laughable, it doesn't need a level system.
The abilities and their upgrades are hit or miss.
Combat can have enemies that are too spongy and don't really react to what you're doing.
It is super duper cutscene heavy. Side quests are very basic, but the writing is good.

It has its flaws, but I got 50 hours out of it and felt good at the end, I'd give it a solid 8.5. The DLC also has some of the most amazing boss fights ever in any game.
If it didn't sell very well that's really sad. I'd imagine people got pretty burnt out on the plethora of cutscenes and somewhat convoluted story with all the factions (though I think it was done well).
Not going to even touch Rebirth with a 10 foot pole, to hear cloud grunt for the 100th time or Tifa giggle like an idiot.

 

[Kumomeme]

Not going to even touch Rebirth with a 10 foot pole, to hear cloud grunt for the 100th time or Tifa giggle like an idiot.

i assume that was english dub?

play with japanese dub instead. most of english dub on japanese game is suck. especially Rebirth where it is clearly writing in japanese in mind + anime-ish stuff in it.

 

[Myths]

FINAL FANTASY XVII will release in 2027 to mark the 40th anniversary and with a female protagonist at that. Bet!

 

[Oberstein]

Franchise needs to be on Switch (2). In fact they probably should make it the lead platform.

The lead platform? We're not there yet, especially since it'll start with a zero install base. But recent rumors have mentioned a port of FF7 Remake and Rebirth.

 

[Astray]

The catalyst for success on Steam is super simple to understand by now: Does your game appeal to Asian markets, particularly China? If yes then you're gonna sell loads even if you release the game late.

If not, then doing day 1 won't really move the needle much.