I mean, Yoko Taro proved with Nier Automata he knows how to make a character action game with RPG elements that matter, unlike Final Fantasy XVI, so it would definitely be a proper FF title.
I just want FF games where leveling, weapon upgrades, elemental differences, etc. actually matter. That’s not a bullshit take, that should be expected in a series where every FF (until XVI) respected that. Even XV, for as much of a mess it was, respected that. People hide behind the “it’s an experimental series!” shtick, but the experiments were always done without sacrificing the impact of the RPG elements.
It’s cool to like XVI, but it should also be understandable why a good deal of people were let down by it.