For years, Final Fantasy has provided JRPG fans with some iconic and genre-defining titles, cementing itself as one of the most iconic franchises of all time. Despite being over three decades old, it continues to put in effort to evolve and remain relevant, and with great success, given that people from around the world still anticipate each installment around the globe.
One of the best things Final Fantasy has done to retain its popularity is by consistently updating the gameplay and graphics of its titles to fit the standards of modern gaming. It evolved from the 2D turn-based battles of its older entries to the 3D real-time action of Final Fantasy 16 and the 7 Remake series.
While modern entries certainly provide spectacles to behold and are enjoyable to play, perhaps it's time the franchise should consider going back to its roots. The next Final Fantasy game could revisit the 2D art style and turn-based gameplay, and it would likely be better off doing so.
One good reason is that being less graphically intense allows for more focus on other aspects. Better graphics are nice to look at, but the modern entries have suffered in quality because it feels as if that's where Square Enix is placing most of its efforts.
Going back to 2D makes it much easier for the developer to work on everything from the plot to the character development, and so on, resulting in games that people can truly connect with rather than just being intensely aesthetically pleasing. Older entries, such as Final Fantasy 5 and 6, are already perfect examples, and all Square Enix has to do now is take what worked for them and create a 2D title that's beautifully designed and whose overall quality provides an amazing experience.
The other reason the next Final Fantasy game should return to its roots is that battles back then had more weight. The real-time combat of the modern entries is certainly engaging and can create many fun moments. However, the only time there's tension is when moving around to evade devastating attacks or trying to hit an enemy with a powerful move.
By returning to turn-based combat, players are required to carefully consider what kind of attacks they should perform with every turn and those of their enemies, giving weight to even the most regular encounters.
It can also be just as engaging as real-time combat, with Final Fantasy 9 and its Active Time Battle System being a perfect example, as players were forced to choose their options fast lest they give opponents a chance to attack more times than necessary.
Hopefully, Square Enix realizes that there is a lot of potential in returning to 2D and turn-based combat, as while the more modern Final Fantasy entries are fun to play, revisiting what worked and was beloved could lead to more success. Longtime fans will also likely appreciate such a move, and keeping them around can help ensure the franchise's legacy and success continue.
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