Tabata and his team opted to go with a battle system that would appeal to longtime fans of the series, while simultaneously not being off-putting for anyone who might be experiencing Final Fantasy for the first time. He addressed concerns in an interview with GameSpot stating:
“I understand that there are people who are concerned and have negative opinions about the changes in the Final Fantasy series’ systems, and certainly about Final Fantasy XV’s. It’s also undeniable that it’s part of the DNA of the series to challenge ourselves and try new things, to make explorations within the genre itself. Certainly with Final Fantasy XV, we’ve been trying to update and change the technology base that powers Final Fantasy games. Then to provide new gameplay experiences made possible because of that new technological benchmark.”
This idea of change can be seen across the series, and games stepping back from the advancements of previous entries have been a mixed bag. On one hand you have Final Fantasy IX, which returned to form with a more classic Final Fantasy story and class based system, and was met with great reception. On the other hand, you have Final Fantasy XIII which went more linear from the open style world of XII, and was criticized for it.
Final Fantasy XII presented a huge world that was fairly open, an interesting spin on traditional combat with a complex narrative that built more on the world and setting than individual characters. XIII may have been more of a futuristic setting for the series, but design wise it played things far more safely than the previously title. It felt far lesss ambitious than its predecessor, and fan reception to XIII was mixed at best. One thing is perfectly clear however, and that’s the fact that the series needs to continuously move forward, especially now.
Final Fantasy XV is in many ways a proving ground, potentially deciding the future of the series. All of the changes and design choices for the game reflect the series trying to match the modern industry, and the rising popularity of open world games. The only thing is, taking a step back after XV might feel too much like just that, taking a step back. With the amount of resources and time Square Enix has sunk into Final Fantasy XV, it’s hard to imagine them going larger, but that’s really what they need to do, at least with the mainline entries.
There will always be a place for nostalgic spinoffs like World of Final Fantasy, but the mainline games have to keep trying new things and innovating. Earlier this year Tabata talked about something he called “The Final Fantasy Disease,” and how it makes people behind the games think certain things are integral to what a Final Fantasy title is. Here’s his description from International Business Times:
” [It]refers to people within the company who can’t imagine anything other than their own view of Final Fantasy. Since the root is a strong self-affirmation, one’s own view of Final Fantasy takes more priority than the team’s success. If that view of Final Fantasy isn’t fulfilled, then they’re convinced that it’s bad for Final Fantasy. They think, ‘Since Final Fantasy is a special team, then we are also special because we are making it. When the new Final Fantasy comes out, everybody is going to be so into it.’ But that’s not the reality of the situation, is it?”
With the Final Fantasy VII Remake now looming on the horizon, many fans wonder what Square Enix plans to do with the title. After all, VII is possibly the most beloved title ever made by the company. It remains to be seen whether the huge technical gambles and new designs of XV will pay off, but either way it represents something core to the series, and how Final Fantasy is trying to redefine the JRPG genre.
Final Fantasy has always been one of the defining franchises for JRPGs, and it’s set precedents in the genre many times over, with the dramatic storytelling of Final Fantasy IV, and the world building of VI. Then moving on from that the leap to 3D with VII, the voice acting of X, and the MMO XI. Many of Final Fantasy’s best successes have come when the development team tries something new, and goes for it.
It’s important for the series to continue this trend of advancement if it wants to stay relevant and interesting. Final Fantasy needs to be fresh and new with each main entry, and not a retread in design. That means not going back to turn-based battles or linear design – things that would feel like a step back for the series after XV. When Tabata talked about the Final Fantasy Disease he touched on this fact:
“Making ourselves challenge ourselves to do more than we’ve been doing really is the most important thing here. I really feel that the original identity of Final Fantasy came from being a challenger in that way. Where we are now, and even though we’ve got the number 15 in our title, our goal is to go back to that original point of being a challenger and trying to do something new and different. It’s in engaging with that challenge that we can find the real meaning of Final Fantasy” Tabata says.
No matter how Final Fantasy XV is received by fans and critics it will undoubtedly change the series. It’s two steps forward, and there’s no turning back now.
