It's been four years since the release of Final Fantasy 15, and 14 years of development time since its initial conception as Final Fantasy Versus 13. At this point, fans have no idea whether it'll take another decade before the arrival of Final Fantasy 16. However, this uncertainty didn't stop fans from speculating about the many potential features and elements that Square Enix might include in this much-awaited sequel.

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Given FF15 and Final Fantasy VII Remake garnered Metacritic scores of 81 and 88, respectively, fans eagerly await news regarding what might happen to FF16. Here are some rumors the game should probably include as features, and others Square Enix can forget entirely:

10 Let's Hope: A Return To Fantasy

Square's FF15 showed there's potential in a modern Final Fantasy premise. Recent titles often had visual themes combining high fantasy with technological cues. This fusion resulted in visuals and concepts heavily-oriented towards "magitek" and "the return" of magic. However, Square Enix might want to ditch this idea. Instead, their next title should bring the game back to its fantasy roots.

The early games place a significant emphasis on the fantasy part of the titles. Thanks to this, it seemed like players are being transferred to a beautiful world of knights, kingdoms, and magic.  There's hope to this happening, though, as Naoki Yoshida, game director of FF14, did say he's also hoping for a "straightforward fantasy" FF title.

9 Let's Not Hope: Another Modern Game

Fans of Final Fantasy have finally seen what a modernized Final Fantasy would be like thanks to games such as FF13 and FF15. However, it's the latter that realized the closest gamers could get to a "real-world" setting. The game had flying cars, roads, and realistic buildings.

Not to mention, the game had a great interpretation of a modern society powered by magic and technology. Unfortunately, this theme might slowly lose its charm, as FF7 Remake also retains FF7's techno-magic aesthetic.

Another Final Fantasy game with a modern setting can desensitize fans to the idea that modern RPGs should always have contemporary settings. If Square sticks to this theme, fans will compare the next Final Fantasy game will eventually to the likes of NieR: Automata or Horizon: Zero Dawn that also share a bit of this "ancient-technology-in-a-modern-society" aesthetic.

8 Let's Hope: Job Systems

It's time Final Fantasy returned to its JRPG roots. A significant part of this return has to do with a functioning job system. The Final Fantasy series got massive praise even with its early titles thanks to its Job System. This mechanic lets characters "switch" roles and the abilities that accompanied them. This system evolved throughout the games, introducing more jobs along the way.

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Thanks to the successful launch of Final Fantasy 14, fans now see the full potential of the Job System. The MMO features 18 jobs across four different roles. FF16 can have a dynamic job system for its protagonist, which will hopefully help fans see a "conversion" of the MMO's class system with the same real-time action that FF 7 Remake and FF15 delivered.

7 Let's Hope Not: The License Board

Players of Final Fantasy 12 know the License Board System. Instead of jobs like in previous games, FF12 characters instead use the License Board. Players use the Board to get new weapons, armor, skills, and other abilities. This massive "board" has unlockable "licenses" that can be purchased and upgraded using "License Points" earned through battle. A lot of fans consider the License Board an alluring aspect of FF12, especially since it's a new take on the existing job system back then.

Unfortunately, pushing for the License Board in FF16 might make the future game harder to manage. The FF12: The Zodiac Age version of the title also expanded the License Board. The game also changed some of its mechanics, making it more accessible to players. However, the License Board might be better off as a unique system for FF12. If FF16 wants a change of pace for its job system, they should probably consider building new skill trees instead.

6 Let's Hope: Immense Character Customization

The Final Fantasy series remain close to its fans' hearts thanks to its unique stories and cast of characters. However, not a lot of games actually feature in-depth customization options in terms of character appearances. Thanks to the popularity of FF14, players can finally "transform" their character ideas and add a unique "Final Fantasy" spin to their aesthetic. Many players enjoyed the "personalization" the game provided to them, and this can be something FF16 could give players.

Giving FF16 characters a fully-customizable wardrobe can greatly personalize the experience for players. While the game can retain the core personalities and identities of its cast, giving players the ability to change what they wear can be a welcome change of pace.

5 Let's Hope Not: A Player Main Character

While it's true that it's awesome for players to customize their main character, FF16 wouldn't hopefully shoehorn a "player character" as its protagonist. Many popular titles today do include options to "choose" player sex for their characters (such as Mass Effect's Commander Shepard, or Assassin's Creed Odyssey's Alexios and Kassandra). However, this option also comes with its own problems, such as the problem of canon. This caveat shouldn't be a problem for single entries such as Odyssey, or for short sagas such as the Mass Effect Trilogy, as it's easy to declare a character option as "canon."

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However, for something as vast and interconnected as Final Fantasy, a player main character may not be ideal for FF16. After all, Square Enix has a penchant for having prequel and sequel content centered around their main titles. As such, having a player-exclusive character might ruin the potential depth of the protagonist.

4 Let's Hope: Not An MMO

There's a strong likelihood that FF16 won't be an MMO. Despite the rocky start of FF14 back in its initial launch, the game successfully bounced back and is now enjoying a plentiful player-base of around 18-million users. Moreover, the game currently enjoys massive popularity that it even had a Free Play event for pre-registered inactive players that ended on May 17, 2020.

Players interested in trying out FF14 can also play a free trial that lets them try out a character until Level 35 before being prompted to make a subscription.

3 Let's Hope Not: Per Episode Title

Gamers who recently finished FF7 Remake know they have to wait for Part 2 in 2023. Despite the initial skepticism towards FF7 Remake having different parts, the first part of the game did deliver in terms of faithfulness to the source material and being chock-full of content. However, the positive response to FF7 Remake might motivate Square Enix to push for this format in future main titles.

While the idea itself isn't bad, Square Enix should still consider giving FF16 a full release. For instance, despite high Metacritic scores, FF15 received negative comments mainly for its DLC content which fans believe should've been in the main release.

2 Let's Hope: PS5 And Xbox Series X Release

It makes sense for games slated for a 2020 release to somehow consider being available for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. After all, both next-gen consoles have a projected 2020 release. As such, it also makes sense for Square to release FF16 for both these consoles. Given how development times for Final Fantasy games take years to complete, Square might realize its "next vision" for FF16 with new hardware.

Moreover, great reception to FF7 Remake's mixture of real-time combat and turn-based planning can see upgrades with the PS5 and Series X.

1 Let's Hope Not: Always-On-DRM

Three words often ruin a gamer's session whenever they buy a new title: always-on-DRM. This requirement essentially means players have to be online before being able to play a title. What perhaps annoys gamers the most is that publishers still include always-on-DRM even for single-player experiences. Square Enix might consider not including this in FF16.

Moreover, Square Enix also received backlash for applying always-on-DRM for the Final Fantasy X/X-2 remaster back in 2019. While an update removed this requirement from the remaster, there's no guarantee Square won't be doing this to FF16.

NEXT: 10 Games To Play If You Love The Final Fantasy 7 Remake On PS4