Final Fantasy 16 is garnering the excitement that's natural as the next mainline entry in one of gaming's most beloved franchises. Fans have not had a lot of information to chew on since the game was originally announced, though. It isn't unusual for Final Fantasy games to have long and quiet and development times, but fans are getting anxious about just how long they'll have to wait before getting to play Final Fantasy 16. With only one trailer released and no signs that the game will make an appearance soon, it's starting to look less and less likely that the game is coming this year.

Delays are something the industry and its fans have come to grips with after the year that was 2020. Covid-19 guidelines created industry-wide delays as developers adjusted to remote work. More than halfway through 2021, the delays on major games like Diablo 4 and Final Fantasy 16 are starting to feel dragged out for many fans. Final Fantasy 16 was obviously no exception, but Final Fantasy 16's progress has been stated to be slow even this year. The game missed Square Enix's E3 showcase other than being part of a sizzle reel, which felt somewhat strange considering the announcement of Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin.

RELATED: Final Fantasy 16 Sounds a Lot Like Dragon Age: Origins

Final Fantasy 16 Likely Won't Release in 2021

Joshua in the FFXVI trailer

It isn't necessarily a bad thing that Final Fantasy 16 won't release this year. Many eager fans are still having a hard time getting their hands on PlayStation 5 consoles, for which FF16 is an exclusive. Square Enix has a lot of Final Fantasy irons in the fire right now as well. The aforementioned Stranger of Paradise spin-off, the Pixel Remasters, and the next chapter of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, are all in development alongside Final Fantasy 16. While different teams are working on each game, Square Enix is likely focused on ensuring the highest possible quality for each, and resources are probably being shared across the various titles.

Some fans worry that the slow progress on Final Fantasy 16 is a bad omen, after all, the last mainline game was technically in development for more than a decade. Final Fantasy 15 garnered mixed reactions, while overall positive ones, after the incredibly long wait from its initial announcement as Final Fantasy Versus 13. It's more likely that Square Enix has taken the lessons learned from Final Fantasy 15 to heart, and are working to ensure the highest quality possible for the next game.

Final Fantasy 16 is in a position much similar to the fan-favorite Final Fantasy 9. Bringing the series back to its fantasy roots after a slew of more sci-fi oriented games, and coming in at a point where love for the franchise is peaking again, puts FF16 at a critical juncture that Square Enix has likely considered. But while the excitement about the game is justifiably high, fans should keep expectations in check. Wanting the best possible version of the next Final Fantasy game should trump wanting it as soon as possible. Hopefully the time being put into Final Fantasy 16 means that fans will receive the former when it eventually releases.

Final Fantasy 16 is in development for the PlayStation 5.

MORE: Comparing Final Fantasy Origin and Final Fantasy 16