The Final Fantasy series is now over thirty years old. Thanks to Square Enix’s constant revisions to the series through new games, spin-offs, and remakes, they manage to keep the series fresh. It’s not without its downfalls though.
The PS3 era, for example, was one of the darker times for not just Final Fantasy, but all JRPGs. Thanks to Final Fantasy VII Remake and even Final Fantasy XV, the series is on an upward trend. Going forward, here are some suggestions to make the next game, or series of games, better from mechanics of the past that are missed, along with those that are not.
10 Do Miss: The Frequency
Remember when the main Final Fantasy games used to come out almost like clockwork? For example, between 1999 and 2002, a game in the main franchise released every year starting with Final Fantasy VIII.
Once the series hit the PS3 generation, things started to slow down. Oh sure, there were and are still plenty of spin-offs and re-releases to get into, but they aren’t the same. When will Final Fantasy XVI be revealed if ever?
9 Don’t Miss: Compilation Bonanzas
On the subject of the PS3, Final Fantasy XIII was when things really deviated. The game was announced as a compilation with much of said collection either being canceled, delayed a bunch, or released as something completely different.
Not only that but Final Fantasy XIII was a trilogy and the same compilation attitude was used for Final Fantasy XV. It is too much to handle all at once. Next time, start off with just one game Square Enix.
8 Do Miss: Their Completeness
This may coincide with the last two entries, but it needs to be emphasized. It was great knowing that when a fan bought a game like Final Fantasy IX, they knew they were in for hours of RPG magic.
It was one package without having to worry about sequels, DLC add-ons, or expansions. Even if a game was multiple discs, it still felt like one complete adventure.
7 Don’t Miss: Saving Limitations
This trend is a recent development with Final Fantasy VII Remake, but it is great not having to rely on save points. People have a lot of stuff to do in reality, and not everyone can set aside even a full hour to play a game.
Giving players the option to hop in at any time without fear of losing progress due to being unable to reach a save point is a necessary feature for those with busier lives.
6 Do Miss: Simple Designs
Final Fantasy has always been a series about pushing the limits of itself, RPGs, and the systems they launched on. Final Fantasy VII, for example, was heralded as a huge leap forward for the genre following the Super Nintendo era of RPGs.
The 3D backgrounds, models, music, CG cutscenes, and more all helped Final Fantasy become the icon it is today. As great as Square Enix is with pushing boundaries, perhaps it would be best to scale down expectations with Final Fantasy XVI. As the saying goes, quality over quantity.
5 Don’t Miss: Graphics
Speaking of the SNES, that system’s graphics hold up the best in terms of legacy consoles. Once things get into the 3D era like with the PS1, graphics can get sketchy.
Having to deal with incoherent models like Cloud’s Popeye arms is something most fans probably don’t miss in the slightest.
4 Do Miss: Turn-Based Combat
Final Fantasy VII Remake has great, action combat. It’s one of the most approved changes by critics and fans over the original. That said, there are some fans that would like to see the return of turn-based battles.
Action RPGs are great, but Persona 5 stuck with turn-based combat and it still managed to amass universal praise. Could the next Final Fantasy entry even go back to this style now?
3 Don’t Miss: Random Battles
The one part of combat that is not missed, in the slightest, are random battles. Being able to turn them off in the remastered versions of most of the PS4 editions, like Final Fantasy VIII, is truly a godsend.
Even Pokémon, the king of random battles, is getting rid of them, even if not completely. Nintendo and Game Freak are a little behind the times, but it is an improvement to be sure.
2 Do Miss: Side Quests
Most modern RPGs, not just Final Fantasy, have pretty standard side quests. Go here, fetch that thing, or kill that monster, and then come back.
Much of the older games had more elaborate missions and secrets, with Final Fantasy IX’s Choco quests serving as a prime example. All of those things are reserved more for DLC now. The Witcher 3 is the big exception to the rule.
1 Don’t Miss: Reading
Reading is great. Everyone should do it more, but not in a video game. It is 2020, recording voices is easier now more than ever. It’s not detrimental to still have some text in games, but it certainly is better to have voice acting over text any day of the week.
Well, that is to say, unless the voice acting is bad. The point is Final Fantasy VII Remake may have spoiled fans by voicing everything, even the most random of NPCs.