Speaking with Japan-based outlet Comic Days, Yoshida discussed Final Fantasy 16’s unique action combat. Final Fantasy 16, like its predecessors, will be leaning further into action-based combat rather than offering more traditional turn-based JRPG combat. This is by design, Yoshida admits, and done with a clear awareness of some Final Fantasy fans’ hopes for a return to classic JRPG turn-based gameplay. The issue, Yoshida says, is that the “traditional RPG style of turn-based command fighting” is no longer familiar to many younger gamers.

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“We want the world, especially the younger generation, to play the game,” is how Yoshida characterizes the development team at Square Enix’s approach to design. He says that there are many young gamers in their twenties and teens that haven’t played a game in the Final Fantasy series before. Meanwhile, he says, many mainstream games are very intuitive in that they can press a button and the character “shoots a gun or wields a sword.” It’s due to this that Final Fantasy 16 is heavily action-based.

While the implication may be that Square Enix is simplifying Final Fantasy 16’s gameplay to make it more accessible to players of all ages, that doesn’t mean anything will be sacrificed in doing so. Yoshida makes clear that this isn’t an argument regarding “what is good or bad.” It’s just a matter of generational preference. He even compares the situation to how RPGs like Final Fantasy replaced tabletop RPG gameplay.

Yoshida also makes explicitly clear that “the first thing we need to do is make something we think is fun.” Then, he says, they can make sure it “reaches the people who like it.” Fun is Square Enix’s priority when it comes to Final Fantasy 16’s gameplay. Yoshida just wants to make sure it’s also fun for as many players as possible.

The Final Fantasy franchise’s shift toward more action-based combat has undeniably proven successful in the past. Final Fantasy 7’s Active Time Battle system, a major shift from Final Fantasy 6 and prior games, led to a massive sales increase. The most popular Final Fantasy games since have been Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn and Final Fantasy 15, both with real-time combat. There are undeniably going to be players who will miss turn-based combat in the main Final Fantasy series, but Square Enix thinks it’s worth it if it means more people try Final Fantasy for the first time.

Final Fantasy 16 releases in 2023 on PS5.

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Source: Comic Days (via VideoGamesChronicle)