Hironobu Sakaguchi weighs in on what makes a Final Fantasy game, and why it's Final Fantasy 16 itself

[Gamernyc78]

Final Fantasy creator weighs in on what makes a Final Fantasy game, and why FF16 is a perfect example

Hironobu Sakaguchi has had his say

www.gamesradar.com

The road to Final Fantasy 16's release and beyond has seen fans debate what makes a Final Fantasy game. While the action-RPG features a medieval setting that couldn't be more nostalgic for the series, ditching any form of turn-based combat in its entirety isn't for everyone. Now, though, the series' founding father has weighed in.

Final Fantasy creator weighs in on what makes a Final Fantasy game, and why FF16 is a perfect example

(Image credit: Square Enix)

The road to Final Fantasy 16's release and beyond has seen fans debate what makes a Final Fantasy game. While the action-RPG features a medieval setting that couldn't be more nostalgic for the series, ditching any form of turn-based combat in its entirety isn't for everyone. Now, though, the series' founding father has weighed in.

As part of Final Fantasy 14's European leg of Fan Fest, Hironobu Sakaguchi has taken part in a panel that ended with some questions from the audience. The last one posed a simple one of what makes a Final Fantasy game.

"I thought this when playing Final Fantasy 16, and this comes from someone who also works on the development side, and it honestly boils down to the challenges you come across and the adventures you take on to build a new system for a new game," the industry veteran says (as translated by Audrey on Twitter). "It's the courage to do so, albeit it is a truly difficult task."

The Final Fantasy series has continued on for so long that you might think, well, 'why don't you just make something similar like you did before?' I don't think that works.

With each new title, you should carry that sense of adventure and courage to take on new challenges. If you can continue with that mindset and move forward, then the gravity of Final Fantasy will start to work and pull people in, which then results in a Final Fantasy for everyone

"With each new title, you should carry that sense of adventure and courage to take on new challenges. If you can continue with that mindset and move forward, then the gravity of Final Fantasy will start to work and pull people in, which then results in a Final Fantasy for everyone.

"I think Final Fantasy 16 did exactly that and faced those challenges, and the game truly made me feel that this is Final Fantasy."

Elsewhere at the latest iteration of Fan Fest, we also found out what one of Final Fantasy 14 Dawntrail's new classes will be, and it's the all-new Viper. It was also revealed that the expansion's Alliance raid will feature a team-up with the original Final Fantasy MMO and that the long-teased Final Fantasy 16 crossover.

 

[Gamernyc78]

Final Fantasy’s creator adores Final Fantasy 14, and that’s why he “absolutely” does not want to work on the MMO​

Final Fantasy’s creator adores Final Fantasy 14, and that’s why he “absolutely” does not want to work on the MMO

"If I make this part of my work, I’ll know what’s going on behind the scenes”

www.gamesradar.com

 

[Would_you_kindly]

Still not played it I've been putting it off I loved the demo & bought it after that but I've been waiting for a patch that improves the frame rate

 

[Gamernyc78]

Still not played it I've been putting it off I loved the demo & bought it after that but I've been waiting for a patch that improves the frame rate

Didnt finish it. It's a good game but kind of restrictive in it's world, I'll finish it one day soon.

 

[BroodCorp]

Final Fantasy was known for turned based combat and they changed to action based to appeal to more people. Why sugar coat it? You’re not going to spin a narrative that FF’s defining characteristic wasn’t turn based when the whole world knows it was. This is just dodging the uncomfortable reality that they shifted the franchise at its core for a broader appeal.

 

[Would_you_kindly]

Final Fantasy was known for turned based combat and they changed to action based to appeal to more people. Why sugar coat it? You’re not going to spin a narrative that FF’s defining characteristic wasn’t turn based when the whole world knows it was. This is just dodging the uncomfortable reality that they shifted the franchise at its core for a broader appeal.

Worked for me I wouldn't have bought it if it was turn based

 

[Gamernyc78]

Worked for me I wouldn't have bought it if it was turn based

Likewise.

 

[KiryuRealty]

It’s pretty simple, really.

Does the title screen say “Final Fantasy”?

If yes, it’s a fucking Final Fantasy game, your preconceptions mean NOTHING.

 

[Dr Bass]

Final Fantasy was known for turned based combat and they changed to action based to appeal to more people. Why sugar coat it? You’re not going to spin a narrative that FF’s defining characteristic wasn’t turn based when the whole world knows it was. This is just dodging the uncomfortable reality that they shifted the franchise at its core for a broader appeal.

The game doesn’t need to stay any certain way one over the course of 30+ years. But yes he is putting a bit of spin on it. The problem with the game isn’t the fact it’s an action game, its problem is that it’s excruciatingly mediocre.

Worked for me I wouldn't have bought it if it was turn based

Likewise.

You are both missing out on so many great games if this is your take. I mean come on, why would you artificially limit yourself?

 

[ĿᐄṾᐄṆↁ3☈]

Worked for me I wouldn't have bought it if it was turn based

That means you're the demographic they went for instead of the YEARS of FF fans that were built up for decades before that.

AKA a tourist.

Turns out it was a bad call seeing as how SE is in financial turmoil and their games are bombing left and right. Their Golden Calf that is the 7Remake isn't pulling the numbers they thought it would either and will most likely continue to see diminishing returns.. Who could have foreseen this.... Oh wait.

 

[Gamernyc78]

The game doesn’t need to stay any certain way one over the course of 30+ years. But yes he is putting a bit of spin on it. The problem with the game isn’t the fact it’s an action game, its problem is that it’s excruciatingly mediocre.



You are both missing out on so many great games if this is your take. I mean come on, why would you artificially limit yourself?

I don't limit myself, I just know what I like. I've played plenty of turn based games from NinoKuni to Cosmic Fantasy back in the days and enjoyed them as well, I Just prefer non turn based games.

 

[Would_you_kindly]

That means you're the demographic they went for instead of the YEARS of FF fans that were built up for decades before that.

AKA a tourist.

Turns out it was a bad call seeing as how SE is in financial turmoil and their games are bombing left and right. Their Golden Calf that is the 7Remake isn't pulling the numbers they thought it would either and will most likely continue to see diminishing returns.. Who could have foreseen this.... Oh wait.

There financial situation isn't down to ff16 it's releasing a bunch of bombs like chocobo gp & investing in dumb shit like NFTs

 

[Would_you_kindly]

The game doesn’t need to stay any certain way one over the course of 30+ years. But yes he is putting a bit of spin on it. The problem with the game isn’t the fact it’s an action game, its problem is that it’s excruciatingly mediocre.



You are both missing out on so many great games if this is your take. I mean come on, why would you artificially limit yourself?

I find that type of gameplay boring only turn based game I like is classic Pokémon lol

 

[JAHGamer]

Final Fantasy was known for turned based combat and they changed to action based to appeal to more people. Why sugar coat it? You’re not going to spin a narrative that FF’s defining characteristic wasn’t turn based when the whole world knows it was. This is just dodging the uncomfortable reality that they shifted the franchise at its core for a broader appeal.

No it wasn't imagine reducing it down to something as basic as gameplay, makes zero sense. It's like someone said God of War 2018/Ragnarok aren't true God of War games, you would sound just as silly.

That means you're the demographic they went for instead of the YEARS of FF fans that were built up for decades before that.

AKA a tourist.

Turns out it was a bad call seeing as how SE is in financial turmoil and their games are bombing left and right. Their Golden Calf that is the 7Remake isn't pulling the numbers they thought it would either and will most likely continue to see diminishing returns.. Who could have foreseen this.... Oh wait.

More nonsense, Final Fantasy 9 is my favorite game of all time, i've played almost all of the turn based FF games and FF16 and FF7Remake are far from bad calls

 

[JAHGamer]

There financial situation isn't down to ff16 it's releasing a bunch of bombs like chocobo gp & investing in dumb shit like NFTs

Exactly, these guys want to act like games like Marvel's Avengers, Forspoken, Babylon's Fall didn't exist

 

[Nomen_Nescio]

No it wasn't imagine reducing it down to something as basic as gameplay, makes zero sense. It's like someone said God of War 2018/Ragnarok aren't true God of War games, you would sound just as silly.

Both the old and new GOW games are action/adventure games. The combat is a bit different and less button mashy in the newer ones (especially for tough fights), but they are the same type of game, whereas FF was almost always a turn based RPG ( with some having ATB, and others strictly turn based), but with a slower pace and an emphasis in some strategy, healing and buffing/debuffing. FF 16 could not be less of a FF game (gameplay wise) to the point that if I did not know better I would say it was a DMC clone with VERY light RPG mechanics. Maps are linear and very empty (remember FF 10 where the world was very linear, but full of secrets and felt way more alive), no elemental based damage (hit a fire type enemy with fire and it does not absorb it), itemization sucks etc. They should have made a spin off, they wanted to have the cake and eat it.

 

[KiryuRealty]

That means you're the demographic they went for instead of the YEARS of FF fans that were built up for decades before that.

AKA a tourist.

Turns out it was a bad call seeing as how SE is in financial turmoil and their games are bombing left and right. Their Golden Calf that is the 7Remake isn't pulling the numbers they thought it would either and will most likely continue to see diminishing returns.. Who could have foreseen this.... Oh wait.

Financial turmoil is bullshit.

They had ONE bad quarter and their stock took a hit, but SquareEnix is rock-solid financially.

It blows my mind how many people have no comprehension when it comes to business matters. They lost $3 billion in MARKET CAP, which is just their stock valuation. They were still profitable.

Also, since so many don’t know this, video games are just part of the business. SquareEnix makes a shitload of money in book and manga publishing and even home video. For the majority of Japanese video game publishers, video games are just part of the business, which is also why they aren’t looking to be acquired and why Sony isn’t trying to buy all their partners.

SquareEnix is mostly a publishing house, BandaiNamco is a massive toy company, SEGASammy has hotels, resorts and gambling machine business lines and From is owned my Kadokawa, who make 90% of their money in book publishing and film. Zaibatsus are the norm in Japan.

 

[Box]

Final Fantasy was known for turned based combat and they changed to action based to appeal to more people. Why sugar coat it? You’re not going to spin a narrative that FF’s defining characteristic wasn’t turn based when the whole world knows it was. This is just dodging the uncomfortable reality that they shifted the franchise at its core for a broader appeal.

It's been decades, time to let it go and move on. Final Fantasy won't be turn based anymore

 

[Johnic]

@KiryuRealty

Hell, Konami's biggest money makers, even at the height of their gaming business, were gyms and insurance.

 

[KiryuRealty]

I find that type of gameplay boring only turn based game I like is classic Pokémon lol

If all you play that’s turn-based is lobotomized slop like Pokèmon, no wonder you think it’s boring. Try things made for people above the age of 5.