Square Enix recently revealed a hefty amount of gameplay for the upcoming Final Fantasy XVI, showcasing a game like no other in the franchise.
The new gameplay preview generated quite the buzz on the Internet with fans splitting their opinions on the upcoming mainline entry. Many have said Final Fantasy XVI looks more like a God of War title than a Final Fantasy entry.
That comparison is what’s mostly splitting fans of the series as some want the series to return to its turn-based roots while others welcome the shift.
So how are you feeling about Final Fantasy XVI after the most recent gameplay release?
I fully acknowledge that this question may be premature, but now is not the time for caution. We need reckless speculation.
I, for one, am excited about the upcoming release. I am new to Final Fantasy so I, admittedly, don’t have a deep connection to the franchise like others do. There are many out there who are saddened by the continuing shift away from the turn-based roots.
That’s totally fair and a conundrum I felt with The Legend of Zelda with the release of Breath of the Wild.
Final Fantasy XVI looks to fully embrace its darker tone and leans into its mature rating. The game looks gorgeous and I am excited about the exclusivity to the PlayStation 5 as it can fully embrace the technology.
That said, I think long-time fans may take issue with continued shift. It looks like Square Enix is targeting a larger market with its Western-inspired gameplay.
Furthermore, Final Fantasy XVI producer Naoki Yoshida revealed many Japanese developers view JRPGs different than those in the West.
I’ve played Final Fantasy VII and VIII recently and FFXVI looks far from the original titles. This will be on display more after the pixel remasters of the first six games drop on Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4.
We still have plenty of time until the game’s release on June 22 and a demo launching two weeks before release. There’s still time for opinions to change, but the camps are starting to blossom.
What about you? How are you feeling about the upcoming Final Fantasy XVI? Do you like the continued shift or do you prefer a return to the franchise’s roots? Let us know in the comments below or by heading over to our Discord channel to join the conversation.
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