Final Fantasy producer YoshiP says there’s “no clear-cut answer” on if future games will return to turn-based as its all about the “kind of game the creators want” to make

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Moving away from its traditional turn-based format, Final Fantasy has shifted towards action-oriented gameplay as it progresses in the JRPG genre. Although current versions of Final Fantasy are impressive, t Expedition 33.

Despite the high demand for a new turn-based installment in the Final Fantasy series, Square Enix’s producer, Naoki ‘YoshiP’ Yoshida, has mentioned that they haven’t yet made a definitive decision on whether such a game will be produced.

Will Final Fantasy ever return to turn-based gameplay?

In an interview with Anime News Network, Yoshida clarified that Square Enix’s shift from turn-based to action gameplay isn’t solely about following trends. Rather, the choice of gameplay style for upcoming Final Fantasy games is influenced significantly by the creative team working on the project itself.

In the interview, YoshiP clarified that the distinction between turn-based and action gameplay primarily focuses on the combat aspect. However, he emphasized that this perspective overlooks the broader vision the developers have for the type of game they aim to provide to players.

Yoshida clarified that the design of future Final Fantasy games is guided by two key aspects: the visual style we aim to showcase and the storyline we wish to convey to our players. For Square Enix, these components serve as the foundation for establishing the game’s mechanics, and at times, a turn-based system might not align with their creative vision.

Yoshida clarified that there’s no definitive decision yet whether the gameplay will lean towards turn-based or action-oriented. Additionally, he mentioned that the leaders of Final Fantasy 14 and 16 are not shaping the direction of future games in the series.

Significantly, Yoshida clarified that Square Enix as a collective entity does not dictate the direction of the director for Final Fantasy 17 or 18. Rather, the choice lies with them, and if turn-based mechanics are suitable for their project and the developers wish to implement it, then that’s the gameplay style we can expect.

Additionally, we aim to give our potential game producers of versions 17 and beyond maximum freedom, rather than constraining or restricting their creative process. We strive to avoid setting fixed paths for them,” he explained.

I’m really yearning for a grand comeback of Final Fantasy to classic turn-based gameplay, with a cinematic flair that matches my expectations. As a fan who appreciates both FF16 and the FF7 Remake series, I can’t help but hope for a AAA quality turn-based game from Square Enix in the future. However, it appears that such a development might still be a distant dream.

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2025-07-11 13:40