Fans of Final Fantasy hoping for a return to its classic turn-based combat might need to keep their expectations in check for the time being. Naoki Yoshida, the producer of Final Fantasy 16 and director of Final Fantasy 14, shared insights about the series’ future battle systems at Anime Expo 2025. The discussion was sparked by Sandfall Interactive’s game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Yoshida provided a thoughtful perspective on the ongoing debate between action and turn-based combat. He emphasized that focusing solely on the battle system doesn’t account for the game creators’ overall vision. The choice between action and turn-based mechanics is influenced by several factors, including graphical quality and narrative delivery, which in turn shape the game’s systems, design, and gameplay experience.
Yoshida expressed uncertainty about the future direction, stating, “It’s not a clear-cut answer, whether it will become all turn-based, or if it’s going to become more action-based.” He also mentioned that the direction of Final Fantasy 17 is still undecided, as he might not be involved in its development. He emphasized the importance of not restricting future directors or producers of upcoming installments like Final Fantasy 16 or 18.
In a rare admission, Square Enix acknowledged that Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth did not meet expectations. Released in 2023, Final Fantasy 16 focused on action-based combat with influences from popular series like Game of Thrones, Attack on Titan, Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Godzilla. While some fans appreciated the ambitious Eikon battles and combat system, others missed the turn-based style.
In contrast, Final Fantasy 7 Remake sought to blend its turn-based heritage with a real-time combat approach. Meanwhile, Expedition 33 has modernized turn-based mechanics by incorporating elements like parrying and dodging, gaining recognition for its success. However, Yoshida’s comments indicate that Square Enix is cautious about simply following trends or reverting to older formulas despite Sandfall Interactive’s achievements.
For now, the future of the Final Fantasy series remains open. Whether Final Fantasy 17 will embrace turn-based systems or further explore action-based combat is uncertain. The creative team at Square Enix will likely continue to forge new paths, staying true to their history of innovation and evolution.
