"Final Fantasy XV" was just released a couple of days ago and already talks for a sequel have begun. The legendary JRPG series just had its fastest selling game in their history in "Final Fantasy XV" and Square Enix has plans in what direction of "Final Fantasy XVI" will take.
Square Enix executive producer and Final Fantasy brand manager Shinji Hashimoto recently talked about the upcoming sequel for "Final Fantasy XV" at the Lucca Comics and Games in 2016. He said the just like the previous entries for the Final Fantasy series, the setting of each game would be vastly different from one another. He points out the differences in Final Fantasy"s 7, 8 and 9 were all different and fans should expect "Final Fantasy 16"
However, unlike the majority of Final Fantasy games, "Final Fantasy 16" will once again diverge from the the tactical and methodical turn based combat the series have been known for. Just like "Final Fantasy XV", "Final Fantasy 16" will once again be more on the action RPG side according to Shinji Hashimoto.
"Final Fantasy XV" already has an inclination on the action side. Shinji Hashimoto's comment could mean that "Final Fantasy 16" could follow "Final Fantasy XV" in its direction or maybe even go further. While the combat of "Final Fantasy XV" gives players a wait mode to plan their actions and make the game more tactical "Final Fantasy XV" is still on the action side.
The Final Fantasy series started the shift to a more action oriented RPG since "Final Fantasy XII" in 2006. With the exception of "Final Fantasy XIV" being an MMORPG, each succeeding game from the series has leaned more and more to an action game. Even the "Final Fantasy 7" remake will be changing its original battle system to favor a more action RPG style. If Shinji Hashimoto' s comments are true, then "Final Fantasy XVI" will be following the series' trend.
In that case, we could see a "Final Fantasy 16" in line with maybe a Zelda style of gameplay. An open world game in which "Final Fantasy XV" have done with a faster combat similar to Zelda. Zelda's formula has withstood the test of time and it would a great source of inspiration for "Final Fantasy 16"
Nonetheless, despite the praise "Final Fantasy XV" has received especially from its combat system, fans are still waiting for a "true" Final Fantasy experience. A Final Fantasy with all the elements the series has been known but with the traditional turn based combat. Square Enix has already proven that there is still a market for old school JRPGS with the huge sales of the Bravely Default series. Will Square Enix continue to advance the series to a more action oriented game? Or will they return to their roots of a traditional JRPG. Fans will just have to wait for "Final Fantasy 16" to find out.
