Final Fantasy’s Turn-Based Future Remains Uncertain, Producer Says

• Square Enix producer Naoki Yoshida says there’s no clear answer on whether Final Fantasy will return to turn-based gameplay. 

• Individual game directors decide what combat system fits their creative vision, and Square Enix won’t force them to use specific mechanics. 

• Turn-based Final Fantasy remains possible but depends entirely on what future directors want to create.

Square Enix producer Naoki Yoshida has addressed speculation about Final Fantasy’s potential return to turn-based gameplay. The franchise veteran acknowledged fan demand but offered no definitive commitment to reviving the classic combat system.

The discussion emerged following the success of Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which demonstrated strong market appetite for traditional JRPG mechanics. However, Yoshida emphasized that gameplay decisions extend beyond simple combat preferences.

Creative Vision Drives Gameplay Direction

Yoshida explained that Final Fantasy’s evolution toward action-based systems reflects broader creative goals rather than trend-following. The producer highlighted how narrative ambitions and visual presentation standards influence mechanical choices.

“The direction of new FF games is based on a certain graphical quality we want to present to our players, or the narrative we want to deliver to our players,” Yoshida stated in his interview with Anime News Network. These elements determine how development teams structure their game systems.

The producer emphasized that isolating the debate to battle mechanics oversimplifies the development process. Each project requires different approaches based on what creators aim to deliver.

Individual Directors Hold Decision-Making Power

Square Enix maintains a hands-off approach regarding future installments’ gameplay direction. Yoshida confirmed that individual project directors retain full creative control over their entries.

The company refuses to mandate specific combat systems for upcoming titles like Final Fantasy 17 or 18. This philosophy allows directors to select mechanics that best serve their creative vision.

“We don’t want to obstruct or limit our future director or whoever will be producing the games like 17 or even 18,” Yoshida explained. The producer stressed that Square Enix avoids placing creative constraints on development teams.

Recent releases like Final Fantasy 16 and the FF7 Remake trilogy have successfully embraced action-oriented gameplay. These titles received positive reception while maintaining the series’ cinematic storytelling standards.

Nevertheless, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s success has reignited discussions about turn-based mechanics in modern JRPGs. The game’s achievement demonstrates that traditional combat systems can coexist with contemporary production values.

Yoshida acknowledged this market reality but provided no timeline for potential turn-based entries. He maintained that any such decision would depend entirely on individual project requirements and director preferences.

The producer’s comments suggest that while turn-based Final Fantasy remains possible, fans should not expect immediate announcements. Square Enix continues prioritizing creative freedom over predetermined gameplay mandates.