Spanning several decades, the Final Fantasy series has continued to thrive, mainly due to its unique anthology-style approach. While many enduring gaming franchises falter as they try to maintain their allure over time, often bogged down by convoluted narratives or repetitive formulas, Final Fantasy breaks the mold with its more relaxed attitude toward storylines and characters. This flexibility allows the series to experiment with different settings and tones, keeping each installment fresh and engaging.
But it’s not just the narrative elements benefiting from this freedom—the gameplay also gets a frequent overhaul. Final Fantasy has carved out a niche for players who enjoy MMORPGs, turn-based strategy, and action-RPGs, thanks to its openness to mechanical reinvention. Take something like the Final Fantasy 7 Remake: it lets fans relive a beloved tale but with vastly different gameplay mechanics. That said, there’s still room for Square Enix to push the envelope further. Most titles stay rooted in traditional RPG conventions, so perhaps borrowing a page from Western RPGs could be a refreshing twist.
Interestingly, Final Fantasy has dabbled in the third-person shooter realm on a couple of occasions. While it might seem like an unusual blend, integrating shooter elements with the Final Fantasy style could actually turn out well. A couple of noteworthy examples include:
- Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy 7
- Final Fantasy 7: The First Soldier
Dirge of Cerberus has earned a cult following. It’s often remembered as a quirky spin-off from the extensive Final Fantasy 7 universe. Sure, its shooting mechanics may not set the world on fire, but there’s a certain early 2000s charm about it, especially with its eccentric storyline centered around Vincent Valentine. Despite some clunky elements, it remains a fascinating attempt at combining action-RPG mechanics with shooter elements.
On the other hand, The First Soldier didn’t quite hit the mark. Released in 2021 as a free-to-play battle royale, it was far removed from what most fans had anticipated. The genre itself was already feeling overplayed by its launch. Its lackluster reception wasn’t necessarily because of poorly executed shooting mechanics; rather, it felt like a missed opportunity to capitalize on the franchise’s strengths. Nevertheless, there’s potential for Square Enix to successfully incorporate this approach into future high-budget releases.
Moving forward, it wouldn’t be too far-fetched for Final Fantasy to embrace a single-player shooter format. Even though many real-time entries in the series focus on melee battles, shooting mechanics can mesh with Final Fantasy’s action-RPG essence. In the Final Fantasy 7 remake saga, for instance, Barret’s battle system merges grounded shooting with fantastical twists—no ammo limits and magical enhancements included.
Imagine a more intricate system based on Barret’s or Vincent Valentine’s gameplay. Players could explore aiming, reloading, and customizing gun loadouts, leading to a more enriched combat environment. Toss in magical abilities, like elemental-infused guns or spell-casting staves, and you’ve got a recipe for a thrilling shift from typical sword-centric gameplay seen in titles like Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 16.
Moreover, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth offers another episode in this renewed vision of the genre-defining saga. This standalone sequel in the remake sequence allows even newcomers to delve into its all-encompassing narrative. The exploration is rich, the action is fast-paced, and the storytelling hits new cinematic heights. The journey continues as Cloud, Aerith, Barret, Tifa, and Red XIII escape Midgar to hunt down the infamous Sephiroth. All this unfolds over multiple gaming systems, showcasing an impressive graphical engine and delivering a grand experience.
