Since the announcement of Final Fantasy XVI during the PlayStation 5 showcase, fans have been clamoring for news regarding the newest title in the JRPG franchise. Although fans have to wait for news, some have started generating their own wishlists. Many have differing opinions over what they would personally want from this game. Let's focus on some of the things that could be seen in the upcoming title while also talking about things that wouldn't be wanted from a certain standpoint.
Just for fun, here are some of the things that we would like to see in Final Fantasy XVI and some things that we personally don't want to see in the game going forward.
10 Want: A Complex Story
Final Fantasy stories are known for their strong stories that can be layered with complexity. Sometimes they can be underlying backstories such as Final Fantasy VII's Nibelheim or the concepts of redemption like in Final Fantasy IV. Nonetheless, it is important Final Fantasy XVI has that too.
Although Final Fantasy stories are known for their intense depth and creativity, sometimes their stories can be lost in it such as in Final Fantasy XIII. So a story that can still be complex while not being completely convoluted and lost in jargon would not only be great for the story. It would be satisfying for fans.
9 Don't Want: Sequels
This is an interesting thing to mention since this will imply that the game would have come out already. However, this point still stands that the game might be best if it stayed a singular experience. Rather than creating a compilation like Final Fantasy VII or sequels like Final Fantasy X-2, let the game have a chance to breathe and stand on its own as its very own title. As sometimes having a game standing alone and not having a sequel can really make it special. A good example is Final Fantasy IX, one of the best games in the series with no sequels.
8 Want: A Rich Open World
As the newest Final Fantasy game, expectations are quite high for the setting. As it is gonna harken back to the classic Final Fantasy medieval setting, the hope is that the world is still unique enough to be rich and full of lore. Another hope for an open-world is that it is massive in scale, not quite around the levels of Xenoblade but large enough that it makes the player interested in exploring. Nonetheless, time will tell what the world of Final Fantasy XVI will be like.
7 Don't Want: Hallways
Continuing on from the rich-open world, the last thing fans would want is for the game to return back to the linear progression of Final Fantasy XIII. Specifically, the criticized linear hallways that the player moves forward towards in the game. Having these be brought back into the game may hinder the incredible lore and potential that the world will give to the player should Square Enix somehow bring this for some reason. Whatever the case, hopefully, what comes to Final Fantasy XVI would be exciting for all players.
6 Want: Customization On Magic And Class System
One of the coolest elements from the earlier Final Fantasy games and Final Fantasy XIV is the amount of customization given to the player. This includes the class system which allows the player to play things the way they want to. Another one to point out is the materia system from Final Fantasy VII, which allows the player to have their characters have a different assortment of magic and abilities. Having that in Final Fantasy XVI would only increase the fun and longevity of the playtime.
5 Don't Want: Small Party
Although people did enjoy the cast of Final Fantasy XV, it is also one of the few Final Fantasy games with the smallest casts in their world. As such, it would be nice if Final Fantasy XVI would have a large cast again of around 7-8 characters. That way, there would be a happy balance for characters to bounce off of as well as different playstyles. Although this might be difficult due to the new combat system, it would also make the combat really unique which will be expanded on later in the article.
4 Want: The Option To Have Turn-Based
The gameplay for the new Final Fantasy XVI is very promising thanks to the combat system being developed by Ryota Suzuki who was one of the men responsible for the development of the battle system of Devil May Cry 5. Although this is incredibly exciting to see, many fans still wish for the day where the series can return to have some form of the turn-based combat system. So perhaps if the game was able to add some elements of turn-based or even a separate mode. Similar to Final Fantasy 7 Remakes classic mode.
3 Don't Want: Complete Reliance On Nostalgia
One of the best positives that came out of the announcement of Final Fantasy XVI was the reveal that it was going back to the fantasy setting. Although it's great that Final Fantasy XVI is returning to more classical fantasy, hopefully, the game also doesn't completely rely on nostalgia. Instead only having nostalgic undertones while maintaining the original plot that the game was gonna go for.
2 Want: Complex Party System Combat
As mentioned before, the person responsible for working on Final Fantasy XVI's battle system is Ryota Suzuki. As shown from the trailer so far, it seems like the combat will be somewhat methodical while also being fast-paced. With good magic juggling and teleportation abilities.
If the game is gonna have a party system, it would be really interesting if the gameplay allowed it that there would decent synergy. Allowing for combo extensions or magical combinations. Although fans and critics don't know where the game is leaning towards, the possibilities at the moment seem to be endless.
1 Don't Want: DLC Content Or Supplemental Material To Fill In Story Details
One of the criticisms that were shared after Final Fantasy XV's release was the way the story was told. Mixed due to the games pacing as well as some plot details seemingly not being explained very well. As such, the game ended up having a variety of episodes which helped explain certain aspects of the story while also offering different endings. That and supplement material such as Kingsglaive that took place before the game.
That being said, the hope for Final Fantasy XVI's story is incredibly high, as it shouldn't rely on the DLC in order to explain its lore. Hopefully, the game's story is complex enough with the lore being well-told that it wouldn't need DLC or materials like an anime OVA to pad things out and explain things within the game.