Summary
Despite the formula it has established and grown comfortable with over decades, Square Enix’sFinal Fantasyseries is no stranger to branching out and experimenting with gameplay ideas that it would have otherwise called “unconventional.” From the battle royale formula ofFinal Fantasy 7: The First Soldierto the multiplayerMonster Hunter-style gameplayofFinal Fantasy Explorers, there seems to be no end to what Square Enix will attempt with its beloved franchise. Even with all that it has explored so far, however,Final Fantasyhas yet to dig into one RPG subgenre that would fit it perfectly.
The ARPG space is one thatFinal Fantasycould very well succeed in, as it already has all the right ingredients to produce something that could compete with the likes of Blizzard Entertainment’sDiablofranchise. With its extensive Job system seen throughout multiple entries and its experience in the live-service industry withFinal Fantasy 11andFinal Fantasy 14, Square Enix’sFinal Fantasyseries is sitting on an ARPG gold mine that it shouldn’t neglect to experiment with in the future.
Final Fantasy Should Experiment With an ARPG
Final Fantasy’s Job System Is Built for Class-Based Loot Gameplay
At the heart ofARPGs likeDiablo,Path of Exile, andLast Epochis class-based loot-driven progression that sees players using diverse character classes to mow down massive waves of enemies in search of better gear. This is a big part of what qualifiesFinal Fantasyfor the ARPG scene, as it has arguably the richest class system in video game history, with decades of iconic Jobs like the Dragoon, Black Mage, Samurai, and Red Mage classes. Entries likeFinal Fantasy 5,Final FantasyTactics, andFinal Fantasy 10-2showed just how deep these systems can go and how flexible they are, encouraging players to create unique builds based on their playstyle.
The ARPG space is one thatFinal Fantasycould very well succeed in, as it already has all the right ingredients to produce something that could compete with the likes of Blizzard Entertainment’sDiablofranchise.
AFinal FantasyARPG could take this even further by using the Jobs system it already has in place as a starting point. Perhaps players could level a Warrior who could eventually unlock cross-class passives from the Thief and Monk class trees, which would make chasing after gear that would complement that build all the more fulfilling.Final Fantasycould even implement askill tree likePath of Exile 2’s, which is not only regarded as one of the biggest skill trees ever designed, but also gives players almost limitless freedom over their build, as opposed to confining them to one character class.
Final Fantasy 14 Proves Square Enix Knows the Live-Service Industry Well
Since most modern ARPGs follow a live-service model, that means aFinal FantasyARPG could benefit from Square Enix’s expertise with live-service games, consideringFinal Fantasy 14is widely regarded as one of thebest MMOs ever made. WhileFinal Fantasy 14had an incredibly rough start, its reboot saw an influx of new players to its world that has persisted to this day, meaning Square Enix obviously knows how to keep a game relevant for years on end. The same would likely be true of a live-serviceFinal FantasyARPG, thereby adding another element to the case for the series to explore such territory.
AFinal FantasyARPG wouldn’t need to be a live-service game, but given how many modern ARPGs opt for the model, it would make sense.
Square Enix has never been afraid to take risks withFinal Fantasy, so exploring the ARPG genre feels less like a gamble and more like a natural evolution. With its iconic Job system, decades of lore, and a proven track record in the live-service industry, theFinal Fantasyseriesalready has all the pieces it needs for a standout ARPG experience. All that’s left is for it to boldly take the plunge.
