Final Fantasy Wish List: 5 Fan Requests for Square Enix

Developers prioritizing fan feedback have seen remarkable improvements in their reputation. Capcom's resurgence as a top-tier developer is a prime example of this. Square Enix, renowned for their Final Fantasy series, has also taken this approach, striving to satiate the desires of their fans. Their recent endeavors have seen remasters and revamps of the first six Final Fantasy games, remaking Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, and the successful launch of Final Fantasy XVI. As they continue to fulfill fan wishes, several requests remain on the fans' wish list.

The Final Fantasy XIII Trilogy Remaster

Square Enix has been diligently remastering and rereleasing Final Fantasy mainlines. However, two games remain untouched on PlayStation 5: Final Fantasy XI and Final Fantasy XIII. Despite the negative feedback, a remaster could change the perception of these games, as seen with Final Fantasy VIII and XII. The company has yet to tap into this potential, possibly due to financial considerations and the potential risk of low sales. A remaster, especially one released on the Switch, could bring a fresh perspective to these games and potentially restore their popularity among fans.

Single Player Final Fantasy XI and the Return of Final Fantasy Tactics

Final Fantasy XI, a once-popular MMORPG, has been overshadowed by Final Fantasy XIV. Despite its declining popularity, a dedicated player base still supports the game two decades after its launch. The developers are aware of the interest in an offline version of the game. While they consider this appealing and aim to preserve the game, they are concerned about losing the unique community aspect. A remaster, potentially sharing a subscription with FFXIV, could be a solution. Additionally, fans are eagerly anticipating the return of Final Fantasy Tactics. This non-mainline Final Fantasy game is considered one of the best in the series, and its return could bring a wave of nostalgia and renewed interest.

Remakes of Final Fantasy VI and Dirge Of Cerberus

Remakes are defining the current gaming generation. Iconic games like Resident Evil 4, The Last of Us, and several Final Fantasy titles have experienced successful revamps. Rumor has it that a remake of Final Fantasy IX is in development. However, fans are still hoping for a remake of Final Fantasy VI, one of the top games across all genres. The 3D rendering of iconic scenes, like the Opera scene, would be a phenomenal experience for players. Along with this, fans are also hoping for a remaster of Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII. Despite facing numerous challenges, the successful remaster of Crisis Core has given fans hope for a similar remaster for Dirge of Cerberus.

Continued Development of Final Fantasy XV and Bonus Content for Pixel Remasters

Final Fantasy XV has the potential to be a stellar mainline Final Fantasy game. Despite its divisive reception, quality-of-life updates and a current console release could greatly improve its standing. The Pixel Remasters of the first six Final Fantasy games are almost perfect, but fans feel the absence of bonus content found in later releases. If Square Enix could add this bonus content to the Pixel Remasters, it would offer players a definitive experience of these classic games.

The Future of Final Fantasy: A New Turn-Based Mainline and More Frequent Releases

Many fans are clamoring for a return to the turn-based/ATB battle system. Although modernizing the series has made it more appealing to a broader audience, purist fans feel that the series has declined since the shift from turn-based gameplay. Additionally, fans are requesting more frequent mainline releases. The release gap between mainlines has been increasing since FFXI, and fans are growing impatient. Square Enix could potentially establish a workable rotation, akin to Ubisoft’s approach with Assassin's Creed and Activision's with Call of Duty, to release mainlines more frequently. Above all, fans hope that Square Enix will deliver a universally beloved next mainline, avoiding the pitfalls and over-corrections of previous games.