Summary
It’s been a couple of years sinceStranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Originwas released, and since then the franchise feels like it’s in a different place.Final Fantasy 16took a lot of whatFinal Fantasy Origintried to do and wrapped it in a more broadly appealing package, serving as a grimFinal Fantasyouting with fully actionized combat and over-the-top spectacles. DespiteFFObeing a spin-off andFF16being a mainline title, both games had so many parallels that their respective last and first DLC episodes even launched in the first and final months of 2023.
Success could not be shared equally among them, however, and even thoughFinal Fantasy 16has joinedFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthin not meeting sales expectations, it’s fair to say that the numbered title brought in a larger audience. That’s to be expected, as the latter game is not only a spin-off, but deliberately appeals to the hardcore Soulslike niche. It’s unknown if Square Enix will ever tapFinal Fantasy Origindeveloper Team Ninja to answer more questionsor attempt a sequel themselves, but the strengthsStranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Originrepresents don’t deserve to be left in the franchise’s past.
The Benefits of Final Fantasy Adopting Final Fantasy Origin’s Combat
TheFinal Fantasyfranchise doesn’t necessarily need another full Soulslike, but the door to one is open.Final Fantasyhas been experimenting with various combinations of action and RPG elements since the 8-bit era, and its last few numbered entries are increasingly skewed towards the action side. Thecharacter action combat ofFinal Fantasy 16was the furthest this has gone, even though this prompted plenty of arguments about whether it had gone too far in divesting itself of RPG elements. Regardless,Final Fantasy Originsuggests a more harmonious approach is still viable for the franchise.
How A Major Final Fantasy Would Work As A Soulslike
Final Fantasy 17taking afterFFOby becoming a full-blown Soulslike would imply several changes, but brutal difficulty is not one of them. In the name of keepingFinal Fantasy’s usual audience around, fighting would be more complex thanFF16’s, but possessenough accessibility options to ensure its Soulslike natureis never a roadblock. Combat would generally become more grounded, not necessarily without aerial components like whatElden Ringhas, but certainly bucking theAdvent Childreninfluence that has clung to the franchise sinceFinal Fantasy 13. RPG mechanics could also return to prominence, and it’s in them thatFinal Fantasy Origin’s true value shines through.
Final Fantasy Origin’s Systems Are Primed For More FF Games
A lot of great gameplay ideas would be left on the table ifFinal Fantasy Originnever receives a successor. Chief among these is its successful translation of aclassicFinal Fantasyjob system into action form, from which a mainline entry’s combat system could easily spring. Whether it’s all applied to a single protagonist like Clive or a whole party like Jack’s inner circle, the conversions of so many jobs and classes prove that a more traditionally RPG-likeFinal Fantasy 17could work without abandoning its fully real-time gameplay.
Mechanics Surrounding FFO’s Battles Also Gel With Final Fantasy
That point also highlights what really separates a SoulslikeFF17from the hack-and-slash nature ofFF16.Stranger of ParadiseinheritedNioh’s love-it-or-hate-it loot system, and while that’s better left out of a mainlineFF, the core Souls equipment system should remain. GivingFinal Fantasy 17visible equipment likeFFO, combined with typical RPG staples of finding new armor and weapons through exploration, would lend lots of player expression and numerical complexity to a newFinal Fantasy. By taking the best parts ofStranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin’s gameplay, a futureFinal Fantasycould merge that with its typical storytelling and presentation for a truly stellar package.
