Highlights
- Yoshi-P has teased the much-awaited return of Final Fantasy Tactics, leveraging the expertise of the original team for a potentially fresh take.
- Tactical RPGs are experiencing a boom, with newcomers like Unicorn Overlord and remastered classics like Tactics Ogre Reborn gaining traction.
- The gaming community’s demand for turn-based RPGs remains high, signaling a ripe opportunity for the revival of Final Fantasy Tactics amid the genre’s resurgence.
In recent years, the tactical RPG genre has experienced a remarkable resurgence, captivating both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike. As a recent convert myself, I’ve witnessed the genre’s allure firsthand. With the ongoing wave of success and even the endorsement of influential figures like Yoshi-P (Naoki Yoshida) from Square Enix, the timing seems ripe for the long-awaited return of Final Fantasy Tactics.
Yoshi-P Says So
I found myself nodding in agreement with beloved Final Fantasy 14 and 16 developer Yoshi-P when, in an interview with TheGamer at PAX East, he mentioned that Final Fantasy Tactics was primed for a new entry.
Cheekily bringing up the idea of the Final Fantasy 16 team working on a Tactics entry, Yoshi-P said:
“We have a lot of our staff who worked on previous games like Final Fantasy Tactics or Final Fantasy 12, so you’re going to have a lot of that [Tactics] feel because a lot of the same people are on the team. We’re very happy for you to suggest this because we’re all fans, but if we were going to make this, we wouldn’t want to do the same story that turns out to be a different story.”
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I admit, reading this put a spark in my eye. As a fan of Final Fantasy 14, having played the game for well over a decade, I know that Yoshi-P’s words are given deep consideration when discussing the franchise’s future. After all, he’s widely credited as the driving force behind the remarkable resurgence of the once-flailing 14th entry, transforming it into one of Square Enix’s biggest money-makers.
Moreover, the company holds him in high regard, entrusting him with the helm of the 16th entry and expanding the series into multiple territories. This includes crafting arguably the most mature storyline in a mainline entry, embracing an action combat style, and even introducing the series’ first openly gay main cast member.
Yoshi-P’s influence, fueled by the recent resurgence of tactical RPGs, in my opinion, is akin to dangling a lit match over a gasoline spill.
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The “Boom” Of Tactical RPGs
My personal journey with tactical RPGs doesn’t boast veteran status. My first successful venture into the genre occurred early in the pandemic when, after much encouragement from a friend, I purchased Fire Emblem: Three Houses. It served as my introduction to the genre, offering accessibility and forgiveness.
I’m not alone in being drawn to this genre, with titles like Unicorn Overlord garnering praise for their intriguing, dark political narrative and flashy combat. Additionally, the classic game Tactics Ogre received the remaster treatment with Tactics Ogre Reborn. Not to mention my personal early 2023 favorite, Fire Emblem Engage, a game which I still maintain had a better story than critics suggested.
Make Final Fantasy Tactical Again
In the midst of the praise for new entries within the Final Fantasy series such as Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, we’re witnessing the franchise thrive by offering fans a diverse array of experiences. Not all of them have to be action RPGs, nor do they have to be hybrids like Rebirth. And by now, it’s become a familiar refrain that turn-based RPGs remain in high demand within the gaming community. From BG3 to Persona 3 Reload, the list goes on.
Yet, amidst this resurgence, Final Fantasy quietly remains absent from the proverbial table. Final Fantasy Tactics, for many, served as their introduction to tactical RPGs, offering a beautifully distinct shade within the series. As evidenced by Yoshi-P’s interview, its influence continues to echo in modern-day entries.
So, yes, Yoshi-P is right. Bring on Final Fantasy Tactics 2.
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