The success of Sandfall Interactive’s RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has prompted Sq. Enix to acknowledge that there’s nonetheless a marketplace for turn-based RPGs, particularly with its Ultimate Fantasy franchise. As noticed by X person Genki_JPN, Sq. Enix president Takashi Kiryu responded to questions on the way forward for the Ultimate Fantasy franchise, particularly with reference to the newest mainline entry abandoning turn-based fight to as an alternative undertake action-styled gameplay.
Kiryu reportedly acknowledged the recognition of turn-based RPGs, and seemingly plans to have Sq. Enix develop and launch extra of them down the road. Nevertheless, it’s value noting that no bulletins or confirmations had been made about whether or not we’d see Ultimate Fantasy return to its turn-based roots with Ultimate Fantasy 17. Actually, the corporate is probably going busy with the franchise by way of a number of upcoming video games, together with the third a part of the Ultimate Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, in addition to the upcoming Ultimate Fantasy Techniques – The Ivalice Chronicles.
The latter – a remaster of the seminal Ultimate Fantasy Techniques launched for the unique PlayStation – was introduced earlier this month. The sport is slated for launch on September 30, and will probably be coming to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Sequence X/S, Nintendo Change and Nintendo Change 2.
In terms of the deeper elements of the remaster, The Ivalice Chronicles will embody Enhanced and Basic variations of the sport. It would make use of the interpretation from the Conflict of the Lions model that was initially launched on PlayStation Transportable. The Ivalice Chronicles may even embody extra trendy visuals in addition to some quality-of-life options.
As for the Ultimate Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy, Ultimate Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade just lately bought introduced for launch on Xbox Sequence X/S. Whereas no launch date has been given, the title will probably be coming to Xbox in Winter 2025. This possible additionally signifies that the second title within the trilogy – Ultimate Fantasy 7 Rebirth – may find yourself coming to the platform a while subsequent yr.
Ultimate Fantasy 16, however, just lately made its means on to Xbox Sequence X/S. You’ll be able to take a look at extra particulars in regards to the recreation in our overview.
Again in March, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 recreation producer and Sandfall Interactive co-founder François Meurisse spoke about how the RPG was impressed by basic Ultimate Fantasy video games in addition to extra trendy motion video games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
“These are huge childhood video games for Guillaume [Broche], our recreation director,” Meurisse stated, speaking about Ultimate Fantasy 7, 8, 9, and 10. “He wished to have like form of feeling that he imagined would have remained in trendy Ultimate Fantasy-like video games, if they’d saved doing turn-based stuff. However he combined additionally a lot of completely different inspirations. Positively Ultimate Fantasy and JRPGs are the preeminent gameplay heritage we have now. The protection system is extra impressed by Sekiro and From Software program video games. It has this sort of rhythm factor and a extra real-time part in it. Extra skill-based.”
Meurisse additionally spoke about different inspirations, together with card video games like Slay the Spire that enable gamers to utilize distinctive mechanics by means of completely different combos of playing cards.
“There are additionally a lot of completely different smaller inspirations,” stated Meurisse. “For instance, the thought of getting motion factors for abilities within the battles is extra impressed by deckbuilding video games than having the standard like magic factors scores or mana in RPGs.”