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Why Final Fantasy Shouldn’t Copy Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

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Since 2006, the Final Fantasy series has found itself in a peculiar position, commencing with the debut of Final Fantasy 12.

Among the top contenders for Game of the Year, “Clair Oscur: Expedition 33” is a turn-based game that skillfully blends the spirit of JRPGs such as “Lost Odyssey,” “Final Fantasy X,” and “The Legend of Dragoon” with fast-paced action elements like parrying and dodging, reminiscent of “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice” by FromSoftware. This fusion brings up the ongoing discussion about “Final Fantasy” series moving away from turn-based combat, as “Clair Oscur” demonstrates a successful reimagining of the classic concept. Although I’ve played every “Final Fantasy” game and regard “Clair Oscur” as one of the greatest, I believe Square Enix should not follow in Clair Obscur’s footsteps when developing future games.

FF7 Rebirth & FF16 Prove Different Battle Systems Can Work Well

There’s A Lot More To Final Fantasy Than Just Its Combat System

Following the contentious modifications in Final Fantasy 12, Final Fantasy 13 received an even more polarized reaction, primarily concerning its linear structure and narrative. In recent times, Final Fantasy 13 has experienced a surge in admiration, as the series has moved further away from its original foundation. After Final Fantasy 13 and its sequels, the series completely abandoned its turn-based gameplay, causing dismay among some die-hard fans. Final Fantasy 15 was marketed in-game as “a Final Fantasy for both veterans and newcomers,” but despite its financial success, it raised concerns among hardcore fans, including myself, about the direction of the series. Final Fantasy 16 has adopted an even more action-oriented gameplay style.

Besides adopting a more action-oriented battle system, Final Fantasy 15 also ventured into a contemporary open-world setting, following broader tendencies in the gaming market. However, this pursuit of trends raised concerns about the potential dilution of its unique identity. Nevertheless, the combat systems in Final Fantasy 15, Final Fantasy 16, and particularly Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, are generally well-received, with many praising them as exceptional.

In contrast to its predecessors, FF16 shifted focus towards intense, cinematic battles instead of traditional RPG elements. Ryota Suzuki, who had previous experience with Capcom’s Devil May Cry series and was later involved in the content programming for FF7 Rebirth, designed the game’s combat system. While many fans were captivated by the game’s more linear narrative and Eikon battle spectacles, others expressed a desire for additional RPG mechanics. Although the combat system itself was well-received, some felt that simplifying abilities, customization options, and player choices detracted from the RPG experience they had hoped for.

In a marked shift, the hybrid action-turn-based system of FF7 Rebirth – boasting rich RPG mechanics such as Materia constructions, elemental vulnerabilities, and tactical layers through a slowed-down Tactical Mode that combines strategy with action elements – received near-unanimous acclaim from fans. To put it simply, FF7 Rebirth boasts one of the finest combat systems among all RPGs in my view. Additionally, I would argue that Clair Obscur‘s turn-based combat system is unparalleled, but Square Enix has a strong base for its combat mechanics and should concentrate on improving these concepts rather than discarding them.

Platform Exclusivity Is Hurting Final Fantasy

It’s Not Just The Combat System That Is Causing Discourse

As a passionate film buff diving into the world of video games, I’ve been captivated by the launch of “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” on gaming powerhouses like Xbox Series X/S, PC, and PS5, not forgetting its debut as a day-one addition to Xbox Game Pass. This game has truly taken the gaming world by storm, selling over two million copies, a remarkable feat even with its availability on Game Pass! Intriguingly, it even managed to sell over half a million copies within hours of release.

However, it’s interesting to note that Square Enix, the game’s publisher, has shared that both “Final Fantasy 16” and the “Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth” have fallen short of their sales expectations. A significant factor contributing to this was the exclusivity of these games to the PS5 console. While they’ve since been released on PC post-launch, it remains to be seen if this will entirely compensate for the initial sales loss due to exclusivity.

The final mainline installment to launch across multiple platforms was Final Fantasy 15, and by May 2022, it had sold over 10 million copies, making it one of the most successful Final Fantasy games. This remarkable success can be attributed to several reasons. One reason is that the game was tailored for newcomers to the series. Another factor was the extended period of anticipation surrounding the game’s release, as there was nearly a seven-year gap between Final Fantasy 13 and 15 (Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn debuted in 2013, but as an MMO, it didn’t fulfill the need for a new single-player RPG).

The surge in sales for FF15 can be attributed to its lengthy production process and rebranding. Initially, it was known as Final Fantasy Versus 13, a spin-off title. Over time, characters, concepts, storylines, and game systems were revised to form part of FF15. While completely duplicating the success of FF15 might not be feasible, addressing the exclusivity problem could make a difference. With the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy confirmed for Switch 2 and most other Final Fantasy games now accessible on PC, this could mark a significant shift for Square Enix, allowing fans to play the latest installment on their preferred platform without being hindered by exclusivity deals.

Both FF & Clair Obscur Can Learn From Each Other To Create Something New

Greater Than The Sum Of Their Parts

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 nearly gets everything right, but that doesn’t necessarily imply it introduces anything groundbreaking. It boasts a chilling and impactful narrative, complex characters, and striking visuals. Regardless, many of its components are familiar from other games. The story carries several themes and design aspects reminiscent of FF10. The combat user interface bears resemblance to Persona 5. Real-time elements in the combat have been utilized in various other games, such as Lost Odyssey and Shadow Hearts.

A significant portion of the layout in this game was influenced by “Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice,” including the mechanic where enemies respawn when checkpoints are used. However, it’s not just the individual elements that make “Clair Obscur” exceptional; instead, it’s the unique blend of all these components that creates a fresh and captivating gaming experience.

Instead of directly copying Clair Obscur in the future, FF might benefit more from learning and exchanging ideas with it. While Clair Obscur has certainly captured the attention of many gamers lately, I can’t help but wish that Final Fantasy 16 or Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth had generated a similar response. In essence, both games could learn from each other to create something fresh and exciting.

It’s clear that turn-based games continue to thrive (despite some misconceptions), but in order to create something unique and groundbreaking, it would be wise for Final Fantasy to draw lessons from its predecessors and successors. The building blocks and creativity are already present. All that’s left is to polish and perfect the existing concepts.

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2025-05-23 09:17

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