The next mainline Final Fantasy could move away from the series’ turn-based roots in favor for a more action-oriented battle system, according to Final Fantasy XIII-2 producer Yoshinori Kitase.
Speaking to EDGE, Kitase said the rising popularity of action RPGs are becoming “a trend”—one “you ignore at your peril.”
“I think the nature of the franchise is to present something new each time,” Kitase said. “In the global market we see many players moving away from games that used turn-based systems toward what you might term an action RPG.
Final Fantasy XIII‘s battle system moved towards action in its display, but remained turn-based at heart. The next Final Fantasy may see even bigger change.
“Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy XIII-2‘s battle systems have those elements of speed and action that are the key words for us, though that doesn’t necessarily mean we’re going to stick to the same route in our next game,” he added.
“That’s something only time can tell.”
Square Enix‘s 1st Production Department is currently developing Final Fantasy Versus XIII for PlayStation 3, an action RPG in the vein of Kingdom Hearts.