2024 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for Square Enix, particularly for their flagship franchise, Final Fantasy 14. It will mark one of the rare years where the Japanese gaming giant will release new content and entries for its lucrative and best-selling series all within months of each other. First up is Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, which comes out in February 2024, exclusively on PlayStation 5. It’s set to mark a significant shift in the original’s narrative direction, building on the first game in the remake trilogy by adding new twists to Sephiroth and Aerith as well bringing in new content unique to the remake of the original 1997 JRPG classic. This is followed by The Rising Tide DLC for Final Fantasy 16 in Spring 2024, a promising story expansion that will, hopefully, round out the heavily criticized but commercially successful title. Finally, Dawntrail, FF14’s latest expansion that focuses on a new story arc instead of the high-stakes world-ending scenarios of older expansions, is next on the docket, scheduled for Summer 2024.
In recent years, particularly since the release of Final Fantasy 15 in 2016, audiences have expressed a mix of admiration and criticism towards the franchise. While the series has consistently delivered quality content, there’s been a growing sentiment that the predictable and formulaic nature of content release has become too familiar. Some players feel this predictability diminishes the excitement of new content, especially for Final Fantasy 14. This has become a frequent topic of discussion on the internet, especially among fan communities who are voicing their collective desire for innovation and a break from the established routine.
It’s not for the lack of trying. In Endwalker, for example, Square Enix introduced new and divisive elements like variant and criterion dungeons. For FF16, Creative Business Unit III tried a DMC-like combat system with a mature story. Finally, for the Final Fantasy 7 Remake trilogy – it’s an experiment in on and itself, with promises to add a mix of new content and bring back familiar features.
Despite these challenges, the love for Final Fantasy within its community remains strong, driven by a passion for the franchise and a desire to see what’s next. This is reflected in the numbers where Final Fantasy continues to sell well. This continued engagement, even amid frustrations, highlights Square Enix’s commitment to the JRPG franchise, staying to its earlier words of focusing on its AAA properties. However, if the upcoming entries and releases don’t address some of these concerns and feel too similar, it risks alienating long-term players.
The graphical update planned for Dawntrail, in particular, is a necessary step towards revitalizing its visual appeal, a big deal given its age. However, what’s crucial is how the expansion will innovate gameplay and content delivery. Director and producer Naoki Yoshida has hinted at the reintroduction of large-scale exploratory zones, akin to those introduced in Stormblood and Shadowbringers. These zones, while initially divisive, eventually became popular among players for their unique approach to grinding and their moderate difficulty level.
Furthermore, a bigger challenge for Square Enix and FF14 lies in balancing the expectations of a rapidly expanding player base, which grew significantly during the pandemic and the influx from other MMOs, with the need to innovate and keep the game fresh. It has established itself as a major player in the MMO space, but its future success will depend on how well it adapts to changing player expectations and maintains its appeal in a competitive market. This will be especially crucial once it arrives on Xbox sometime next year.
With plans to reportedly remake Final Fantasy 9, Final Fantasy X, and Final Fantasy Tactics, it’s clear Square Enix wants to bring its most lucrative property back to its golden age – a time many of its hardcore fans remember fondly.
Whether or not Square Enix succeeds remains up in the air, but 2024 will play a pivotal role in helping it dig itself out of its current financial hole. Next year’s success or failure will significantly impact the series’ direction for years. Players are looking for something that feels new and exciting, yet familiar enough to stay true to the essence of Final Fantasy. How 2024’s entries will manage this balancing act will be key to its reception.
In the meantime, franchise fans may want to check our list of the best Final Fantasy games to play on PC.
