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| Peter Triezenberg |
While still speculation, it's exciting to hear the rumblings of something new!
11.09.16 - 11:21 PM
With Final Fantasy XV just around the corner, one wonders what could be next for this venerable and prestigious RPG franchise. Shinji Hashimoto, Square Enix executive producer and brand manager for the Final Fantasy series, had a few things to say regarding the series' future at the Lucca Comics & Games 2016 event which recently took place in Italy.
First and foremost, Hashimoto gave some clarifications about upcoming titles such as Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age. A release date for the remaster hasn't been set yet, but seeing as the game has reached its 10th anniversary, Square would like to release it as soon as possible. Hashimoto also says that, in regards to the Kingdom Hearts franchise, there won't be a 2.9 to follow Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8: Final Chapter Prologue, and the long-anticipated Kingdom Hearts III will come next. He also stated that 0.2 Birth by Sleep: A Fragmentary Passage may sound short, but it's not something that can be finished in no time at all, either, depending on how much the player is willing to experience.
Another long-awaited title that remains shrouded in mystery is the Final Fantasy VII Remake, and unfortunately, Hashimoto was unable to provide any additional details on the game. He did say that Square is working hard on the game, and asked fans to wait a little longer for more information, a line we've come to be quite familiar with over the years. Hashimoto also pointed out that rumors of a 2017 release date were, indeed, merely rumors, and the company has not made an official announcement at this time.
On the subject of Final Fantasy XIII and its sequels, Hashimoto said that Square Enix believes that sales figures have been "sufficient," and if their expectations were higher they would have pursued more avenues to sell the game. I suppose that's an indication that the XIII trilogy likely won't be seeing a current-gen release anytime soon, although Square Enix will continue to foster Lightning as a popular character.
Saving the best for last, Hashimoto talked about the possibility of another follow-up to Final Fantasy X, something that has been hinted at ever since the audio drama included with Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster. However, as all of the key staff of Final Fantasy X, such as Tetsuya Nomura and Yoshinori Kitase, are currently occupied with other projects, fans will have to wait until Square has completed work on titles they've announced. Still, this doesn't outright refute the possibility of a Final Fantasy X-3, so that's interesting.
Last, but not least, there't the prospect of Final Fantasy XVI, a new numbered entry in the storied franchise following the long and tumultuous development cycle of XV. As with Final Fantasy X-3, this isn't an official announcement per se, but rather an interesting glimpse into the potential future of the franchise. Hashimoto believes that every numbered Final Fantasy has started from scratch, which means that the modern setting and action combat of XV may not return for XVI. Hashimoto stated that each Final Fantasy game aims to serve as the definitive, "ultimate fantasy" of a generation, meaning that whatever XVI ends up becoming will be dependent on the game's director and the gaming industry as a whole.
What do you think of Hashimoto's comments? Are you excited for Final Fantasy VII Remake, or the possibility of a Final Fantasy X-3? Let us know on the forums, and as always, stay tuned to RPGFan for all of the latest RPG news.
