Final Fantasy originally started, as the name suggests, as a fantasy series. In fact, the first “breakout” hit Final Fantasy game in the west, Final Fantasy 4, was hardcore fantasy. However, the series really caught on in public consciousness with Final Fantasy 7, which was science fiction, and since then, Square has usually attempted to go the science fiction route more than plain fantasy—look at Final Fantasy 8, 13, or 15, for example.
But if it were up to Naoki Yoshida, the director of the hit MMO Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn, Final Fantasy 16 would cut down on the science fiction fluff, and go back to being pure fantasy, much like the under-appreciated Final Fantasy 9 did.
“You guys are asking some tough questions,” Yoshida laughed when asked this question at the Paris Fan Fest (via Siliconera). “That’s funny, I thought FanFests were supposed to be fun, but here we are with this super hard question [laughs]. First, if you’re asking whether the Final Fantasy series will get another MMO soon, I think the chances are unlikely so long as Final Fantasy XIV is doing well. On that note, personally speaking, I’d like to see a Final Fantasy that is straightforward fantasy, one that doesn’t have much machinery, and with no mecha in it.”
Personally, I can’t say yes to this sentiment strongly enough. While I do appreciate some of the more unusual science fiction aesthetics that Final Fantasy has adopted, my favorite Final Fantasy games all happen to be those that veer on the side of fantasy rather than science fiction. I would love it if 16 went that route too.
Of course, it may be a while before we see Final Fantasy 16 launch. Square Enix has allegedly started hiring for next gen game development, which suggests that the wait for the next Final Fantasy may be a long one, too.