Summary
Turn-based combat and RPGs go hand-in-hand, as the two have been inextricably linked since birth. And theFinal Fantasyfranchise is no exception, as the iconic series has produced some of thefinest turn-based RPGsin history. But as the series has evolved and re-defined itself over the years, it has included some entries with some spectacular real-time combat.
Square Enix has shown a deft hand at being able to re-invent the series, as both spin-off titles and mainline games have been introducing new and fascinating forms of real-time combat. Whether it’s going for a full-on hack-and-slash style or something that adds real-time actions to strategic inputs,Final Fantasyhas shown that it isn’t, and has never been, shackled to its turn-based origins.
Final Fantasy Adventurewas initially developed as a completely different game, planned for release on five floppy disks, and eventually gave birth to theManaseries. InFinal Fantasy Adventure, the combat and action unfold more like aZeldagame. It features a top-down perspective and real-time combat, which is splendidly simple thanks to the two-button layout of the Gameboy.
As the player defeats enemies, they gain experience that levels them up and grants them new abilities.It expertly combines RPGcharacter building that the series is known for with some outstanding real-time sword slashing, and birthed an entire spin-off series that is still going strong to this day.
Due to the unprecedented success ofFinal Fantasy 7, Square opted to cash in on its ravenous popularity by creating an entire media franchise. One of the first entries in the subseries wasDirge of Cerberus,a third-person shooterstarring Vincent Valentine that combined RPG character-building with shooting action.
Dirge of Cerberustakes place three years after the events ofFinal Fantasy 7, pitting Vincent up against Deepground, a secret Shinra organization. The different gun frames allow Vincent to fight this nefarious organization in some fun ways, as the shooting feels chaotic and fast-paced. Slotting Materia into a weapon returns from the originalFF7as well, allowing even more customization and frantic fun to the combat.
Final Fantasy Type-0was originally announced as a mobile game, eventually becoming a part of the Fabula Nova Crystallis subseries, which focuses on the crystal mythology from the franchise’s past. In this dark, morally complex title, the combat unfolds with fourteen playable characters via some outstanding real-time action.
The fourteen students thatmake up Class Zerocome with unique skills and moves, which the player controls in real-time combat that feels remarkably contemporary for a game that’s over ten years old. Ranged and melee combat feels fantastic, as the lock-on system pits the player’s party against numerous monsters and classicFinal Fantasyenemies. It’s a game that’s dying for a sequel, as the depth and breadth of the combat could be greatly expanded in a new entry.
Crisis Corewas designed to flesh out Zack Fair’s story after he served as aminor character in the original. Evolving from the traditional style that Square had been used to,Crisis Coreeventually morphed into an action-based system that also saw Materia return once again, which can be used to imbue weapons with different effects.
Using a slot-based gacha mechanic, similar to machines found in Japan,Crisis Corefeatures a simple, yet satisfying flow of combat. Attacks feel outstanding and the pace of battles is excellent, with some outstanding visual effects for limit breaks and brilliant animation.Crisis Corewas recently remastered for all major platforms, making it easier than ever to play today.
Rumors ofa SoulslikeFinal Fantasy gameby Team Ninja hit the internet in 2021, promising a fusion between the action RPG genre and Square’s iconic series. Square formally revealed it asStranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Originat E3 later that year, showcasing the slick and fast-paced combat alongside a story that taps into the rich lore of the older games.
Feeling like a cross betweenDark Souls,Final FantasyandStar Wars Jedi,Stranger of Paradisecreates an intoxicating loop of combat, exploration, and story. And if anyone can be trusted with real-time combat, it’s Team Ninja, asStranger of Paradisefeels like they are at the top of their game. Swings and attacks feel appropriately meaty, with some weight and feedback that feels excellent. It’s a spectacular fusion of two schools of RPG and one that’s absolutely worth diving into.
After taking the series into the world of online, withFinal Fantasy 11being an MMORPG, as well as one of the first online games on the PS2, Square opted to return to a single-player adventure with the next entry. But whileFF11changed expectations for the series in some long-reaching ways,Final Fantasy 12followed suit by adopting a real-time combat system. It was a bold move, but it paid off asFF12went on to become one of the most innovative games in the series. Seemingly picking up whereFF11left off, the twelfth mainlineFinal Fantasygame adopts an MMO-influenced combat system.
Random enemy encounters are gone, and when combat is initiated, battles play out in real-time. Roaming the 3D combat window was a revelation, as the static angles from the previous games are gone and allow for a much more dynamic battlefield. It’sa rich, complex systemthat feels wonderful and still holds up today as the game was remastered for modern platforms withFinal Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age.
The fifteenth mainline entry in Square’s JRPG series was in development for roughly ten years, and over time it gradually morphed into one of the company’s most ambitious projects. Forming part of the Fabula Nova Crystallis series,Final Fantasy 15removed all the shackles of previous turn-based systems and went for afull-boar action approach. Any resemblance to previous battle systems was gone, asFF15’s epic road trip embraced its uniqueness within the series.
Similar toFF11and12,Final Fantasy 15features free-roaming enemies and an open battle window. Noctis' warp ability becomes a key factor in battles, as using it to dodge attacks and set up counters feels fantastic. The scale of the battles is also much bigger, as some of the bosses feel enormous. It was just another step in Square’s continued efforts to diversify the series, and it paid off in some spectacular ways.
By the timeFinal Fantasy 16was ready to make its wayto the PS5 in 2023, the franchise had more or less completely done away with its turn-based roots. Aside from re-releases of older games, the series has fully embraced an action-based combat system, which Square showed to perfection inFF16.
The hack-and-slash action feels terrific, especially when mixed with the abilities granted to the main character Clive Rosfield, as the charming hero gains access to some fabulous powers. Upgrading and evolving these through the skill tree makes pairing them with sword combat even more fun, as swapping between melee and powers feels outstanding and is simple to master. It’s easily one of the franchise’s best combat systems.
Twenty-three years after the launch of the originalFinal Fantasy 7, Squareproduced a complete remakefor the PlayStation 4, which abandoned the pre-rendered backgrounds and turn-based combat in favor of full 3D and real-time battles. It was a massive undertaking, planned as the first part of a trilogy that launched the second chapter in 2024. But the efforts of Square’s talented team paid off, as the combat inFinal Fantasy 7 Remaketurned out to be one of its best features.
The action is crisp and fast, with some amazing animation and a visceral feeling. Swords crunch into enemies with power while using the Materia system to add some magic to the mix, making it feel like a perfect fusion between older-styleFFgames and the more contemporary entries. It’s a slick, altogether fantastic combat system and is just one of the many reasons that Square’sFF7remake series is as wonderful as it is.
