Summary
Square Enix’sFinal Fantasyremains one of the most popular and longest-lasting RPG series. For nearly forty years,Final Fantasyhas taken players on incredible journeys through distinct and gorgeous worlds starring some of the most iconic characters in gaming. Throughout, Square has constantly reinventedFF’s central components, culminating in the latest entryFF7 Rebirth’s ongoing reimagining of the original.
As fans await thefinal part of theFF7 Remaketrilogy, many are also looking at the franchise’s future and wondering what the assumed seventeenth main entry will bring to the table afterFF7 RemakeandRebirth’s reworkings andFF16’s more experimental elements. With this in mind, the question can be raised regarding whether the ostensibleFinal Fantasy 17should feel the need to expand to include more player-influenced romance scenarios.
Final Fantasy 17: Does it Need Romance Options?
Final Fantasy Has Only Previously Flirted With Player-Driven Romance
Final Fantasyhas featured many romantic interactions and famous arcs throughout the entire series, among them Locke and Celeste’s complicated relationship inFF6, and Squall and Rinoa inFF8. However, these were never tied toplayer-driven choice or mechanics, and the narrative rarely afforded fans a say in exactly how these evolved or developed. This remained the case in the most recent mainline entry, withFF16’sClive and Jill’s friendship and feelings for each other essentially ingrained in their characters from the start and playing out as laid forth in the plot.
One exception to this is found in a memorable moment inFF7, which did offer at least something of a surface choice viaFinal Fantasy 7’s Gold Saucerdate. This section was a bit expanded and overhauled inFF7 Rebirth, with fans being able to let Cloud take any of the party, including Red 13, on a more intimate excursion. Largely, though,FFrefrains from letting fans directly take the reins of romance.
If Square wished to shake up its standard stance on romance inFinal Fantasy 17, there are a couple of similar games it could take inspiration from in this area. One possible path would be to follow the direction of ones like thePersonaseriesby offering a much more in-depth and granular romance and companion bonding system. The nextFFcould similarly contain a deeper roster of potential party members and hone in on building up relationships with them to offer different narrative content as well as gameplay benefits.
Another good choice might be a newer game that itself channels the spirit ofFinal Fantasy.FF17could take cues fromClair Obscur: Expedition 33’s approach to romance, wherein fans could focus on one or another specific character as a love interest. Although this doesn’t greatly impact the overall story, it does offer additional unlockable skills and gives players an (albeit smaller) degree of control over their preference of possible partners.
Final Fantasy 17 Might Forgo Player-Controlled Romance Again in Favor of a More Focused Story
On the other hand, Square has traditionally used romance strictly as a story dynamic, and may choose to continue minimizing player influence in order to maintain more narrative control. Although the series is no stranger to re-invention and breaking from prior traditions, introducing such a bigger change as multiple potentialromances with related consequences, as seen in, for example,Dragon Age, may risk off-putting fans who would find it too far removed from howFFusually handles this aspect.
While it remains to be seen how, or if, Square Enix is considering implementing more robust romance options and mechanics forFinal Fantasy 17, there are some designs in the games mentioned above, as well as likely a few others that it could use as good templates to do so if it wishes. Or it may very well carry on with the mentality of sticking closely to its previous designs to create a more cohesive tale.
