Final Fantasy VII Remake was not just a simple reskin; it represented the next step in the Final Fantasy franchise as a whole with new innovations to the combat system, gorgeous graphics, superb voice acting, and writing far surpassing most of the recent entries in the long-running series.
Future entries in this remake story and Final Fantasy XVI being developed simultaneously feels like a gift from the JRPG gods. While so little is known about the sixteenth numbered entry in the franchise, fans are hoping it borrows from Final Fantasy VII Remake's successes, and leaves behind what did not work.
10 Keep: Side Quests
The retelling of Final Fantasy VII's Midgar chapter did a better job with side quests than Final Fantasy XV. They numbered fewer but were infinitely more compelling, told better stories expanding the world, and sometimes offered a fun respite from the dark story. Final Fantasy XVI can have more than what was in the recent 2020 game, but equal amounts of care need to be put into each one to prevent them from feeling like busy work.
9 Change: Bad Texture Pop-In
Final Fantasy VII Remake is easily one of the best-looking games of the year, and possibly the entire generation. However, several technical issues pop up while venturing through Midgar. Mainly textures sometimes take forever to load, making the environment look like a Nintendo 64 game for several seconds. The door to Cloud's motel in Sector 7 infamously always looks like it is from a late '90s Final Fantasy, and not the latest entry.
8 Keep: Battle System
Ever since eschewing the traditional random encounters, the series has had a hard time nailing down a comfortable and engaging battle system. Final Fantasy VII Remake finally got it right with its mixture of real-time action and Active-Time-Battle mechanics. The player is constantly performing actions while strategizing about the next several turns. Final Fantasy XVI should borrow heavily from this system while making numerous changes and adjustments to make it stand out.
7 Change: Claustrophobic Environments
The narrow alleys and cluttered streets work in Final Fantasy VII Remake because Midgar's slums are dirty, grimy, and cramped. However, Final Fantasy XVI looks to employ a more traditional medieval fantasy setting, and gamers are expecting to be able to traverse wide open environments during the adventure. If players are shuffled down tight hallways once again, the sense of discovery these games often elicit will be lost.
6 Keep: Quality Of Voice Acting
Voice acting in video games has been on a steady ascent within the past 10 years thanks to increased budget and attention given to performances within the medium. Final Fantasy VII Remake features a talented cast portraying these beloved characters. Judging from the trailer, it already looks like Final Fantasy XVI is making similar strides. Additionally, the blood and tension present in the reveal make it look like the most serious game in the series yet.
5 Change: Ambiguous Ending
Final Fantasy VII Remake was always promised as an episodic adventure, so fans knew approximately what to expect from the closing hours of the game, though it still had its fair share of massive surprises.
For Final Fantasy XVI, the developer should start the story, create the world, and have a definitive ending by the time credits roll. Final Fantasy XV was particularly criticized for leaving too many details within different media, and they'd be upsetting fans by repeating the same mistake.
4 Keep: Graphics
Final Fantasy VII Remake is jaw-droppingly beautiful, even when accounting for its technical issues. Final Fantasy XVI will be the first game in the franchise on next-generation hardware, so the team should look to similarly wow fans by showing just what the new technology can do. The trailer is not quite as eye-catching as Final Fantasy VII Remake, but the moments showing combat and summons shine brightly, making fans look forward to what the final game has in store visually.
3 Change: Pacing Issues
The closing hours of Final Fantasy VII Remake tend to drag on for too long, a problem compounded by gamers' knowledge of what comes next in the story. The game would have been better served by shortening the assault on Shinra HQ and the climb towards it after the Sector 7 Plate Collapse. Funnily enough, the original Final Fantasy VII does a great job of constantly keeping the player's attention, so Final Fantasy XVI should look at the PlayStation 1 classic for inspiration in this department.
2 Keep: Flashy Battle Animations
Not only is Final Fantasy VII Remake's combat system fun to play, it is also dazzling to behold. Without the HUD, one could be fooled into thinking they are watching the newest character action game from Platinum Games. Final Fantasy XVI's trailer already displays some flashy swordplay when fighting some classic Final Fantasy monsters like Malboro, so it looks like the team is already heading in the right direction.
1 Change: Pre-Order Bonuses
While a reality of the modern gaming landscape, pre-order bonuses, especially in-game ones, are bemoaned by most fans. They feel especially cheap in big RPGs. Final Fantasy VII Remake was way better than its predecessors in this, but it was still annoying to know a summon was locked behind a pre-order. Special collectors editions with statues or physical goodies are one thing; in-game bonuses like weapons and summons just feel like cheap cash grabs, and Final Fantasy XVI should ignore them entirely.