Square Enix Mulls Return to Turn-Based Battles

Following a year of strong sales for turn-based role-playing games, Square Enix may re-embrace this classic style. The company is considering a shift after recognizing a trend and disappointing sales of recent action-focused titles.

Shareholder Interest

Last year saw a surge in the popularity of Japanese role-playing games, with many successful releases. These titles share a common element: turn-based combat. An investor pointed out the success of games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to other shareholders during a meeting.

According to reports, Genki revealed that Square Enix executives acknowledged the trend during a shareholder meeting. One investor suggested that future Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy games should adopt turn-based mechanics, citing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as an example of success. The company noted that it recognized the game’s popularity and stated that such matches are a part of their legacy.

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In the video game industry, the turn-based strategy sector continues to grow, with a 15% increase in player engagement over the past year (Gaming Industry Report 2024).

A Look Back

Square Enix admitted that recent action-based role-playing games, like Final Fantasy XVI and Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, did not meet sales expectations. The Final Fantasy series originally featured turn-based combat. It was only in the later installments that they shifted to an action-focused approach.

The Future

Square Enix is assessing player preferences. They are deciding whether to return to the turn-based format for its role-playing game releases. This potential shift may reshape the combat style of upcoming Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy games.