Square Enix recently revealed that the highly-anticipatedFinal Fantasy 16will not be bringing back a popular feature from past games. With the newest entry in theFinal Fantasyfranchise slated to launch this Summer, Square Enix has already shared several major details about the upcoming RPG. The developer has confirmed the gamewill not feature an open world, shifting instead to a more linear gameplay style. Now, Square Enix has confirmed one more open world feature the RPG will be dropping.
Final Fantasy 16has already shown off several departures fromFinal Fantasyfranchise norms alongside shedding the open world format of recent games.Final Fantasy 16has been confirmed to be the first main-series game in the history ofFinal Fantasyto receive an M rating. The ratings have revealed the newest game will feature somehow feature drugs and torture, implyingFinal Fantasy 16’s tone will lean significantly darker than past entries. Now,Final Fantasy 16’s director and producer confirmed the game will not see the return of optional dungeons.
RELATED:Final Fantasy 16 Will Be First M-Rated Game in Main Series
During a recent interview related toFinal Fantasy 16, director Hiroshi Takai and producer Naoki Yoshida spoke more about the non-open world nature ofFinal Fantasy 16. The game’s world map will feature several different zones to travel to from its world map, but Takai confirmed optional dungeons would not be returning. Takai explained the rationale behind the change, suggesting that optional dungeons were shelved in order to focus more on the areas featured inFinal Fantasy 16’s main story. He expressed a feeling from players of “having to go there” to explore side dungeons, instead of focusing on the main quest.
Yoshida would go on to quell fans' nerves about the lack of optional dungeons, reassuring fans thatFinal Fantasy 16will still offer plenty of content for players to explore.Final Fantasy 16will reportedly feature “lots of areas you can explore” throughout its main story settings, but the game would be dropping optional dungeons in order to focus on those areas. Square Enix has already revealed several other gameplay elements of the upcomingFinal Fantasygame, including the returningaction-RPG combat from recentFinal Fantasygamesand homages to classic classes.
With only a few months left until the launch ofFinal Fantasy 16, players will soon get more chances to learn more about the newest entry in the iconic franchise. Square Enix had previously revealedthe newestFinal Fantasywill receive a playable demobefore the game’s launch in June. Naoki Yoshida also recently opened submissions for a Q&A about bothFinal Fantasy 14andFinal Fantasy 16, scheduled for next month.Final Fantasy 16will look to bring major changes to the long-running franchise for its newest main-series game.
MORE:Final Fantasy 16 Pre-Order Bonuses and Special Editions Breakdown
