Summary
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33has exploded in popularity in a way that even the developers themselves never really expected.Not only is it the highest-rated game of the year so far- by both critics and users - but it’s also a commercial success too, managing to attain the status ofthe JRPG with the highest peak player count ever on Steam.
A lot of the game’s success is down to its creative combat system, which mixes traditional turn-based fighting with a parrying system and other real-time elements. People are using the game as another example that turn-based combat is making a comeback (even though it never really went anywhere), and more than most, someFinal Fantasyfans are looking on a little enviously.
You see, Final Fantasy has come under fire ever since the release of Clair Obscur, with many claiming that the game is a better Final Fantasy game than most actual Final Fantasy games, and that Square Enix may have a little bit of competition. Final Fantasy fans themselves have been using the game’s success as proof that turn-based is the way to go, but just like all topics of this nature, there’s heated debate on both sides.
Final Fantasy Fans Are Calling For Turn-Based Combat Thanks To Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
On one side of the argument,you have Twitter users like Shirrako Gaming, who claims that “Final Fantasy XVII should be turn-based”. The replies are filled with people who agree, while Shirrako Gaming themselves shares the Metacritic scores of games likeBaldur’s Gate 3,Persona 5 Royal, Clair Obscur, andMetaphor: ReFantazioto hit back against claims the combat system is outdated.
On the other hand,you have people like AHalfNickel, who says that the next Final Fantasy game should be “whatever the dev team tapped to make it wants it to be”.Mexican_Sunbroargues that turn-based combat doesn’t “actually define the series”, whileKjngamerargues that Final Fantasy doesn’t need to be turn-based to be good, usingFinal Fantasy 16andFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthas proof.
Personally, I’m gonna fence sit on this one. I think it would be nice to see another turn-based Final Fantasy game, but the combat system in the series has never stayed the same for more than a few games, as it’s always evolved and adapted over time. Without these adaptations, we wouldn’t have Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s excellent combat system. In the end,maybe Square Enix should take Dreamboum’s advice, and just make Final Fantasy more French.
