5 things we would like to see from the next mainline Final Fantasy game

Final Fantasy has been a long-running franchise for decades at this point. Since the launch of the first game in 1987, the franchise has been going strong with multiple spin-offs and mainline entries that the fans have cherished. Last year, we saw the release of Final Fantasy XVI for the PlayStation 5, which was received positively by fans. The game was a masterpiece and was able to push the PS5 to its limits.

With the recent launch of Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, fans have been wondering when we can see the next mainline game. The remasters and remakes allow a new generation of players to experience the classic games, but the story also needs to move forward. Here are five things we would like to see from the next mainline Final Fantasy game.

Note: This list is subjective, reflects the author's opinions, and is not in any particular order.

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Next Final Fantasy mainline entry needs to be epic

1) Well-optimized PC port

A rare bug from Final Fantasy XV (Image via Square Enix)

Square Enix announced that they are going multiplatform, meaning that the future Final Fantasy games won't be PlayStation exclusives and will be available on platforms like Xbox and PC. Speaking of PC, we have seen in the past that AAA games have been struggling to come out with good PC ports, with either framerate issues or bugs that hinder the experience.

Games like Batman Arkham Knight and The Last of Us Part 1 have had terrible PC ports in the past. The next mainline entry in the Final Fantasy franchise should be available as a day-one release for the PC alongside consoles, and it should also arrive in a polished state.

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2) Easter eggs and callbacks

Easter egg from the original Final Fantasy VII in the remake (Image via Square Enix)

With so many games in the franchise, hardcore fans would love to see Easter eggs and callbacks that refer to the previous games of the franchise. This would give fans a taste of nostalgia as they experience a brand-new mainline game in the series. These Easter eggs should be spread out across the map for fans to find.

Appropriately placing Easter eggs and spacing them apart can result in some wholesome moments that fans will appreciate. However, the game should not be a callback fiesta that prioritizes nostalgia over delivering a compelling narrative. It should have its own identity that does not get hindered by Easter eggs that take away the focus from the current story.

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3) More environmental puzzles

The famous Icicle Ridge puzzle (Image via Square Enix)

Environmental puzzles have been a big part of many entries in the mainline Final Fantasy games. Puzzles like the ones in Costlemark Tower from Final Fantasy XV and Sunleth Waterscape from Final Fantasy XIII are remembered for their engaging puzzle mechanics. However, the puzzles in the previous entries sometimes were too frustrating for players.

We think that the next mainline entry could use easier puzzles that don't take too much time to solve. Having balanced puzzles that everyone can solve will make the franchise accessible to a wider audience and will make the playthroughs less frustrating for players.

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4) Choices and consequences

Choice option from Final Fantasy VII remake (Image via Square Enix)

In the previous games in the franchise, there were several moments where you could influence what was happening in the game through your choices. However, these options were limited to the MMORPG and side-story elements and were never a part of the main story. In the next entry, this choice mechanic could be used to have the main story branch out in different directions.

Adding choices that significantly influence the story can contribute to the replayability of the game. Not only will this encourage multiple playthroughs, but it will also help each player have a different experience of the game. Each action can have consequences, which can in turn give the story a new feel. These choices can be similar to the ones found in Life is Strange games.

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5) A multiplayer mode

Final Fantasy XIV is an MMORPG (Image via Square Enix)

Final Fantasy games have always typically focused on single-player story content. These single-player stories are appreciated by fans and playing as new characters in each new entry feels refreshing. However, in the next game, we would like to see the addition of a multiplayer mode where fans can create their favorite builds to battle other players from around the world.

Since Square Enix plans to go multiplatform in the future, the next entry could take advantage of this to make the game cross-play with players on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC gaming together.