Three Years Ago Today, Square Enix Released One of Its Most Controversial Games
Square Enix, at one time (and still in some fans' eyes), was one of the most beloved developers in the video game industry. Known for its turn-based RPGs like Final Fantasy and the pivot to action RPGs down the line with games like Kingdom Hearts and the Nierseries, it, at one point, might have felt like Square Enix could do no wrong. However, with Final Fantasy in particular, the company moved away from the series' roots, and the series remains controversial to this day. One of the most polarizing entries just turned three years old.
Today, June 22, 2026, is the third anniversary of the release of Final Fantasy 16 on the PlayStation 5. Stepping away from the previous entry's open world concept, FF16 would see fans follow a linear, decades-long narrative with protagonist Clive Rosfield. Though the story is usually not the point of contention among fans, it's the combat system, lack of playable party members, and stripped away RPG mechanics.
Final Fantasy 16 uses an action combat system that is often compared to a "diet" version of Devil May Cry. In fact, FF16's combat designer was Ryota Suzuki, who previously worked on Devil May Cry. Players control only Clive, played by Ben Starr in his breakout role. The game emphasized cinematic spectacle instead of the more traditional gameplay and style that longtime fans appreciated the series for.
According to Metacritic, FF16 received high praise from critics, particularly for its narrative, cinematic quality, fast-paced gameplay, and performances. The game's narrative has often been compared to Game of Thrones with politics and character relationships taking center stage until the later parts of the game.
Despite positive reviews, FF16 failed to meet sales expectations, according to a report from Bloomberg. Fan reception has been notably split on the game since release, too, with many fans divided on the game's story, combat, and lack of meaningful RPG mechanics. The game's place among Final Fantasy titles has also been a hotly debated topic, as the game features very little of what made previous Final Fantasy games Final Fantasy.
The next entry in the Final Fantasy series will be Final Fantasy Resonance, an HD-2D turn-based RPG that seems to be bringing Final Fantasy back to its roots, at least for this particular game. Resonance will be released on October 22, 2026.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is also in development and scheduled to be released in spring 2027, as the final entry in the Final Fantasy 7 Remake Trilogy.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 12:23 PM.