Square Enix Was “Concerned” Full Action Combat Would Reduce Strategic Thinking
- ⚡Xe⚡
- 2 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Naoki Hamaguchi discussed the growing shift toward hybrid RPG combat systems in a recent interview with Game Informer (via GamesRadar), noting that the rising popularity of action elements in turn based RPGs may have been inevitable as player preferences continue to evolve.
According to Hamaguchi, action games have become more mainstream over time, while RPGs and JRPGs are now often seen as legacy genres. Despite this, he believes strategic gameplay is still fundamentally appealing regardless of changing trends.
"Games where you evaluate the situation, contemplate your moves, and build upon the decisions you make are deeply universal, closely tied to the very nature of human thought."
He also pointed to younger audiences preferring immediate response and real time interaction in games, which he believes has naturally pushed more RPGs toward systems that mix strategy with action mechanics.
"At the same time, it's also true that when we look at younger players, they increasingly favor more real-time experiences in games. I believe they're a generation that's naturally accustomed to receiving instant feedback upon input."
"With that context in mind, it may have been inevitable for turn-based games that incorporate real-time decision-making through action elements to gain prominence. I think this reflects players' desire for both the excitement of strategy and the immediacy of response."
The interview also revisited the combat direction of Final Fantasy VII Remake and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, which aimed to preserve strategic command selection from the original game while moving toward a more action focused structure.
"We were concerned that shifting to a full action-based RPG would reduce the room for strategic thinking and the momentary tension of choosing commands that were present in the original game."
Hamaguchi also clarified:
"As a directional shift in our attention and discourse towards RPGs coinciding with this current moment in time, rather than a sudden shift in RPGs themselves."
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About FINAL FANTASY VII
First released in 1997 on the PlayStation® computer entertainment system, FINAL FANTASY VII celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2022. The game is universally regarded as a hallmark title of the RPG genre. The original title received high praise for its epic storyline, unique characters, and movie sequences that utilized the most cutting-edge technology of the time. Since then, the game revolving around iconic hero, Cloud Strife and his pursuit of the antagonist Sephiroth has sold over 15.3 million copies worldwide and continues to receive widespread acclaim from critics and fans around the world. The popular game has even expanded into spin-offs, films and merchandise.
Now, Square Enix’s FINAL FANTASY VII remake project created by a team of original and new developers, retells the story of the genre-redefining RPG across three distinct, and standalone games. The first game of the trilogy, FINAL FANTASY VII REMAKE is now available on Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, PS5® and PS4® consoles and PC. FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH, the second game in the trilogy, has been praised by both players and critics across the globe, earning more than 125 perfect scores from media and 40 Game of the Year awards, and is available now for PC and the PS5® console. It will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X|S and Xbox PC with Xbox Play Anywhere support on June 3, 2026.