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Final Fantasy Resonance and Clair Obscur success points to Square Enix making a mainline turn-based JRPG, analyst says
Final Fantasy Resonance has had a strong launch, selling 400,000 copies across PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S and earning an estimated $20 million. Its early success, alongside the popularity of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has renewed discussion about whether Square Enix should make a major turn-based Final Fantasy game.
Analyst Rhys Elliott says Square Enix may have left some JRPG players behind by shifting towards more action-oriented games, while turn-based titles have found an audience. He argues that the company could balance its large releases and remakes with smaller 2D-HD games, and says a big-budget, turn-based mainline Final Fantasy may be a matter of time. Resonance’s figures do not include Nintendo Switch 2 sales, and the game was in development before Expedition 33 was revealed.
In short
- Final Fantasy Resonance sold 400,000 copies and earned an estimated $20 million.
- The analyst says turn-based RPGs show strong audience demand.
- He thinks Square Enix may eventually make a big-budget turn-based Final Fantasy.
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The case for
Square Enix could have a strong case for making a major turn-based Final Fantasy: Resonance’s launch and Clair Obscur’s popularity suggest there is a substantial audience for thoughtful, menu-driven role-playing games. A mainline entry could reconnect with players who feel the series’ move towards action has left them behind, while smaller 2D-HD releases could test ideas and complement the company’s larger games.
The case against
Strong sales for Resonance and the success of Clair Obscur do not by themselves show that a big-budget, turn-based Final Fantasy would be commercially sound or that players want the series to return to that format. Square Enix may reasonably prioritise action-oriented design as part of the franchise’s evolution, and its resources might be better spent on the approach it believes can reach the broadest audience.
Explained simply
Final Fantasy is a long-running role-playing game series made by Japan’s Square Enix. Its main games have often used turn-based combat, where players choose actions for their characters and then watch them play out, although more recent entries have leaned towards real-time action.
Square Enix also makes smaller role-playing games and remakes, including games in its 2D-HD style, which combines pixel art with three-dimensional effects. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a separate role-playing game that has drawn attention to demand for turn-based combat, while Final Fantasy Resonance is another recent release in the series.
The discussion matters because Square Enix must decide how to serve different audiences as it plans its future games. A return to turn-based combat for a major Final Fantasy release could appeal to players who prefer that style, while the company’s recent action-focused games have their own audience.