During a recent visit to Square Enix's Tokyo headquarters, IGN had the opportunity to speak with six members of the development team for Final Fantasy XVI. The developers were asked to reveal their top three favorite Final Fantasy games, shedding light on the potential inspirations behind Final Fantasy XVI.
Naoki Yoshida, the producer of Final Fantasy XVI, shared his top three picks. He expressed a deep appreciation for the original Final Fantasy, citing its captivating fantasy elements and cinematic storytelling approach. Yoshida also praised Final Fantasy III for solidifying the series' systems and Final Fantasy VII for its groundbreaking graphics and extensive content.
Hiroshi Takai, the director of Final Fantasy XVI, chose Final Fantasy X as his third favorite, highlighting its high-quality production. He placed Final Fantasy VI in second place, acknowledging its exceptional sprite work for the SNES. However, Takai's top choice was Final Fantasy V, which holds a special place in his heart as the first Final Fantasy he worked on as a developer. He emphasized his love for its battle system, which he believes influenced Final Fantasy XVI.
Kazutoyo Maehiro, the creative director, coincidentally selected Final Fantasy V as his number one pick as well. He fondly recalled playing it as a student and being inspired by its well-crafted gameplay and graphics. Maehiro's second favorite was Final Fantasy Tactics, a title he worked on as a game designer and which played a pivotal role in shaping his career. Finally, he ranked Final Fantasy XII third, noting the challenges and accomplishments of developing a new combat system.
Ryota Suzuki, the combat director, expressed his admiration for Final Fantasy V's battle system, particularly the Freelancer job type. He ranked Final Fantasy X second, appreciating its captivating story and immersive world. Suzuki's top choice was Final Fantasy III, the first Final Fantasy he played as a child, citing its iconic job system as a significant influence on his perception of RPGs.
Hiroshi Minagawa, the art director, revealed his preference for older titles like Final Fantasy III and Final Fantasy V. Final Fantasy III, played during his early days as a developer, showcased the technical prowess of the NES and opened his eyes to the possibilities of game development. Final Fantasy V solidified his understanding of the series with its job system and abilities. Minagawa also mentioned Final Fantasy XII, a game he worked on, which presented both challenges and moments of great accomplishment.
Michael-Christopher Koji Fox, the localization director, shared his all-time favorite Final Fantasy games. Final Fantasy V stood out for him as the first title to truly captivate his attention, particularly due to its impactful storytelling. Final Fantasy XI holds a special place in his heart as it not only immersed him in its world as a player but also led him to join Square Enix as part of the localization team. Finally, Final Fantasy XIV resonated with him due to the opportunity to contribute his ideas and witness their implementation in the game.
According to Director Takai, there is one important point to consider when examining these rankings.
"Final Fantasy XVI was obviously excluded in these rankings. If we were to include it, it would be the No.1 for all of us, which would be boring, right?" Takai remarks, accompanied by a chuckle.
You can also watch the IGN First Interview with Hiroshi Takai, Kazutoyo Maehiro and Ryota Suzuki here:
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