Should Final Fantasy 17 Finally Add Romance Options? Fans Are Divided!

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Summary

  • Final Fantasy has an opportunity to include a greater variety of player-influenced romances in FF17.
  • The franchise has historically avoided player-driven romances, unlike other RPG series such as Dragon Age.
  • Square can take inspiration from games like Persona for its romance options; conversely, it could stay focused on a more traditional narrative with little player-driven romance in FF17 to avoid alienating fans.

The role-playing game (RPG) series, Final Fantasy by Square Enix, is still one of the most enduring and widely appreciated. For close to forty years, Final Fantasy has whisked players away on unforgettable adventures across stunning and unique landscapes, populated with memorable characters that have left a lasting impact on the gaming world. Throughout this period, Square has consistently updated and redefined the core elements of Final Fantasy, peaking with the ongoing revamp in the new installment, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.

With excitement building for the concluding segment of the FF7 Remake series, many are not only eagerly anticipating its release but also pondering over the potential direction of the franchise’s seventeenth main installment. Given the significant changes and revisions in FF7 Remake, Rebirth, and the more exploratory aspects of FF16, one may wonder if a potential Final Fantasy 17 should aim to incorporate additional player-influenced romantic interactions.

Final Fantasy 17: Does it Need Romance Options?

Final Fantasy Has Only Previously Flirted With Player-Driven Romance

Throughout the entirety of the Final Fantasy series, there have been numerous romantic encounters and significant relationships depicted, such as Locke and Celeste’s intricate bond in FF6, and Squall and Rinoa’s storyline in FF8. While these emotional connections were integral parts of the games, they weren’t typically influenced by player decisions or game mechanics. This pattern persisted even in the latest mainline installment, as Final Fantasy 16‘s characters Clive and Jill already had a pre-established friendship and feelings for each other, which unfolded according to the storyline that was previously determined.

An exception to this rule is evident in a notable scene within Final Fantasy 7, where a semblance of choice was provided through the Gold Saucer date. This aspect was enhanced and revamped in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, allowing players to choose any member of Cloud’s party, including Red 13, for a more personal outing. Generally speaking, however, the Final Fantasy series typically avoids giving players control over romantic relationships.

How Final Fantasy 17 Could Spread the Love With More Romance Options

If Square is considering a change in its traditional approach to romance within Final Fantasy 17, there are several games it might look to for inspiration in this regard. One viable option would be to mimic the approach taken by series like Persona, by developing a more detailed and nuanced romance and bonding system between characters. This could result in a broader array of potential party members within the next Final Fantasy game, with the emphasis on nurturing relationships that provide unique narrative content as well as gameplay advantages.

Expedition 33″, allowing players to choose and pursue specific characters as love interests. While this doesn’t significantly alter the main plot, it does provide extra skills that can be unlocked and gives a slight control over the preference of potential partners.

Final Fantasy 17 Might Forgo Player-Controlled Romance Again in Favor of a More Focused Story

In contrast to Square, romance has historically been a key story element for them but used sparingly and with minimal player input to keep grip on the narrative flow. While the series is known for innovation and deviating from established norms, introducing a significant change like multiple potential romances with accompanying outcomes, as demonstrated in games like Dragon Age, could potentially alienate fans who might find it too dissimilar to how Final Fantasy typically handles this part of the game.

It’s uncertain at this point whether Square Enix plans to enhance romance elements in Final Fantasy 17, or even chooses to do so. However, if they decide to, there are several design aspects from the games previously mentioned, along with potential others, that could serve as effective models. On the other hand, they might choose to adhere strictly to their past designs for a more consistent narrative flow.

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2025-05-14 20:23