Zombie Status Effect: The Classic Final Fantasy Feature That Needs to Return!

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In their endeavor to keep the series exciting and unique, Square Enix has consistently attempted refreshing approaches with their iconic Final Fantasy series. Numerous installments in this long-running JRPG franchise have introduced novel twists to the core gameplay mechanics while still maintaining the series’ signature essence. For instance, Final Fantasy 4 pioneered the Active Time Battle system, enhancing turn-based battles with a real-time combat aspect. On the other hand, Final Fantasy 10 introduced the Conditional Turn-Based Battle system, replacing the conventional round-based combat of earlier Final Fantasy games with a new mechanic that used speed to determine the number of turns characters could take.

In contrast to the frequent changes in combat systems across various mainline Final Fantasy series, there’s been a consistent trend in recent titles: a move towards more action-oriented gameplay rather than traditional turn-based combat. For instance, while games like Final Fantasy 15 and the Final Fantasy 7 Remake had minimal turn-based elements within an action RPG framework, Final Fantasy 16 was a pure hack-and-slash game. Some fans might appreciate the shift towards more dynamic gameplay in newer Final Fantasy installments, but it’s regrettable that this evolution has led to the loss of some innovative aspects, such as unique status effects.

Square Enix Should Bring the Zombie Status Effect Back in Future Final Fantasy Games

The Final Fantasy Games Have a Wide Assortment of Different Status Effects

In Final Fantasy games, similar to many other Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), characters may encounter status effects during battles. These effects can have either beneficial or detrimental impacts on a character. Examples of such effects include Paralysis and Petrify, which prevent a fighter from acting in their turn, while Regen and Bubble can restore or boost a character’s health points (HP). Throughout the franchise, many status effects remain consistent, but some once-common ones are seldom used today.

The Zombie Status Effect Was Present in Early Final Fantasy Games, But Was Retired

One significant instance of a retired status effect in the Final Fantasy series is known as Zombie, or Undead in certain games. This condition transforms characters who are affected by it into the undead. In various games, the Zombie status reduces a character’s Health Points (HP) to zero and makes them hostile towards their teammates. However, in other titles, it turns characters into the undead, granting them the vulnerabilities and resistances typical of this type of enemy. In these cases, combatants afflicted with the Zombie condition will take damage when a character casts healing spells on them, but they will be healed when struck by an Instant Death effect. The Zombie status usually persists after a battle, but it can be cured using Holy Water.

In certain “Final Fantasy” series games such as “Final Fantasy 5” and “6”, there are two versions of the affliction that resembles zombies, though they go by different names.

The Zombie status was first introduced in ‘Final Fantasy 5’, and it was commonly seen in many early ‘Final Fantasy’ games. Regrettably, it has seen little use within the series more recently. The last mainline ‘Final Fantasy’ game to include the Zombie affliction was ‘Final Fantasy 11’, released in 2002. Since then, it has only been featured in ‘Final Fantasy Tactics Advance’ from 2003 and the Japan-exclusive ‘Pictlogica Final Fantasy’ from 2013.

It’d Be Interesting to See The Zombie Status Effect in a Final Fantasy Game With Real-Time Combat

In more contemporary “Final Fantasy” games, the absence of the Zombie status effect is primarily due to the transition of the series towards real-time combat. Over time, Square Enix has moved away from certain afflictions that were prevalent in early “Final Fantasy” games because they don’t align well with an action RPG setting. Despite being unique and having significant potential, the removal of the Zombie ailment is particularly disheartening. Although it might be challenging to incorporate into a game with real-time combat, it would be delightful if Square Enix reintroduced it in a future mainline “Final Fantasy” title.

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2025-03-20 16:13