There's a rumor circulating that Square Enix has partnered with Team Ninja, the developers of Nioh and Ninja Gaiden, to create a Dark Souls-like Final Fantasy game. If this is true, then Square Enix's announcements this E3 could lead to an even bigger response than Final Fantasy VII Remake.
If Team Ninja is lending its expertise and knowledge after developing the two Nioh titles, there's a good chance Square Enix will be able to deliver fans their unique JRPG-influenced take on the popular Souls-like genre -- and Final Fantasy is perfectly adaptable into a more action-focused game.
What Is Final Fantasy Origin?
So far, what we know about Final Fantasy Origin comes from rumors and reports, which say that Square Enix is working with Team Ninja to produce an action-oriented Final Fantasy spinoff. Furthermore, the rumors claim the title will play similar to Nioh or other Souls games, but will feature selectable difficulties and be more accessible for newcomers to the genre. Sources were able to corroborate some of the information and even infer the name of the title to be Final Fantasy Origins, believing it to take place during or adjacent to the events of the first Final Fantasy game.
The rumors go on to state that the title will be a PlayStation 5 exclusive revealed during E3, but the game will later become available on PC. Additionally, it appears several pieces of information have leaked, including a logo and plans for rolling out demo access during the summer. The demo, titled Stranger In Paradise, is expected to be used to gather feedback while the game is still in development, much like Nioh.
Why Final Fantasy Origin Could Be Huge
While it may not be apparent on the surface, Final Fantasy is perfect for a Souls-like adaptation. The titles are full of distinct monsters, iconic bosses, unique weapons and robust narratives. Taking all those elements and creating something akin to Nioh or Bloodborne, Team Ninja can showcase the Final Fantasy world in a new way and show players a Final Fantasy game as they've never seen one before.
Team Ninja is the perfect candidate for this project, not only because of its experience with the Nioh series, but also because of its previous work with Square Enix. Team Ninja developed Dissidia Final Fantasy NT in 2015 and the mobile title Dissidia Final Fantasy: Opera Omnia in 2017. Square Enix and Team Ninja have worked together before to great success, so there's little doubt thatm with a little more creative freedom, Team Ninja will be able make this new project feel like a Final Fantasy game.
If the rumors surrounding Origins story and setting are accurate, players will get to experience events or an adjacent setting to the first Final Fantasy game. The prospect of seeing pieces of a classic make the jump to a more realistic, next-gen showcase is exciting in its own right. Still, this throwback to the original is likely to draw the interest of franchise diehards and RPG veterans alike. On top of that, not only will this title catch the eye of Souls-like players, but it could also appeal to a more casual audience thanks to its easier difficulty.
All of this could make Final Fantasy Origins bigger than Final Fantasy VII Remake. Sure, FFVII Remake had nostalgia and a group of adamant fans behind it, but that's it. Before the spectacle of an E3 reveal and the ensuing hype that follows, Final Fantasy VII was likely only on the radar of players who liked JRPGs. Origins' reach is much broader. Anyone who likes JRPGs, Souls-likes or even action-RPGs could conceivably be interested in this game -- and that's before any E3 hype.
While it seems like there's some legitimacy to the rumors surrounding Final Fantasy Origins, we won't know the whole story until E3. If this game is all that it's rumored to be, Final Fantasy VII Remake will have a worthy contender, and that's sure to excite fans. A title like Final Fantasy Origins would be able to bridge the gap between RPG players and fans of Souls-like fans, in turn allowing more people to experience this incredible world.