Square Enix Almost Made the Perfect Final Fantasy Game

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Square Enix is famous for the Final Fantasy series, widely considered one of the greatest role-playing game franchises ever created. The main Final Fantasy titles consistently receive high praise, with several ranking among the best games of all time. Beyond the core games, Square Enix often expands these worlds with spin-offs, and one Final Fantasy VII spin-off had the potential to be incredibly ambitious. Unfortunately, Square Enix didn’t fully realize this promising idea, leading to the cancellation of a unique and potentially groundbreaking Final Fantasy experience.

I was thrilled when Square Enix announced Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier. The idea of a battle royale set in the beloved Final Fantasy VII universe – letting players battle it out in iconic locations with materia, summons, and quick action – seemed like a guaranteed success. Unfortunately, the game didn’t live up to its potential. Despite a promising start, it failed to satisfy players and was ultimately cancelled after less than a year.

Square Enix’s Leap Into the Battle Royale Genre Through Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy: The First Soldier was Square Enix’s take on the battle royale genre, set within the world of Final Fantasy VII. Players chose different classes, used magical Materia, and cast spells as they fought against many other players. It combined familiar Final Fantasy elements with popular battle royale features like collecting items, upgrading equipment, and a constantly shrinking play area. The idea was exciting, and many fans, myself included, were thrilled by the opportunity to learn more about the origins of the SOLDIER program beyond the stories of Cloud and Sephiroth.

As a big fan, what really drew me to The First Soldier was how different it felt from other battle royales. Square Enix didn’t just copy the formula – they let you level up during a match, upgrade spells, and even craft weapons! It felt so tactical, and honestly, it reminded me a lot of the classic Final Fantasy games I grew up with. It was this awesome blend of battle royale and RPG that just worked. It wasn’t just a new battle royale; it was a genuinely fresh experience that still felt true to the series I love.

I was immediately impressed when I tried the early version of the game and could see how much potential it had. Square Enix hadn’t really ventured into this type of multiplayer experience with this series before, outside of Final Fantasy XIV. The ability to customize my own character and battle others using powerful summons like Bahamut and classic weapons was amazing. I was really excited for the official release, hoping Square Enix would fix the problems I noticed in the beta.

Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier Was Almost an Incredible Game

The core gameplay of The First Soldier had a lot of potential. Combining magic, weapons, and smart positioning made for exciting and memorable matches. The game’s classes let you try out different strategies, adapting to the skills and equipment you found during a match. Plus, the maps were based on iconic locations from Final Fantasy VII, like the Sector 7 slums and Mako Reactors, which I really enjoyed – it brought back a lot of nostalgia.

The game had a lot of promise, but technical issues and design flaws ultimately held it back. Launching only on mobile with awkward controls made aiming and combat difficult and frustrating. Uneven matchmaking, pairing experienced players with newcomers, led to unfair matches. A lack of updates and new content also made the game feel unfinished. While the core gameplay had potential, players were disappointed. It felt like the game could have truly thrived as a complete console title if Square Enix had fully invested in it.

If things had come together as hoped, this game could have been both an incredible Final Fantasy spin-off and one of the best battle royale games available. When it worked, it was genuinely fun. Unfortunately, technical problems and other issues held it back from reaching its full potential. I understand why Square Enix wanted to create a battle royale game, but I wish they’d fully committed to the idea instead of releasing something that felt unfinished.

Multiplayer Final Fantasy Needs to Be Revisited

Although The First Soldier wasn’t successful, Square Enix shouldn’t give up on the idea of multiplayer Final Fantasy games. Final Fantasy XIV proves that this type of game can work well. With its detailed world and recognizable gameplay, the Final Fantasy franchise has a strong base for cooperative, competitive, or even battle royale-style games. A new multiplayer title could attract both new players and excite long-time fans, expanding the series’ reach.

Future Final Fantasy multiplayer games should build on the lessons learned from The First Soldier. To succeed, they need to launch on both consoles and PC, offer more responsive controls, ensure fairer matchmaking, and more fully incorporate the rich history of the Final Fantasy universe. Despite its problems, The First Soldier proved there’s a demand for this kind of game, and future titles should focus on recreating the blend of strategic gameplay, familiar nostalgia, and exciting action that made it initially appealing.

Okay, so Square Enix has tried a couple of times now to nail a multiplayer Final Fantasy game, and I really think the next attempt could be the one. But they can’t play it safe. I loved how The First Soldier mixed RPG elements into the battle royale formula – it was a cool idea, and I’d like to see them keep experimenting like that. Highguard proved they’re willing to take chances with established shooter gameplay, which is awesome. Even if those risks don’t instantly work, it could pull in players who wouldn’t bother with just another run-of-the-mill shooter. There are so many shooters out there, they need to stand out!

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2026-02-04 21:14