Taking a look back at 2023's absolutely packed release schedule shows that there were plenty of marquis franchises that received long-awaited sequels, but perhaps none broke from the established tradition of its respective series more than Final Fantasy 16. The result of the many departures Final Fantasy 16 takes is that the title continues to prove polarizing among the fanbase, with several longtime series purists expressing concern over what might end up being a new direction for the franchise. The most obvious departure that Final Fantasy 16 makes over its predecessors is a definitive switch to real-time, action-heavy combat, but the truth is that Final Fantasy had been trending in this direction for years.