Final Fantasy Origin is a game rumored to be revealed soon at E3 2021. The game is reportedly being developed by Team Ninja including members of the team that worked on Dissidia NT and the Nioh series, and will reportedly be a Soulslike game. Fans are excited about the prospect of a Soulslike Final Fantasy game, but blending elements from Dissidia into that DNA could create a unique twist on the genre.
Several leaks recently pointed towards Final Fantasy Origin being announced at this year's digital E3 event. Since then fans have been speculating about what a Soulsborne Final Fantasy game could look like. The game is rumored to be set as either a prequel or at least within the universe of the original game. If Final Fantasy Origin wants to reinvent its first wheel, that formula could work out great. While Dissidia NT wasn't every fan's cup of tea so to speak, it has many elements that could be worked into a format similar to Nioh.
RELATED: Dragon Quest 12 and Final Fantasy 16 are Taking the Iconic Franchises to Dark Places
Dissidia's basic concept for combat could fit really well in a Soulslike title. Final Fantasy Origin imagined that way has some interesting possibilities. The basic system that Dissidia uses is that players must use basic attacks called Brave Attacks in order to weaken their opponents defenses before using HP Attacks to deal damage directly to their health. Soulslike games generally focus on a much more strategic kind of battle than most action RPGs. An adaptation of this system could work well for Final Fantasy Origin.
A system similar to that in Sekiro where players needed to break through enemies stance or defense before being able to deal direct damage could be what Final Fantasy Origin ends up utilizing. It seems like Square Enix is looking to dive into even more genres of action games with Final Fantasy Origins and Soulslike fans could be a big potential market. That being said, those same fans will expect the same level of polish, especially if a franchise as big as Final Fantasy wants to make a splash in the space. Proper utilization of a unique combat system will be paramount. And the Brave/HP Attack system from Dissidia could be a perfect way to do just that.
On the other side of the coin, implementing the flash and spectacle that Final Fantasy is known for will be huge for keeping series veterans engaged. Final Fantasy has some of the most powerful magic users and melee warriors in the genre, so some kind of super attack system like the ones in the Dissidia games would go a long way. While powerful combat options like the Visceral Attack from Bloodborne are very satisfying in their own right, Final Fantasy characters are known for some of gaming's most iconic attacks (i.e. Cloud's Omnislash).
Balancing out the things that make Dissidia and Nioh fun games on their own could make Final Fantasy Origins another stellar action RPG. If the game really is based on the original Final Fantasy that likely means a class or job system that allows players to pick from classic Final Fantasy archetypes like the Black Mage or Monk. Striking a balance between making those classes distinct, creating an engaging battle system using Brave/HP Attacks, and maintaining the level of grandeur that Final Fantasy is known for will be quite a task. But with a team that helped create both Nioh and Dissidia, Final Fantasy Origin is shaping up to be incredibly interesting.
Final Fantasy Origins is rumored to be revealed at E3 2021.
MORE: Final Fantasy 1 Story Recap: Everything to Know Before the Rumored Origin Game