Every dog has its day, way I see it. We wouldn’t be where we are without FF and that will never change so whether or not the franchise is as innovative today relative to how it was in its prime is frankly of little consequence to me.
If you’re lucky, you get one opportunity to innovate and push the landscape of creativity forward. Some manage to keep that momentum going longer than others, but it doesn’t last forever for anybody. No single creator will be the lead innovator in their respective medium forever and that’s probably for the best.
Inevitably, once you’ve gone the distance, the road you helped pave will allow others to add to the ever-moving artistic zeitgeist with newer contributions that will eventually outlast you. I’d take solace in the fact that the groundwork laid by the franchise has provided a solid foundation for other properties to be successful with, that alone is history.
If SE never makes another substantially innovative contribution to gaming again, it’s fine. They’ve done their part. They’ve certainly contributed more than most devs will ever get a chance to. Most games will never reach the heights Square has with FF, and I think the passion they still have for their work should be celebrated more than anything.
