FF Union 261: The State of Final Fantasy In 2022

·47 min·4 clips

Yoshida's emotional transparency about delaying Final Fantasy 16 reveals a refreshing shift in Square Enix's communication.

The episode begins with hosts Daryl and Lauren greeting listeners after a two-month hiatus, citing personal burnout and a busy end to 2021. They set the focus on 2022 as a potentially huge year for Final Fantasy and Square Enix, attributing the packed release schedule to pandemic-related delays. The discussion highlights Naoki Yoshida's emotional and transparent handling of delays for Final Fantasy 16 and Endwalker, contrasting it with typical vague statements from Japanese publishers. Daryl and Lauren critique the lack of vulnerability in Square Enix's communication, citing examples like Kazushige Nojima's initial denial of pandemic impacts. They express apprehension about non-Yoshida projects, including Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 2's long silence and potential narrative pitfalls. The hosts analyze Stranger of Paradise, Chocobo GP, and Forspoken, noting mediocre previews and concerns about quality. Lauren voices disappointment with excessive swearing in games like Forspoken, arguing it limits family-friendly experiences. Daryl lists numerous Square Enix projects in development, suggesting the company is overextended and suffering from burnout. The episode concludes with a personal announcement: the podcast is going on hiatus due to decreased excitement, burnout, and shifting life priorities, though other projects like YouTube and a book will continue.

As heard by us

A candid, reflective episode on Final Fantasy's long waits, fan expectation, and the work of keeping a community going.

Episode 261 reads Final Fantasy through the strain of waiting: the sparse official explanations, the theories that rush in to fill the space, and the way hope can turn rigid before a reveal even arrives.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want to know how a long Final Fantasy wait can turn theories into expectations that are hard to shake.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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