I mean FF6/7/8 all still followed the same basic formula, FF7 was just in 3D and had materia. FF8 was definitely a little weird with the draw system but other than that it was still your classic turn based final fantasy game.

FF9 and FFX were classic final fantasys. 12 was definitely a departure with the MMO style world map and what not, and battles were definitely different with the licenses and gambits but you could still play it very much like a traditional Final Fantasy.

The series started going south with 13 with its extremely linear "hallway" style maps (until very late in the game) and the paradigm battle system. But even that felt like the traditional turn based gameplay of final fantasy.

They really jumped the shark with 15. I couldn't play that game for more than a handful of hours. If I wanted to play a hack and slash game I'd go play a hack and slash game, that's not what Final Fantasy is for IMO. I want to strategize about the combat.

I understand turn based combat is old hat now and it doesn't sell anymore or whatever (which I think is BS really because Dragon Quest still sells, Octopath sells, etc) but they could have at least made it more strategic than whatever FF15 was. Possibly closer to the gameplay style they did for the FF7 remake. And omg the stupid car... it just felt so weird and unlike a Final Fantasy game. I didn't connect with the characters at all.

And seeing 16 I just have no desire to play it. There is nothing about that game that appeals to my classic final fantasy taste. I'm coming to terms with the fact we'll probably never get another Final Fantasy in that style and the series is basically dead and an entirely different series since 15. I'll just go play Dragon Quest or Fire Emblem or something.