The French indie game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a JRPG with acclaimed combat, has sold over a million copies, contrasting with Square Enix's recent Final Fantasy titles. Square Enix, previously claiming players don't want turn-based combat, is criticized for its action-focused approach in FF16, deemed derivative and lacking depth. Expedition 33's success challenges this claim and highlights a disconnect between Square Enix's design philosophy and player preferences. The game's success emphasizes the demand for engaging turn-based combat, particularly in contrast to the seemingly automated combat of FF16.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.