The Case for Including a Unique ‘Gold Saucer’ in Final Fantasy 17

The anticipation for the next installment in the Final Fantasy series is unmistakable, especially considering the massive success of last year’s Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth. This marked the second chapter in the modern reimagining of the beloved classic. With fans eagerly waiting for the third installment to complete the trilogy, the future seems bright for the franchise. Up next in line could be the much-discussed Final Fantasy 17.

One of the standout features from Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth that captured the hearts of longtime fans was the legendary Gold Saucer—an incredibly lively and colorful casino-amusement park. This location added a delightful pause to the intense journey, offering a treasure trove of secrets and heartfelt storyline moments. While the prior release, Final Fantasy 16, chose a darker narrative path devoid of any mini-games, there’s speculation that Final Fantasy 17 might just bring back a rendition of the Gold Saucer, packed with diverse mini-games and fresh twists.

Final Fantasy 7’s Gold Saucer broke new ground by offering a wide array of mini-games, making it an iconic element of the RPG genre. Games like “The Witcher 3” included popular mini-features, such as Gwent, but Final Fantasy 7 really went above and beyond. Players could dive into various challenges across the Gold Saucer’s many zones, including Wonder Square and the Dustbowl. Among the exciting activities were Queen’s Blood, Chocobo Racing, 3D Brawler, G-Bike, Colosseum/Battleground, Galactic Saviors, and Desert Rush. Most of these made their debut in the original 1997 release, though the snowboarding game was notably missing from Rebirth’s reboot but might make a return later on.

Though some players felt there was a bit of mini-game overload in Rebirth, they undeniably provided hours of fun and tangible rewards—sometimes offering rare weapons and upgrades. With Final Fantasy 16 skipping mini-games altogether, the idea of reintroducing a hub like the Gold Saucer in a future game seems tempting for Square Enix.

Creating another memorable hub like the Gold Saucer in Final Fantasy 17 could give the game an iconic location filled with engaging mini-games. The Saucer was not simply a place for play—it also hosted key character and story developments, like Cloud’s memorable date event. Drawing from these elements could help craft a captivating space in FF17 that merges essential storylines with exciting gameplay.

Rumors also suggest Square Enix might be working on a Final Fantasy 9 remake, though nothing is officially confirmed. FF9 featured the popular Tetra Master card game, which could serve as another fun mini-game inspiration for FF17.

While details about the direction of Final Fantasy 17 remain scarce, Square is known for pushing boundaries and redefining their beloved series with each new release. There’s a possibility Queen’s Blood may make a return, possibly setting the stage for its inclusion in FF17. By creating a lively space like the Gold Saucer, where numerous creative new mini-games thrive, Square Enix could beautifully blend the classic vibes with new innovations, making the next entry a truly unforgettable experience.