Final Fantasy, or Final Sci-FI?

[Markell1991]

I've never played any Final Fantasy games when they originally came out, but have played I-VII and IX via emulation. I really liked these games, with III and IX being my favourites. The change to futuristic setting in VII is a refreshing and greatly enjoyable experience; I just wanted to discuss why Square still continue to make Sci-Fi games with androgynous characters and cheesy dialogue (which may be a bit harsh).
The older games were what Final Fantasy were meant to be, and with the resurgence of fantasy RPGs (Elder Scrolls, Dragon Age, Fable etc) do you think SquareEnix will go back to the old ways?

[Betamax001]

I would be down with a fantasy themed Final Fantasy. Sort of like a Final Fantasy IV type setting with Final Fantasy VII type gameplay with Final Fantasy XIII pretty graphics. Call it Final Fantasy XIV and just sweep the MMO crap under a rug or rename it Final Fantasy Online.

[o.pwuaioc]

A dream, certainly, but are there enough of us (ancient/medieval) fantasy lovers?

[Markell1991]

A dream, certainly, but are there enough of us (ancient/medieval) fantasy lovers?

I don't know how many prefer fantasy or sci-fi. Perhaps a poll is in order. It's really annoying that a game franchise that has existed for 20+ years is abandoning its past. Nintendo wouldn't do that with Zelda.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Hmmm... why not have both? Panzer Dragoon had dragons, lazers, plate armor, and all that jazz. I'm sure Square could pull it off AND keep the strangely effeminate male characters too!

[o.pwuaioc]

Nintendo wouldn't do that with Zelda.

Spirit Tracks?

[brunoafh]

There should be no more Final Fantasy games period.

[irixith]

There should be no more Final Fantasy games period.

This.

[Ack]

Admittedly though, even the older games weren't always pure fantasy. Final Fantasy VI was effectively steampunk in many ways, which is a subgenre of science fiction. Admittedly it's retrograde instead of futuristic, but I think it's something to consider.

[Xeogred]

FF4 had a good bit of sci-fi later on too.

I think the blend is nice when done well. I'd say I liked the settings in 7-8 a good bit (7 moreso since it was a bit grittier), but after that in regards to the FF series trying to blend these things together, bleh. Definitely didn't care for the art design or sci-fi elements in 10 or 13.