That Forspoken has been quite a hit for Square Enix is something very difficult to deny. Even before leaving, it was already the talk of many, but its premiere did not help to shut up mouths, but instead filled the internet with complaints about its gameplay, script and, on PC, the game’s performance. Now, it seems that the consequences of this have not been long in coming.
Counting on only 59% positive reviews on Steam, it is one of the worst rated company titles in recent years. No, it’s not at the level of the disastrous Babylon’s Fall, but Frey’s adventure isn’t up to par with hits like Final Fantasy XIV, Final Fantasy VII Remake or the recent Octopath Traveler II (which currently has 95% favorable reviews on PC).
Luminous Productions, the team behind this title and the divisive Final Fantasy XV, have dealt their final fateful blow with release. As far as we know, the team will stop its operations to become part of the main branch of the Japanese company, thus effectively disappearing.
In an official statement issued by Square Enix, the company announces that it will dissolve the team, although it will not fire its workers, but will incorporate them into active development groups within itself. As of May 1, Luminous Productions will cease to exist as such, but this won’t interfere with plans to expand Forspoken.
In a statement published by Luminous’s official Twitter accountthe team is committed to finishing working on the patches to improve the title’s performance, as well as making sure that the In Tanta We Trust DLC will arrive this summer. What happens from there is already an unknown quantity.
On the other hand, the relatively controversial Luminous Engine and its future are cause for doubt. Square Enix is turning to the use of Unreal Engine, as we saw with Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy VII Remake. Currently, we know that Final Fantasy XIV does not use it, and it seems that XVI does not use it either, but the Japanese company seems to have a long-term strategy Stay away from proprietary engines.
