To create a game that might excite and resonate not only with our core fans, but also with that new generation, we played a lot of games ourselves, and so yes, in [Final Fantasy 16] you’ll find inspiration from recent triple-A open world RPGs,” said Yoshida.
After Final Fantasy 15 was criticised for its bland open world, it seems that Final Fantasy 16 is moving in a different direction rather than building upon that experience.
Final Fantasy 16 will not have an open world.
Producer Naoki Yoshida confirmed the news in an interview with IGN, although he said that recent open world games have provided “inspiration”.