This Xbox JRPG Is a Better Final Fantasy Game Than Most Final Fantasy Games

Not counting remakes, spin-offs, and sequels, we’re up to 16 Final Fantasy games. With so many installments, it’s natural that fans will have strong opinions about which games are the best and which fell short of the mark. But for many, Final Fantasy 8 was so disappointing, another JRPG entirely is considered the “true” next installment after Cloud’s adventures in Final Fantasy 7. Though it’s not actually a real Final Fantasy game, 2008’s Lost Odyssey feels much more like earlier Final Fantasy titles than some recent entries to the series have.

Lost Odyssey was released as an Xbox 360 exclusive. That means that those outside the Xbox ecosystem may not yet have experienced this ambitious JRPG. But those who have agree that the game feels very much like the core of what made earlier Final Fantasy games great. In part, Lost Odyssey feels similar to beloved JRPG franchise because one the original Final Fantasy leads, Hironobu Sakaguchi, worked on the game as a lead designer. But the similarities are pretty staggering when you really look at them, earning Lost Odyssey a place as an honorary Final Fantasy game – and one of the best ones, at that.

Lost Odyssey Is a Clear Spiritual Successor to Early Final Fantasy Titles

Hirobobu Sakaguchi was a driving force behind the first Final Fantasy and was heavily involved in creating many of the early games in the franchise. During his time at Square Enix, he was closely involved in many of the most iconic games in the franchise, up through his final credit on Final Fantasy X-2. Upon leaving Square Enix, he founded his own studio, Mistwalker. And it was there that Lost Odyssey was born.

Lost Odyssey released in 2008, following Final Fantasy XII. Although this Final Fantasy game was relatively well received by critics, it continues the trend of moving away from what many early fans liked about Final Fantasy. The game ditched random encounters and leaned into a new gambits system, leaving behind much of the original feel from the franchise. This was true of earlier games like Final Fantasy XI, as well, which makes sense when you realize that Sakaguchi left Square Enix after Final Fantasy X-2.

Yearning for that earlier Final Fantasy feel was a trend that started much earlier, however. Though Sakaguchi remained involved up through X-2, the games swapped out the old turn-based system for Square’s Active Time Battle system starting with Final Fantasy 4. This trend continued in later games, and the changes seemed to hit a crescendo for many fans with Final Fantasy 8. The game’s draw system and lackluster plot have led to its reputation as one of the worst games in the franchise. And whether that’s deserved or not, the lack of love for Final Fantasy 8 has led some fans to say that Lost Odyssey is the series’ true 8th installment.

The reason for this is that Lost Odyssey leans into much of what made early Final Fantasy games great. It uses a turn-based system that is more similar to Final Fantasy 1-3, something that the Square Enix franchise has more or less abandoned. This, along with the original Final Fantasy creator’s involvement, leads some fans to say that Lost Odyssey is the true continuation of Final Fantasy, and all games released after Sakaguchi left Square Enix are not.

The menus and overall style of Lost Odyssey also make it feel like playing Final Fantasy, especially Final Fantasy 8. And given the mixed fan opinions on that game, it’s natural for fans to want to replace it in their minds with something that feels more authentic to the franchise experience they love. But Lost Odyssey isn’t just a spiritual successor to Final Fantasy. It’s also a good game, period.

On Its Own Merits, Lost Odyssey Has Fans Begging for a Remake

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While Final Fantasy has made modern returns in the form of remakes and remasters, Lost Odyssey largely remains, as its title suggests, lost. Those who still have an Xbox 360 and a physical copy of the game can revisit it, and you can buy a digital version for Xbox One or Series X|S from the Microsoft store. But to this day, the cult classic JRPG has never been ported to PC, let alone other consoles. So, Lost Odyssey has not enjoyed the same popularity and accessibility as Final Fantasy. And that maybe needs to change.

With many older, beloved JRPGs like Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter and Dragon Quest getting remakes and remasters, many are hopeful for Lost Odyssey. The beautiful game may have its flaws, but it’s full of classic JRPG style that fans of older Final Fantasy games yearn to revisit. In fact, many have long been hoping to see the game return to modern consoles… but it’s not looking likely.

Recently, Microsoft Gaming’s CEO Phil Spencer told IGN Japan that he’d like to see a revival of Lost Odyssey alongside some other classic Xbox exclusives. He noted that it’s one of the most requested revivals, and for good reason. It’s a solid game that too few people have gotten to experience. But the original team behind the game aren’t so keen on bringing it back.

Back in 2024, Sakaguchi revealed that he has no interest in remaking or remastering Losy Odyssey or Mistwalker’s other cult classic, Blue Dragon. The studio continues to put out new games, but it appears that remaster work isn’t in the plans. It’s always possible that this could change, especially for the right price, or that Mistwalker could work with another studio on a remaster, similar to Virtuos bringing us Oblivion Remastered. But for now, fans shouldn’t get their hopes up about Final Fantasy‘s spiritual successor returning on modern platforms.

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