Final Fantasy has a long history, and one of its most defining features is its job system. Over decades of games, we’ve seen some legendary jobs pop into the spotlight, only to disappear into the void like they were never there. Honestly, some of them are still missed more than Tidus’s laugh scene. And sure, new jobs have given us fresh gameplay options (not all of them winners), but there are some old-school classics that truly deserve the spotlight again.
Fear not, I’m here to argue why these seven classic Final Fantasy jobs need a modern revival. Bring them back, Square Enix. The people demand it.
Before we dig in, a quick note why this is even a conversation. Final Fantasy’s job system has always been one of its strengths. It allows players to tailor gameplay to their preferences, try unique strategies, and just have fun experimenting. But over the years, some jobs have faded into obscurity because of technical limitations, narrative shifts, or newer shiny systems.
Yet, nostalgia is a powerful thing. Final Fantasy fans still rave about how much they loved mastering these old roles, their unique abilities, and how they changed the gameplay dynamic. We’ve evolved into modern fans but with hearts as retro as an 8-bit Moogle.
Yeah, we’re starting with Mystic Knight because–fight me–this job is ridiculously underrated. First appearing in Final Fantasy V, it combined swordplay with elemental magic, making it a versatile choice. Who doesn’t love slicing enemies in half with a sword enchanted with fire, thunder, or ice?
It’s about time Mystic Knight makes a comeback and shows off some enhanced spellblade action. Imagine modern graphics where you watch your sword burst into flames or crackle with lightning. Square Enix, we’re practically begging.
The Geomancer is that quirky kid in class who doesn’t fit in, but when they show up, you remember why they’re awesome. These terrain-loving warriors leverage the power of their surroundings to crush enemies. Is your battlefield snowy? Geomancers will smack you down with frost while laughing maniacally.
Final Fantasy XIV almost gave us this beloved job, but instead, we got Astrologian. Cool, but we’re still salty. The Geomancer ability to adapt to its environment could open some refreshing gameplay for modern titles.
Listen, Time Mage didn’t just manipulate time–it made you feel like a god while doing it. Whether you’re hastening your party (because you’re clearly better than your enemies) or stopping foes dead in their tracks, Time Mage always felt satisfying.
This job hasn’t gotten the love it deserves in ages. Combine these abilities with today’s advanced battle mechanics, and boom. You’ve got a recipe for one of the most fun support jobs Final Fantasy could offer.
Okay, love it or hate it, Blue Mage deserves its moment in the sun. The whole stealing enemy abilities thing was its gimmick, and even though it was tedious sometimes (cough Final Fantasy X cough), the end results were often worth it.
The potential here is insane. Imagine an open-world game where Blue Mage has endless opportunities to learn abilities from monsters across the map. You could essentially create your own attack arsenal. Someone, please, give us a good modern version of this iconic job.
Simple, chaotic, and absolutely glorious. The Berserker is a classic job that lets your character go wild in battles. They abandon tactics, but who cares when you can smash your enemies to bits with raw power?
In the age of hyper-animated attack sequences and cinematic battles, modernizing Berserker could make for some visually epic gameplay. Plus, there’s something hilariously satisfying about commanding a unit explicitly designed to lose control.
Everyone loves a little RNG gambling–in video games, of course. The Gambler job took risks to reap rewards, offering high-risk, high-reward mechanics that felt thrilling (or rage-inducing). When slot machines popped up in battle, it was always pure chaos.
Final Fantasy VI and X-2 handled it beautifully, but in modern games, a Gambler character could double down on making fights unpredictable while adding nail-biting suspense to every move.
Beastmaster was the Pokémon trainer before Pokémon. It introduced the wildly fun concept of taming and controlling monsters during battle. Suddenly, even the scariest foes could become your loyal pets.
Bringing this job into modern Final Fantasy titles could be groundbreaking. Imagine a deep system of creature taming and training combined with modern RPG mechanics and open-world exploration. Yeah, Beastmaster could go from a niche choice to an all-time fave.
The Final Fantasy series is defined by evolution, but nostalgia and fresh possibilities exist side-by-side. Reviving these classic jobs wouldn’t just satisfy old-school fans. They’d also introduce new audiences to what made Final Fantasy so iconic in the first place.
These aren’t just jobs; they’re gameplay experiences etched into RPG history. Square Enix, we’ve laid the case out for you. Dust off these roles and bring them back with some modern polish—we’ll be here waiting.
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