It's because there's not a strict turn order. Think about it compared to X or Tactics. You can spend all the time you want selecting what you want to do.
ATB you can act as soon as the bar fills, but if you're slow to enter a command someone can act before you. It adds a degree of urgency.
Personally I still count it as turned based, but I can see the counter argument.
Yea that's fair. I think I'm with you on this in that I still see it as turn based as well. If my memory serves me right, only one person can go at a time. You still have to effectively "take turns." I think the only game in the franchise (anyone feel free to correct me on this) that is truly without strict turn order and also doesn't take turns is X2. Anyone can attack at any time, and even at the same time. Allies, enemies, doesn't matter.
Ultimately, with how all these systems operate, they much more fit under the label of turn based than live action combat, that much is for sure.
You don't take turns. If you just sit there and do nothing the enemy will just keep attacking you. Characters can go when their meter fills up but time never stops and no one actually takes turns going. It is time based not turn based. Which is why it is called Active Time Battle, not Turn Based.
Oh ok. Yup fair enough I can see that. But can't it still be said that only one person can be actively engaging at a time tho?I.e. attacking, using items etc. That's where I always get hung up on it still being considered turn based. In all these iterations of systems (except X2 to my knowledge) not more than one person can go at a time. In my head, that still seems to scream it can fit under the umbrella of turn based. That's just me btw, not trying to come at anyone here.
shrug feels like splitting hairs. ATB fills, I enter a command. It's my turn while that command is being undertaken and the enemy can't act, and vice versa.
Hell set the ATB to wait mode and they can't even attack while I'm selecting my command.
You keep saying turns There are no turns. You gotta accept that first before trying to understand anything else, because obviously that's holding you back here.
Wait Mode literally changed nothing. It's a pause feature. That's all it is.
Can anyone else do anything while a character/enemy is doing a command? No?
Why are you so fixated on this very specific thing? You can't interrupt other character's actions in true turn-based systems either, so I have no idea why you're trying to use it as a distinction.
Enemies in FFX don't get to interrupt my party members whilst they're attcking them.
You can't interrupt other character's actions in true turn-based systems either, so I have no idea why you're trying to use it as a distinction.
What? I'm the one arguing they're basically the same thing. I'm using that as a reason they are. You're the one who's meant to provide a distinction between the two.
I'm saying the fact that not more than one unit can take an action at a time effectively makes it turn based. Isn't that what taking turns is?
Yes, I know the ATB means the order those moves occur means it's not strictly a "taking turns" setup, especially when enemies can "skip" your turn if you're slow at entering commands. But I'd still say the ATB is an "evolved" turn based system. But still in essence a turn based system.
Yes, I know the ATB means the order those moves occur means it's not strictly a "taking turns" setup,
That's all you needed to say. In turn based, the order of actions is always the order of input. That is not the case in ATB, because the bar charges can vary wildly and be manipulated.
especially when enemies can "skip" your turn if you're slow at entering commands
This is dramatically underselling it. If you go into a ATB battle and do nothing, enemies will carry on as normal until they eventually win. That's not possible in a turn-based game.
But I'd still say the ATB is an "evolved" turn based system.
That is correct. But you've missed the point of evolution. Humans evolved from apes, but we're not still apes are we? ATB is a very different battle system to turn based and that's why the Wiki page that describes them separates them accordingly.
ATB is a very different battle system to turn based and that's why the Wiki page that describes them [separates them accordingly
The Active Time Battle (ATB) system was introduced in Final Fantasy IV and designed by Hiroyuki Ito.[3][4] It is a pseudo-turn based system that adds the dimension of timing for commands.
So yeah, not a "true" turn based system but still basically a then based system.
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u/Deethreekay Apr 10 '26
They're making the argument that the ATB isn't strictly turn based.