There are few role-playing game series that captivate their player base like Final Fantasy. Once launched by Square, the JRPG series has reinvented itself time and time again over the years but has always told epic stories
Final Fantasy 16 is no exception, but remains true to itself in development and continues to follow the path that developer Square Enix already took with Final Fantasy 15. Nevertheless, there are numerous allusions throughout the entire duration of the game, such as memories of days gone by.
Marked by Fire
Final Fantasy 16 begins more bombastically than ever, unceremoniously handing players control of Phoenix, a being known in this world as Eikon, which has existed as a summon in previous Final Fantasy games. After a more than impressive confrontation between the bird of rebirth and Ifrit, another Eikon, the scenery changes to Clive Rosfield, a mercenary in the service of Sanbrequ, one of the major powers in the world of Final Fantasy 16.
Cidolfus ‘Cid’ Telamon-Dominant of the Eikon Ramuh. FF16 pic.twitter.com/10zcT5ol5H
– FINAL FANTASY XVI (@finalfantasyxvi) June 27, 2023
Basically, the game can easily be described as Game of Thrones Light, as there is intrigue and competing powers at every turn. First, however, we experience a time jump and learn the background story of our hero and his family. Clive himself is part of the ruling family of Rosaria, but he is overshadowed by his younger brother Joschua, because unlike him, he was chosen as Dominant, the name given to the bearers of the Eikons, by Phoenix.
He is treated accordingly coldly by his mother, who only has eyes for the second scion of the noble family. But although Clive does not possess the abilities of a Dominant, he was nevertheless “touched” by the Phoenix, which means that he can use its abilities. But more on that later.
A little later, Clive, his father and Joschua, together with a legion of soldiers, set off for the Phoenix Gate, as another war seems imminent and they want to hold a certain ritual beforehand. But before this happens, the forces are attacked by Sanbrequ’s soldiers and Clive’s father and friends are killed. Only Joshua survives because he can transform into the Phoenix. But the joy of this only lasts a few moments, as he is confronted by Ifrit, another Eikon, and dies shortly afterwards. Clive, devastated, swears revenge, but soon loses consciousness and is taken in as a slave by the enemy’s soldiers.
From then on, an epic of revenge unfolds, in the course of which Clive repeatedly comes up against his limits and has to overcome them in order to get behind the events of that fateful day.
Joshua Rosfield-Dominant of the Eikon Phoenix. FF16 pic.twitter.com/XDfuXyYAlb
– FINAL FANTASY XVI (@finalfantasyxvi) June 25, 2023
Fantasy meets the Middle Ages
Fans of the old school will immediately recognise that Square Enix has dug a little into its own past, both visually and in terms of content. Many elements are reminiscent of Final Fantasy I to IV, even if the gameplay itself corresponds to much younger games. For example, there is a reunion with the crystals, which played a large and important role in earlier titles of the series.
The setting of moving around in a medieval-like world has more in common with the earlier Final Fantasy games than, for example, Seven, Eight, 13 or 15. Unfortunately, the latest installment of the series does not offer an open game world per se; instead, the players move around in marked areas, which are very extensive, but still come across as instanced. On the world map, individual areas are merely displayed as points that can be selected and entered via a menu. Some people will find this quite disturbing.
The most fundamental change, however, is in the combat and ability system. Final Fantasy 16 relies on a direct and active confrontation mechanic that is more reminiscent of Devil May Cry or Bayonetta than anything else that has ever been released by Square Enix under the Final Fantasy brand – including Dissidia and its predecessor Final Fantasy XV.
Presenting a special message from producer Naoki Yoshida to celebrate Final Fantasy XVI launch day! FF16 pic.twitter.com/sSp7RFoyAR
– FINAL FANTASY XVI (@finalfantasyxvi) June 22, 2023
In the role of Clive, and in places also other characters, we attack our opponents directly and without further ado with our weapon and can fall back on various spells. As mentioned, Clive was blessed by the Phoenix, so that he can use its abilities without being a Dominant. Among other things, enemies can be attacked from a distance with fireballs or the players can use Clive’s skills to deal a good amount of damage in quick succession.
Final Fantasy 16 uses a stagger system in which the enemies have a status bar in addition to their life energy. If this drops to 0 after taking enough damage, the creature or opponent is dazed for a short time and does not defend itself against Clive’s attacks. Accordingly, it is then up to the players to deal as much damage as possible before the enemy can recover.
The fights, especially those that are cinematically staged, are an absolute highlight and you will find yourself not wanting to let them end. Here, every blow feels massive and leaves a correspondingly decent amount of damage on the opponent, something that puts even earlier giant summons such as Eden from Final Fantasy VIII in the shade.
Besides the battles and the story, Final Fantasy of course has a lot more to offer, even if these are mostly typical role-playing elements. Weapons can be bought and improved, the character collects experience points to level up and improve their spells and so on. Side quests also want to be completed, but these are few and far between, at least within the first third of the game, and with a few exceptions offer no significant added value to the gameplay.
The war of the Eikons is upon us.
A Final Fantasy XVI-themed 3D billboard is live now on Cross Shinjuku Vision in Tokyo and will be shown until July 2nd! FF16 pic.twitter.com/JF3OV5d4yu
– FINAL FANTASY XVI (@finalfantasyxvi) June 22, 2023
.. and lots of racism & oppression
What is mercilessly shoved in the players’ faces, however, is the theme of racism and oppression. Clive himself was incorporated into the army of Sanbrequs as a slave within the game, partly because he is able to use magical abilities to do so. People like him are commonly referred to as bearers and are considered second-class citizens by society. They either toil as slaves, are used in labour camps or have to go to war as soldiers. Due to the nature of how Clive functions as a character, confrontations with responsible people are inevitable and, in places, become the focus of the story.
Final Fantasy 16 is an excellent role-playing game from Japan, but it may not appeal to every fan of the series due to some design decisions. No real open world, where combat has never looked nicer, combine to create a game not to be missed this year, Diablo 4 grind permitting.
