Final Fantasy XVI: A Bold Rebirth Reimagining the Iconic Franchise for a New Era

Final Fantasy, the extensive series of grand role-playing video games developed by Square Enix, holds a cherished and emotional significance in the relatively brief timeline of video games. The earlier installments of Final Fantasy distinguished themselves as exemplary in the genre, with state-of-the-art graphics, profound storytelling, and unique characters that contributed to defining the medium. Many gamers have grown fond of Final Fantasy, leaving behind a lasting impact on their hearts and minds.

Nonetheless, after a succession of cherished games that remain praised as some of the greatest ever created, Final Fantasy seemed to deviate from its original path. The newer titles failed to meet the lofty expectations, and with the rise of newer franchises, the series began to lose its once-strong cultural presence. It transformed into a magnificent echo of the past, as its significance diminished amid the evolving gaming environment.

Nevertheless, transformation has consistently been a defining trait of Final Fantasy. The franchise resembles more of a collection of independent narratives than a unified series, with each mainline entry offering its own unique universe and protagonist. While every title features a distinct setting and plot, they are united by a shared philosophy. Elements of popular culture frequently reappear, showcasing familiar themes both in name and essence. Although the stories in Final Fantasy unfold on a grand scale, they also deliver touching personal tales about their heroes and villains.

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This is why Final Fantasy XVI, the newest evolution in the series, seems to signify a fresh start. This long-anticipated sixteenth installment, released on June 22 exclusively for the PS5, marks a significant shift from traditional Final Fantasy conventions. It has been modernized to provide a more streamlined action-RPG experience that emphasizes action over role-playing elements. In doing so, it discards certain aspects that typically define a Final Fantasy game. The traditional party system is absent; while you do have companions who assist during quests, you lack direct control over them. FFXVI also adheres to real-time action combat, paralleling the recent titles in the franchise — another debated departure from its turn-based origins. Although these alterations may frustrate longtime fans, they are likely to attract a younger audience unfamiliar with the classic titles.

Continuing the legacy of its predecessors, FFXVI presents an original narrative; one rooted in Western medieval fantasy. The clear sources of inspiration include Game of Thrones and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. However, the game successfully shapes its own universe and characters with distinctive style and clarity. It incorporates familiar fantasy elements like palace politics, treachery, and retribution, weaving them into a compelling coming-of-age narrative that follows the personal growth of the protagonist, Clive.

Richly developed lore; various kingdoms with their unique motivations; and numerous characters all influence the plot, altering the power dynamics and adding chaos to the unfolding story. Additionally, the deceptively simple yet highly enjoyable combat system emphasizes player reflexes and retaliation, employing melee and magic to create a vibrant display of elemental powers and special moves on-screen. All of this is underscored by some of the year’s most stirring and impactful music, enhancing the emotional and action-packed moments of the game.

There is no traditional party system in Final Fantasy XVI, yet your allies accompany you on your adventures
Photo Credit: Screenshot/ Manas Mitul

Ultimately, this leads to a notable resurgence for Final Fantasy. While the RPG elements may feel underdeveloped, its deficient side content and lack of customization or exploration, Final Fantasy XVI effectively meets its objectives. It may lack the flexibility of its contemporaries, but it compensates with a steadfast dedication to its particular craft. The game also carries an old-school charm that is increasingly rare in contemporary video games.

Final Fantasy XVI overloads its core narrative, presenting a dramatic and substantial story that keeps you engaged throughout its almost 40-hour duration. However, in its vague attempt at being a feature-rich RPG — which should encompass crafting, customization, exploration, meaningful choices, character development, and robust side missions — the game falters significantly. Yet, as a consistently entertaining action title that emphasizes high production quality, FFXVI surpasses perhaps any other game released this year.

The latest Final Fantasy is set in Valisthea, a fantastical realm sustained by Mothercrystals. These towering crystals dominate the landscape of Valisthea, serving as ancient and potent sources of aether — the essence of magic that flows through the land and its inhabitants, fueling industry and commerce. The immense Mothercrystals also serve as strategic power centers, granting political influence to the nations aligned with them. Proximity to these crystals is crucial; kingdoms engage in warfare and form alliances to maintain their control over them.

Valisthea’s ecosystem thrives on the magic derived from the great Mothercrystals
Photo Credit: Screenshot/ Manas Mitul

The blessings of the crystals are also bestowed upon the Dominants; individuals who harbor immense magical power and serve as hosts to colossal creatures. These elemental beings, known as Eikons, represent the crystallized power of the Mothercrystals. Eikons also symbolize summons from earlier Final Fantasy games and act as the ultimate weapon for any realm. Consequently, Dominants fulfill a vital strategic role, acting as both deterrents and combatants for their nations.

Final Fantasy XVI charts the story of Clive Rosfield, the firstborn son of the Grand Duchy of Rosaria’s ruler, one of Valisthea’s six nations. Clive, anticipated to be a Dominant, was overlooked for the crystal’s favor, which instead manifested in his younger brother, Joshua — who is born as the Phoenix, an Eikon of fire. The game begins with a 15-year-old Clive, whose primary vow is to protect his younger sibling.

The introduction provides an essential combat tutorial and lays the groundwork for the ensuing story. Young Clive’s life is irrevocably altered after he witnesses a traumatic event that propels him toward revenge and redemption. While I won’t reveal more, FFXVI’s opening sequence, lasting two hours, captivates effectively, immersing you in its intricate world. It is impactful, not merely through its action sequences but also in the gravity of its narrative.

Clive’s journey of vengeance is filled with discoveries
Photo Credit: Screenshot/ Manas Mitul

Years later, a matured Clive finds himself navigating the life of a mercenary, embroiled in conflicts that are not his own. A burning desire for vengeance simmers within him, but he discovers his purpose upon meeting Cidolfus Telamon, a charming rebel leader spearheading his own revolution. Cid, a significant supporting character in the game’s opening act, becomes a mentor figure for Clive, aiding his quest. The narrative of Final Fantasy XVI is primarily conveyed through visually stunning cutscenes with exceptionally high production quality. These cutscenes serve as extended breaks from fast-paced action but never feel tedious. You could easily watch them as you would a television series, following the development of the protagonist’s journey.

Moreover, FFXVI incorporates features designed to help you grasp the unfolding story in real-time. The Active Time Lore system provides essential context regarding the characters and locales displayed onscreen, ensuring the world does not become overwhelming. At any moment during gameplay or within a cutscene, you can press and hold the touch bar on the DualSense controller to access Active Time Lore. While many games feature a codex that often remains unread, the Active Time Lore condenses information and presents it in an accessible manner. Think of tapping a word on your mobile device to learn its meaning versus rummaging through a physical dictionary. This convenient lore delivery system alleviates the burden of information dumps, making FFXVI’s narrative more palatable overall.

The story is not free of shortcomings, however. The unwavering focus on Clive means that his companions do not receive adequate development. Cid shines with his engaging charm and stylish demeanor, but the remaining cast feels lackluster. Jill Warrick, Clive’s childhood friend and loyal ally, exists mainly as a fleeting figure throughout the game, rarely exhibiting her own agency or influence. Despite being a Dominant who possesses the power of the Eikon Shiva, Jill remains subdued, with her ambitions and goals confined within Clive’s broader narrative. The antagonists in Valisthea also lack depth. Their conflicts with Clive seem detached from the larger geopolitical struggles of the continent, serving solely as flat counterparts to the main character, failing to establish their own significance in the world.

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Jill, a Dominant, embodies the Eikon Shiva
Photo Credit: Square Enix

FFXVI’s narrative can sometimes feel overly packed. There’s a significant amount happening, and not all aspects receive equal attention as the core storyline, leading to substandard side arcs. In fact, there’s little that supports the central campaign. Compelling ideas are often introduced, only to be left unexplored or neglected.

Let’s delve into the combat mechanics in Final Fantasy XVI. It’s impressively well-executed, and Square Enix is keenly aware of its quality, as it features prominently throughout the game. The combat offers a never-ending array of battles, yet you maintain control amidst the chaos. FFXVI’s combat revolves around melee attacks with swords and elemental magic drawn from the crystal’s aether. While you’ll encounter conventional swordplay of light and heavyweight attacks familiar from other titles, the true allure lies in the combination of sword skills and increasingly thrilling magical abilities that make the combat unique. Clive, blessed by the Phoenix, starts with fire-based powers and gradually incorporates additional elemental skills from corresponding Eikons as the game progresses.

Each type of magic possesses its own skill tree, allowing you to unlock and enhance specific powerful moves. You can seamlessly switch magic types during combat, exchanging their unique abilities through predefined button combinations. These powers serve as the primary driving force of the combat system, functioning on a cooldown basis which promotes strategic use during battles.

Beneath its surface of seemingly mindless violence, there is a tactical layer to FFXVI’s combat system. In addition to a health meter, enemies are equipped with a poise bar, which, once reduced by half, stagger them, making them vulnerable to additional strikes. Staggered foes also take increased damage. The optimal strategy involves timing your special moves precisely to coincide with staggering enemies, enabling your high-damage capabilities to be executed in rapid succession. This never becomes tedious. Perfectly timed dodges provide openings for counterattacks, and the game incorporates context-specific quick time events (QTEs) for cinematic action sequences.

Final Fantasy XVI boasts one of the year’s most impressive combat systems
Photo Credit: Screenshot/ Manas Mitul

Alongside general combat, you also engage in colossal Eikon confrontations. These massive battles occur exclusively during scripted story moments, akin to Godzilla clashing with King Kong. Eikon battles are grand in scale and provide fresh experiences each time. During these encounters, the music crescendos, the action intensifies, and the visual spectacle reaches its peak. Eikon battles represent a highlight of Final Fantasy XVI, showcasing some of the most exhilarating moments in gaming this year.

While combat drives the gameplay, there is little else to enrich the overall experience. An item crafting and upgrade mechanic exists, but it is a superficial imitation of what contemporary RPGs offer. Minimal weapon and armor customization is available; while you can occasionally purchase or craft new weapons, they lack distinct characteristics other than heightened damage and cosmetic variation. Armor pieces can also be obtained or crafted, but they do not visually differ in-game and only provide slightly improved stats. Regardless of what you equip, your appearance remains unchanged.

Final Fantasy XVI does not feature an open-world design, aligning with its straightforward approach and guiding you into meaningful engagements with its systems — contrasting with the aimless wandering typical of many open-world titles. Instead, the game is segmented into small hub areas that serve as conduits for your main and side missions. FFXVI includes a world map outlining the regions of Valisthea, but each hub lacks depth for genuine exploration. Players encounter little beyond random enemy skirmishes and trivial crafting items. Most missions will have you heading straight for the objective marker since exploring is rarely rewarding.

FFXVI is structured as a series of hub worlds rather than an open-world adventure
Photo Credit: Screenshot/ Manas Mitul

Side quests, which typically serve as avenues to delve into a game’s broader offerings, suffer most severely. All side missions lack creativity, and most fall into the trap of being mundane fetch tasks. Only a few involve pivotal gameplay and narrative components that tie back to the main story. Initially, I attempted several of these missions while exploring FFXVI’s beautiful scenery and running trivial errands for generic NPCs, but soon I abandoned them in favor of progressing the primary narrative. Why should players engage with side content if the developers provide no incentives?

Apart from its storyline and combat, Final Fantasy XVI excels in the visual domain. The game is visually captivating almost throughout, merging fantastical elements with realism in character models and environments. The presentation doesn’t veer into flamboyant territory; rather, FFXVI opts for a restrained aesthetic that closely relates to its somber narrative. The realm of Valisthea often feels oppressively dark, and the visuals, music, and plot amplify its inherent sorrow.

Final Fantasy XVI also presents significant graphical challenges, pushing the PS5 nearly to its limits. Frame rate drops are common, particularly in Performance mode, where maintaining 60fps can be difficult, especially while navigating the hub worlds. I found that opting for the resolution-focused 30fps mode provided a more stable experience.

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The epic Eikon confrontations of Final Fantasy XVI are a standout feature
Photo Credit: Square Enix

Despite its many shortcomings, FFXVI clings to its strengths. It relies heavily on real-time combat to provide thrilling action, while its beautifully crafted cutscenes weave captivating storytelling. The game effectively consists of a series of engaging action sequences, with stunning cutscenes as timely pauses. Since these elements embody the best aspects of FFXVI, the gameplay loop remains compelling until the conclusion.

However, numerous elements are missing from the complete picture. When evaluating the diversity of gameplay mechanics and the richness of side content, FFXVI falls short compared to many current video games. Even the impressively designed combat system rarely presents a serious challenge, and incomplete features contribute to an unsatisfactory RPG experience. In fact, it’s hard to classify FFXVI as a role-playing game by conventional definitions.

Nevertheless, it stands as an exceptional action game, featuring one of the most endearing protagonists in recent gaming history. Final Fantasy XVI marks a commendable resurgence for this iconic franchise — that much is evident. Whether this success can illuminate the future direction for subsequent Final Fantasy titles and restore the series to its former glory remains a more complex question.

Pros

• Engaging combat and spectacular Eikon battles
• Captivating storyline and finely crafted cutscenes
• Rich world-building and intricate lore
• Relatable protagonist
• Stunning visuals

Cons

• Limited RPG elements
• Insufficient crafting and upgrade systems
• Uninspired side quests
• Minimal customization options
• Performance issues

Rating (out of 10): 8

Final Fantasy XVI became available on June 22, exclusively for PS5.

Pricing begins at Rs. 4,799 for the Standard Edition on the PlayStation Store for PS5.

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