Once upon a time, Final Fantasy was the shining star of Japanese RPGs, a genre that has come a long way since then. As Western players grew more interested but wary of turn-based systems, many developers opted for real-time action, creating some division among longtime fans. But today, those growing pains have been overcome, and series like Final Fantasy are thriving in their evolution. If Final Fantasy XV ever felt stuck between dance moves for its sequel, Episode XVI, the team has embraced a bold new direction. To lead this exciting change, Square Enix tapped Naoki Yoshida, the visionary behind the incredible success of Final Fantasy XIV.
THE CHANGE, IT’S NOW
If Square Enix was hesitant to embrace this shift before, it’s now crystal clear: action-packed games with real-time combat have become the go-to choice for a wide audience. With this in mind, Final Fantasy XVI has boldly adapted, allowing players to control their colossal creatures (the Primordiaux) in breathtakingly epic battles. It’s fitting that the game kicks off with an electrifying clash between two of these giant beings, plunging us straight into the heart of the action and setting a thrilling narrative thread throughout this grand adventure. Beyond its fast-paced combat, Final Fantasy XVI also delves deep into the tale of Clive Rosfield and his tragic past involving his younger brother’s murder while they were in celestial creature forms. This rich story unfolds across Valisthea’s stunning new world, a realm dominated by crystal mountains and vast plains, split into six distinct nations: the Archduchy of Rosalia, the Holy Empire of Sangbrèque, the Kingdom of Valöd, the Republic of Dalméquie, the Kingdom of Iron, and the Crystal Dominion. While these nations currently coexist in peace, their delicate balance is put to the test by an ominous threat: the arrival of the “Black Plague.”
Each territory has its own Emissary—a human host for a Primordiaux, mighty creatures that can transform into colossal monsters and unleash chaos with a mere gesture. While in the world of Naruto they’re called Jinchūrikis, in Final Fantasy, these hosts are standard practice, replacing traditional summons that players can control during combat sequences. Although some may find these battles less engaging from a gameplay perspective (with plenty of quick-time events), they certainly offer an awe-inspiring visual spectacle. The narrative unfolds around the elemental conflict between Primordiaux—each representing one of the four elements: fire, water, wind, and earth. Players will explore Valisthea through Clive Rosfield, heir to Archduke Rosalia’s legacy but tragically not bestowed with the Emissary role of Phoenix. Instead, his younger brother Joshua took on this duty, only to lose his life in the process. This storyline allows players to journey alongside Clive from his youth into his thirties through a series of memorable flashbacks, providing deep insights into his character and motivations.
DEMON FANTASY
In the heyday of Japanese RPGs, Final Fantasy stood as a beacon, but the genre has evolved considerably over recent years. As Western audiences have increasingly favored real-time action gameplay over traditional turn-based systems, many long-time fans found themselves torn between old and new preferences. However, with the growing popularity of real-time action games, series like Final Fantasy are now fully embracing this shift. If Final Fantasy XV was hesitant to commit, standing on both sides of the fence, Final Fantasy XVI dives headfirst into these exciting game design choices. To lead this transformation, Square Enix has tapped Naoki Yoshida, the mastermind behind the remarkable success of Final Fantasy XIV.
THE GAME THAT CLIVE
Final Fantasy XVI dives headfirst into the exhilarating world of real-time action, leaving any hesitation behind with an uninhibited approach from Naoki Yoshida himself. The goal is clear: to captivate players with fast-paced, dynamic combat. Gone are the days of controlling a whole squad; now, Clive Rosfield takes center stage as our sole playable hero. Throughout his journey, Clive evolves with new skills and abilities, making each battle an exciting challenge. He’s joined by AI-controlled allies, but you’ll focus solely on mastering Clive’s combos and movesets. The combat system is designed to be intuitive: press Square for sword strikes, Triangle for elemental magic based on equipped skills, and Circle to unleash Primordiaux powers—though these come with a cooldown to keep things balanced. Additional attacks can be unlocked via a skill tree, while only two Primordiaux can join you in battle at any time. Strategic choices are key here, along with evasive maneuvers, parrying enemy strikes, and even entering a rage mode for devastating damage. It’s clear that this title draws inspiration from the likes of God of War, which Yoshida himself might appreciate!
In the past, Final Fantasy was the flagbearer for Japanese RPGs, a genre that has seen significant evolution over recent years. As Western audiences grew more interested in real-time action gameplay and became less familiar with turn-based systems, the landscape began to shift away from traditional RPG territory. However, the winds have changed direction, allowing series like Final Fantasy to embrace this transformation wholeheartedly. While Final Fantasy XV cautiously navigated its path, unsure of how to proceed with episode XVI, Square Enix has now fully committed to this new direction. To lead the charge and set a fresh precedent, they’ve entrusted Naoki Yoshida, the visionary behind the tremendous success of Final Fantasy XIV.
THE NEW MILESTONE?
To bring even more epic moments and spectacle to the gameplay, Final Fantasy XVI has made Primordials fully playable. Instead of merely serving as support characters, these giant creatures can now be controlled in thrilling boss battles. Much like how Naruto harnesses the power of Kyubi to take control, Clive can unleash Ifrit’s full might, turning him into a towering bipedal demon capable of decapitating foes with just one finger swipe. These colossal confrontations are nothing short of awe-inspiring, as scale relationships shift and movements slow down, making each attack feel incredibly powerful.To maintain this intensity throughout these battles, the developers have opted for a simplified gameplay system based on quick-time events. While Capcom decided to ditch this approach in their upcoming Resident Evil 4 Remake, Square Enix believes that drawing inspiration from games like Naruto Ninja Storm and Asura’s Wrath can elevate the cinematic quality of these boss encounters. And it truly does work! These spectacular sequences are perfect for sharing on social media, helping to generate buzz around the game. However, while they look amazing, playing through them might feel less engaging than actual gameplay sections.
THE TEST
Once upon a time, Final Fantasy reigned as the iconic banner of Japanese RPGs, a genre that has seen remarkable evolution over the years. As public interest surged from Western audiences who were less familiar with turn-based systems, many game developers shifted towards real-time action gameplay. Now firmly entrenched in this movement, the beloved series is ready to take on its next transformation. While Final Fantasy XV felt like it was trying to decide which path to follow, Final Fantasy XVI confidently embraces these new directions both creatively and in terms of game design. To lead this exciting shift, Square Enix has handed the reins to Naoki Yoshida, the visionary behind the remarkable success of Final Fantasy XIV.
