Final Fantasy 16: A Bold Rebellion Against Tradition
At its core, Final Fantasy 16 is a story of defying the status quo to carve out one’s own path. This latest entry abandons the magitech aesthetic that has defined the series since Final Fantasy 6, returning instead to a pure medieval fantasy setting reminiscent of its earliest roots. While the world may feel like a nostalgic nod to the past, the gameplay takes a sharp turn into uncharted territory.
Instead of the traditional turn-based combat that has shaped the franchise for over three decades, Final Fantasy 16 embraces a fast-paced, hack-and-slash system influenced by combat director Ryota Suzuki’s work on Devil May Cry. Square Enix has long grappled with how to modernize Final Fantasy’s signature battle mechanics, and this installment takes the boldest approach yet—scrapping them entirely. It’s a move as radical as the series’ shift from medieval landscapes to sci-fi dystopias or the leap from 2D sprites to full 3D. But much like Final Fantasy 7 redefined expectations, Final Fantasy 16 fully commits to its evolution, making the transition feel seamless.
Players step into the boots of Clive Rosfield, a noble not destined for greatness but bound by duty. In Valisthea, kingdoms are built around massive crystals that power their way of life, each safeguarded by an Eikon—powerful beings controlled by their chosen Dominants. Clive’s younger brother, Joshua, inherits the Eikon of the Phoenix, while Clive takes on the role of his protector, bearing the weighty responsibility of shielding him from harm.
Early in the game, players become familiar with Clive’s dynamic combat style, which revolves around evading attacks, wearing down enemies, and striking when they are most vulnerable. His Phoenix blessing allows for fiery, aggressive movement, but as the journey unfolds, he gains fragments of other Eikons’ abilities, expanding his arsenal. One particularly satisfying combo involves using the Phoenix’s power to launch an enemy into the air, then switching to Garuda’s abilities to slam them back down—just one example of the fluid, strategic combat that makes Final Fantasy 16 a thrilling reinvention of the series.
(Image credit: Square Enix)
Final Fantasy XVI: A Combat Revolution Fueled by Eikons
The gameplay reveal for Final Fantasy XVI has sent waves of excitement through the fanbase, introducing a high-energy, action-packed combat system. What truly elevates this installment, however, is the role of Eikons and their Dominants. At the heart of the story is Clive Rosfield, who stands apart from others by becoming the Dominant of Ifrit—one of the franchise’s most recognizable and fearsome summons. Ifrit’s presence alone marks him as a unique figure, drawing the attention of Benedicta Harmon, the Dominant of Garuda, who actively hunts him. Official artwork teases a climactic clash between Phoenix and Ifrit, with Phoenix symbolizing rebirth and Ifrit embodying chaos and destruction.
Unlike most Dominants, Clive isn’t limited to a single Eikon. Gameplay footage suggests he can seamlessly switch between different Eikons mid-combat, opening up dynamic and strategic battle possibilities. As Clive grows stronger, players will be able to integrate new abilities into their fighting style, making for a fluid and exhilarating combat experience.
Another intriguing element teased is the role of Jewels in battle, though details on their function remain under wraps. Additionally, Final Fantasy XVI is set to feature massive, cinematic Eikon battles reminiscent of Kaiju showdowns—something that promises to add even more scale and intensity to the game. Given the comparisons to Devil May Cry, expectations for the combat system are sky-high. If it delivers on its promise, Final Fantasy XVI could redefine action RPG gameplay within the series.
Final Fantasy XVI: A World of Expansive Zones, Not Open-World Exploration
Unlike some modern RPGs, Final Fantasy XVI will not feature an open world. Instead, the game is structured around segmented zones of varying sizes, designed to encourage exploration while maintaining a strong narrative focus. According to Director Hiroshi Takai, the world is built from multiple interconnected maps, with some areas spanning up to two kilometers in length and width.
Producer Naoki Yoshida provided further insight into how players will navigate this world. Rather than traversing one massive open space, players will seamlessly travel between locations using a world map. At the heart of the journey is The Hideaway, a central hub where players can embark on main story missions, engage in side quests, and take on monster hunts. This hub also houses essential facilities like an item shop and a blacksmith for crafting and upgrading weapons.
The structured world design may remind longtime Final Fantasy fans of classic entries in the series. However, unlike those older titles, Final Fantasy XVI will not feature hidden dungeons or secret areas, as the development team has chosen to focus on refining and expanding the core locations. While this might disappoint some players who enjoy uncovering hidden content, the promise of rich, well-developed regions in Valisthea suggests that there will still be plenty to discover.
(Image credit: Square Enix)
Final Fantasy XVI’s Real-Time Rendering Pushes PS5 Hardware to Its Limits
Naoki Yoshida confirmed that Final Fantasy XVI’s Revenge trailer was rendered entirely in real time on PlayStation 5 hardware, showcasing an impressive level of detail across every surface—from intricate character expressions to highly textured environments—all without loading screens. This level of graphical fidelity is made possible by the PS5’s solid-state drive and high-performance hardware, enabling seamless rendering that was previously unattainable on consoles.
While the gaming industry has pursued this level of visual realism since the dawn of HD gaming, true breakthroughs only started appearing midway through the PS4’s lifespan, thanks to Sony’s optimized first-party titles. Square Enix has made significant strides with Final Fantasy XVI, addressing early criticisms from the game’s reveal, where some accused it of using assets resembling those from Final Fantasy XIV. A side-by-side comparison of the new footage highlights just how far the visuals have come.
With such a demanding level of detail, the real challenge now is performance. If Final Fantasy XVI can maintain a stable 60 FPS while delivering this visual spectacle, it will set a new benchmark for RPGs on current-gen consoles.
(Image credit: Square Enix)
Final Fantasy XVI: A Promising Evolution for the Series
Although we’ve only seen a fraction of what Final Fantasy XVI has in store, it’s already shaping up to be an exciting entry in the franchise. While the initial reveal leaned heavily on themes of warring kingdoms and the ever-iconic crystals, the central premise of powerful beings harnessing them as god-like weapons adds a fresh twist.
For long-time fans of the series, especially those who love the summon mechanics, it’s thrilling to see Eikons take center stage in both the narrative and combat. Their role in shaping the world of Final Fantasy XVI looks more significant than ever, promising some truly epic encounters.
What are your thoughts on the game so far? Are you excited about the changes Square Enix is bringing to the series? Let’s discuss!
(Image credit: Square Enix)