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Final Fantasy, the long-standing series of sprawling, epic role-playing video games developed by Square Enix, holds a revered and sentimental place in the relatively short history of gaming. In its early days, Final Fantasy stood out among its peers with its stunning visuals, intricate storytelling, and memorable characters, shaping the landscape of gaming itself. Over generations, Final Fantasy has left a lasting impact on countless gamers, becoming a cherished part of their hearts and minds.
However, after a string of beloved titles that are still considered some of the greatest games ever made, Final Fantasy lost its way. Subsequent games failed to meet the high expectations set by their predecessors, and as other modern game franchises gained popularity, Final Fantasy gradually lost its cultural significance. It became a nostalgic relic of the past, struggling to find its place in a rapidly changing gaming environment.
Despite this, reinvention has always been a defining characteristic of Final Fantasy. Rather than being a continuous series with shared worlds and protagonists, the franchise functions more like an anthology of standalone games. Each mainline title offers a unique setting and storyline, while still adhering to common themes and motifs borrowed from popular culture. While the narratives of Final Fantasy games may unfold on a grand scale, they also delve into the personal lives of their heroes and villains, creating emotional connections with players.
The release of Final Fantasy XVI, the latest reinvention of the series, feels like a rebirth for the franchise. This highly anticipated sixteenth installment, which launched exclusively on the PS5 on June 22nd, departs from traditional Final Fantasy norms in many ways. It has been updated for the modern era, offering a streamlined action RPG experience focused more on action than traditional role-playing elements. In the process, it ventures into new territory, deviating from what has traditionally defined a Final Fantasy game. For example, there is no traditional party system, although there are accompanying party members who assist the player in quests. Additionally, Final Fantasy XVI maintains the real-time action-based combat system introduced in recent titles, departing from its turn-based roots. While these changes may disappoint long-time fans of the franchise, they also have the potential to attract a new generation of gamers who have yet to experience a classic Final Fantasy game.
Like its predecessors, Final Fantasy XVI presents a fresh story heavily influenced by Western medieval fantasy. Taking inspiration from phenomena like Game of Thrones and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, the game crafts its own unique world with captivating characters and a distinctive flair. It explores common fantasy themes such as palace intrigue, betrayal, and revenge while weaving them into a compelling coming-of-age tale centered around the protagonist, Clive.
With its rich and immersive lore, multiple kingdoms with their distinct motivations, and a multitude of players shaping the story, Final Fantasy XVI offers a deep and engaging narrative. Its combat system is deceptively simple yet incredibly fun, emphasizing player reflexes and retaliation. Players utilize melee and magic to create a visually stunning display of elemental abilities and special moves on the screen. The game’s evocative and powerful music further enhances the emotional impact of both the story and the action.
While Final Fantasy XVI lacks the versatility of its peers in terms of RPG elements, side content, customization, and exploration, it successfully achieves its intended goals. Its main campaign delivers a dramatic and substantial story that keeps players invested throughout its 40-hour duration, almost feeling like turning the pages of a captivating novel. Though it may fall short of being a feature-complete RPG with extensive customization, exploration, and choice-based gameplay, it excels as a consistently enjoyable action title that surpasses the competition in terms of production value. Moreover, Final Fantasy XVI exudes an old-school charm that sets it apart from slick modern games.
The world of Final Fantasy XVI is set in Valisthea, a high-fantasy realm sustained by immense Mothercrystals. These towering crystals serve as powerful sources of aether, the essence of all magic flowing through the land and its inhabitants, powering industries and economies. The Mothercrystals also hold political significance, bestowing strength upon the nations that control them. The struggle for control over these crystals leads to wars and alliances, shaping the destiny of the realms.
Additionally, the crystals grant their blessings to select individuals known as Dominants. Dominants possess immense magical reservoirs within them and serve as hosts to colossal creatures called Eikons. These Eikons represent powerful summons featured in previous Final Fantasy games and become formidable weapons wielded by their respective nations. Dominants play a crucial strategic role, acting as deterrents and aggressors on behalf of their realms.
Final Fantasy XVI centers its story on Clive Rosfield, the first-born son of the ruler of the Grand Duchy of Rosaria, one of Valisthea’s six nations. Despite expectations, Clive is not chosen as a Dominant. Instead, the crystal’s power manifests within his younger brother, Joshua, who becomes the Phoenix, an Eikon of fire. The game begins with a 15-year-old Clive, whose world is shattered when he witnesses a traumatic event that sets him on a path of revenge and redemption. The powerful two-hour opening of Final Fantasy XVI immerses players in its complex world order, featuring intense action sequences and compelling narrative stakes.
Years later, a grown-up Clive lives as a mercenary, fighting battles not originally his own. Driven by a desire for vengeance, he finds purpose when he encounters Cidolfus Telamon, a charismatic outlaw leader running his own revolution. Cid becomes a significant side character in the early stages of the game, taking Clive under his wing and aiding him on his journey. Final Fantasy XVI primarily delivers its story through beautifully crafted cutscenes of exceptional production value, offering extended breaks from the intense action sequences. These cutscenes resemble episodes of a TV show, allowing players to follow their protagonist’s arc.
Final Fantasy XVI also features the Active Time Lore system, which provides essential context about the world and its characters in real-time. This system ensures that players are not overwhelmed by the expansive lore of the game. By long-pressing the touch bar on the DualSense controller, players can access Active Time Lore at any point during gameplay or cutscenes. Unlike traditional encyclopedic codexes found in most games, Active Time Lore condenses information and presents it efficiently, akin to looking up a word’s meaning with a simple tap on a phone screen. This convenient delivery of lore eases the burden of exposition dumps, making Final Fantasy XVI’s story more easily digestible.
However, the narrative of Final Fantasy XVI is not without flaws. The laser focus on Clive means that other supporting characters do not receive the attention they deserve. While characters like Cid stand out with their charismatic personalities, the rest of the cast may come across as flat and underdeveloped.
In conclusion, Final Fantasy XVI represents a triumphant return to form for the series. Despite its shortcomings in RPG depth, side content, customization, and exploration, the game succeeds in delivering a compelling and immersive experience. Its gripping story, along with its visually stunning combat and exceptional music, make it one of the standout titles of the year. By combining Western medieval fantasy influences with its signature Final Fantasy charm, the game offers a fresh and captivating journey for both long-time fans and a new generation of gamers.
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Eugen Boglaru is an AI aficionado covering the fascinating and rapidly advancing field of Artificial Intelligence. From machine learning breakthroughs to ethical considerations, Eugen provides readers with a deep dive into the world of AI, demystifying complex concepts and exploring the transformative impact of intelligent technologies.
