Final Fantasy XVI

Final Fantasy XVI is the sixteenth main installment of the bestselling jRPG series by Square Enix. Its development was overseen by Naoki Yoshida (also serving as its producer; earlier overseeing Final Fantasy XIV and Dragon Quest X) and Hiroshi Takai (earlier working on the series' fourteenth installment and The Last Remnant).

Plot

Final Fantasy XVI is set in a fantasy world of Valisthea. The land is home to massive crystals providing a magical substance called aether. Over time, magnificent and powerful nations formed around them (the Grand Duchy of Rosaria, the Holy Empire of Sanbreque, the Kingdom of Waloed, the Dhalmekian Republic, the Iron Kingdom and the Crystalline Dominion), living among each other at peace. The peace, however, ends with the appearance of the mysterious Blight.

The game's main protagonist is Clive Rosfield, the first-born son of the Rosarian Archduke. His younger brother, Joshua, was marked with the sign of a Phoenix, one of the Eikons (the most powerful, deadliest creatures in all of Valisthea); this turns him into an unwilling instrument of war able to channel the entity's unimaginable power. Clive, meanwhile, devoted himself to swordsmanship, soon becoming a master of the blade; he is thus deemed the First Shield of Rosaria, tasked with protecting his younger brother. When a dark Eikon - Ifrit - causes a great tragedy, Clive's life changes dramatically, sending him on a dangerous quest for revenge.

Gameplay

Final Fantasy XVI makes use of the third-person perspective (TPP). The game is set in a diverse world featuring grassy plains, beautiful cities and much grimmer locations, such as dark swamps. During our travels we complete story quests and side quests, fighting off enemies standing in our way.

Just like in the fifteenth installment or in Final Fantasy VII Remake, combat is very fast-paced, requiring reflexes, agility and thoughtful use of the protagonist's combat skills. We can battle enemies in melee, at a distance or using magic. Progressing through the game lets us develop our protagonist and face greater challenges.

Technical aspects

Final Fantasy XVI runs on Square Enix's proprietary engine. The visuals are of very high quality - the enemy designs and detailed locations are particularly impressive.

Last updated on 19 June 2023