As the highly anticipated release of Final Fantasy XVI approaches on June 22, fans of the iconic franchise are eagerly awaiting what promises to be an exciting new addition to the beloved series.
I had the chance to work on Final Fantasy XVI and even had the opportunity to interview some of the key members of the development team. After my time with the game, I came away with a deep appreciation for its many strengths and I’m confident it will become an essential PS5 title.
One thing is certain, Final Fantasy XVI has assembled a stellar team of creators, each proven to deliver unforgettable gaming experiences. Leading the project is producer Naoki Yoshida, widely regarded as one of Square Enix’s most beloved figures and the mastermind behind Final Fantasy XIV, which he turned into a massive hit title. Yoshida has brought with him key members of his XIV team, including Masayoshi Soken, the composer responsible for XIV’s rising score, who will create the XVI soundtrack, and Michael-Christopher Koji Fox, the mastermind behind XIV’s complex lore. , who will oversee the localization, writing, culturalization and lore for the title. Ryota Suzuki, the Capcom veteran responsible for Devil May Cry 5’s satisfying combat, leads the combat department, while art direction is handled by Hiroshi Minagawa, whose credits include Final Fantasy XII, Tactics, and XIV. Leading this all-star team is Hiroshi Takai, a Square Enix veteran known for his contributions to the SaGa series and The Last Remnant. With such a talented group of creators, Final Fantasy XVI promises to be an unforgettable gaming experience that fans won’t want to miss.
Below, I’ll share some of the standout aspects of the title that impressed me the most and that I think will make this game an unforgettable experience for fans of the series and newcomers alike.
The thrill of real-time combat and high-octane Eikon battles
In Valisthea, nations are protected by Eikons, huge and powerful creatures each wielding an elemental power. These powerful beings reside within the Dominants, mortal hosts gifted with the ability to summon the incredible strength of their respective Eikon. As the nations clash, Eikon’s fights become larger than life fights. Channeling Japanese Kaiju culture from Ultraman, Evangelion, and Attack on Titan, boss battles will see big showdowns between Final Fantasy’s Titan, Garuda, Shiva, Ifrit, Phoenix, Bahamut, and more, with each battle entirely unique in its setting. , its movement, and playability.
And when these colossal creatures aren’t engaged in battle, protagonist Clive Rosfield is equipped with a range of combat abilities he learns as the story progresses, pitting them in combat to execute awesome combos.
“We took a bit of inspiration from the ability system of Final Fantasy V in that Clive learns the abilities of the Eikons he encounters on his journey and can combine them in countless unique ways to create a powerful arsenal of techniques. “, says Ryota. Suzuki.
With this Devil May Cry 5 veteran in the lead, and Final Fantasy XVI moving away from turn-based battles to focus on real-time combat, gameplay was fast, complex, and incredibly exhilarating.
A high skill ceiling but an accessible gameplay experience
Perhaps one of the things I found most impressive and exciting about XVI’s combat system is how the title strips away the difficulty settings. No need to choose between easy, normal or hard at the start of your game: you will have two options: action-oriented or story-oriented. Behind these two options there is actually a singular experience, with enemies equally fierce in the story-driven mode as in the action-driven one, with the only difference that choosing the story focus allows players to access a particular set of accessories from the start of their game.
To make the game more accessible to players less familiar with action gameplay, Final Fantasy XVI offers a variety of useful accessories. There are five to choose from, each offering unique perks and the choice of story-driven setting will allow you to equip two from the start. One accessory slows down time to make it easier to pull off perfect dodges, while another fully automates the controls of Torgal, Clive’s trusty canine companion. One accessory automatically uses potions when your health is low, and another automatically dodges incoming attacks for you.
Perhaps the most visually striking attachment, however, allows you to dish out a series of powerful combos and finishers based on your available cooldowns with the (repeated) press of a single button, showcasing the full range and the complexity of the combat system for virtually none of the price, and make for a flashy experience. With these accessories, Final Fantasy XVI is designed to be accessible to a wide range of players, regardless of their previous experience with action games.
However, action gamers – don’t worry. The skill cap is even higher in the third setting that you can choose after completing the game. Aptly named “Final Fantasy”, the New Game+ mode will provide players with an extra challenge if they wish, not only increasing enemy strength but also their placement throughout the game, while providing players with different battles. .
A narrative landscape of high fantasy and political intrigue
Unlike its predecessor, which ventured into more modern territory, XVI takes us on a journey to the roots of the franchise, immersing us in a high-fantasy world that draws inspiration from medieval Europe. The kingdom of Valisthea is built around powerful mother crystals that provide ether, the magical force that has been a staple of the Final Fantasy universe since its inception. As nations form around these crystals, each developing their own customs and philosophies, a delicate balance emerges, punctuated by periods of uneasy peace. But when the ether begins to run low, tensions rise and deep political strife threatens to tear Valisthea apart.
Against this backdrop of uncertainty, players will embark on Clive’s journey, a story of revenge with its own personal and unique motivations. And of course, he won’t be traveling alone.
According to Naoki Yoshida, individual stories will be key. “We have a huge ensemble cast,” Yoshida explains. “Each character is unique in their background and motivations, and each has their own unique arcs that unfold throughout the story. And while the primary focus of this story is on Clive Rosfield, as he seeks to avenge the loss of his family and nation.Throughout his journey, players will also witness the fate of many other characters.
To support this rich narrative, Final Fantasy XVI will feature an all-new system called Active Time Lore, or ATL for short.
“Our story is deep and focused on the characters, but we wanted the world to feel alive and give the reasons why things happen,” says Michael-Christopher Koji Fox “We created a story that goes back more than 1500 years, which influences history.”
This very in-depth feature is built in everywhere and will allow you to pause the game at any time, even in the middle of the cutscene, and get custom lore prompts to refresh your memory on a character you just mentioned. history of a nation or a particular event that took place.
“We have hundreds of entries available,” Koji Fox continues, “but players can also choose to skip them and enjoy the game without feeling bogged down.”
Engineering prowess powered by PS5 hardware
Final Fantasy XVI sets a new standard for technical achievement that cannot be ignored. Its vast and beautiful world can be explored with ease, switching seamlessly between battle, exploration, and cutscenes without any pesky load times. Thanks to the PS5’s incredible SSD speed, gamers can immerse themselves in endless rollercoaster gameplay. But that’s not all either, the DualSense wireless controller adds a whole new level of immersion with its impressive array of haptic feedback.
“In terms of haptic feedback, we take sound effect data from our cinematics and transfer it into vibration data,” says Hiroshi Takai. “While an explosion obviously creates a big vibration, it’s the smaller sounds and subtle variations in vibration that really stuck with us. It’s like moving from one generation of controllers to the next.
The part of FFXVI I got to play was a vertical slice of the main questline, which took place a few hours into the game. During this segment, Clive Rosfield was accompanied by Hugo Kupka and Torgal as we tracked down one of the Dominants. In this pursuit, we ventured through a castle and encountered many enemies, culminating in two thrilling boss battles. It is important to note that the version of the game that I experienced is still in development and may undergo further changes before its final release on June 22, 2023.
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