Announced as one of the great surprises of the year, Square Enix revealed the next chapter in the world’s most famous JRPG franchise during the presentation of PlayStation 5 games. Final Fantasy XVI It was announced with a trailer that showcased a bit of the story, characters, and gameplay, plus a launch frame that may be closer than we think.
The game is being developed by Naoki Yoshida’s team, Creative Business Unit 3. This is the same group that was responsible for the rebirth of Final Fantasy XIV, which continues in force thanks to its “game as a service” model.
This is the information we have at the moment about Final Fantasy XVI.
What will be the story of Final Fantasy XVI?
Square Enix decided to return to the roots to tell a new epic based on the legendary crystals. The story of Final Fantasy XVI is set in a world called Valisthea, which is home to mysterious minerals called Progenitor Crystals in its mountains. These crystals have blessed the inhabitants of this world with the power of the ether, which allows them to master magic.
Over time, multiple nations have emerged as a result of the wars for the Progenitor Crystals: the Grand Duchy of Rosaria, the Holy Empire of Sanbreque, the Kingdom of Waloed, the Dhalmekian Republic Y the Iron Kingdom. Each of these regions has its own culture and ideologies.
With the appearance of a plague, the tense calm that rests on these nations is about to break and the time to return to war is imminent. To balance the arms balance of nations, mystical creatures known as the Eikons serve as a deterrent to avoid conflict. These Eikons reside within Dominants, humans who can control their power. Depending on the nation, the Dominant are revered or used as instruments of war.
Main characters of Final Fantasy XVI
So far, the plot of Final Fantasy XVI It has been focused on three characters. First we have Clive Rosfield, the main protagonist of the game. Clive is the eldest son of the Archduke of Rosaria. His role is to be the protector of his younger brother and Dominant of the Eikon Phoenix, Joshua Rosfield. Clive received the blessing of the Phoenix, allowing him to control the fire of the Eikon.
Joshua is a boy raised by royalty with an overflowing kindness towards others. His power as a Dominant allows him to transform into the Phoenix to protect his nation.
The two brothers share a childhood friend: Jill Warrick. From a young age, Jill was brought from the Northlands to become a defender of the Duchy of Rosaria. As part of the Rosfield family, Jill spent her childhood living with Clive and Joshua.
How will the gameplay of Final Fantasy XVI?
Final Fantasy XVI It will be an RPG for a player that, judging by what was seen in the first advance, will have a gameplay similar to that of Final Fantasy XV, but with a much more fluid combat. Clive will be able to teleport with the Shift Warp ability, just like Noctis did, and combine his melee techniques with magical abilities. Being a game set in heroic fantasy, Final Fantasy XVI it will not have many mechanical or futuristic artifacts.
One of the key elements in the game falls on the Eikons. These magical beings will be controlled under the Summons mechanic to execute devastating damage techniques. In the preview, it was confirmed that Phoenix and Titan will be present alongside two classics loved by fans: Ifrit and Shiva.
Naoki Yoshida confirmed that Clive is present in the trailer on two timelines. This means that at some point in the plot there will be a time jump that allows us to see characters matured and evolved in their abilities.
When will the launch of Final Fantasy XVI?
At the moment there is no fixed release date for Final Fantasy XVI. The game has been in development for over four years and Yoshida himself confirmed that they have completed the stage construction and basic development phase. All personnel are working remotely due to the pandemic, but the work has not stopped. According to a Square Enix recruitment page, the game could be released in the course of 2021.
Another big surprise is that Final Fantasy XVI It will be a game with temporary exclusivity for PlayStation 5 and then it will go to PC. This was discovered by users when it was accidentally shown in the reveal video that would also be released on PC, although Sony does not want to claim it.
This page will be constantly updated. Please visit regularly for the latest on Final Fantasy XVI.
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