What’s New in Final Fantasy XVI?

Final Fantasy XVI is set to deliver a thrilling new adventure for fans worldwide as the game aims to blend cinematic storytelling, immersive gameplay, and breathtaking visuals to create a memorable experience. Dive into our guide to get the latest information and news surrounding Final Fantasy XVI, covering its release date and platforms, trailers, story and setting, characters and gameplay, as well as recent developments.

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Release Date and Platforms

Final Fantasy XVI is scheduled to launch on June 22, 2023, exclusively for the PlayStation 5. This confirmation came during The Game Awards 2022, alongside the reveal of a brand new trailer. However, it’s important to note that while the game is initially exclusive to the PS5, it will likely be heading for PC platforms approximately six months later. Sony has clarified this information in a recent trailer, ensuring that PC players will also have the opportunity to join the adventure in the near future.

Trailers

The latest trailer for Final Fantasy XVI, titled “Salvation”, premiered at the May PlayStation Showcase. This captivating trailer offers almost three minutes of in-game footage, showcasing the game’s scale and spectacle. While it doesn’t delve into specific details, it gives viewers a glimpse of the challenges protagonist Clive Rosfield will face on his journey.

Story and Setting

The narrative of Final Fantasy XVI unfolds in a land known as Valisthea, a realm intertwined with six ancient Mothercrystals. These crystals have granted blessings to the world for generations, allowing the rise of six powerful nations: The Grand Duchy of Rosaria, the Holy Empire of Sanbreque, the Kingdom of Waloed, the Dhalmekian Republic, the Iron Kingdom, and the Crystalline Dominion. While these nations have coexisted in relative peace, their differing perspectives and interests have led to political disagreements.

However, with the spreading “Blight” across the land has forced these nations into desperate measures. The game is expected to begin amidst this disorderly period, providing players with a rich and immersive storyline. Producer Naoki Yoshida has emphasised that Final Fantasy XVI will be an “Action-oriented” game with a strong focus on storytelling, aiming to accommodate players who prefer a deeper narrative experience. Yoshida expressed the intention to explore mature themes and offer players a chance to reflect on real-world issues within the context of fantasy.

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Characters and Gameplay

As an action RPG, Final Fantasy XVI departs from the turn-based combat of earlier entries and adopts a dynamic combat system reminiscent of titles like Final Fantasy XV and Final Fantasy VII Remake. Players assume the role of Clive Rosfield, the game’s protagonist, who possesses a range of supernatural powers known as Eikons. Throughout battles, Clive can switch between different Eikons, each offering unique abilities and playstyles.

For example, Clive’s default Eikon, Phoenix, excels in dealing damage while providing options for self-healing and area-of-effect attacks. Switching to Garuda, on the other hand, transforms Clive’s move set, granting increased agility and the ability to perform rapid combos and mid-air assaults. Players can unlock and customise various Eikons, each with their own set of moves, requiring strategic mastery to excel in the game’s action-oriented combat system.

New Arcade Mode

One of the standout features is the addition of an Arcade Mode, allowing players to replay previous missions with a score calculator and combat grader, providing a fresh challenge and a chance to improve their performance. 

Furthermore, Final Fantasy XVI introduces a unique version of New Game Plus called Final Fantasy Mode. This mode offers a significant shift in difficulty, altering monster placements and presenting players with tougher enemies to face in combat. The goal is to create a sense of constant danger, keeping players on their toes and requiring their full attention to overcome the challenges.

In addition to these new modes, Final Fantasy XVI introduces Chronolith Trials in the New Game Plus feature. These trials offer a substantial challenge, consisting of four rounds of enemies, with the final round always featuring a boss encounter. Time trials are a key aspect of these trials, allowing players to gain precious seconds by executing specific moves. Notably, Chronolith Trials don’t allow HP recovery except through Limit Breaks, emphasising the importance of well-timed dodges and parries.

Each Chronolith Trial is based on one of Final Fantasy XVI’s Eikons, which are the game’s equivalent of summons seen in previous instalments of the series. These Eikons showcase stunning designs and add a visually impressive element to the trials. To further enhance the competitive aspect, the trials feature a global leaderboard, allowing players to compare their performance against others which is a unique feature within the Final Fantasy franchise.

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Conclusion

Final Fantasy XVI holds great promise as the next mainline instalment in the beloved RPG franchise. With its release date set for June 22, 2023, exclusively on the PlayStation 5, fans eagerly await the opportunity to embark on a new adventure in the captivating world of Valisthea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Final Fantasy XVI Single Player or Can You Play It with Your Friends?

Unfortunately, Final Fantasy doesn’t have any multiplayer mode that allows you to play with your friends and the game is intended to be played as a single player only. However, a multiplayer mode might get added in the near future. 

Will Final Fantasy XVI Have Downloadable Content (DLC) or Expansions Post-Launch?

Square Enix has not officially confirmed any plans for downloadable content or expansions for Final Fantasy XVI at this time. However, considering the franchise’s history, it’s possible that the game may receive post-launch updates or expansions in the future. 

Can Players Expect Any Crossover Content or References to Previous Final Fantasy Games in Final Fantasy XVI?

While there may be subtle nods or Easter eggs referencing previous Final Fantasy titles, the focus of the game is on delivering a fresh and standalone experience. Players can look forward to exploring a brand new setting and immersing themselves in the world of Valisthea without relying heavily on connections to past instalments.