You’ll be hard pressed to find many games launching this year that have a longer pedigree than Final Fantasy. Even those American football games that come out every year haven’t been around quite as long. But, tracing its roots all the way back in 1987, Final Fantasy is still around in 2023, and ready to drop its highly-anticipated sixteenth numbered title in the series. Let’s take a look at what we know about the game so far, and what players can expect before this mammoth game releases on June 22, 2023.
Setting & Story
The stage for Final Fantasy XVI is the world of Valisthea. The land is dotted with Mothercrystals, glittering mountains of crystal that are able to supply aether to the surrounding area. This abundant aether gave the people of the area the ability to conjure the magicks that enrich their daily lives. Unfortunately, after generations of use, these seemingly infinite sources of aether have begun to wane, as limited natural resources are wont to do. A phenomenon dubbed “The Blight” has started to take root in the areas between the Mothercrystals and the deadlands in between the realms have begun steadily expanding. A number of distinct conflicts emerge. Realms vie for control of the others’ crystals, and inter-dominion squabbles erupt as abundance turns toward scarcity. Still others believe that its time for mankind to forge their own destiny, unbidden to the crystals.
Another aspect of Valisthea are Eikons, powerful magical creatures that represent the elements. They are the most deadly beings in all of Valisthea, and those who can wield the powers of these Eikons are called Dominants. One person having so much power is treated differently in the various realms. Some realms choose to confer power and reverence upon the Dominants, while other realms fear the destructive power that a lone individual within their borders holds.
Our protagonist in this story is Clive Rosfield, firstborn son of the Archduke of the Grand Duchy of Rosaria. Tabbed by many to become the next Dominant of Phoenix, his life takes a detour when his brother Joshua is tasked to bear that burden instead.
Combat
So, now that you’re up to speed on the plot of Final Fantasy XVI, what’s combat going to be like? Battles are real-time, action-packed affairs that will see our protagonist blend magic and might into a fierce, flowing dance of destruction. Controlling Clive feels agile, with Clive being able to quickly dash, dodge, and punish those who choose to do battle with him.
If you’re the type of gamer who prefers to experience the story more than the combat, Square Enix has you covered! There’s a “Story” option to simplify battles, so you won’t have to tax your skills too much.
Throughout his journey, Clive will encounter allies that will join in the fighting. These allies will fight of their own volition, and so the player will not have direct control over their actions in battle. The one exception to this is Clive’s heroic hound, Torgal, who Clive can direct to target foes and can actually heal Clive in combat.
Release Date
That get you fired up to dive back into the Final Fantasy universe? Well fortunately, you won’t have to wait long. Launch date is June 22! Just enough time for you to stock up on new gear to enjoy the adventure. It’d be a shame for PlayStation 5 players not to experience Final Fantasy XVI in all its glory, so do yourself a favor, and check out these headsets designed to help enhance gaming immersion while keeping you comfortable on the couch.
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