Final Fantasy is undoubtedly one of the most well-known and beloved video game franchises in history. Believe it or not, the first Final Fantasy game came out the year this writer was born (1987), and before a lot of you reading this article were even a twinkle in your parents’ eyes!
One of the first major online games franchises to establish a good standing with the video game community as far back as the 80s, Final Fantasy is now due to release its newest title in the spring of 2023. Final Fantasy fans all over the world were relaxed and secure in the knowledge that their favorite franchise would never leave them high and dry. So, what is waiting for fans in the new title? Let’s take a deep dive into the info that we have to see what we can expect next year.
Remind Us, What Were All The Games Again?
In case you needed a reminder, these are all the Final Fantasy titles in order, from the very first till the most recent.
- Final Fantasy I (1987)
- Final Fantasy II (1988)
- Final Fantasy III (1990)
- Final Fantasy IV (1991)
- Final Fantasy V (1992)
- Final Fantasy VI (1994)
- Final Fantasy VII (1997)
- Final Fantasy VIII (1999)
- Final Fantasy IX (2000)
- Final Fantasy X (2001)
- Final Fantasy XI Online (2002)
- Final Fantasy X-2 (2003)
- Final Fantasy XII (2004)
- Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings (2007)
- Final Fantasy XIII (2009)
- Final Fantasy XIV (2010)
- Final Fantasy XIII-2 (2011)
- Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII (2013)
- Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (2013)
- Final Fantasy XV (2016)
- Final Fantasy VII Remake (2020)
- Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin (2022)
What Can We Expect Next Year?
Characters and Settings
From the information on the official site, launched by Square Enix, we’ve found a little insight into what the characters and world are going to look like in the upcoming title. We’ll find ourselves in the land of Valisthea, a land overflowing with glittering, glowing crystal mountains known as Mothercrystals. These precious rock formations tower over the six realms which surround them and bless everything within their sight. These Mothercrystals have become beacons of magic for the characters in the realms, and the sorcerers who have used these magicks to their advantage have set up comfortable, rich lives all around the stones.
Image by Dids via Pexels
Though these stones are a blessing, not all is well in the land. The long-lived peace has begun to falter as The Blight has started to spread. You’ll meet the deadly Eikons, sixteen creatures that live within the men and women who have the ability to call on them. These Dominant individuals are either treated like weapons or royalty, depending on where they live. There's Hugo Kapka, an economic adviser and cold-hearted Bededikta Harman, Clive Rosfield (one of the leading characters), Joshua Rosfield, Jill Warrick, and more. Clive is the son of an archduke who was expected to inherit the power of the Phoenix Flames but has been pushed aside for his brother Joshua. Clive sets out to seek revenge, which is a dangerous road to travel. Younger Joshua has always admired his brother and wishes the inheritance had passed to him instead.
The Combat
Combat is one of the most exciting things about any Final Fantasy game. FF 16 will have an action-oriented combat style rather than a turn-based one. Clive’s actions are swift and smooth. If fans have noticed a similarity in the game's trailer to the gameplay in the beloved game Devil May Cry, they have sharp eyes! The team currently working on the FF 16 combat is the very same one who worked on Devil May Cry. While this team has had very little experience with action games in the past, they've proven themselves adept at the fine points. While they struggled before Ryota Suzuki was brought on board, their wealth of talent was marshaled to create some genuinely mesmerizing sequences. Clive’s unique abilities require detailed battle sequences, and it took considerable effort to make them work in unison.
Image by Murat Esibatir via Pexels
Easy Mode?
While it's almost unheard of for games of this stature, the new Final Fantasy may, in fact, have an easy mode. The game’s developers keep expanding their audience to include those who are slightly less skilled at action games and don't want anyone in their growing fanbase to feel left out. This could be a great opportunity to improve your skills and enjoy the game at the same time!
Wrap Up
By the time Final Fantasy 16 actually arrives, fans are going to be boiling over with anticipation. The game is being hyped up but not beyond the bounds of the wonders that seem to await us within the fantastical world of Valisthea. Mark your calendars because this is one launch you won't want to miss.
