Final Fantasy 16 Revelation: The Enigmatic Character that FF15 Concealed

The newest installment in the Final Fantasy series, Final Fantasy 16, has recently been released, captivating fans worldwide. It stands out as the most action-packed entry yet, surpassing not only Final Fantasy 15 and Final Fantasy 7 Remake, but also spin-off games like Stranger of Paradise that heavily emphasize combat. However, Final Fantasy 16 also marks a return to the medieval setting of earlier titles, aiming to impress the essence of Final Fantasy on a new generation.

Throughout numerous interviews with the developers, the recurring objective of rejuvenating the Final Fantasy franchise becomes evident. It is true that after Final Fantasy 10, the series went through an experimental phase where it struggled to find stability. With two MMOs, one requiring a relaunch, and the diverse efforts of Final Fantasy 12, 13, and 15, Final Fantasy 16 had a lot to live up to. It has largely succeeded, showcasing the power of Final Fantasy's summoning abilities through its breathtaking Eikon battles. However, it seems that one significant summon from Final Fantasy 15 has been overlooked in the process.

Leviathan Is Missing From Final Fantasy 16

The significance of Final Fantasy 16's summons cannot be emphasized enough, as they play a crucial role in the plot and are possessed by key characters. Protagonist Clive Rosfield, despite being the Dominant of Ifrit, can also harness the powers of other Eikons, which brings the fiery summon into the spotlight. Along with Ifrit, Clive draws his abilities from prominent summons such as Phoenix, Garuda, Ramuh, Titan, Bahamut, Odin, and Shiva, all of whom are intricately woven into the Valisthea setting.

While one other Eikon, Leviathan the Lost, is mentioned a few times, it remains on the sidelines. Late in the game, a character examines ancient mythological artwork that references Leviathan. This image is also featured on the collector's edition, depicting something resembling Leviathan. However, in Final Fantasy 16, this enormous water serpent lives up to its subtitle as there is no evident Dominant for it, and it has no impact on the plot. Given the importance of every Eikon in Final Fantasy 16, Leviathan stands out as an anomaly. It is possible that external factors delayed its inclusion in Final Fantasy 16 itself.

Final Fantasy 15 May Have Been Leviathan's Big Moment

Leviathan is not often highlighted in the Final Fantasy series, but it benefits from being one of the iconic summons. It is a recurring Primal in Final Fantasy 14, which serves as inspiration for Final Fantasy 16's Eikons. However, Leviathan's last significant role in the mainline FF story was in Final Fantasy 15. In this game, Leviathan's destructive appearance plays a crucial role in the turning point of the plot in the city of Altissia. The intense and exhilarating setpiece would fit seamlessly in Final Fantasy 16.

Considering Leviathan's emotional impact in FF15, Square Enix may have decided to give it some space in Final Fantasy 16. It is possible that encountering Leviathan in FF16 would resemble the experience in FF15, potentially diminishing the memorable aspect of the previous game. Pre-release rumors also hinted at the possibility of FF16 offering its own DLC featuring Leviathan, but there is currently no concrete evidence to support this. Regardless, it is intriguing that one of Final Fantasy 16's defining monsters is absent, whether this is for internal or external reasons.

Final Fantasy 16 is available now on PS5.