Final Fantasy 16's Torgal: The Virtual Tale That's Making Real-Life Dogs Green with Envy

Players of Final Fantasy 16 have found themselves consoling their dogs when the dogs feel jealous of Torgal. It's understandable, considering that Torgal can be petted just like the dogs can.

Since its recent release, Final Fantasy 16 has received praise for various aspects, including its captivating story that follows Clive Rosfield and his companions as they navigate an ongoing international conflict and face potential annihilation from the Blight. One of the standout characters in the game is Clive's faithful husky, Torgal, who offers Clive different types of help and has quickly gained a devoted fan base within the franchise. This is thanks not only to Torgal's impressive abilities, but also his irresistible adorableness.

Redditor Luthalis shared a 19-second video of their rottweiler's reaction to gameplay footage. The footage shows Clive petting Torgal on a nearby TV, which earns a trophy in the game. The context of the gameplay is unknown, but it features Clive and Torgal in a grassy area of Valisthea with no specific objectives. In the video, Luthalis' dog growls and briefly jumps on its hind legs, clearly upset that another dog is receiving affection.

Many commenters found the scene adorable and shared similar stories of their own dogs reacting to Final Fantasy 16. However, some users mentioned that their dogs did not react the same way despite exhibiting similar behavior in other situations. A few commenters also compared their cats' reactions to gameplay from the game Stray. One user humorously expressed sympathy for feeling jealous if they had to compete with a dog possessing Torgal's upgraded battle moves and intelligence. Additionally, numerous commenters suggested that Luthalis take the time to pet their dog to alleviate its unease.

The intersection of video games and real life can be fascinating. Characters and narratives often draw inspiration from actual individuals and events, in-game experiences leave a lasting impression on players, and real animals serve as models for virtual counterparts. This connection between life and art is becoming more pronounced in the gaming industry, offering gamers from all backgrounds an opportunity to create meaningful and emotional memories. Final Fantasy 16 can only be played on the PlayStation 5.