Final Fantasy 16's Unstoppable Game-Breaking Move

Final Fantasy 16's demo has generated a lot of excitement among gamers, showcasing Square Enix's latest installment in the long-standing series. Within a short timeframe, players have been able to experience the action combat mechanics of Final Fantasy 16. While Clive's Eikonic abilities are impressive, it's worth noting that sometimes the most overlooked abilities can prove to be the most powerful during intense battles.

Led by former Capcom developer Hiroshi Takai, FF16's action combat draws inspiration from games like Devil May Cry 5 and other action-focused titles. Takai's involvement with DMC 5, Dragon's Dogma, and Marvel vs. Capcom 2 suggests that the fast-paced combat fans love will be a prominent feature in Valisthea. However, during the Final Fantasy 16 launch event on June 11, Square Enix revealed that developers from NieR: Automata and the Kingdom Hearts series were also brought in to contribute to FF16's combat systems. This collaboration has resulted in a seamless flow of battle, which has become one of the game's main selling points. Interestingly, one particular ability appears to make many fights considerably easier.

The R1 Button is Clive's Best Friend In a Fight

Clive's mastery of swordsmanship is his primary weapon, despite having the power of Final Fantasy's formidable beings at his disposal, such as Garuda, Titan, and Ifrit. While anyone can perform one of Clive's most effective maneuvers with the push of a button, dodging in Final Fantasy 16 requires more than simply pressing the R1 button. By equipping one of the game's Timely Accessories, like the Ring of Timely Focus, time slows down, granting players a precious moment to evade incoming attacks. Whether players choose to utilize these accessories or not, with practice and patience, those who prioritize evading attacks and countering with powerful Eikonic abilities will find success in combat.

In FF16, Clive's use of Cinematic Evasions adds a stylish flair to avoiding damage. Even in the game's demo, Clive's first challenge is against a Dragoon capable of leaping into the air and striking with a wide range using his spear. Right from the start, Clive must employ a Cinematic Evasion maneuver to prevent being caught off guard by the Knight of the Blinding Dawn. While the Dragoon's spear strikes can be parried by well-timed weapon swings, evading his jumps is necessary for victory. As the battle intensifies, the Dragoon becomes more desperate, resorting to Double Jumps and escalating the fight against the agile yet young Shield of Rosaria.

In the Eikonic Challenge section of the FF16 demo, Clive confronts Chirada and Suparna, Benedikta Harmon's top subordinates and the Dominant of Garuda. Their wind-based attacks and agile attempts to strike Clive from above serve as an advanced tutorial for players, rewarding them for their ability to recognize patterns in intense moments. This tactic, already utilized by Creative Business Unit 3 in Final Fantasy 14 across various levels of combat, is further intensified in FF16's action-oriented gameplay. Despite the significant differences in style and genre between FF14 and FF16, the core principle of evading enemy attacks remains consistent.

While other games like the Dark Souls trilogy and Hades often require precise dodging for success, FF16's combat system allows players the freedom to improvise and develop their own unique fighting style. However, those who master the art of dodging will undoubtedly experience fewer hits even in the most challenging battles. As we eagerly anticipate the game's full release, only time will reveal the strategies and tactics that players will adopt once they embark on this new adventure.

Final Fantasy 16 launches on June 22 for PS5.