Revolutionizing Final Fantasy: Major Changes Coming with FF16

Final Fantasy 16 marks a significant milestone for Square Enix's renowned RPG franchise. Set in the war-torn world of Valisthea, the game revolves around the story of Clive Rosfield, a young noble seeking revenge against his kingdom's enemies using the power of mystical beings known as Eikons. With a playable demo on the way, fans eagerly await the game's launch on June 22.

This latest installment promises to be unlike any other in the series. For one, it will be the first mainline game to receive a Mature rating, thanks to its darker, revenge-fueled storyline. Additionally, Final Fantasy 16 will adopt a more non-linear approach to storytelling, with Clive's life being depicted in a more wide-reaching fashion than previous heroes like Cloud or Tidus.

However, while Final Fantasy 16 looks to explore new directions, it may also mark the end of a key tradition in the Final Fantasy series: numbered entry titles. In a recent interview with GQ, Final Fantasy 16 producer Naoki Yoshida revealed that he has discussed the possibility of discontinuing numbered titles with Square Enix. According to Yoshida, new players may find these numbered titles confusing, as they may believe that they need to play the entire series, starting with Final Fantasy 1, to fully comprehend the latest game.

As most dedicated gamers are aware, each mainline Final Fantasy game is set in a unique world with a standalone plot that is completely separate from any previous or subsequent entries. Some of these games have sequels or spin-offs that continue their storylines, such as Final Fantasy 13 and the Compilation of Final Fantasy 7, which can create even more confusion for new players. Additionally, two of the core Final Fantasy titles (Final Fantasy 11 and Final Fantasy 14) are MMOs, while the others are primarily single-player experiences.

These factors can be overwhelming for newcomers trying to jump into the massive Final Fantasy series for the first time, and Naoki Yoshida believes that it may be best for future games to forego the numbered titles that have been a staple of the franchise since its inception. While Square Enix has not made any decisions on the matter, it is possible that Final Fantasy 16, set to be released next month, could be the last game in the series to carry a Roman numeral in its title.

Final Fantasy 16 will launch on June 22, exclusively for PS5.

Source: GQ