The Epic Unveiling: Unraveling the Untold Anime Journey of FFXVI

The highly anticipated release of Final Fantasy XVI (FFXVI), the latest installment in the Final Fantasy video game series, took place on PlayStation 5 last week. This marks the first completely new title in the franchise since the release of Final Fantasy XV (FFXV) in 2016. Despite being available for only a few days, the game has received overwhelmingly positive reviews and has pushed the boundaries of what it means to be a Final Fantasy game.

However, there is one notable aspect that could have been improved—the game fails to adequately provide gamers with the necessary knowledge to fully comprehend the intricate storyline and characters. From the very beginning, the game bombards players with unfamiliar terms and names without providing sufficient explanations. The political systems of the warring countries lack historical context and background information. Additionally, the characters are introduced as if players are already familiar with their identities.

In theory, this approach could work well, as it avoids the burden of overwhelming players with excessive information that may hinder immersion in the game. However, in reality, even players who have experience with previous Final Fantasy titles may struggle to make sense of anything beyond the names of the Eikons, chocobos, and moogles. To fully grasp what is happening, players must invest a significant amount of time reading through the in-game archive known as the "Thousand Tomes."

Could this situation have been avoided altogether? Could players have entered the game with a solid understanding of Valisthea, Clive and his companions, and the Crystals and Dominants? The answer is yes, as demonstrated by the release of FFXV six years ago. Prior to the game's launch, a short anime series called Final Fantasy XV: Brotherhood and a CGI movie named Kingsglaive: FFXV were released. Both of these supplementary materials effectively established the background, history, characters, and lore of the game, providing players with a foundation of knowledge before they even started playing.

Wrap Your Head Around the Politics

The Final Fantasy series is well-known for its intricate political systems and complex government structures, which can be quite challenging for players to understand when they first start playing the games. In the case of FFXV, both Kingsglaive and Brotherhood provided valuable insight into the workings of the Crownsguard and the political landscape of Insomnia. These sources helped players grasp the various nations involved, Lunafreya's origins, and more.

However, the same cannot be said for FFXVI. Although it also begins with nations at war, it fails to provide adequate explanation regarding the reasons behind the conflict and the significance of the names mentioned. The audience is left wondering about the Iron Kingdom, its connection to Clive's kingdom of Rosaria, the obsession with Crystals, and the identities of the two warring armies on the battlefield. A sufficient amount of background information would have greatly enhanced the overall understanding of the game.

Understand the Context

Picking up FFXVI would have been much better with some additional context. Just like Brotherhood did a great job in explaining why the four main characters were going on a road trip together and where they were headed, it would have been beneficial for FFXVI to have a similar explanation. Understanding terms like Bearers, Crystals, and Dominants would have greatly improved the start of the game and enhanced the overall experience. Instead, we found ourselves constantly pausing the game to figure out the meaning of these words or consulting Loreman Harpocrates in the Hideaway and going through the Thousand Tomes to grasp the significance of the conversations and story.

Get to Know the Characters

The strongest aspect of FFXV: Brotherhood was its ability to establish a connection between players and the main characters even before they started playing the game. By providing detailed backstories for all four leading men and Lunafreya, the series showed how they initially met, their origins, and the journey that led them to where they were at the beginning of the game. This immersive approach breathed life into the characters and instilled a genuine sense of care and curiosity about their individual stories. Consequently, players were already invested and eager to discover what awaited them as soon as the game was released.

FFXVI boasts an array of intricately developed characters, each brimming with captivating backstories, extensive histories, and more. However, at the game's onset, these characters are entirely new to players. The trailers merely introduced names such as "Clive" and "Joshua," leaving us with minimal insight into their personas. Naturally, most games commence with unfamiliar characters, and as we progress, we gradually uncover their depths. Yet, considering the colossal and immersive nature of FFXVI, it seems like a missed opportunity not to ignite players' excitement and fascination with these multifaceted individuals prior to gameplay. By doing so, every event that unfolds at the game's outset would carry even more profound significance.

Get Hyped!

Undeniably, there was no need to further amplify the excitement surrounding FFXVI. With its extensive legacy dating back to 1988 when the inaugural game was released, Final Fantasy effortlessly captivates the affection of devoted fans and inquisitive newcomers alike. Square Enix scarcely requires additional efforts to enchant its audience. Devoted enthusiasts always guarantee day one purchases of the games.

Releasing an anime or movie alongside the game would have generated even more excitement for the release. While long-time fans of the series are likely to purchase the latest title regardless, new fans may hesitate to commit without knowing what to expect. An anime series would have provided a more accessible way for potential players to familiarize themselves with the game's world and characters, helping them decide if they wanted to explore further. Additionally, it would have made the idea of starting a game with the number "16" in the title less intimidating for those who may have felt they should have played the previous installments.

In conclusion, Final Fantasy XVI had a successful launch and was well-received, but Square Enix could have further improved it by creating an anime like FFXV: Brotherhood or Kingsglaive prior to the release. This would have allowed players to grasp the story more quickly and feel more invested in Clive's journey from the very beginning. Given the immense lore and complexity of the game's world, providing something to prepare and excite players would have been a smart business move.