The Mysterious Identity of the Hooded Man Revealed in Final Fantasy 16! (Major Spoilers!)

In Final Fantasy 16, Clive will unravel various mysteries and conspiracies during his journey. One enduring enigma that holds importance throughout the game is the Hooded Man. This enigmatic individual repeatedly makes appearances in different locations, constantly observing Clive and manipulating events before his arrival.

The Hooded Man is a significant mystery in Final Fantasy 16, so this article contains spoilers for major parts of the game. Most of the spoilers are related to the main quest, "The Crystal's Curse," but there will also be some aspects from the later stages of the game. Any elements that may spoil the story will be preceded by warning notices.

Spoilers below for the story of Final Fantasy 16!

The First Hooded Man/The Man Named "Margrace"

The initial character introduced in the narrative is known as "Margrace," a hooded figure. Alongside another similarly attired individual, referred to as the Hooded Figure, their presence initially generates perplexity among the audience. Margrace possesses dominion over Fire, and is accompanied by a enigmatic companion named "Jote," as they embark on an undisclosed mission within the realm of Valisthea.

In "Awakening" and "The Crystal's Curse," it is uncovered that the Hooded Figure Clive encountered at Phoenix Gate is not the same person, but rather Joshua, Clive's brother and Dominant of the Phoenix. Joshua, who supposedly perished at the hands of Ifrit, managed to survive and has been wander Valisthea in pursuit of knowledge regarding Dominants, Bearers, and the enigmatic entity called "Ultima." Despite his enigmatic behavior, Joshua is resolutely aligned with Clive and is endeavoring to assist him and protect the world in his own unique manner.

The Second Hooded Man/Ultima

Before Clive emerged as the Dominant of Ifrit, he encountered the Hooded Man at Phoenix Gate. This enigmatic character is a recurring presence in the game, leading Clive to uncover the secrets of his power and orchestrating events to connect him with the other Dominants.

However, this second individual has sinister objectives and harbors a much darker fate for Valisthea and its inhabitants. He appears to have a desire to merge with Clive, utilizing him and Ifrit as a conduit to execute his malevolent schemes.

Spoilers Ahead for the Main Quest "Brotherhood"

During the Main Quest "Brotherhood," the true origins and purpose of Ultima are revealed. A long time ago, Ultima and his species brought destruction upon their homeland by excessively using magic. In search of a fresh start, they fled to Valisthea and created the Mother Crystals, as well as Humanity, to serve them. Their goal was to gather Aether and find a vessel to harness their power, in order to rebuild their civilization and establish a new world.

However, the emergence of self-aware Humanity, the formation of societies, and the development of magic were unforeseen outcomes. Ultima intends to claim Clive/Ifrit/Mythos as the vessel and eliminate the rest of Humanity as part of his plan. Strangely, Ultima disregards the hypocrisy of condemning humanity's use of magic, which caused the initial devastation, while his own kind committed the same sin. This clash between Ultima and humanity becomes a battle for survival.

Final Fantasy 16 is available for PS5.