Unleashing the Action: Final Fantasy 16's Epic Comeback

Sitting down to preview Final Fantasy 16 was a deep dive into the game's rich offerings, yet it only scratched the surface of what's to come. Square Enix granted media eight hours to experience various aspects of the game, including the opening hours, an open field section, and a combat demo that showcased the potential of the new action-focused gameplay. However, it was made clear that the demo was not representative of the finished game. One thing was evident, though: mainline Final Fantasy is making a big comeback.

The gameplay in Final Fantasy 16 is an evolution of what was offered in Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Players have direct control over Clive, the main protagonist, and can move and attack at will. Clive can dodge and parry to avoid or counter enemy attacks. Unlike Remake's slightly more active turn-based elements, FF 16 is entirely active. Clive can unleash magic attacks with the same speed as his weapon strikes, all executed with the press of a button.

When Ryota Suzuki was announced as Battle Designer, many expected FF 16 to retain the faster pace that Remake introduced. However, the combat feels more like a character action game, with various Eikon abilities available at the press of a button. Clive's combat suite starts small but grows as the story progresses, becoming more strategic and filled with bombast.

Depending on Clive's available Eikon abilities, players can easily chain attacks together by cycling between them. Some Eikon abilities lift enemies into the air or break their block, opening them up for follow-up attacks. Ability cooldowns will determine the complexity of the attack chains, but with a little planning, the combat flow can resemble that of a character action game. Eikon abilities also provide Clive with cool movement tech, such as a dash to close distance or a grab to pull enemies in close or up in the air. Although combat can be complex and there is a learning curve, once players get the hang of it, they can seamlessly chain attacks and move from one enemy to the next.

FF 16 also features the stagger mechanic from Final Fantasy 7 Remake, where players build up a meter by dealing damage, and when the meter is full, the enemy becomes staggered and open to more significant hits. While players dictate these opportunities, battles also have cinematic moments that act like mid-conflict quicktime events. Creative Business Unit III seems to take any chance to add some flashiness to the combat, even if players have less direct control of what's happening on-screen.

In Final Fantasy 16, the Eikon moments are truly incredible and will undoubtedly be genuine highlights for players. These awe-inspiring sequences are reminiscent of both Lord of the Rings and Kaiju battles, creating an unforgettable experience.

However, one noticeable absence in Final Fantasy 16 is the lack of a party system. While Clive does have companions on his journey, players cannot directly control most of them. The only exception is Torgal, a canine-esque companion that players can direct to attack enemies, launch them into the air, or ask for a small heal. Despite the presence of these companions, the focus of the game is almost exclusively on Clive in every aspect.

While Final Fantasy 16 has departed from the traditional JRPG roots of the series, it still incorporates some signature elements of the genre. Clive earns XP and currency after each battle, which contributes to a leveling and upgrade system. The game features at least one HUB area where Clive can interact with NPCs, embark on side quests, and explore the game's lore. Additionally, Final Fantasy 16 includes a crafting system that allows Clive to make and upgrade gear using collectibles and monster pieces that he discovers throughout the world and earns from battles. For those who enjoy exploring the fringes of their Final Fantasy experience, there appears to be ample opportunity to do so in 16.

Furthermore, our preview concluded with a glimpse of an open field area in the game. Though not a truly open world, this area grants Clive the freedom to roam around, battle monsters, search for secrets, and uncover treasure chests. This open field area acts as a connecting map piece between two other areas and was the most non-linear gameplay portion observed during our preview. Fortunately, it is not the only such area promised in the game.

Final Fantasy 16 continues the series' tradition of stunning visuals. From the game's opening moments, players are treated to a spectacle of breathtaking graphics and engaging gameplay. In addition to its stunning appearance, the game's soundtrack perfectly captures the essence of high fantasy while also incorporating classic musical elements.

One of the standout features of Final Fantasy 16 is its Active Lore system. This feature allows players to access a menu at any time to quickly learn about the most relevant people, places, and things in the game. This is especially helpful in a series that can be dense and complicated at times.

Without giving away any spoilers, the story of Final Fantasy 16 seems to be shaping up to be an epic adventure. The game's prologue sets the stage for a conflict between warring factions, each represented by an Eikon, which are the game's version of summons. The game's political intrigue and high fantasy elements draw inspiration from works like Game of Thrones, particularly in the family dynamics of the main character's royal lineage and the power struggles between nations.

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From the characters to the epic conflicts, Final Fantasy 16 offers a glimpse into a world filled with memorable moments. The game's narrative and lore are woven together with key threads that make the series so unforgettable. While some purists may feel the combat is too action-oriented, there are plenty of elements to be excited about from this hands-on experience. The story is filled with intrigue and characters that leave us wanting to know more. Combat is fast-paced and engaging, with visually stunning combos. The design is impressive, offering only a hint at the scope of the experience Square Enix is preparing to deliver.

Obviously, there's a wealth of content yet to be unveiled in the main story, estimated to span over 30 additional hours. Despite this, the preview we've seen thus far leaves little doubt that Final Fantasy 16 will be a formidable contender for Game of the Year accolades, as well as a prominent fixture on fans' lists of all-time favorite entries in the series.