Unleashing the Power: Mastering the Will Gauge in Final Fantasy 16

Final Fantasy 16, developed by Square Enix, is an upcoming action RPG that takes a fresh approach and showcases the developers' unwavering confidence in its success. The game's extensive promotion on social media and its presence in advertisements on buses in the United Kingdom further emphasize its anticipation and popularity.

The combat system of Final Fantasy 16 has undergone a complete overhaul, offering players the opportunity to engage in real-time battles. Gone are the days of waiting for turns to make a move. Among the new mechanics introduced in the demo, players will need to familiarize themselves with the Will Gauge.

What is the Will Gauge & How Does it Work?

The Will Gauge, situated below the enemies' health bar, represents their determination to retaliate. Although it may initially appear insignificant, it holds significant importance in the game. Clive can deplete the Will Gauge by launching attacks on the enemies. Once it reaches zero, the enemies become immobilized and unable to act.

This mechanic is first showcased during the battle against Murdoch, the Lord Commander of Rosaria's forces. By utilizing both melee and magic attacks, Clive successfully reduces Murdoch's Will Gauge to zero, rendering him incapacitated. Players can seize this moment to unleash further attacks and inflict additional harm.

After finishing the tutorial, Clive embarks on a mission to eradicate goblins. Along the way, Clive and his two companions encounter a morbol, an enormous creature that consumes the goblin leader.

The morbol possesses remarkable endurance, making it resilient to attacks. To overcome this challenge, players should focus on engaging the morbol and wearing down its determination. In addition, players can unleash a powerful Eikonic ability by pressing R2 + Square, inflicting significant damage. Alternatively, players can also utilize cinematic strike and cinematic evasion techniques by correctly timing button presses before the allotted time expires.

Successfully executing a cinematic strike or evasion leaves the morbol vulnerable and unable to retaliate. It appears that these techniques are exclusive to formidable bosses, suggesting that players may encounter similar mechanics in future battles. Undoubtedly, the Will Gauge mechanic serves as a valuable introduction and will prove advantageous as the story progresses.

Final Fantasy 16 will release on June 22, 2023, and will be exclusively available for PlayStation 5.