Highlights
Final Fantasy 16 draws heavily on the mechanics of its predecessors, particularly Final Fantasy 13, with its real-time gameplay and the use of the stagger system.
Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 13, although set in different environments and featuring distinct characters, have commonalities in themes and storylines. Both games center around themes of power struggles and the protagonists' personal quests.
The success of Final Fantasy 16 can be attributed to its innovative approach, moving away from the traditional open-world design and instead incorporating a combination of linear progression and open-world gameplay. This shift reflects a growing sentiment within the gaming community, where there is a sense of exhaustion with the open-world genre.
Square Enix showcases an extensive catalog of games, which can pose a challenge when it comes to generating fresh ideas for each installment of their highly successful franchises. Consequently, it is unsurprising that updates to their lineup heavily rely on the mechanics established by their predecessors. Final Fantasy 16 draws inspiration from the best aspects of previous Final Fantasy games, with particularly strong influences from Final Fantasy 13. Considered one of the most impactful iterations within the mainline series, Final Fantasy 13's influence can be seen in various ways across subsequent installments of the franchise.
An significant shift occurred with Final Fantasy 13, as it moved away from the turn-based gameplay style typically associated with the series. This departure was evident in later games, such as the MMORPG-themed Final Fantasy 14 and the combat-focused Final Fantasy 15. These games introduced real-time gameplay mechanics, a refreshing departure from the traditional Active Time Battle system utilized in their predecessor. Additionally, the 13th installment left its mark with the introduction of the stagger system, which has become an integral aspect of newer games like Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Final Fantasy 16.
Although Final Fantasy 16 and Final Fantasy 13 may initially appear vastly different in terms of their settings, characters, and combat mechanics, a closer examination of their core elements reveals similarities in themes and narratives.
Final Fantasy 16's Linear-Focused Gameplay is Reminiscent of FF13
In Final Fantasy 13, the theme of ambition is prevalent as players are immersed in Cocoon, a technologically advanced world governed by the fal'Cie. The story follows characters like Lightning, Snow, Hope, and others, who take on the role of l'Cie in their mission to save the world while being pursued by the government of Cocoon. Similarly, Final Fantasy 16 takes place in Valisthea, a realm threatened by a power struggle for control of Mothercrystals and Eikons. Spanning decades, the protagonist, Clive Rosfield, goes from protecting his brother to seeking revenge later in life, navigating the intricate politics and power dynamics of Valisthea, akin to how the l'Cie faced their destinies in Final Fantasy 13.
Final Fantasy 16 departs from the traditional open-world system and adopts a modern-day RPG approach, showcasing the franchise's evolution. Despite this departure, the game's sales numbers prove that Final Fantasy 13 was ahead of its time. With a blend of linear progression and open-world gameplay, Final Fantasy 16 distinguishes itself from other open-world dominant titles like Elden Ring. This success demonstrates Square Enix's willingness to experiment with new ideas while still providing a sense of familiarity.
Final Fantasy 13 was released during a time when exploration-based RPGs were becoming popular. Square Enix seemed to be sticking to an outdated formula, but Final Fantasy 13, like its successor Final Fantasy 16, offered an open-world experience in Pulse. This allowed players to freely explore the planet, ride Chocobos, and complete quests in any order they preferred. However, as fatigue with open-world games grows in the gaming community, the trend for linear gameplay seems to be making a comeback. The success of Final Fantasy 16, with its mixture of gameplay styles, played a major role in this shift.
As the RPG scene evolves, the future of the Final Fantasy franchise will rely on the formula Square Enix used for Final Fantasy 16. By using a combination of techniques, the developer aims to provide a quality gaming experience for fans. Square Enix's willingness to experiment with narrative systems while maintaining core storytelling elements shows their flexibility. It is likely that the franchise will continue to explore new ways of blending tradition with modern fan expectations.
Final Fantasy 16 is available now for PS5.
