Unveiling Final Fantasy 16's Clive: The Ultimate Likability Beyond FF15's Noctis

Highlights

Clive Rosfield, the protagonist of Final Fantasy 16, possesses a captivating persona and a deeply woven narrative. This engrossing characterization greatly enhances players' ability to forge emotional connections, surpassing the previous installment's protagonist, Noctis, in Final Fantasy 15.

Final Fantasy 15 forces fans to delve into supplementary media in order to fully appreciate its story, as its disjointed narrative makes it difficult to form a genuine connection with the characters.

In contrast, Final Fantasy 16 is skillfully crafted and self-contained, providing players with a seamless experience that doesn't require any external viewing or extra media components.

The Hideaway in Final Fantasy 16 introduces gamers to Clive Rosfield and his group of revolutionaries. While the game focuses on Clive's story rather than a party of characters, the individuals he has surrounded himself with are well-crafted and engaging. Final Fantasy has always been known for its beloved characters, but Clive stands out as a more immediately likable protagonist compared to Final Fantasy 15's Noctis. Clive's character and story in Final Fantasy 16 are much easier to connect with.

Final Fantasy 15 stands apart from other games in the franchise. Unlike most Final Fantasy titles, FF15 requires fans to explore additional media to fully appreciate its story. Viewers must watch the feature-length film Kingsglaive, which is canon to the game. There are also spin-off anime, a multiplayer mode, a 2D brawler, and game trailers that provide unique story content. Moreover, FF15 had a prolonged development cycle and needed DLC to complete its narrative. Following the departure of director Hajime Tabata, the remaining content was canceled, leaving the game unfinished. This fragmented storytelling approach can sometimes hinder the attachment to the characters.

Noctis Develops Really Slowly

Final Fantasy 15 follows the journey of Noctis Lucis Caelum and his three companions as they strive to reclaim his rightful Kingdom. Noctis, a privileged prince, displays his entitlement throughout the game, although he eventually learns gratitude for the sacrifices made by his friends. However, his behavior can be off-putting for a considerable portion of the game.

On the other hand, Clive Rosfield provides a stark contrast to Noctis. Despite being of royal descent, Clive is not the heir, which has humbled him. From the beginning, players witness Clive's kindness towards a branded character in FF16. Unlike Noctis, Clive does not let his royal blood make him feel superior or entitled. In fact, one of his main goals is to liberate the branded, who are essentially treated as slaves. While Noctis is unappreciative of the assistance he receives, Clive consistently seeks ways to support his group of dissidents at the Hideaway. Additionally, Clive's romantic interest is explored more deeply than Noctis', giving players greater insight into his personal life.

Final Fantasy 16 Is More Well Constructed Than FF15

Clive's likability is partly due to the way each world and story were revealed to fans. Unlike Final Fantasy 15, which took a scattered transmedia approach, FF16 is self-contained. While FF16 will have DLC, it won't be necessary to complete the main story; the game is already complete upon release. There are also no spin-off movies or shows to watch. This allows players to enjoy FF16 as a cohesive experience by itself, contributing to Clive's likability. In contrast, Final Fantasy 15: Brotherhood made Noctis more relatable, but it shouldn't require additional viewing to enjoy the game and its characters.

FF16 offers a different experience compared to its predecessor, FF15. Square Enix has learned from FF15's struggles in development and the mixed reception it received. Noctis and his story suffered from the approach taken in the game's development. If the pacing had been better, Noctis could have developed more early on, making him immediately likable like Clive. Next, the series will revisit Cloud Strife in Final Fantasy 7: Rebirth, who is one of the most beloved protagonists. Given Cloud's enduring popularity, it's unlikely that Noctis' struggles will be repeated anytime soon.

Final Fantasy 16 is available now on PS5. A PC version is currently in development.