Unveiling the Epic Showdown: Diablo 4's Malignant vs Final Fantasy 16's Akashic - Which Reigns Supreme?

Highlights

Both Diablo 4 and Final Fantasy 16 delve into the realms of death, grief, and corruption within their immersive dark medieval fantasy worlds. However, the most prominent commonality between these two games lies in the introduction of Malignant enemies, a captivating element present exclusively in Diablo 4.

The Malignant in Diablo 4 and the Akashic in Final Fantasy 16 are distorted versions of their original forms, presenting greater challenges for players. However, their sources of corruption differ.

In Diablo 4, the Season of the Malignant unveils a fresh narrative in the realm of Sanctuary following Lilith's defeat in the game's primary campaign. With the Daughter of Hatred vanquished, a new menace arises in the form of Malignant Monsters. These corrupted creatures possess exceptional strength and the capability to propagate their infectious affliction. Although new to Diablo 4, these Malignant Monsters bear striking resemblances to the Akashic adversaries encountered in the recent rival release, Final Fantasy 16.

Although both released in June 2023, Diablo 4 and Final Fantasy 16, although direct competitors, surprisingly share similarities in their themes and lore. Both games delve into the dark side of the medieval fantasy genre, exploring themes of death, grief, and corruption. Notably, Diablo 4's introduction of Malignant enemies in Season 1 establishes a clear connection with Final Fantasy 16, as these foes bear a striking resemblance to the Akashic encountered in the latter game's main quest.

Diablo 4’s Malignant Have a Lot in Common with FF16’s Akashic

Cormond, a former priest of the Cathedral of Light, will be one of the initial characters encountered by Diablo 4 players during the Season of the Malignant. This priest will enlighten the players about the grave threat posed by the Malignant, whom they will join forces with Cormond to defeat throughout the seasonal quest line. Cormond reveals that the denizens of Sanctuary are a unique hybrid, borne out of the union between Lilith and Inarius, whereby they possess both angelic and demonic traits. The Malignant, however, represents the overpowering of their demonic side. By embarking on the seasonal quest line, players will assist Cormond in unraveling the mysteries behind the spreading of the Malignant and finding a way to halt this catastrophic plague from ravaging Sanctuary.

In Final Fantasy 16, the Akashic, similar to Diablo 4's Malignant, share a common origin story. Players will encounter the Akashic during The Crystals' Curse main quest, where they are found in the crystal mines beneath Drake's Head. During the battle with the Imperial Cannonier boss, it transforms into a monstrous Akashic due to the overwhelming Aether from the Mothercrystal. Cid explains that those working in the mines have become Akashic, losing control of their minds and becoming primal.

Both Diablo 4's Malignant and Final Fantasy 16's Akashic are corrupted versions of their original selves, becoming more powerful and unhinged. From a gameplay perspective, these enemies provide a greater challenge compared to standard foes, introducing a twist later in the game. However, there are distinct differences between these corruption-based enemies.

The corruption in Diablo 4's Malignant and Final Fantasy 16's Akashic differ in their origins. In Diablo 4, the corruption stems from within the inhabitants of Sanctuary, as they possess both a demonic and angelic half that must be balanced. On the other hand, in Final Fantasy 16, the Akashic are transformed by external forces, specifically exposure to a concentrated amount of Aether. Interestingly, both the Wanderer in Diablo 4 and Clive in Final Fantasy 16 appear to be immune to this corruption. Clive's immunity is likely due to his status as a Dominant, while the consumption of Lilith's blood petals may be the reason for the Wanderer's immunity.

Diablo 4 is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.