In the lead-up to the release ofFinal Fantasy 16, much of the conversation surrounding the title has been dominated by the ways in which it’s seeking to differentiate itself from previousFinal Fantasygames. The team behind the game at Square Enix’s Creative Business Unit 3 has been candid regarding a desire to move the series forward while also returning it to its roots, part of which will be accomplished through a story that is darker and more mature than many fans would have come to expect. In particular, producer Naoki Yoshida’s appreciation for HBO’sGame of Thronesseems to have shined through prominently inFinal Fantasy 16’s narrative and tone.
Therecently released demo forFinal Fantasy 16makes good on that inspiration within just the first few minutes of its opening, with the grim realities of war front and center in a setting that mixes magic and monsters with grounded political intrigue. In an interview withEurogamer, Yoshida revealed that his love ofGame of Thrones, and appreciation of how its approach to fantasy resonated with millions of people, led to the core team at Creative Business Unit 3 being tasked with watching the entire series to nail the “feel” of the show inFinal Fantasy 16’s story. If the demo is any indication, this move may have given theFinal Fantasyseries its best story yet.
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The Darker Tone Helps Final Fantasy 16 Stand With the Series' Highlights
Making clever use of ‘in media res’, the opening ofFinal Fantasy 16introduces players to Clivein his late twenties or early thirties as he accompanies what appears to be a special unit of soldiers tasked with eliminating the Shiva Dominant acting on the side of an opposing rebel force. As the rebel army clashes against the empire’s forces, players are given first glimpses at theGame of Thronesinfluence through the startlingly violent depictions of conflict.
TheGame of Thronescomparisons only become more apparent after the opening through the use of compelling dialogue and the establishment of relationships and conflicts amongFinal Fantasy 16’s ‘dramatis personae’. Whereas many other games in theFinal Fantasyseries tell their stories in broad strokes, the three-dimensionalcharacterization ofFinal Fantasy 16’s castelevates it to the narrative heights of the series previously occupied byFinal Fantasy 6.The use ofGame of Thronesas an influence makes this a much different and darker tale than what many might expect fromFinal Fantasygiven the series' recent history, and it’s all the better for it.
Just Like in Game of Thrones, No Character in Final Fantasy 16 is Safe
Since the earliest titles in theFinal Fantasyseries, the death of beloved characters has been a common trope used in the narrative of each game. Whether it’s the constant rotation of party members due to their deaths at the hands of the Empire inFinal Fantasy 2or the series-definingloss of Aerith inFinal Fantasy 7, the death of fan-favorite characters is an effective plot device that has been used to great effect in the stories ofFinal Fantasygames.
Similarly, anyone who has watchedGame of Thronescan relate to the warning of not getting too attached to characters, as death is usually not far away in the world of Westeros.Final Fantasy 16’s demo introduces players to several endearing and well-written characters, only to have them suffer a terrible fate moments later.
It’s a testament to the caliber of writing on display that even minor ancillary characters are given the depth and breadth to be likable, round characterizations. And just like inGame of Thrones, these likable characters are just as susceptible to a blade as anyone. Ultimately, theGame of Thronesinfluence helps to makeFinal Fantasy 16’s storyone that begs to be experienced, and the demo promises a series-best narrative.
Final Fantasy 16will launch on June 22, exclusively for PS5.
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