Clive’s story in Final Fantasy XVI is centered around a revenge mission, intertwining with a war between ruling powers in a fantasy, medieval-inspired Europe and North Africa. As players guide Clive through this chaotic landscape, they will engage in countless battles against both humans and monsters, witnessing cutscenes where characters discuss their goals while drenched in blood. Additionally, they will unravel intricate conspiracies that range from topics such as slavery and determinism to climate collapse and apocalyptic warfare.
In terms of combat, Final Fantasy XVI takes a departure from its turn-based RPG roots. While previous installments have experimented with action-heavy battles, the fights in XVI closely resemble the intense, button-mashing gameplay of games like Devil May Cry and God of War. Clive’s swordplay and magic attacks grow in complexity as he acquires new powers, combining anime-like kineticism with impactful exchanges of blows between the protagonist and enemies. Although the battles are not entirely dissimilar from the menu-driven fights in recent Final Fantasy games, the new combat style injects a sense of urgency and immediacy into the gameplay.
Despite the game’s willingness to showcase nudity and violence, XVI does not delve deeply into the dramatic implications of occasional sex and prevalent violence in its narrative. These elements serve as mere window dressing for a story that primarily focuses on broader themes. While the plot does explore the atrocities of total war, systematic prejudice, and the political implications of world leaders’ relationships, it ultimately revolves around less specific themes.
The game’s commentary on real-world issues remains oblique, diluted as metaphors due to the inclusion of literal magic and godlike characters. As a result, XVI uses these elements primarily to build its world and explore the mechanisms that enable and propagate authoritarianism, intersecting it with religious faith. Like the best entries in the Final Fantasy series, XVI elevates a generic ode to the power of community, friendship, and equality into emotionally compelling drama.
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One of the contributing factors to the game’s emotional depth is the natural grandeur of its painterly environments. Even when teeming with corpses and terrifying monsters, these environments instill a sense of urgency and a need to preserve the fictional world. Moreover, the high quality of dialogues and the voice actors’ dedication to their performances, particularly Ben Starr’s portrayal of Clive, add another layer of depth to the narrative. The style and tone of Final Fantasy XVI leave a lasting impression, shaping players’ perception of the game.
In conclusion, Final Fantasy XVI presents a revenge-driven story within a war-torn fantasy world. It offers a departure from the series’ turn-based combat with a more action-focused style reminiscent of games like Devil May Cry and God of War. Despite showcasing mature content, the game’s exploration of deeper dramatic implications remains shallow, primarily focusing on broader themes. Its commentary on real-world issues remains oblique, using fantasy elements to explore the mechanisms of authoritarianism and religious faith. The game’s painterly environments and stellar voice acting add further depth and contribute to its lasting impression.
