Final Fantasy XVI exists, we know it from the last event Sony, and has the potential to be the fulfillment of the wish of many, after a somewhat faded Final Fantasy XV and a Final Fantasy VII Remake that seems to want to seek out new fans rather than pamper old ones (with all the reasons in the world).
These are small steps, the ones that the franchise seems to want to take and perhaps Final Fantasy XVI could be the definitive cut with tradition, the tagline of the title seems to say:
The heritage of crystals has shaped our history for far too long.
Before being able to try the title firsthand it will obviously take time, time that Square Enix, at least at the moment, it seems to want to fill it with a nice site full of artwork. In addition to the section dedicated to the trailer, which you can review just above, there are 2 sections dedicated to "Characters" and "World".
This last section devotes short but effective descriptions to world-building. First we talk about Valisthea:
It is studded with Mother Crystals. Massive, shimmering crystal rock chains tower over the surrounding realms, showering them with aether. For generations, the peoples of this land have gathered around these light sources to harness their ether and cast powerful spells capable of granting them a life of ease and abundance. Great powers have arisen around the Mother Crystals, linked to each other by fragile s of peace, now threatened by the spread of the Plague and its destructive power.
The next space is dedicated to the Eikon, very powerful creatures (also seen in the trailer) and who need a Herald capable of summoning all their power:
Among some nations, these Heralds, appreciated for their strength, enjoy all the honors reserved for the nobility. In others, however, they are discriminated against and exploited as living weapons on the battlefield. Those who are born Heralds cannot escape their fate, however cruel it may be.
A last section, on the other hand, seems to describe the 6 kingdoms of Valisthea, from the Grand Duchy of Rosaria to the Crystalline Dominion, each of them with its own precise identity and with a precise thematic “positioning” within the narrative plot of Final Fantasy XVI.
It is interesting to note that some Heralds are obscured, clear proof that there are things that, for now, we are not given to know.
There are also 3 "fulcrums" of the Characters section, more precisely Clive Rosfield, his younger brother Clive and the adopted Jill Warrick.
- Clive Rosfield: “Firstborn of the Archduke of Rosaria. Although there were high expectations regarding his possible awakening as Herald of the Phoenix, it seems that fate has chosen to entrust this heavy burden to Joshua, his younger brother. In search of purpose, Clive decides to devote himself to the art of the sword. The training bears fruit when, at the age of fifteen, Clive wins the ducal tournament and is named First Shield of Rosaria. It therefore has the task of protecting the Phoenix and the possibility of partly brandishing its flames. Unfortunately, however, his promising career meets a tragic end at the hands of Ifrit, a mysterious dark Eikon, and this pushes him to take the insidious path of revenge. "
- Joshua Rosfield: “Second son of the Archduke of Rosaria and younger brother of Clive. Shortly after birth, Joshua awakened as Herald of the Phoenix. Despite his aristocratic upbringing, Joshua treats his father's subjects with a kind and affectionate manner. He also has a deep admiration for Clive and often regrets that it was he, his thinner and more studious brother, who inherited the flames of the Phoenix in place of his older brother, stronger and more fearless. While Clive tends to throw himself headlong into the most dangerous situations, Joshua is able to break down at the sight of a carrot on his plate. However, his problems will soon become more serious when he becomes involved in the tragic events that will change Clive's life forever. "
- Jill Warrick: “Coming from the fallen Northern Territories, Jill was snatched from her homeland at an early age and placed under the tutelage of Rosaria, thus ensuring peace between the two warring nations. Thanks to the Archduke, who was determined to raise her with his children, Jill is now as much a member of the Rosfield family as Clive and Joshua at twelve. Humble, kind and generous at heart, Jill soon became the most trusted confidant of the two brothers. "
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► Final Fantasy XVI is an Action-RPG type game developed and published by Square Enix for PlayStation 5, The release is planned: TBA
