Final Fantasy fans have finally gotten a new trailer for the next mainline installment of the series. The new trailer for Final Fantasy 16 dropped at Sony’s June State of Play. It showcases gameplay and story elements, as well as a release window of Summer 2023. In an already packed year, Final Fantasy is aiming high.
Final Fantasy 16 Dominates
The trailer, titled Dominance, features a better look at the Final Fantasy 16’s gameplay. It features huge, set-piece battles that will take place throughout the campaign. The official PlayStation Blog delves further into how players will battle . The game will feature “high-octane battles featuring protagonist Clive Rosfield wielding a full arsenal of attacks unique to the game’s many Eikons (summons).” There will also be “epic clashes between the Eikons themselves that put you right in the action.”
The battles in the game seem to be following the more action-oriented style presented in Final Fantasy 15. We see Clive fighting enemies solo. This is a possible indicator the adventure in Final Fantasy 16 will be without a party of people. There are numerous looks at the various Eikons in the game. From Shiva to Ifrit, there’s a glimpse at many series staple creatures.
In April, Square Enix shared they were in the final stages of development for the game. The blog post reiterates that Final Fantasy 16 is in the “final leg” of development. They’re working on polishing everything up in time for its release in Summer 2023. That’s great to hear – better to take a slow and steady approach rather than rushing things.
A Tale as Old as Time
The trailer also gives us a glimpse at the story and its characters. The PlayStation blog post drops a pinch more info and context:
Permanent Economic Adviser Hugo Kupka’s meteoric rise to prominence was sudden, if not unexpected. Once a nameless foot soldier in the Republican Army, his awakening as Dominant of the Eikon Titan thrust him to the forefront of Dhalmekian politics. It was here he used his newfound position as the most powerful man in the republic to exert influence over both the nation’s armies and its policy making—amassing a personal fortune in the process. Yet while it is said that a man who has everything wants for nothing, Benedikta Harman will teach him money and power are far from all the world has to offer.
Having emerged from the storm of youth coldhearted and ruthless, Benedikta Harman—Dominant of the Eikon Garuda, Warden of the Wind—turned her talent for swordplay and subterfuge into a command of Waloed’s elite intelligencers. It is on a mission to find the elusive second Eikon of Fire that she crosses paths with a like-minded Clive and is forced to face her past.
PlayStation Blog
Craving more RPG content while you’re waiting for Final Fantasy 16? Be sure to check out our ranking of all the Final Fantasy villains. We also have a list of the best JRPGs everyone should play once. We’ll be keeping a close eye on Final Fantasy 16 – hopefully it will turn out better than Stranger of Paradise.
