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Caves of Narshe Forums > News > Final Fantasy XVI Announced with Trailer


Posted by: Rangers51 16th September 2020 21:03
I think we all knew that Final Fantasy XVI would appear on the next generation of consoles, sure, but was it really expected to debut today at Sony's PlayStation event? Well, it did, in the form of a four-minute trailer with what appears to be a pretty significant amount of footage. What we know so far is that the game will be a console exclusive for PlayStation 5, but will also have a Windows release, and that it will be a single-player game with action combat that immediately seems to be an extension of the Final Fantasy XV combat system. We also know that the footage shown was all in-engine for both combat and cutscenes, but it is very clearly in an early stage. We also know that Naoki Yoshida will be on the masthead as producer and that Hiroshi Takai will assume the mantle of Director; both have extensive experience within the company, particularly recently in Final Fantasy XIV. The game is being developed by Squenix' fantastically-named "Creative Business Unit III" group, which is... something else we know, I guess. Finally, we know that the trailer is footage captured from a PC, attempting to emulate the new PS5 experience.

The trailer, subtitled "Awakening," focuses on three main characters. The first we see is an unruly-haired warrior with a tattoo or brand on his cheek; he appears to be a soldier off to war in which both sides wield summoned monsters, here called "Icons." It seems that he is on the side who summon Titan, as he is told that his target is Shiva, who we see fighting against the "bloody mountain" early on. The second is a younger man who serves as a squire toward the third, a boy named Joshua (which, hey, good choice, guys). The younger squire appears to be the main character, as he is the only one shown in the combat sequences, and his role is to guard the child, who is the son of nobility. The "Awakening" takes place as young Joshua experiences a shock and apparently transforms into something highly unexpected. Another battle of icons takes shape, and also forms the basis for the game's logo - a Phoenix and Ifrit in conflict.

That's a quick and as spoiler-free as I can make it recap, written up after watching just a couple times. So, here, have some more general ideas and speculation. First, the two warriors, older and younger, look pretty similar. I could see them being somehow related and on separate sides of a growing conflict, or, if Squenix want to get really twisty, possibly even the same man in some sort of time loop situation. I could also give credence to a theory that in this universe, the summoned Icons are superpowers that can be bestowed upon warriors by their factions' crystals, or are even inborn powers that are unlocked over time. I also think that Square has probably elected to not play a number of cards yet with this unveiling, as the combat scenes show only one character and no battle UI at all; after the combat systems of XV and FF7R, it seems very unlikely to me that there would be only one playable character in battle on this new platform.

And finally, that puppy needs to be a companion for the whole game or I may not buy it.

Watch the video below, and click through to learn more. Square Enix have said that this will be the only information we get on the game until 2021, so enjoy it.


Source: Gematsu

Posted by: AltheaValara 16th September 2020 22:05
It's probably "eikons", not icons, as they use eikons spelled that way in other games.

I appreciate your quick trailer breakdown! So far my friends and I am grumbling that it doesn't seem to have many female characters. While I thought the chocobros worked well in XV, I really don't want another male-centric cast.

I may have more thoughts later. I need to watch the trailer a few more times. I will saw I screamed when I saw the official logo - I was watching the PS5 stream just for a possible XVI announcement and thankfully I didn't have to wait long (for those who weren't watching, it was the first game featured! wub.gif )

Posted by: Rangers51 17th September 2020 00:45
Quote (AltheaValara @ 16th September 2020 16:05)
It's probably "eikons", not icons, as they use eikons spelled that way in other games.

I appreciate your quick trailer breakdown! So far my friends and I am grumbling that it doesn't seem to have many female characters. While I thought the chocobros worked well in XV, I really don't want another male-centric cast.

I may have more thoughts later. I need to watch the trailer a few more times. I will saw I screamed when I saw the official logo - I was watching the PS5 stream just for a possible XVI announcement and thankfully I didn't have to wait long (for those who weren't watching, it was the first game featured!  wub.gif )

Ooh, thanks for that. I haven't played any of the games that use that nomenclature, I don't think.

I had the same thoughts about the male cast. It did seem very bro-centric but like I said in the OP, I very much doubt that the combat had anything like the final party involved, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a female character or two in the playable party before it gets released. They were so close with Aranea in XV...

Also, something that came up in Discord that I meant to put in my OP but didn't: does anyone else think it's weird that they had so much English voiceover already? I wonder if it's just temporary, or if they've gone a lot further with the story planning than I would have thought.

Posted by: His Shadow 17th September 2020 01:56
Quote (AltheaValara @ 16th September 2020 17:05)
It's probably "eikons", not icons, as they use eikons spelled that way in other games.

I appreciate your quick trailer breakdown! So far my friends and I am grumbling that it doesn't seem to have many female characters. While I thought the chocobros worked well in XV, I really don't want another male-centric cast.

I may have more thoughts later. I need to watch the trailer a few more times. I will saw I screamed when I saw the official logo - I was watching the PS5 stream just for a possible XVI announcement and thankfully I didn't have to wait long (for those who weren't watching, it was the first game featured! wub.gif )

So yeah we are talking about Yoshi P who has crafted one of Square's best games and saved it. I am sure there will be women but it will be women that sell.

I wouldn't expect this game to be politically correct and I can see the social justice fans and europeans complaining already but those are the same people who liked FF12, and FF13

Seeing Sony is controlled now by it's california division which has been demanding japan censor it's game for social justice I hope this doesn't happen to this game

Posted by: Stiltzkin 17th September 2020 06:59
Quote (His Shadow @ 17th September 2020 02:56)
I wouldn't expect this game to be politically correct and I can see the social justice fans and europeans complaining already but those are the same people who liked FF12, and FF13

user posted image

Oh really, tell me more about your in-depth knowledge of Europeans.

Posted by: Rangers51 17th September 2020 12:01
Quote (His Shadow @ 16th September 2020 19:56)
I wouldn't expect this game to be politically correct and I can see the social justice fans and europeans complaining already but those are the same people who liked FF12, and FF13

user posted image

Don't like it, don't buy it. I don't think Square is going to notice or change anything to suit you (or me, or anyone else, for that matter). But based on this post - and your other post of the last few hours - I'm pretty sure that if XVI ends up being a game that you get excited about, I will probably not go out of my way to get a PS5 anytime soon.

Posted by: Malevolence 17th September 2020 12:21
Quote (His Shadow @ 16th September 2020 21:56)
Seeing Sony is controlled now by it's california division which has been demanding japan censor it's game for social justice I hope this doesn't happen to this game

You got a source on that one, or...?

ANYWAY. Not sure how I feel about this one just yet. The combat looks like it could be interesting, with the juggling and loose lock-on tracking. The amount of English VA in place has me believing that there's going to be a simultaneous worldwide release. The character designs are looking good.

Is it known if this one is directed specifically by Yoshida himself or just being done by his team?

Posted by: AltheaValara 17th September 2020 12:31
Quote (Malevolence @ 17th September 2020 06:21)

Is it known if this one is directed specifically by Yoshida himself or just being done by his team?

The official announcement says Yoshida is producer only.

Posted by: His Shadow 17th September 2020 19:47
Quote (Malevolence @ 17th September 2020 07:21)
Quote (His Shadow @ 16th September 2020 21:56)
Seeing Sony is controlled now by it's california division which has been demanding japan censor it's game for social justice I hope this doesn't happen to this game

You got a source on that one, or...?

ANYWAY. Not sure how I feel about this one just yet. The combat looks like it could be interesting, with the juggling and loose lock-on tracking. The amount of English VA in place has me believing that there's going to be a simultaneous worldwide release. The character designs are looking good.

Is it known if this one is directed specifically by Yoshida himself or just being done by his team?


Yes, the Playstation 4 was crafted by Mark Cerny and his California staff. It seems the U.S. California division has taken control of the company and has famously forced and frustrated Japanese Developers because they are being forced to censor their games even if they never come to the West.

Many Japanese games are also being released on the Nintendo Switch without the censorship.

https://nichegamer.com/2018/10/27/new-sony-censorship-policy-is-forcing-even-japanese-developers-to-censor-themselves-in-japan/#:~:text=STORE-,New%20Sony%20Censorship%20Policy%20is%20Forcing%20Japanese,Censor%20Themselves%20Even%20in%20Japan&text=A%20new%20policy%20from%20Sony,even%20in%20their%20home%20country

The issue why the PS3 was in last place in that generation was because the PS3 was Ken Kutaragi swan song before retiring. The PS3 launch system was the best system and every revision of the PS3 removed features and became worse. The problem was the price and this led to the California division of Sony taking over.

FF14 is the only game so far that does not require PS PLUS to play online and with Yoshi P as producer of the next Final Fantasy game we can expect good things.

Posted by: His Shadow 17th September 2020 19:51
Quote (Rangers51 @ 17th September 2020 07:01)
Quote (His Shadow @ 16th September 2020 19:56)
I wouldn't expect this game to be politically correct and I can see the social justice fans and europeans complaining already but those are the same people who liked FF12, and FF13

user posted image

Don't like it, don't buy it. I don't think Square is going to notice or change anything to suit you (or me, or anyone else, for that matter). But based on this post - and your other post of the last few hours - I'm pretty sure that if XVI ends up being a game that you get excited about, I will probably not go out of my way to get a PS5 anytime soon.

The worry is that this game might be censored to suit Sony California which has been forcing Japanese Game Makers to censor games even if its in Japan because Western Social Justice Warriors might import it and complain.

Sony California famously forced Capcom to censor the new Devil May Cry. Square has been somewhat immune to Sony forcing things on Square as FF14 is the only game allowed to be an online game and you do not need a PS PLUS account to play.

Posted by: Elena99 17th September 2020 19:58
Quote (AltheaValara @ 16th September 2020 19:05)
I appreciate your quick trailer breakdown! So far my friends and I am grumbling that it doesn't seem to have many female characters. While I thought the chocobros worked well in XV, I really don't want another male-centric cast.

I hear you. Even the women who were in FFXV didn't feel like real women. Blech.

Posted by: Stiltzkin 17th September 2020 21:14
Quote (Elena99 @ 17th September 2020 20:58)
Quote (AltheaValara @ 16th September 2020 19:05)
I appreciate your quick trailer breakdown! So far my friends and I am grumbling that it doesn't seem to have many female characters. While I thought the chocobros worked well in XV, I really don't want another male-centric cast.

I hear you. Even the women who were in FFXV didn't feel like real women. Blech.

Absolutely agreed. As much as I loved the camaraderie of "the boys" in XV, this game definitely needs to have well-constructed female playable characters and ideally a protagonist/deuteragonist.

As part of that, frankly, it needs to have a full roster of party members to pick from. I know the trailer shows a one man army in battle, but I'm hoping that's a combination of early material and/or a set point in the story where he's solo for narrative reasons.

Posted by: AltheaValara 17th September 2020 22:01
Quote (His Shadow @ 17th September 2020 13:47)
FF14 is the only game so far that does not require PS PLUS to play online

Nope. Other online games don't require PS Plus.

Posted by: fatman 23rd September 2020 19:50
Definitely was an interesting trailer. I am also hoping for more of a diverse set of characters, FFXV didn't do much for me. Looking forward to seeing more.

Posted by: AltheaValara 29th September 2020 04:03
Yoshida was doing an interview about FFXIV, and dropped some tidbits about XVI, mostly that the teaser web site will launch in October with character profiles, and that more info will be released next year.

He also said the trailer purposely showed live footage rather than pre-rendered scenes because he knew that if it was CGI only, the Americans would be saying, "See ya in 2035!" . Instead, it appears many Americans are complaining about the graphics in the trailers not being good enough. Yoshida stressed that they weren't the finalized graphics, that there is some touch up to be done.

(My source for this is fan translations on Twitter, but I'm not on the device I use Twitter on so I don't have a link. I'm trying to find a source for you; if I do I'll edit this post.)

Personally, I thought Shiva looked a little flat but otherwise thought the graphics were fine. I care much more about having a compelling story and engaging characters than I do shiny graphics.

edit: here's a source: https://www.gamesradar.com/final-fantasy-16...e-release-date/

I also forgot to mention that it t apparently wars the game will be rated Mature. Now I'm trying to find a good source for that...

Posted by: fatman 29th September 2020 05:58
Yes, I've seen the same reported information. It's a shame people are moaning about graphics. I agree with you, the story telling and characters, voice acting, etc are much more important for me.

Posted by: AltheaValara 10th October 2020 03:24
I found this article illuminating:

https://www.rpgsite.net/feature/10355-who-i...r-hiroshi-takai

I've been a fan of the Final Fantasy franchise for almost 20 years now, but it's really only been in the past few years that I followed news for the series. Since I was a FFXI player I was aware that the original release of XIV was an epic fail, but I guess I didn't realize just how big of an impact it had on Square Enix. The article says that numerous projects had to be cancelled because of it. It makes me wonder what all we missed out on.

Posted by: AltheaValara 30th October 2020 15:25
The teaser website has launched:

https://na.finalfantasyxvi.com

Not much there to be honest, but I was glad to see Jill (the young girl who was laughing with Joshua in the trailer) was listed as a character. I had feared she would only have a bit part, but from her inclusion on the characters page I'm guessing that's not the case.

Posted by: Rangers51 30th October 2020 15:35
Quote (AltheaValara @ 30th October 2020 09:25)
The teaser website has launched:

https://na.finalfantasyxvi.com

Not much there to be honest, but I was glad to see Jill (the young girl who was laughing with Joshua in the trailer) was listed as a character. I had feared she would only have a bit part, but from her inclusion on the characters page I'm guessing that's not the case.

Thanks - I was actually just about to put together a newspost on this (and probably still will!).

Posted by: His Shadow 13th November 2020 23:19
Quote (AltheaValara @ 9th October 2020 22:24)
I found this article illuminating:

https://www.rpgsite.net/feature/10355-who-is-final-fantasy-xvi-director-hiroshi-takai

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoOI5R-6u8k

If anything I am sure whatever games were in production were low quality and most likely FF13 part 4 - The story of you will love Lightening this time

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