Is Final Fantasy 16 Open World? Find Out Here
by Mathelene
Updated Jun 23, 2023
Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy XVI is an action role-playing game developed and published by Square Enix. Scheduled for release on June 22, 2023, It serves as the sixteenth main installment in the Final Fantasy series and will initially be available as a timed exclusive for the PlayStation 5.
The game introduces segmented open environments and features an action-based combat system that incorporates melee and magic-based attacks. Players can expect familiar Final Fantasy elements such as Chocobos and summoned monsters known as Eikons, which can be encountered as formidable bosses or harnessed for their powers during combat.
Set in the fictional world of Valisthea, Final Fantasy XVI revolves around a divided land governed by six nations. Each nation possesses magical Crystals and Dominants, individuals who serve as hosts for their nation's Eikon. As tensions escalate and a destructive malady called the Blight spreads, Clive Rosfield, the guardian of his younger brother Joshua, sets out on a quest for revenge, specifically targeting the dark Eikon known as Ifrit.
The game's development began with initial concept work in 2015 and involved a notable team, including producer Naoki Yoshida, main director Hiroshi Takai, artists Hiroshi Minagawa and Kazuya Takahashi, creative director and lead writer Kazutoyo Maehiro, composer Masayoshi Soken, and battle designer Ryota Suzuki, a veteran from Capcom. Yoshida aimed to create a dark fantasy storyline that would captivate a wide audience and revitalize the series.
The production and promotion of Final Fantasy XVI faced challenges due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent Russian invasion of Ukraine. Nevertheless, the game has garnered positive reception from journalists. It has been praised for its engaging story, compelling characters, memorable music, and dynamic combat system. Criticisms have focused on its limited depth in RPG mechanics, framerate issues, and concerns regarding ethnic and gender representation.
Is Final Fantasy 16 Open World?
No, Final Fantasy 16 is not an open world. According to Square Enix, the publisher of Final Fantasy 16, the game will not be an open-world title. This decision was reportedly made early in the game's development process in order to ensure a cohesive gameplay experience that aligns with the story.
In an interview with MeriStation, Producer Naoki Yoshida explained that the primary reason for this decision was to ensure that the gameplay of Final Fantasy 16 would be a good fit for its narrative. The development team had a specific story they wanted to tell, and they realized from the beginning that an open-world structure would not work for their vision.
Yoshida emphasized that for him and the other developers, the essence of a Final Fantasy story is not confined to a single area where the entire adventure takes place. Instead, Final Fantasy 16 will feature multiple regions within the world of Valisthea, making the implementation of a traditional open-world format challenging.
By adopting a more linear approach, the game's creators can carefully craft each region and ensure that the story unfolds in a manner that they believe will be most impactful and immersive for players. While Final Fantasy 16 may not offer an open-world experience, it aims to provide a rich and engaging narrative within its distinct regions of Valisthea.
Why is Final Fantasy 16 Not An Open World?
The opening of Final Fantasy 16 is set in Rosaria, the birthplace of the main character Clive, where the story begins. However, players will soon venture to the Republic of Dhalmekia, a nation located 1,000 kilometers away, across a vast desert. If the game were to be open world, players would either have to endure a lengthy journey on a Chocobo or the development team would have to populate the desert with activities for players to explore.
Producer Naoki Yoshida explains that implementing fast travel would undermine the purpose of having a giant desert in the game. The decision to have an open world or not depends on the desired story and gameplay experience. Although Final Fantasy 16 will have a more linear structure, similar to Final Fantasy 7 Remake, players can still expect to explore smaller, more compact areas of the world.
However, fast traveling to revisit major locations will not be possible. If players wish to return to a previous area, they will have to take advantage of the game's New Game Plus feature.
Final Fantasy Gameplay
Final Fantasy XVI is an action role-playing game where players assume the role of Clive Rosfield and lead a party of AI-controlled companions. The game features segmented open areas spread across the continents of Valisthea. Players can explore various locations, including enclosed dungeons, towns, and expansive open fields, by selecting them from a fast travel menu.
While traversing the game world, players can travel on foot or ride chocobos to navigate open zones. Clive's base of operations is a hideout led by Cid, where players can interact with non-playable characters, manage relationships with different characters, visit shops for equipment upgrades, and undertake side quests ranging from character requests to monster hunts.
The game provides a comprehensive database called Active Time Lore, which stores information about locations, characters, and terminology for easy reference. Combat occurs within the same area players navigate, triggered when enemies spot the party. Clive is the only character directly controlled by the player, while the remaining party members are AI-controlled, each possessing their own unique attack and magic abilities.
Clive's loyal dog companion, Torgal, can be commanded to perform special attacks or healing actions. During battles, Clive utilizes normal attacks, dodges, and employs elemental abilities derived from Eikons, which are the game's version of summoned monsters seen in previous Final Fantasy games.
Clive can switch between different Eikon abilities during combat, chaining them together to create combo attacks. A significant combat mechanic is the "Stagger" system, where specific types of damage build up a stagger meter, temporarily stunning enemies and making them vulnerable to further attacks. Certain story sections feature battles against powerful Eikons, with dedicated mechanics and abilities tied to them.
The game offers two initial difficulty settings: "Story" mode, which provides accessories to simplify combat and strengthen characters, and a normal mode. Upon completing the game, additional options become available, including New Game+ where character statistics and equipment carry over, a harder "Final Fantasy" mode that increases overall difficulty and alters enemy placements, and an arcade mode that evaluates players' combat performance using a point system.
Ultimaniac Mode within the arcade mode presents challenging trials with specific limitations, such as using only one Eikon power in battle. Players can also upgrade Clive's weapons and accessories further in these modes.
Final Fantasy Trailer
Is Final Fantasy 16 Open World? - FAQs
No, Final Fantasy 16 is not an open world.
Initially, Final Fantasy XVI will be a timed exclusive for the PlayStation 5.
Final Fantasy XVI is scheduled for release on June 22, 2023.
Final Fantasy XVI is an action role-playing game (RPG) that features real-time combat.
The main protagonist is Clive Rosfield.