First of all, it is worth noting that the Final Fantasy XVI demo that was tested by the media was specially designed for the event. Those who have tried the title stand out above all the combat system and game mechanics, which transform this Final Fantasy into a pure action RPG that is completely detached from elements that until now had been inherent to the franchise such as turn-based combat. Consequently, we have an action RPG with a more fluid and action-oriented combat where fast melee attacks, spells and acrobatics dominate.
We already knew that Final Fantasy XVI was betting on a real-time combat system to attract new audiences, but perhaps not everyone expected such a radical change. The combats of this installment of Final Fantasy are so fast that the reference used by media such as Polygon and Game Informer It’s Devil May Cry. In another medium like The Verge The editor comments that he was not enthusiastic about the combat of Final Fantasy XV and Final Fantasy VII Remake, and says he feels much more comfortable with that of Final Fantasy XVI. He considers it more fluid and natural, with a mechanic that rewards quick combos.
Naoki Yoshida assures that it was he who decided that Final Fantasy XVI took this direction with the aim of attracting “as many players as we could”. After Square Enix’s board approved the project, the studio hired Ryota Suzuki, who had spent 20 years at Capcom working on action games like Devil May Cry and Dragon’s Dogma. He has also been involved in fighting titles including Capcom vs. SNK. Yoshida argues that Suzuki’s arrival was vital for Final Fantasy XVI to exist today.
The advances also talk about the existence of two experiences: one focused on action and the other on history. The difference is that the second allows access from the beginning to accessories that simplify the fights. For example, one of them automatically dodges attacks. Those looking for a challenge have the action-oriented experience and after completing the campaign the New Game+ mode. Regarding the skill system, it is inspired by Final Fantasy V “in the sense that Clive [el protagonista] learn skills from the Eikons [invocaciones] […] and you can combine them […] to create a set of techniques,” says Suzuki.
Finally, comment that Naoki Yoshida has confirmed that Final Fantasy XVI has a six-month exclusive on PS5, but that in no case should we expect the PC version to be available in half a year. For now Square Enix has only announced Final Fantasy XVI for PS5, but the producer acknowledges that he would like to bring the game to pc. As of today we can only ensure that Final Fantasy XVI will be available on June 22 on PS5.
