Square Enix has released new Final Fantasy 16 gameplay footage, including extensive interviews, and a huge 35-hour story that includes over "11-hour cinematic cutscenes."
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Final Fantasy 16 avoids an open world setting and instead concentrates on several gameplay areas that are "in extreme detail." Several large areas are accessible in the game, but players may "jump into these story stages via the world map without loading." The game's environments are described as "expansive," with "lots of exploration opportunities," throughout a 35-hour story featuring "11 hours of cinematic cutscenes."
The game also opts out of a difficulty tier option, with the "Action Focus" and "Story Focus" modes only differentiated by "Timely" accessories that are available at the start of the game with the Story Focus mode to make certain parts of the gameplay easier. However, after the completion of a playthrough, a "Final Fantasy" mode is also available, which is described as a "completely different experience."
Below are a few highlights of the Timely items that are currently available.
- Ring of Timely Focus – Temporarily slows time before an incoming attack, allowing you more time to react.
- Ring of Timely Assistance – Removes the need for you give Torgal battle commands manually.
- Ring of Timely Strikes – Execute deadly combos by only pressing Square.
- Ring of Timely Evasion – Automatically dodge most incoming attacks.
- Ring of Timely Healing – Automatically use potions when HP drops below a certain threshold.
The party combat system in Final Fantasy 16 is more focused on a streamlined, uninterrupted combat experience than before. All party members are AI-driven so as to allow players to concentrate on Clive's abilities and positioning in combat environments. The Torgal companion is partially controllable with respect to movement and combat actions, but may be delegated to the game's AI with the use of a Timely accessory.
Clive's primary Eikonic connection is with Ifrit, the "imposible" Eikon, who also represents fire in the game. Clive's main Eikonic connection is with Ifrit, the "imposible" Eikon, who also represents fire.
Clive can use up to three acquired Eikonic abilities against opponents in combat. Effective combat centers on managing Eikonic abilities' cooldowns while wearing enemies down with melee and ranged strikes. Players will also have to be more mindful of their attacks and cooldowns fpr enemies with the guard ability, which mitigates all damage dealt from the front.
Release Dates for Final Fantasy 16 on PC
Final Fantasy 16 will only be available for six months on the PS5 console, but a PC version will not be released until the end of the exclusivity period. However, a PC version is certainly on the way, according to producer Naoki Yoshida:
Check out these Gematsu and PS Blog posts showing a significant early sequence of the game as well as the battle between the Eikons Ifrit and Garuda.
Final Fantasy 16 will be released on PS5 on June 22, 2023.
