Sony’s PlayStation 5 showcase got off to a huge start with the reveal of Final Fantasy XVI—which will be exclusive to PlayStation 5 for a limited time.
Square Enix and Sony announced Final Fantasy XVI with a four-minute trailer “captured on a PC emulating the PS5 experience”. It looks like a return to the series’ high fantasy roots rather than the more science-fiction-influenced direction of recent games. There are plenty of Final Fantasy staples in the trailer, like a fight with a Malboro and a new arrangement of the classic Final Fantasy opening theme.
The recent trend of real-time combat seen in the likes of Final Fantasy XV and Final Fantasy VII Remake appears to be continuing in the new game. Purists might prefer a classic turn-based setup—myself included—but other recent games have done a good job of bringing some turn-based influence into their real-time systems, so here’s hoping that continues in Final Fantasy XVI.
Final Fantasy XVI is being directed by Hiroshi Takai, who previously directed The Last Remnant and has worked on numerous Final Fantasy games since Final Fantasy V. Naoki Yoshida, best known for his work on turning Final Fantasy XIV around from its troubled initial launch, is also on board with Final Fantasy XVI as producer.
“The exclusive footage, comprised of both battles and cutscenes running in real-time, represents but a fraction of what our team has accomplished since the start of development on this, an all-new Final Fantasy game,” said Yoshida. “In that span, the team’s size has grown from a handful of core members to a full-fledged unit that continues to polish and build upon what they have created so far, all to provide players an experience unmatched in terms of story and gameplay.”
Takai had the following to say about the development of the new game: “From the establishment of an all new development environment, to learning the ins-and-outs of the PS5, the team and I have taken on countless challenges during our journey to bring you the sixteenth chapter in the storied Final Fantasy franchise. And though we’re pouring our hearts and souls into this project each and every day, it may still be some time before we can get it into your hands. However, I promise it will be worth the wait!”
