When developing a new game, it can be difficult for companies to avoid treading old ground. Each new Mario Bros. game still has the same gameplay loop as the last for the most part, and it isn't a Sonic game if players aren't treated to the iconic Blue Blur's blistering speed. This caused some issues for players when they first saw that Final Fantasy XVI would be neither a turn-based RPG nor an action RPG with a party system.

When designing Final Fantasy XVI, Square Enix wanted to stray away from past franchise trends, instead leaning towards making the project more fast-paced and chaotic. To do this, Square Enix collaborated with Devil May Cry 5's combat director, Ryota Suzuki. With the help of the hack-and-slash veteran, developers crafted one of the most energetic character action games in recent memory.

Filled with cinematic boss fights and one of the most rewarding combo systems to explore in a modern game, Final Fantasy XVI utilized its Devil May Cry influence to craft one of the most memorable games of 2023. It remains to be seen if this is the future of Final Fantasy as a franchise, but Final Fantasy XVI is an excellent character action game regardless.

The History of the "Character Action" Game

Devil May Cry's Extraordinary Influence on the Genre

While action games with iconic heroes wielding an array of weapons were common in the 1980s (ex: Ninja Gaiden, Strider, and Golden Axe), the "character action" game as fans know them today was pioneered by the first Devil May Cry title. Releasing on August 23, 2001, this Capcom classic featured one of the most recognizable faces in gaming, Dante, as well as some of the most iconic boss fights of early 2000s gaming. Unfortunately, this PlayStation 2 classic has not aged well over the past few years. Unwieldy camera issues and inconveniently placed platforming segments have made Devil May Cry a bit of a chore to return to nearly two decades later.

The importance of Capcom's Devil May Cry cannot be overstated. As it is, the game started life as a prototype for arguably Capcom's most iconic title, Resident Evil 4. The development path branched away from this when series director, Hideki Kamiya, joined the project. He believed the game was too fast-paced to be a Resident Evil title, and he strove to turn it into a title worthy of its main character's bravado. Over 20 years later, the Devil May Cry franchise inspires game design in the "character action" space. From the Bayonetta franchise to modern iterations of the Dynasty Warriors series, and now even gaming mainstays like Final Fantasy, it is safe to say that Capcom revolutionized the genre with its flagship franchise.

Modern Final Fantasy Game Development

Square Enix's RPG Continues to Evolve

Since its inception as a franchise in 1987, Final Fantasy has continuously evolved as a franchise, endlessly adapting to the needs of the modern gaming space. From its first 3D entry with Final Fantasy X in 2001 to its first MMORPG with Final Fantasy XI in 2002, Square Enix has been no stranger to adapting to the trends. Final Fantasy XVI is no exception to this design philosophy.

While not being Square Enix's first foray outside turn-based combat in the franchise, it is arguably the unique instance of them doing so. Final Fantasy XVI removes the action menus present in both Final Fantasy XV and Final Fantasy VII Remake and instead leans heavily on players controlling the protagonist, Clive Rosfield to the best of their ability.

Furthermore, Final Fantasy XVI strays away from the traditional party system of previous titles in the franchise. Players still do have companions that travel and fight with them, but this is mostly for visual flair and story consistency, as players are unable to control any of these side characters. While some might find this fact discouraging, the side characters presented are some of the franchise's most endearing.

The closest thing players have to a controllable party member is their trusty canine companion, Torgal. Torgal's presence throughout the game adds significantly to the gameplay as he allows players to combo with enemies in the air more easily. Final Fantasy XVI's similarities to Devil May Cry extend well past its lack of a party system, as focusing on just Clive allows players to become more in tune with his vast arsenal.

Clive's Armory of Swords and Eikons

Clive and Dante's Weaponry is Stylish

One of the most obvious influences that Devil May Cry has in Final Fantasy XVI is presented in its weapon systems. While Dante approaches combat with random objects (ex: hats and motorcycles) along with his signature sword (Rebellion) and his guns (Ebony and Ivory), Clive goes to battle in a slightly different way. Because of the medieval fantasy setting, Clive is unable to utilize modern weaponry as Dante does. Instead, Clive fights using the powers of powerful Final Fantasy summons, referred to in Final Fantasy XVI as Eikons.

These Eikons are all unique in their function, as their abilities make Clive able to perform stylish combos as well as rack up large amounts of damage on staggered enemies. Each Eikon bears striking resemblances to one of Dante's weapons or styles that is present in Devil May Cry 5. Titan in particular feels directly transported from Capcom's flagship franchise into Final Fantasy 16. Titan is a parallel to Dante's Royal Guard style, as its defensive abilities allow players to focus on defense and perfectly parry opponents' attacks to stagger them.

Some of Clive's basic techniques are also derivative of Dante's basic attacks. For example, Clive's sword dash bears a striking resemblance to Dante's iconic stinger attack. Furthermore, many of Clive's midair slashes seem to directly borrow animations from Dante's Rebellion slashes. Torgal is one of Final Fantasy XVI's unique mechanics, but even he is similar to some of Dante's attacks. Torgal's ravage ability functions in the same way as Dante's motorcycle, Cavaliere, as it drags enemies into the air as he spins. Clive has a completely different demeanor from Dante, but his arsenal of attacks could not be more similar.

DMC3 Bears a Resemblance to Final Fantasy 16's Most Grounded Boss Fight

Clive vs. Barnabas Bears a Striking Resemblance to Devil May Cry 3

While the largest similarities between Devil May Cry and Final Fantasy XVI present themselves during gameplay, one of the Square Enix title's most dramatic moments borrows heavily from the Capcom franchise's most iconic moment. Dante and Vergil's rivalry throughout the Devil May Cry franchise is one of the most iconic in gaming and their first encounter in Devil May Cry 3 sets the tone perfectly. Set at the top of the tower, Temen-ni-gru, Vergil and Dante have a tense faceoff in the rain where the antagonist emerges as the victor. Clive and Barnabas' confrontation in Final Fantasy XVI bears a striking resemblance to this moment.

Occurring in Final Fantasy XVI's final act, Clive Rosfield takes on Barnabas Tharmr after ascending a tower. Barnabas wishes to prepare Clive for his encounter with Ultima and loses his mind in his pursuit of power throughout the boss fight. This is similar to Vergil's pursuit of power throughout the Devil May Cry franchise. Furthermore, the setting and atmosphere of this boss fight are directly referential to Devil May Cry 3's most iconic moment.

Taking place during a storm, Clive and Barnabas' boss fight is the most well-grounded of the boss encounters throughout Final Fantasy XVI. This is similar to the role each Dante vs. Vergil encounter has throughout Devil May Cry 3, as those boss fights are also light on spectacle but high on dramatic tension. Unlike many of the other boss fights throughout Final Fantasy XVI, Clive's faceoff against Barnabas is a duel of wills focused on tense swordplay. Instead of focusing on moments of spectacle, this encounter wants players to utilize every skill they have learned up until this point of the game and take down one of the game's most challenging opponents. While many boss fights in gaming have similar elements, it is hard to argue that there are two more similar boss fights in gaming than Clive vs. Barnabas and Dante vs. Vergil.

Devil May Cry's Future Influence on Final Fantasy

Capcom's Combat Will Leave a Lasting Impact

While no announcement of the next mainline Final Fantasy game has surfaced, the combat direction of Final Fantasy XVI will likely be the standard for the franchise going forward. Fans were mostly receptive to the changes the most recent title in the franchise brought, and as such they are excited about how the upcoming games can make its concept evolve.

Despite some fans clamoring for turn-based combat to return to the Final Fantasy franchise, turn-based game design in Square Enix's most famous franchise is likely a relic of the past. Ryota Suzuki and the influence of Devil May Cry as a whole have indelibly left their mark on Final Fantasy and its gameplay structure for years to come.

• 

  Final Fantasy 16

  Franchise

  Final Fantasy

  Platform(s)

  PS5

  Released

  June 22, 2023

  Developer(s)

  Square Enix

  Publisher(s)

  Square Enix

  Genre(s)

  Action RPG

  ESRB

  M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence

  How Long To Beat

  36 Hours

  Metascore

  87

  PS Plus Availability

  N/A

• 

  Devil May Cry 5

  Franchise

  Devil May Cry

  Platform(s)

  PS4 , Xbox One , PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

  Released

  March 8, 2019

  Developer(s)

  Capcom

  Publisher(s)

  Capcom

  Genre(s)

  Action

  ESRB

  M for Mature: Blood, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Violence

  How Long To Beat

  11 Hours

  Metascore

  89

  PS Plus Availability

  N/A