Over the years, Square Enix has crafted magnificent narratives filled with iconic characters and tantalizing moments that fans hold in high regard. From Nier Automata to Kingdom Hearts, the JRPG experts have made stories that resonate with their players and leave a lasting mark on the gaming industry. Their Final Fantasy franchise is the pinnacle of its storytelling talents, and Final Fantasy XVI is no exception to this.

Final Fantasy XVI represents a slight departure in the style of storytelling that Square Enix is known for, as the title represents only the second rated M release in franchise history, with Final Fantasy Type-0 from 2011 being the first. Over a decade later, Square Enix has refined this style of storytelling, creating an enticing story dripping with tension and sincerity throughout.

This excellent writing is made more apparent from all the small character moments throughout the story as well as the importance of each of Final Fantasy XVI's fantastic boss fights. The amazing character-action RPG does not miss a single story beat and, as a result, crafts an excellent narrative that will be remembered for years to come.

Gaming's Best Intro in Years Started as a Demo

The First Two Hours of Final Fantasy XVI Are Astounding

Shortly before the full release of Final Fantasy XVI, fans were treated to a two-hour-long demo which showed them the basics of gameplay as well as many of the main characters that they would become attached to throughout the full game's 40+ hour runtime. These two hours are one of the most interesting and over-the-top intros in any game and are part of why the story of the game is so gripping and emotionally moving.

The initial section of the game shows the protagonist, Clive Rosfield, living in his home of Rosaria as the nation prepares for war. What follows is a tragic series of events in which Clive loses both his father and brother, as well as his mentor. While players do eventually reunite with Clive's brother, Joshua, the sadness conveyed in these early moments sets the tone for the kind of story that Final Fantasy XVI tells.

Final Fantasy's Best Iteration of Cid

Cidolfus Telamon is a Standout Side Character

Throughout the Final Fantasy franchise, Cid has been a recurring name/title attributed to several different characters, all with different looks and personalities. While other iterations of the character are also memorable, no version of Cid has quite the screen presence as Cidolfus Telamon in Final Fantasy XVI. Introduced shortly after the game's prologue, Cid (voiced by Ralph Ineson) embodies every aspect of the Robin Hood type of character. He is quick-witted and humorous to a fault, sometimes turning what would otherwise be tragic moments into expressions of his dark sense of humor.

This iteration of Cid is also one of the franchise's most powerful Cids. Being the Dominant of the Eikon Ramuh, Cid can channel the powers of electricity and storms as he pleases. This power is integral to the moment in which he saves Cid from near-certain death. For all the impact Cidolfus Telamon has on Final Fantasy XVI, it is in a rather limited amount of time. In one of the saddest moments in Final Fantasy history, Cid dies while protecting Clive. Cid relinquishes his Eikonic power to Clive and Clive takes up Cid's title, vowing to complete his goal of destroying all the Mothercrystals and freeing the world from their influence.

Despite his death, which occurs only about a third of the way into Final Fantasy XVI's 40+ hour runtime, Cidolfus Telamon makes a massive impression on the player. His one-liners as well as his lighthearted demeanor make him a memorable character and Final Fantasy's best iteration of Cid to date.

Final Fantasy XVI is an A Grade Medieval Drama

Because of Final Fantasy XVI's mature rating, players are treated to more brutal and emotional moments throughout the game than in many other Final Fantasy titles. In the game's earliest moments, players witness Clive and Joshua's father beheaded in front of Joshua. This lasting image sets a stark tone compared to many other titles in the franchise. Final Fantasy XVI does not hesitate to be brutal when it needs to be, and it shows.

In a storytelling style reminiscent of the early seasons of Game of Thrones and the darker moments of the Lord of the Rings franchise, Final Fantasy XVI leans heavily on these dark moments of storytelling to show the motivations of each of its heroes and villains. While not every character in Final Fantasy XVI is a standout, and some characters end up feeling flat because of a like of character growth, some of the villains are some of the most mature and intriguing in recent RPGs.

Final Fantasy XVI's narrative is cleanly cut into two halves, with the climactic boss fight against Titan representing the midway mark of the game. While Ultima is the true main antagonist of the game, it can be argued that each of the subtle details regarding Hugo Kupka make him a superior villain. Hugo's romance with Benedikta Harman is one of the first lasting images the game presents. Despite this attempt at endearing Hugo to players, his power grab and how he uses Benedikta make him merely a sinister figure.

The mature details of Final Fantasy XVI do not end with its villains, however, as many of the game's heroes end up grappling with themes and circumstances with heavy emotional weight. Much of Final Fantasy XVI is structured as Clive's journey to accept the truth about who he is and understand his relationship with his romantic partner, Jill. The game's tragic ending is a perfect conclusion to these themes, as Clive finally comes to terms with his role in the world, while Jill loses the man she loves.

While each Final Fantasy story is great in its own right, Final Fantasy XVI's mature rating allowed it to break new ground for storytelling in the series. Each character in the game is an important addition, and their interaction with the story itself makes a complex narrative all the more endearing.

Clive Rosfield is One of The Franchise's Most Endearing Protagonists

Final Fantasy XVI's Lead is a Phenomenal Main Character

Unlike many other protagonists in the Final Fantasy franchise, players engage with Clive Rosfield throughout the majority of his lifespan. While players are only informed of Clive's childhood through dialogue between him, Joshua, and Jill, every point in Clive's life past this timespan is eloquently written and shown through beautifully detailed and acted cutscenes.

Voiced by Ben Starr, Clive Rosfield is endearing for players to play because of how relatable he is as a main character. Fans can relate to Clive's feelings of loss of family as well as his seeming inability to fit in with his kingdom. Part of what makes Clive even more endearing is how he perseveres past these difficulties to uproot the world order which threatens to keep him and his kingdom down.

Furthermore, Clive's interactions with Cidolfus Telamon are among the best character moments in an RPG in recent years. While Final Fantasy has always had a knack for writing endearing protagonists (ex: Squall Leonhart, Cloud Strife, and Tidus), the banter Clive has with Cid as well as his brother Joshua, and his lover, Jill, makes Clive a well-rounded character. This allows players to appreciate the journey that Clive goes on throughout Final Fantasy XVI.

The icing on the cake of Clive's journey is its tragic ending after the final boss fight. Throughout the game, players take down each Dominant they face (except for Leviathan, who is DLC) and absorb their powers to take down the final boss, Ultima. One epic title drop later, Clive decides to sacrifice all of his magic to save the world from the power of the Dominants and Eikons. This tragic presumed death at the end of Final Fantasy XVI is a poignant moment and only serves to add to an already epic storytelling masterpiece.

Looking Ahead to Future Final Fantasy Titles

How Clive's Story Will Continue to Influence the Franchise For Years to Come

While the success of Final Fantasy XVI as well as the game's multiple Game Awards nominations (1 win for best soundtrack), it is evident that the newest Final Fantasy mainline title had a massive impact on players. From its excellent protagonist, Clive Rosfield, to its franchise-best Cid, the narrative of Final Fantasy XVI is one of the best in franchise history and assuredly deserves to inspire the writing of Final Fantasy for years to come.

Before Final Fantasy XVI, mature moments were often lacking in franchise titles. However, the game is full of them, ranging from violent and dark, to wholesome and sweet. Each cinematic boss fight is a phenomenal high and, despite mild pacing problems in the early parts of the game's third act, Final Fantasy XVI is a complex and well-written narrative that will inspire maturity in Final Fantasy storytelling for years to come.