Summary
Final Fantasy16departs from several well-established series traditions in order to chart a bold new path forward and, as Square Enix luminary Naoki Yoshida put it, break free of the aspects of the franchise that had become “fossilized.” While some ofFinal Fantasy 16’s changes position it as a bit of an island within the largerFinal Fantasyworld, they also afford players the freedom to experiment with an entirely new rulebook to guide their playthrough.Final Fantasy 16is not a typicalFinal Fantasy, and trying to approach it as one can lead to frustration.
The developers themselves knew that many longtime fans might be somewhat put-off by the switch to real-time combat, opting to include a set of helpful rings that Clive can equip as accessories to make the combat more manageable and approachable for newcomers. That said,Final Fantasy 16’s gameplayis so well-balanced and finely-tuned that equipping these accessories may actually diminish some of the enjoyment of experiencing it. If one is to dive intoFinal Fantasy 16with an open mind and willing to embrace its systems, there are some guiding rules that will be helpful in the long-run.
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Final Fantasy 16’s Unwritten Rules
Master Final Fantasy 16’s Precision Dodge or Counter
One of the biggest changes longtime fans will need to get used to isFinal Fantasy 16’s switch to real-time combat. Gone are the days of menu-based commands and actions dictated by character speed, makingFinal Fantasy 16a much more engaging and hands-on affair. One of the most powerful (and useful) techniques in the game is Clive’s Precision Dodge ability, which allows players to narrowly escape damage by dodging at the last minute and then follow it up with a Perfect Counter. Alternately, players can get acquainted with the Parry mechanic, though the Precision Dodge is easier to execute and less risky.
Parry
How to Execute
Press R1 to dodge right as an enemy is about to attack
Press Square for a melee attack right before an enemy’s attack lands
Effect
Opens up enemy for Perfect Counter
Time slows on a successful parry, opening up enemies for a Flurry attack
Penalty for mistiming
None - Clive still dodges away from danger
Enemy attack lands head-on
Continually Cycle Through Eikon Abilities and Keep an Eye on Cooldown Timers
It won’t take long to get to a point inFinal Fantasy 16’s main quest where Clive has a full suite of Eikon abilities at his fingertips, giving players plenty of options in terms of which abilities to slot on each of the face buttons and how they approach encounters. Regardless ofwhich Eikons players choosefor their ability loadout, one of the most important things to do is continually manage the cooldown timers of each ability. Depleting a more difficult enemy’s stagger gauge requires doling out consistent punishment from Clive, and some Eikon abilities are the most effective at quickly putting enemies into a stagger state. Monitoring cooldown timers allows players to make best use of their economy of movement and maximize damage in each encounter.
Pursue Every Optional Side Quest and Complete the Hunt Missions
While this might be a foregone conclusion for completionists, some players that might be experiencingFinal Fantasy 16as their first game in the series should understand the value of completing all the optional content in the game rather than beelining through the critical path. Not only do several of these side quests help to developFinal Fantasy 16’s great cast of charactersand provide more context for its world, they offer some incredibly valuable rewards. The Hunt side quest chain, in particular, is practically necessary for acquiring some of the game’s best weapons. It doesn’t hurt that these fights are some of the most challenging, and the most fun, inFinal Fantasy 16.
Final Fantasy 16
WHERE TO PLAY
An epic dark fantasy world where the fate of the land is decided by the mighty Eikons and the Dominants who wield them.This is the tale of Clive Rosfield, a warrior granted the title “First Shield of Rosaria” and sworn to protect his younger brother Joshua, the dominant of the Phoenix. Before long, Clive will be caught up in a great tragedy and swear revenge on the Dark Eikon Ifrit, a mysterious entity that brings calamity in its wake.
