Ultimate Fantasy XVI was lately revealed at Sony’s PS5 Showcase Occasion, giving us a primary take a look at the sport in a four-minute-long trailer.
The announcement of FFXVI is sort of an thrilling one, particularly for the reason that earlier numbered title (FFXV) was printed 4 years in the past. Not solely that, however the unique FFXV had been revealed in 2008 beneath the title Ultimate Fantasy XIII Versus.
To place it merely, gamers have been ready for a FFXVI for a very long time. In case you’re within the sequence, right here’s every thing you could learn about Ultimate Fantasy XVI, together with particulars on its launch date, gameplay, story and trailer.
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Ultimate Fantasy XVI launch date
When Ultimate Fantasy XVI was revealed on the PlayStation 5 Showcase Occasion, it wasn’t accompanied by a launch date and even launch window. Nonetheless, a quote from Bloomberg reporter, Jason Schreier, in an episode of the Triple Click on podcast suggests the sport may very well be launched comparatively quickly.
Jason claims he’s spoken with people who find themselves “aware of the sport’s improvement,” and that it has “been in improvement for no less than 4 years in some capability.” He believes it’s “coming ahead of folks suppose.” Whereas that is fairly imprecise, it might imply we see the sport launched in late 2021.
Sq. confirmed that “fundamental improvement and situation manufacturing have already been accomplished,” so the sport is not in its early phases of improvement by any means. That is definitely excellent news, because it implies that Sq. Enix did not simply announce the sport earlier than improvement had begun, in any other case we might be ready half a decade for FFXVI to launch.
A Brazilian trailer showcasing footage of PlayStation 5 video games had a hidden line that urged Ultimate Fantasy XVI could be a restricted time PS5 unique. Wccftech translated the road, and it reads “Not obtainable on different platforms for a restricted time after launching on PS5.” On the PS5 web site, one thing related can also be written beneath the Ultimate Fantasy XVI entry: “Not obtainable on different consoles for a restricted time.” This virtually definitely confirms Ultimate Fantasy XVI shall be coming to different platforms sooner or later.
Producer Naoki Yoshida has confirmed that the primary story situation for Ultimate Fantasy XVI is full, with english voice over being almost completed. Sq. Enix has lately confirmed its look on the Tokyo Sport Present 2021, however Yoshida says it is unlikely that the sport will seem. Whereas the corporate didn’t seem at TGS, Yoshida supplied a quick replace on the sport, claiming that the crew has completed its predominant design and is near completion. This might imply something, however there is perhaps motive for pleasure somewhat quickly.
On the official Ultimate Fantasy XVI web site, Naoki Yoshida positioned a message apologizing that the crew was unable to dive deep into the sport final yr. Nonetheless, he guarantees they’re going to be capable to showcase one thing through the Spring of this yr, so we’ve one thing to look ahead to.
Ultimate Fantasy XVI has not appeared on Sq. Enix’s 2022 recreation line-up web page, however that does not imply we cannot see it launch this yr. The corporate might be holding the discharge date near the chest for the sake of a shock reveal. Both that or there is not any inside launch date as of but, and whether or not or not 2022 is even an choice might nonetheless be on the desk.
Ultimate Fantasy XVI story
Ultimate Fantasy XVI is being helmed by director Hiroshi Takai, who has beforehand labored on Ultimate Fantasy XIV. And Naoki Yoshida, Ultimate Fantasy XIV’s director, is listed as a producer for the sport. The MMO’s newest growth, Shadowbringers, has been lauded as one of many biggest Ultimate Fantasy experiences ever.
Kyle Campbell at IGN believes “Shadowbringers has solely additional solidified XIV’s standing as one of many biggest Ultimate Fantasy video games ever made.” Many different critics have shared this sentiment, with the sport receiving an astounding 90/100 on Metacritic, making it probably the most acclaimed title within the sequence for the reason that PS2 period.
Ultimate Fantasy XVI is in nice palms, which is why a lot of the fanbase is worked up for what Takai and Yoshida might accomplish. So far as what we will truly anticipate from the sport, it should characteristic a narrative about magical crystals and the facility these crystals maintain. In case you’ve saved up with Ultimate Fantasy, you realize this is likely one of the mostly used ideas all through the sequence.
It additionally appears as if the english dub for Ultimate Fantasy XVI is taking precedence, with the main target being on movement seize in “British English.”
Nonetheless, Ultimate Fantasy XVI is seemingly making an attempt to shake up the components. A phrase often used all through the sport’s advertising and marketing is “the legacy of the crystals has formed our historical past for lengthy sufficient.” Moreover, Twitter person ThisIsXel found that the sport could be focusing on a Mature ESRB ranking, which isn’t too shocking contemplating the brutality seen within the reveal trailer.
All of this info culminates right into a story that’s straying away from what we have come to anticipate from the sequence. The Ultimate Fantasy video games have often been darkish, however Ultimate Fantasy XVI can also be shaping as much as be bloody, violent and rebellious.
Ultimate Fantasy XVI gameplay
The Ultimate Fantasy sequence is extensively identified for its turn-based fight methods. Nonetheless, this has modified drastically over time. With the discharge of Ultimate Fantasy XIII: Lightning Returns in 2013, we noticed the introduction of a barely extra energetic battle system revolving round well-timed blocks, assaults, particular strikes and dodges.
This started to alter even additional when Ultimate Fantasy XV launched a totally completely different fight type, involving hack n’ slash mechanics that allowed gamers to teleport round arenas, combo enemies and swap between completely different weapons amidst fight.
And with the discharge of Ultimate Fantasy VII Remake this yr, Sq. Enix created a wonderful marriage between energetic fight and turn-based resolution making. Gamers can slash across the area freely, however when utilizing a capability, time freezes and provides them the chance to make their alternative.
Ultimate Fantasy XVI will doubtless proceed the development of energetic fight contemplating what we will assess from the trailer. It was fairly clear the participant was performing combos on enemies, but it surely’s tough to inform how these mechanics work with out a full demo showcase. I definitely hope we will anticipate a fluid management scheme with management accuracy in contrast to something we have beforehand seen within the sequence.
Based on producer Naoki Yoshida, Ultimate Fantasy XVI can even have a mode the place gamers can particularly give attention to the story with minimal issue. In case you’re somebody who’s extra inquisitive about exploring the world, attending to know its characters, and diving deep into the story with out having to beat tough challenges, this mode shall be for you.
Ultimate Fantasy XVI leaks and rumors
Siliconera stories that Ryota Suzuki has been confirmed as Battle Director for a brand new AAA title at Sq. Enix. Suzuki beforehand labored as Sport Design Lead on Dragon’s Dogma and as a designer for Satan Might Cry 5.
Whether or not or not he’s truly engaged on Ultimate Fantasy XVI is unknown, but when he’s, it doubtless means the sport will characteristic a fight system targeted on testing the participant’s reflexes in high-octane battles.
Ultimate Fantasy XVI trailer
Ultimate Fantasy XVI’s reveal trailer, dubbed “Awakening,” revealed a plethora of particulars on what we will anticipate from the sport. This showcase is persistently brutal, with characters being impaled, ripped aside and depapitated. The precise trailer doesn’t present any of those particulars explicitly, but when the sport is trying to hit a Mature ESRB ranking, that’s doubtless greater than sufficient.
Moreover, this trailer reveals how grim the world intends to be. Ultimate Fantasy has its justifiable share of darkish moments, however the video games are sometimes fantastical and charming. It appears as if Ultimate Fantasy XVI is completely revolved round darkish fantasy, with every magical ingredient being handled as a risk to the world.
The environments themselves appear colorless, foggy, burning or partially destroyed. It positively looks like Sq. Enix’s imaginative and prescient for Ultimate Fantasy XVI is way darker than something we’ve ever seen within the franchise earlier than.
Ultimate Fantasy XVI setting and world map
Sq. Enix lately replace its Ultimate Fantasy XVI web site with new info relating to the world of Valisthea. The sport shall be populated by six completely different realms, that are The Grand Duchy of Rosaria, The Holy Empire of Sanbreque, The Kingdom of Waloed, The Dhalmekian Republic, The Iron Kingdom and The Crystalline Dominion.
This web page particulars what we will anticipating from the sport’s lore. It appears what was beforehand referred to as a “Summon” is now being referred to as an “Eikon,” and these Eikons reside inside a “Dominant.” Relying on the dominion, these Dominants might be handled as royalty, weapons of warfare or be feared into exile.
For instance, The Grand Duchy of Rosaria holds the Phoenix, Eikon of Fireplace. When the Dominant who holds this highly effective creature comes of age, they’re enthroned as an Archduke.
It is a fascinating nugget of world constructing, and it has me fairly excited for Ultimate Fantasy XVI’s storytelling. It appears as if summons will now be handled with way more relevance to the lore than ever earlier than. Hopefully the sport’s writers can construct upon this new Eikon narrative in ways in which really feel recent.
The Ultimate Fantasy XVI web page additionally offers a tough take a look at the sport’s world map. Right here, we will see hints of traditional Ultimate Fantasy-esque traversal, with massive mountains and open seas to trip throughout.
I am hoping the world stays comparatively contained and would not find yourself as massive as Ultimate Fantasy XV. I desire smaller worlds with heaps to do than expansive ones with bulks of nothingness scattered round.