Final Fantasy 16 will be “like God of War” says director
Eikonic
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Final Fantasy16director has revealed in an interview that the upcoming RPG, set to release 22 June 2023 for PS5, will be “likeGod of War”.
In an interview with two ofFinal Fantasy 16’s directors and its producer, Naoki Yoshida, onWellPlayed.com, it was revealed that the game team has drawn on numerous inspirations ranging from the expected to the left-of-field. When asked what sources of media inspired the game, Yoshida replied, “for me, it’s got to be the book seriesA Song of Ice and Fireas well as the TV showGame of Thrones.”
This is obvious from even the most cursory glance at any ofFinal Fantasy 16’s trailers. What isn’t obvious, however, is how game director Hiroshi Takai added that he also “foundGod of Warreally inspiring” when creating the game. Combat director Ryota Suzuki mentioned some of his own inspirations, too: “that would be theJohn Wickmoves as well asBlade. You can probably feel these in what I have created.”
Yoshida circled back toGod of Warlater in the interview, saying: “you could compareFinal Fantasy 16closest to something likeGod of War. As an image of how the game cycle works, you will have a main world map just likeGod of War… At this hub, you can choose to continue the main scenario and unlock new areas. Or, you have opportunities for side quests where you go back to areas you have already visited and have that side content there.”
Sweet sixteen
Though it certainly surprised me to seeGod of War, a real-time third-person action series, so far up the list of cinematic inspirations, it certainly didn’t surprise me to seeFinal Fantasy 16’s developers speak of their attempts to capture a certain cinematicje ne sais quoiin their game.
It’s hardly new for a Final Fantasy title to draw inspiration from cinematic touchstones.Final Fantasy 7’s aspirations are, perhaps, most affirmed by the existence ofFinal Fantasy 7 Remake, which uses artistic real-time combat and gorgeous cutscenes to deliver on the ambition of its original namesake. For example: the egomaniacal villain Sephiroth was famously inspired byJaws, Stephen Spielberg’s classic thriller (via TheGamer).
GivenGod of War Ragnarok’s own emphasis on graphical fidelity and cinematic quality, it stands to reason thatFinal Fantasy 16’s top brass would see in it something worth emulating, especially when it comes to combat.
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Turn it up
Some are disappointed to seeFinal Fantasy 16continue to move away from traditional turn-based battles in favor of real-time action. It’s important to bear in mind, however, that turn-based combat only ever existed as a proxy for cinematic combat, which, due to technological limitations, the game consoles of the time simply couldn’t realize. In 2023, we don’t have those restrictions anymore.
I adore turn-based combat. The likes ofOctopath Traveler 2,Bravely Default 2,andTrails of Cold Steelare very much my happy place. However, I see Square Enix’s willingness to embrace modern sources of inspiration as a good thing. It speaks to a willingness to bring the series forward - a goal I very much welcome.
Final Fantasy games have always been at their best when they’ve allowed for organic evolution. This is, in part, whyFinal Fantasy 14is so successful. By reflecting cutting-edge cinematic and narrative sensibilities,Final Fantasy 16will only become stronger. I can’t wait to get my hands on the title.
An editor and freelance journalist, Cat Bussell has been writing about video games for more than four years and, frankly, she’s developed a taste for it. As seen on TechRadar, Technopedia, The Gamer, Wargamer, and SUPERJUMP, Cat’s reviews, features, and guides are lovingly curated for your reading pleasure.
A Cambridge graduate, recovering bartender, and Cloud Strife enjoyer, Cat’s foremost mission is to bring you the best coverage she can, whether that’s through helpful guides, even-handed reviews, or thought-provoking features. She’s interviewed indie darlings, triple-A greats, and legendary voice actors, all to help you get closer to the action. When she’s not writing, Cat can be found sticking her neck into a fresh RPG or running yet another Dungeons & Dragons game.
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