With only ten days to go until the full game releases, the Final Fantasy XVI special battle demo has finally arrived. Clocking in at just over two hours of the game, the demo serves as a prologue and gives players an introduction to the world of Valisthea. Save data for the demo will carry over to the producer Naoki Yoshida’s Final Fantasy XVI when it releases on June 22nd.
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The Final Fantasy XVI demo gives players a fantastic look at gameplay and new mechanics for this latest addition to the iconic RPG franchise. The FFXVI demo starts off by giving players a glimpse of what the world will become before flashing back 13 years to introduce the main protagonist Clive Rosfield. Within Valisthea exist powerful titans called the Eikons who are controlled by humans called Dominants who are able to wield their power. These Dominants are revered throughout Valisthea because of their power and it earns them a seat at the highest tables in their respective kingdoms. The first titan battle shown in the Final Fantasy XVI demo was absolutely breathtaking and took place on an incredibly massive scale, but even that was only a taste of what was to come.
Going back 13 years, the Final Fantasy XVI demo shows a young Clive learning to fight. Clive is the eldest son of the Archduke of Rosaria, a kingdom in Valisthea, who is training to become a Shield of Rosaria. Clive’s younger brother Joshua is the Dominant of the Phoenix titan, and the First Shield’s one and only responsibility is to protect the Dominant. It sets up an interesting dynamic since Clive and Joshua’s own mother sees Clive as being a lesser human because he was not chosen by the Phoenix. It would make sense for Clive to resent his brother for his power and prestige, but it’s clear that he does not. He loves his brother deeply and wants nothing more than to protect him.
At the end of the prologue story in the Final Fantasy XVI demo, a previously unknown Eikon is revealed that has a massive impact on Clive’s adventure. The death and destruction that come about after Clive, Joshua, and their father are betrayed allows greater understanding of why Clive is heading out on a quest for revenge. It might not be an entirely new type of story, but that doesn’t stop it from hitting with emotional weight.
What really stands out in the Final Fantasy XVI demo is just how much it differs from previous Final Fantasy games. Final Fantasy XVI is dark, and I mean really dark. There are some truly brutal and bloody deaths that depict a more mature approach to the franchise. The graphic language that accompanies the violence is new territory for Final Fantasy, but never to the point where it feels out of place. That said, fans looking for a lighthearted game might want to look elsewhere.
The action combat system highlighted in the Final Fantasy XVI demo was easy to get the hang of and felt great in action, including the combos. Using Clive’s magic attacks in concert with his sword was incredibly fluid and the animation made it all the more satisfying when defeating enemies. There are a handful of small boss fights that really showcase what is coming down the line further into the game. There is even a titan fight sequence that lets players take on the role of the Phoenix in an absolutely stunning chain of events that I can’t wait to see expanded on in the full game.
Amplifying the excellent story, great combat, and a more mature approach is the breathtaking animation. Square Enix held nothing back when making Final Fantasy XVI and it shows with every second of screen time. There is an outrageous amount of detail in things as large as giant set pieces and as small as the chainmail on a soldier’s armor. Managing to make a game that looks this great without any performance issues is a feat in itself and Square Enix absolutely delivers.
The Final Fantasy XVI demo does just enough to whet the appetite before the full game releases next week without giving too much away. Highlighting the new approach and the excellent combat system before players dive into the full thing was a great choice and the demo is absolutely worth taking the time to play.
The Final Fantasy XVI demo is available to download now on PlayStation 5 and the game launches on PlayStation 5 on June 22nd.
