Warning: This article contains major spoilers for Final Fantasy 16. Proceed at your own risk.
Final Fantasy 16 is easily developer Square-Enix's darkest take on the Final Fantasy franchise. The title incorporates many of the Final Fantasy series' most iconic elements, such as magic, summons, dragoons, and chocobos. Final Fantasy 16 takes a uniquely mature approach to each, reimagining them within the war-torn land of Valisthea. However, one departure from tradition stands above the rest, as the crystals, Final Fantasy's oldest beacons of hope and light, become the title's main antagonist. The title's protagonist, Clive Rosfield, is on a mission to free humanity from the influence of magic, a mission that sees Final Fantasy 16 smash a classic tradition with crystals.
Final Fantasy 16 follows Clive Rosfield across three distinct periods of his life, during which he travels throughout the land of Valisthea. Valisthea's kingdoms are engaged in all-out war over possession of its greatest resource, the Mothercrystals, which imbue the land and its people with magic. Additionally, the Mothercrystals are believed to gift one individual from each kingdom the ability to control powerful Eikons, Final Fantasy 16's reworked summons. Other individuals, the Bearers, are born with the ability to wield simple magic, leading many to become enslaved and exploited.
Final Fantasy's Crystals Have Long Been a Symbol of Light
Since the very first Final Fantasy title, crystals have been a beacon of virtue. Over time, many of the series' mainline entries have seen a party of heroes venture between a world's crystals, becoming imbued with their divine strength. Even titles such as Final Fantasy 5, in which the crystals are shattered, see the broken objects bestow powers on its heroes. Final Fantasy 13, which features no environmental crystals, still maintains the icon's legacy. Once l'Cie fulfill their divine duties, or Focus, they are transformed into massive crystal statues, where they find eternal, peaceful rest.
In Final Fantasy 16, the Mothercrystals are viewed by the world's elite as the ultimate power, leading their armies and Eikons to engage in destructive battles. However, Dominants and Bearers who can wield magic without a crystal see things quite differently. From birth, these individuals are exploited for their gifts, forced to serve their nobles and commit horrible acts of large-scale violence. For this reason, Clive and his party set out to free humanity from the crystals' influence once and for all.
Final Fantasy 16's Mothercrystals Shatter Tradition
In order to free humanity, Clive and his party infiltrate the heart of each mothercrystal in Final Fantasy 16, before destroying it entirely. This destruction causes the entire mothercrystal to dissipate, moving humanity ever closer to a world without magic. Additionally, some believe that the crystals might be the cause of a horrible Blight that has corrupted parts of Valisthea, making Clive's mission seem all the more essential. However, upon destroying most of the mothercrystals, Clive learns that they hide a much darker truth, and the title's true evil.
Throughout Final Fantasy 16, Clive and his brother encounter the god-like villain Ultima, who they believe is trying to protect the mothercrystals. However, upon reaching the final crystal, Ultima reveals the truth. The mothercrystals were created by Ultima to siphon the source of Valisthea's natural magic, aether. Ultima plans to utilize aether to create a new and perfect world, but lacks a physical body through which he can harness it. Therefore, he created Dominants to nourish the perfect physical vessel, Clive. Even more jarring, Ultima reveals himself to simply be a piece of the true god, Ultimalius, as the other pieces were placed within the Mothercrystals. By destroying the crystals, Clive has set them free, allowing Ultimalius to take his true form and bring his plan to fruition.
Final Fantasy 16 is currently available on PS5.
