Warning: This article contains major spoilers for Final Fantasy 16. Proceed at your own risk.
Final Fantasy 16 tells the story of Clive Rosfield, who seeks to free humanity from the influence of the Mothercrystals. Unlike previous entries in the Final Fantasy series, Final Fantasy 16 does not feature a traditional party system. Instead, players control Clive for the title's duration, with various AI-controlled allies joining him in specific missions. However, Clive's childhood pet, Torgal, joins his side following Final Fantasy 16's prologue and remains there until its final chapter. While initially presented as a helpful sidekick, Torgal becomes pivotal in Final Fantasy 16's core narrative. Through Torgal's unique interactions with Clive and Jill, Final Fantasy 16 takes 'Can You Pet the Dog' to the next level.
Final Fantasy 16 depicts Clive's journey over the course of three distinct time periods. While the title introduces fans to a young adult Clive, Final Fantasy 16 depicts the formative and traumatic events of his childhood over the course of its prologue and occasional cinematic flashbacks. It is here that Torgal makes his debut, a small puppy in the arms of Clive's best friend, Jill. Following the friends' reunion at The Hideaway, Clive encounters a full-grown and massive Torgal at Charon's shop. From that moment onward, Torgal stays at Clive's side as he explores the Kingdoms of Valisthea and faces their many dangers.
Final Fantasy 16's Torgal is More Than a 'Can You Pet the Dog' Gimmick
Soon after Clive and Torgal are reunited, Final Fantasy 16 allows fans to "pet the dog". However, Clive's interactions with Torgal extend far beyond this fan-favorite interaction. As Clive explores the Kingdoms of Valisthea, he can utilize Torgal's animal instincts to navigate to any location. By pressing 'L3', fans can direct Torgal to indicate the correct path, doorway, or object to move forward. Doing so causes Torgal to run toward the next objective, allowing Clive to find his way no matter the circumstance.
In addition to navigation, Final Fantasy 16's Torgal plays an important role in combat. In fact, Torgal is the only party member that Clive is capable of directing in battle. As fans utilize Clive's weapons and Eikonic abilities, they can direct Torgal to attack an enemy, stay back, or heal Clive. This additional combat mechanic is not mandatory, as the Ring of Timely Assistance allows Torgal to operate of his own accord.
Torgal's Mid-Game Reveal Takes 'Pet the Dog' to the Next Level
Midway through the title's narrative, Torgal's animal instincts see him evade capture by Hugo Kupka's soldiers at Rosalind Castle. Clive and Jill are taken into custody, with the latter being promptly prepared for execution. Just as the executioner's axe is set to strike, Torgal rushes towards him, emitting a blue aura, before launching high into the air. It is at this point that Torgal erupts into an explosion of energy, emerging as the Eikon Fenrir.
Upon returning to The Hideaway, Clive and Jill enlist its loremaster, Tomes, to determine the origin of Torgal's Eikonic abilities. He reveals that Torgal's abilities align with a folktale, in which a Frost Wolf companion serves as the primary guardian of a former Dominant of Shiva. This wolf, called Fenrir, could utilize magic on command, and Tomes believes that Torgal is the wolf's direct descendant.
Torgal has long shared a strong connection with Jill, who acted as his caregiver for much of their lives, and Tomes reveals that the nature of that connection is directly tied to her role as the Dominant of Shiva. When Jill's life nearly comes to an end, Torgal's latent instinct reawakens Fenrir, fulfilling his divine purpose. While Clive and Jill can still pet Torgal after this pivotal event, fans do so knowing that they are petting one of the title's Eikons and one of the Final Fantasy series' most powerful recurring entities.
Final Fantasy 16 is available now for PS5.
