Highlights

  • Final Fantasy 16 focused on a single protagonist, Clive, breaking from the traditional party-based gameplay.
  • The Rising Tide DLC along with the main campaign provided a satisfying conclusion to Clive's story, leaving room for future content based on other characters.
  • Possible future Final Fantasy 16 content could explore characters like Cid, Joshua, Jill, Dion, or Barnabas.

Final Fantasy 16 was the true next generational FF experience in a multitude of ways. By switching up the design and core mechanics, while setting it in a darker and gritter medieval-styled world versus the more sci-fi and steampunk-inspired ones seen in some of the preceding entries in the long-running RPG series, Square Enix veered away from prior and expected conventions. Despite the risk involved in this and some initial fan uncertainty, Final Fantasy 16 remained true to its spirit and provided players with an epic, emotional, and enjoyable experience.

One of the noticeable shifts was Final Fantasy 16 focusing on a single protagonist, Clive Rosenfield. This was in sharp contrast to the often seen party-based and multiple cast framework and gameplay. Though he was joined by a circle of staunchly supportive friends and family, FF 16 was Clive's story first and foremost. With two DLCs following its release, most recently The Rising Tides, and the ending depicted in the main campaign, if there is more content coming, it should pivot to other characters instead of Clive.

Although The Rising Tide is ostensibly the final piece of extra content, and the dev team has since moved on, comments made by producer Naoki "Yoshi-P" Yoshida seem to leave open the possibility for more Final Fantasy 16 expansions .

FF 16 Clive near Dzemekys Falls
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Potential Future Final Fantasy 16 Content Should Focus on Characters Other Than Clive

Clive's Story in Final Fantasy 16

After a grueling series of early adventures, Clive eventually meets and joins vigilante Cidolfus Telamon aka Cid's band of refugees, who are working to break the cycle of the established social hierarchy and its oppressive conventions by casting off the shackles that reliance and use of the Mothercrystals' magic has placed upon the land of Valisthea. Cid is killed during a daring attempt to realize this dream, and passes the mantle of leadership to Clive, who then takes it upon himself to see it through, embarking on numerous trials and tribulations while attempting to keep the close-knit group of rebels and web of collaborators organized and in high morale, as events and the world spiral into chaos.

The aforementioned Rising Tide narratively occurs towards the final stretch of the group's quest to stop the god Ultima's master scheme, solving a mystery introduced in the main plot and granting Clive Leviathan's Eikonic powers. After finally confronting and defeating Ultima, Clive washes up exhausted and drained on the shore, his fate left ambiguous, making it something of a bittersweet victory for the sweeping tale, but one befitting its tone. Given that, it would probably be best not to retcon or change anything, as it stands as a satisfying conclusion to his arc.

Other Characters Possible Final Fantasy 16 Content Could Feature

Perhaps one of the most in demand characters fans wish to see return is Final Fantasy 16's version of Cid. Among the many variations and personalities of characters named such in franchise history, FF 16's Cid is charismatic, noble, and moral but with a rogueishly cynical streak. Cid's righteous mission to challenge the status quo and free the burdened populace would make for an excellent framework. Following Cid's life prior to meeting Clive might be a great way of doing so without having to alter established events.

The alternate obvious choices would be: Joshua, Clive's long-lost and presumed deceased brother, who is eventually found alive and well, reuniting and lending his knowledge and strength to Clive's cause, or Jill Warrick, Clive's childhood friend who was at his side throughout the arduous journey. Either would make for intriguing expanded narrative threads. There are more options, like foe-turned-ally Dion Lesage, or Barnabas Tharmr, whose complicated history and personal struggles would make a story based around him incredibly interesting too.

The series also has a history of producing spin-offs and related material in other media. Thus, while it's possible no future DLCs are forthcoming, Square Enix could go in the direction of works like The Spirits Within or Advent Children. If Final Fantasy 16 ever does receive additional content in any form, though, there are many solid reasons for it to be centered around characters other than Clive, giving them more of a chance to shine.