The Final Fantasy series, despite a heavy dose of whimsy outside of story events, has never been afraid to explore heavy themes like war, subjugation, and death. Final Fantasy 16 looks to be moving the series into a place even darker than where it's gone before. Information released about one of the upcoming game's six realms points that the Iron Kingdom specifically might be one of the most oppressively somber places fans of the franchise have ever visited.
Details about FF16 are still scarce, as only one trailer exists. Most information fans have had to work with came from the game's official website which has laid out the basics about some of its characters and the various kingdoms. As one of the most anticipated games of the new generation, Final Fantasy 16 is already garnering a lot of speculation about where the story might go. One of the pivotal areas in the game is shaping up to be the Iron Kingdom, an isolationist and militant society that has a very different view on the nature, and necessary fate, of the Dominants.
Final Fantasy 16 seems to be moving the series in some new directions, despite some obvious parallels to be drawn with FF15, but it seems like the game will be using some familiar world-building styles in order to flip the decades-long history of Final Fantasy on its head. From what's been revealed on its official website the world of FF16, Valisthea, is structured around several powerful magical artifacts called Mothercrystals. In a theme all too familiar to Final Fantasy fans these crystals provide the magical energies that allow the denizens of Valisthea to utilize what's called aether in order to improve their lives and allows for the use of traditional Final Fantasy magic.
Each of these nations holds an individual called a Dominant, the mortal vehicle through the Eikons can manifest themselves. In another classic Final Fantasy trope, the Eikons are the next iteration of the summon creatures like Shiva, Ifrit, and Bahamut that are powerful magical creatures that are of varying importance to the story depending on which Final Fantasy game they're featured in. They seem to be taking a central role in FF16 much like they did in some of its predecessors like FF15 and FF9. It seems like most of the different nations hold the Dominants to a degree of esteem, either by fear or respect. But the Iron Kingdom sees the Dominants and their associated Eikons as a curse that must be eradicated. This fear and veritable crusade against the Dominants is evidently fueled by a twisted theocracy that holds control in the Iron Kingdom.
The Iron Kingdom in Final Fantasy 16
It seems Final Fantasy 16 will begin with a time jump fairly early after a climactic event that sees his brother Joshua releasing the Phoenix Eikon for a battle with Ifrit. Details about what happens exactly aren't yet known, but afterwards, it seems that Clive has taken up alliance with soldiers of the Iron Kingdom. The branding on his face matching the other soldiers he is depicted with bear resemblance to the Iron Kingdom banner, two crossed axes. It seems like, after those events, his brother Joshua is either dead or kidnapped, and Clive has taken up arms with the Iron Kingdom for some reason. The theocracy that rules the Iron Kingdom has deemed the Dominants as a scourge against the natural world and likely responsible for the Blight that is affecting Valisthea, although that feels unlikely in all actuality.
Called the Crystalline Orthodox, a theocracy rules over the Iron Kingdom. Their strength comes from holding control over one of the Mothercrystals called Drake's Breath. In the sociopolitical climate of Valisthea, this essentially equates to controlling both a vital natural resource and a nuclear weapon at the same time. The Orthodoxy has branded Dominants as abominations, and when one is born, they are set to be executed immediately. Final Fantasy has explored some dark themes in its past, but the summary execution of children based on a circumstance of their birth is something that reaches new heights. While Clive likely either doesn't know or doesn't condone this behavior, his classically Final Fantasy protagonist's attitude is probably ignoring the issue for some reason.
Overall, Final Fantasy 16 seems to be exploring trends that started with Versus 13 as Clive may look to end the "legacy of the crystals" as per the trailer. But in doing, so the Iron Kingdom represents both one of the darkest places Final Fantasy has gone before, and a seeming move towards taking the franchise as a whole in a new direction going forward. The Iron Kingdom seems to be an attempt to both create a unique setting for the series while also commenting on the worst possible outcome for many of the kingdoms that it created as bastions of righteousness throughout its history. The Final Fantasy series often creates lofty kingdoms that are theocratic in nature, but other than perhaps one corrupt leader or rogue military element are correct in their motives like Alexandria in FF19 or the Grand Duchy from spin-off series Bravely Default.
As fans look for any release date information about Final Fantasy 16, they are likely analyzing every piece of lore or backstory that's been provided. While speculation is most of what fans have to work with at this point, it seems obvious that some settings in FF16 are going to be more somber than some of what they've seen before. The Iron Kingdom looks to be a statement about where a corrupt theocracy can ultimately lead, and it's going to be interesting to see how allying himself with the nation will affect Clive. The new protagonist already seems to be tortured by his past, in proper Final Fantasy fashion, so joining forces with such a seemingly sinister place will likely define the events of Final Fantasy 16.
Final Fantasy 16 is in development for the PlayStation 5.
