Though a recent State of Play presentation gave away some new details about the project, there are still a lot of question marks around Final Fantasy 16. It's a game that has been a long time coming, and will hope to take advantage of the people who came to the franchise with Final Fantasy 7's remake. FF16's setting, Valisthea, has to impress after players whetted their appetite in Midgar in 2020, and while it will take a different approach with its structure, there seem to be plenty of similarities between Final Fantasy 16's setting and another popular PlayStation exclusive.
God of War Ragnarok reaffirmed that Kratos' journey in Norse myth is one of PlayStation's best offerings. It improved and expanded upon the first in all the right ways, answering the questions that fans were left with, and became an instant must-have for owners of Sony's flagship consoles. The PS5 specifically is littered with great exclusives, and Final Fantasy 16 will hope to join that list. It seems to be making the right strides, as the diversity of its environments and the variety in its art design is comparable to Santa Monica's magnum opus.
Final Fantasy 16's Setting Is Dripping With History and Atmosphere
In a story that seems to be very reliant on political turmoil and personal struggles, it's fitting that the world in which Final Fantasy 16 takes place is oozing with a dense atmosphere and fascinating locations. From impressive building interiors that give off a gothic vibe to luscious green landscapes or rocky outcroppings that look akin to the Grand Canyon, each frame of promotional material looks massively different from the last.
It's nothing that the series hasn't done before, with the likes of Final Fantasy 6 and even Final Fantasy 14 doing well to bring environmental diversity to the franchise. However, God of War Ragnarok is the most recent example of this being done to great effect in a somewhat linear experience. Clive's story is a long one, potentially taking 75-80 hours to do everything in the game, so it's imperative that it stays looking fresh and interesting for as long as possible.
God Of War Ragnarok's Realms Were Diverse and Memorable
The Lake of Nine was a compelling hub world in the first God of War game and did well to give players a sense of home as they traverse some of the realms on offer. The 2022 follow-up shed light on some of the lands that were previously shrouded in mystery like Vanaheim, Svartalfheim, and Asgard. It did well to make each place feel truly unique but also in keeping with the linear story being told, which is a feat that deserves so much praise. Kratos is constantly a fish out of the water, and systematically traveling to each new area keeps the experience from feeling too stale at any given time.
That's something that Final Fantasy 16 has to replicate, and the State of Play presentation was a strong indicator that it will achieve just that. With six nations making up the land of Valisthea, each seeming to be something different and interesting, it has the potential to impress at every turn. The Hideaway may be similar to God of War's Lake of Nine, serving as a resting spot before exploring each new zone. Leaning on this philosophy as God of War's Norse saga has done would put the upcoming Square Enix game in the best position to succeed, as the diversity of environments can elevate a story to new heights.
Final Fantasy 16 launches June 22 for PS5.
