As a series, Final Fantasy has gone through many changes over the years as the technology behind video games has substantially improved. Even the gameplay has changed quite a bit with each main entry in the series. What once started as a simple 2D turn-based RPG is now a series with intense action RPG combat and cutting edge graphics.
Final Fantasy 16 continues this trend and has a significantly larger focus on action then ever before. Fortunately, the opening of Final Fantasy 16 helps ease players into this more action focused experience by providing several helpful tutorials during the "Sunrise, Sunset" mission.
Eikon Fight
After players have started a new game, chosen a difficulty to play on, and have made any adjustments to the settings as needed, a cutscene will play. Not long after this, players will get to control Phoenix as it fights Ifrit. This fight is pretty simple, as all players have to do is keep firing at Ifrit while using 'R1' to evade. The key to dodging attacks is to wait for when Ifrit begins to glow brightly. If timed correctly, players will dodge Ifrit's attack.
Movement Tutorial
This is a brief fight, and it could be considered less a battle and more of an interactive cutscene. This is followed up by another cutscene where players are introduced to the main character and protagonist of Final Fantasy 16, Clive Rosfield.
At this point, players will undergo the tutorial for basic movement controls. The left strick controls movement while the right stick can be used to move the camera and look around the environment. Players are also introduced to other controls like how to pause and how to open the main menu. Continue along the path ahead to trigger a lengthier cutscene.
Cutscenes can be paused anytime, so players don't have to worry about missing anything if they have to get up for any reason.
After the cutscene, continue to follow the path. During this introduction, there are no items to obtain. Up ahead there will be a ledge that players will need to climb up by pressing the 'X' button. Slide down the slope to trigger another cutscene. Continue running down the path and another cutscene will play.
Combat Tutorial
From here, the story jumps back 13 years earlier. Playing as a younger Clive, players undergo a tutorial about combat. From attacking to using magic and dodging, players will learn all the basics of combat. This also includes important things like how to heal any damage that is taken. At point, they will undergo their first battle against the Lord Commander. Once the battle is finished, several cutscenes will play.
While a cutscene is paused, players can use the Active Time Lore function to learn more about characters in a cutscene along with other details that may not be mentioned during the cutscene.
Go to the Throne Room
After the cutscenes end, follow the red waypoint on the screen to reach the throne room. Before doing so, go left toward the tent and touch the glowing object to receive a Potion. Continue moving toward the stairs to trigger a cutscene and then proceed toward the door.
Before going through the door, take a left and go up the wood stairs. On the other side of the balcony is a High Potion. When ready, go through the door and enter the garden. On the right edge of the garden is a Potion. To listen to some optional dialogue, speak with Joshua first before entering the throne room.
Throughout Final Fantasy 16, players will encounter an object that takes more effort to open or operate. This basically requires players to press 'X' and then hold/push 'R2' to use the object. This is the case with the heavy door that leads to the throne room. Go through the door to trigger a cutscene. After that, go up the stairs to the right of the throne. Upon entering the room upstairs several cutscenes will play and the first main story quest will end.
Final Fantasy 16 releases on June 22nd for the PS5.
