Final Fantasy 16's release is just around the corner, but it's already given gamers ideas for features they might like to see in other upcoming RPGs like BioWare's Dragon Age: Dreadwolf and Mass Effect 4. With BioWare's next huge releases still deep in development, players don't know yet when they'll be able to add them to their own libraries, but that doesn't mean they aren't already thinking about what the next chapters in the beloved franchises could contain. With other major titles already gaining lots of positive attention like Final Fantasy 16, the developer could afford to give a closer look to the elements that are receiving praise from the playerbase.
The recent demo for Final Fantasy 16 has given fans the chance to get hands-on with the title and experience up to two hours of gameplay, showing off elements such as the game's energetic combat, compelling characters, and heavily praised Active Time Lore system. The latter is something in particular that players have pointed to as the perfect addition to any story-focused role-playing title and is a feature many believe should become a genre staple. With that being the case, it's certainly something that Dragon Age: Dreadwolf and Mass Effect 4 could benefit from.
Final Fantasy 16's Active Time Lore
Final Fantasy 16's Active Time Lore system is simple but effective. In games like the latest Final Fantasy where world-building is crucial and keeping track of the varied cast of characters, factions, and narrative threads is key to both enjoying and potentially shaping the story, having some kind of feature to help with this makes a huge difference. Many different role-playing games have had their own answers to this problem in the past, but the Active Time Lore system is a much more streamlined, intuitive, and useful method that essentially revolutionizes this part of gaming.
With as many cinematic moments and cutscenes as Final Fantasy 16 has, it can be overwhelming for players to remember who's who or what the significance of the event they're witnessing is. The Active Time Lore system lets them briefly pause to read some helpful notes regarding the key characters, locations, or politics involved in the scene for much-needed context. Players can open up the Active Time Lore system either during gameplay, combat, or a variety of animations, and it will adapt to what's currently onscreen to give gamers the most relevant information. In a world where even the most dedicated of fans can leave in-game glossaries unread, Final Fantasy 16's solution feels groundbreaking as well as incredibly straightforward and easy to navigate.
How Mass Effect And Dragon Age Could Use It
As Mass Effect 4 and Dragon Age: Dreadwolf will probably aim to blend their action and storytelling more seamlessly than their predecessors, adding in something like Final Fantasy 16's Active Time Lore system would be a great solution. Given the way that both entries will be new chapters in long-running franchises and may either re-introduce expansive worlds or let newcomers experience them for the first time, context for the events of the current game could be vital to understanding the stakes. Newcomers don't want to feel isolated, and even veteran fans may need a reminder every now and again.
Not only would a tool like Final Fantasy 16's Active Time Lore system be incredibly useful, but it will also help players to stay engaged with what's happening within each game. It will allow developers to become more ambitious with their worldbuilding and narrative scopes without fearing that gamers will be alienated or overwhelmed. With the expectations piling up for both Mass Effect 4 and Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, this could be just what those series need.
Mass Effect 4 and Dragon Age: Dreadwolf are in development.