On October 29,Square Enix andFinal Fantasy XVIProducer Naoki Yoshida explained the world and characters of thePS5JRPG, with theofficial sitefinally opening, and a short post onPlayStation Blog. New key visuals and illustrations were published as well. We detailed everything below.
Final Fantasy XVIis set in the world of Valisthea, a world blessed in the light of the Mothercrystals. They’re the usualFinal Fantasycrystals, but huuuuuge. They’re actual mountains towering across the realms for generations, and blessing them with Aether, the energy source of the world. Aether allows people to use Magicks which provides them comfortable lives.
The history of Valisthea is riddled with countless wars over the Mothercrystals. Six great powers have formed around each Mothercrystal, and an uneasy peace of long reigned between them, with occasional skirmishes. However, this peace is now threatened by the spread of the ruinous Blight. What the Blight actually is though, Square Enix and Naoki Yoshida didn’t elaborate yet.
Following next is an explanation of Eikons, such as that Phoenix seen in the reveal trailer. Eikons are the most powerful creatures in Valisthea, the world ofFinal Fantasy XVI. Naoki Yoshida explained Eikons are the usual classicFinal Fantasysummons. So far, Phoenix, Shiva, Titan and Ifrit, were revealed. However, he didn’t specify yet how many Eikons there will be in total.
Eikons reside in persons called Dominants, who are able to harness their power. Dominants are either revered leaders of the great powers, or feared and enslaved as tools of war. Sometimes even assassinated. Dominants cannot escape their fate. Plus, it looks like Dominants can also allow normal people to use part of their Eikon’s power.
There are six realms, or great powers, in Valisthea
Note that the names of the Eikons for the Dominants in Sanbreque and Waloed were purposefully hidden by Square Enix.
The Grand Duchy of Rosaria
Long ago, a group of small independent provinces in western Valisthea found strength in unity, and formed the Grand Duchy of Rosaria. After years of relative prosperity, the duchy now finds itself threatened by the spread of the Blight—a threat that, left unchecked, would doubtless usher the realm to ruin. Rosaria draws its aether from Drake’s Breath, a Mothercrystal situated on a volcanic island off the coast. The Dominant of the Phoenix, Eikon of Fire, is enthroned as Archduke when they come of age.
The Holy Empire of Sanbreque
Sanbreque is the largest theocratic force in Valisthea. The Empire’s holy capital Oriflamme is built around Drake’s Head, the Mothercrystal that blesses the surrounding provinces with abundant aether. The people happily take advantage of this, living in comfort and security under the watchful gaze of the Holy Emperor, whom they worship as the living incarnation of the one true deity. The Dominant of ****** serves as the empire’s champion, taking to the field in times of war to rout its enemies.
The Kingdom of Waloed
Waloed claims the entirety of Ash, the eastern half of Valisthea, as its dominion. The kingdom’s control of the continent has oft been tested by the orcs and other beastmen who make their home there, but the current ruler of the realm—Dominant of ****** —has succeeded in quelling their rebellions. Using the power of the kingdom’s Mothercrystal, Drake’s Spine, this new king has built up a mighty army, with which he now seeks to test the borders of his neighbors.
The Dhalmekian Republic
The Iron Kingdom
The Crystalline Dominion
Meet the main protagonist and main characters ofFinal Fantasy XVI
The main protagonist ofFinal Fantasy XVIis named Clive Rosfield
Following Clive, we have his little brother Joshua
Lastly, we have Jill Warrick, the childhood friend of Clive and Joshua
Final Fantasy XVIhasbeen in development for at least 4 years. Most of theFinal Fantasy 16development teamis currently working from home, and the scenario is done. Ryota Suzuki, who worked onDevil May Cry 5‘s battle system at Capcom,previously explainedhis role as Battle Director ofFinal Fantasy XVI.
Square Enix previouslypublished messagesfrom Naoki Yohida and Director Hiroshi Takai, and stated bigger information on the game is coming in 2021. Naoki Yoshida again stated in the new PlayStation Blog article that the next big announcement forFF16will be in 2021.
