Final Fantasy XVI State of Play Reveals New Gameplay Features

Written by Brandon Hofer on April 13, 2023

News: A little over two months away from release, Square Enix has given us a glimpse of what we can expect to find in the latest Final Fantasy game.

Earlier today Square Enix showed off some new gameplay for their highly anticipated title, Final Fantasy XVI. Developed as the first full action RPG in the series, Final Fantasy XVI is set in an epic dark fantasy world, where the fate of the land is decided by the mighty Eikons and the Dominants who wield them. Final Fantasy XVI follows the journey of warrior Clive Rosfield, who has been sworn to protect his younger brother Joshua, the Dominant of the Phoenix

The new footage reveals a host of details about the upcoming game, including:

New Hideaway Advisors – The Hideaway, which serves as protagonist Clive’s base, will give players the opportunity to discover more about the world of Valisthea, from past to present, by speaking to historian Harpocrates, as well as view the relationship chart of the characters by speaking to military scholar Vivian.

New Training Function – Players can battle in training mode by accessing the ‘Arete Stone’ in the Hideaway. This feature will be useful when wanting to practice a combination of abilities, particularly after learning a new skill.

New Hunts – More adventures can be accessed from the Hideaway as players can check the Wanted Posters to discover powerful monsters roaming around the world. Defeating these enemies will yield powerful rewards.

New Battle Footage – View newly released footage showcasing a variety of Clive's combat actions, Eikon battles and more.

Square Enix also announced that popular singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu, whose fame spans generations, and whose single ‘Lemon’ set a record in Japanese music history, has been confirmed to perform the theme song ‘Tsuki Wo Miteita – Moongazing.’

Yonezu said, “Words cannot express the impact Final Fantasy has had on my life. I never thought or imagined that I would ever receive an opportunity like this. I wrote this song especially for this game. Thank you.”

Naoki Yoshida, Producer of Final Fantasy XVI said, “When I found out that we’d be able to work with Mr. Yonezu, I was not only surprised, but overjoyed. I’m a big fan of Yonezu’s work, and I know that he has a passion for creating music that resonates across the generations, so I was sure that he’d be able to capture the world, the story, and the themes of Final Fantasy XVI. He’s not only an amazing artist, but also an avid gamer and a Final Fantasy fan, so please look forward to hearing his theme song!”

Final Fantasy XVI is rated “M” for Mature audiences. Check out the new gameplay below and then tell us what you think. Final Fantasy XVI will be released on June 22, 2023 on PlayStation 5. Will you be picking it up?