Gaming

Final Fantasy XVI: Everything we know so far

Eikon. Battles.

Published

on

Anticipation for Final Fantasy XVI (FF16) is at an all-time high following the Sony PlayStation State Of Play presentation showcasing many things about the game. Producer Naoki Yoshida, more commonly known as Yoshi-P, shared details on combat, exploration, and more. 

Here, we’ll touch on some of the things that were revealed along with pre-order and pricing details across Asia. 

Devil May Cry-like Combat 

Final Fantasy XVI is the franchise’s first mainline game that features a fully Action-RPG combat. An early hands-on with select media revealed that FF16’s combat director, Ryota Suzuki, worked on Devil May Cry 5. So, it comes as no surprise that the game’s flashy combat seems reminiscent of DMC

The showcase featured FF16 protagonist Clive darting around and performing melee attacks as well as casting spells. All Final Fantasy staples, but now in full Action-RPG style. They also have an interesting approach to combat style and difficulty. There’s Story Focused that automatically equips Clive with items that automate certain things in combat. Then, for more experienced gamers, there’s Action Focused which lets you experience the new style in full. 

Unlike previous Final Fantasy games, you won’t be controlling a party. You’re stuck with Clive the whole way through, but the skill tree offers many customization options to fit your play style. 

Eikon Battles

Perhaps the most attention-grabbing detail are the Eikon battles. Eikons are what the summons are called in FF16. Yoshi-P said these titanic clashes offer a different gameplay each time. True enough, we’ve seen one that looks like a straight-up 1v1 versus fighting clash and another that looks like a shoot’em up. 

Throughout the game, Clive will gain access to multiple Eikons. We’re excited to see and experience all these Kaiju-like battles. 

Exploration and side quests

While not an open world game, FF16 will offer vast areas that are ripe for exploration. After progressing a few hours into the game, Clive will have access to a hideout. Here, he’ll have plenty of NPC encounters and RPG staples like item shops and side quests called Mob Hunts. Mob Hunts are on a billboard with a Moogle stationed nearby. 

If you want to learn more about Valisthea (the game’s setting), there’s also a couple of key characters in the hideout who can tell you more about the place. Lorseman Harpocrates and Vivian Ninetales will fill you in on stories, tales, and lores about Valisthea. Make sure you speak to them each time you visit the hideout. 

Flashback storytelling

Final Fantasy XVI

Gamers will experience the story of FF16 through the eyes of Clive. The game starts with him in his 30s — a first for a mainline Final Fantasy title. But the story will feature playable flashbacks to Clive’s teens and 20s, showcasing what made him what he is in the present time.

FF16 is set in Valisthea — a land blessed with an abundance of Mothercrystals. These are glittering mountains of crystal that tower over the realms around them, blessing them with aether.

Aether lets people conjure magic that let them live lives of comfort and plenty. They’re a sought-after resource. The world is generally at peace. However, the spread of the Blight threatens that very peace.

Valisthea is composed of six realms. They are: The Grand Duchy of Rosaria, The Holy Empire of Sanbreque, The Kingdom of Waloed, The Dhalmekian Republic, The Iron Kingdom, and The Crystalline Dominion.

Watch the entire FF16 State of Play Showcase 

Price, availability, pre-order details 

US pre-order details were already revealed previously. In Southeast Asia, pre-order officially begins on April 20, 2023. All Asia physical edition pre-orders (Standard, Deluxe and Collector’s Edition) will receive a B5 Notebook. 

For specific details on physical pre-order mechanics, users can check with local retailers.

Digital Pre-Order is available on the PlayStation Store. PS Store pre-orders will receive the Scholar‘s Spectacles (EXP up Accessory) DLC.

Additionally, physical and digital will receive the following pre-order bonuses: 

  • Braveheart (Weapon) DLC
  • Cait Sith Charm (Gil Boost Accessory) DLC

Collector’s Edition (SGD 489 / RM 1,599 / Rp. 5,299,000 / THB 12,990 / PHP 19,990 / VND 8,899,000)

  • Box — A beautiful metallic-sheen box featuring impressive artwork by legendary FINAL FANTASY series illustrator, Yoshitaka Amano
  • “FINAL FANTASY XVI” Game — Base game package, including reversible cover art
  • Premium Statue – Phoenix vs Ifrit — A premium statue depicting a battle between two eikons – Phoenix and Ifrit
  • Metal Eikon Pin Collection — A premium metal pin collection featuring eight eikons
  • Special Clive Rosfield SteelBook® Case — A SteelBook case featuring artwork of Clive Rosfield, the protagonist
  • Cloth World Map of Valisthea — A cloth map of Valisthea where the story unfolds • Blood Sword (Weapon) DLC — The fabled scarlet steel of Firion, hero of Final Fantasy II.

Deluxe Edition Blu-ray Disc — SGD 139 / RM 429 / Rp 1,499,000 / THB 3,390 / PHP 4,990 / VND 2,499,000

Deluxe Edition Digital — SGD 123 / RM 379 / Rp 1,329,000 / THB 2,890

  • Base game package, including reversible cover art
  • Cloth World Map of Valisthea
  • Special Clive Rosfield SteelBook® Case
  • Early purchase bonus: Braveheart (Weapon) DLC and Cait Sith’s Charm (Gil Boost Accessory) DLC

Standard Edition (Blu-ray Disc Version / Digital Version) — SGD 97.9 / RM 299 / Rp 1,029,000 / THB 2,290 / PHP 3,490 / VND 1,799,000

Final Fantasy XVI will release exclusively for the PlayStation 5 on June 22.

Gaming

Project Helix is Xbox’s next console, and it plays PC games

It might be as powerful as a modern PC.

Published

on

Among all the platforms in today’s generation of consoles, the Xbox has to be biggest loser. Compared to the PlayStation 5 and the Switch 2, the Xbox Series X|S isn’t as memorable. To rectify its position in the rankings, Xbox is heavily teasing its next console codenamed Project Helix.

As was hinted before, Xbox is trying something different with its next-generation console. Rather than just a simple iteration over the current-generation console, the upcoming one will reportedly double as a PC. Today, the company itself has confirmed that this is the case for Project Helix.

Through a post on X, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma said that the console will “lead in performance and play your Xbox and PC games.”

There are two things to unpack here. Firstly, Project Helix will aim to bridge the perilous divide between console players and PC players. Unlike the past, there will be a way to play both platforms on both devices… except for games exclusive to the PlayStation and the Switch, that is.

Secondly, a “lead in performance” seems to indicate that this isn’t just a mini-PC. Most recently, Valve announced the Steam Machine. Though it offers a convenient way to play Steam games in one device, it doesn’t have the best specs. Project Helix, if Sharma’s words are to be believed, might be as powerful as a modern PC.

Xbox won’t wait long before revealing more details about the console. Sharma, who only recently started her post as CEO, will be at next week’s Game Developers Conference to explain Project Helix more.

SEE ALSO: AMD teases next-gen Xbox coming in 2027

Continue Reading

Gaming

Ubisoft confirms Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag remake

It’s officially called Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced.

Published

on

If you ask an Assassin’s Creed fan what their favorite game of the series is, Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag will likely be one of the top contenders. Because of its reputation, gamers are constantly asking for a remake of the popular pirate simulator. Now, the dream is finally here. Ubisoft has confirmed that a remake, called Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced, is coming.

Released in 2013, Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag saw the journey of Edward Kenway, a vagabond pirate haplessly thrust into life as part of the Assassin Brotherhood against his will. The critically acclaimed game was something that all gamers have been clamoring for since Sid Meier’s Pirates: a true pirate simulator. It was no surprise that the game got as popular as it did.

Today, through an official roadmap shared by the company, Ubisoft has confirmed that Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag Resynced is real, and it might launch later this year. The company also released the first concept art for the remake.

Currently, there’s no official word as to how Ubisoft is remaking the game. At the very least, we can expect significant graphical upgrades to put it up to par with the modern games. We wouldn’t be opposed to more stories and missions too.

Now, though the Black Flag remake is already a big deal, the same roadmap also emphasizes that Codename Hexe, the next mainline title, is still coming. Ubisoft hasn’t confirmed the actual timeline yet, but the game will depict “a pivotal moment in history.” With post-launch development for the ongoing Shadows winding down, efforts to launch Codename Hexe should be ramping up soon.

SEE ALSO: Assassin’s Creed Shadows gets Attack on Titan-themed content

Continue Reading

Gaming

PlayStation will stop releasing its games on PC

A new reports suggests that Sony is going back to console exclusives.

Published

on

PC-only gamers have been eating well for the past few years. The formerly exclusive PlayStation library opened its gates and released worthy ports for PC. Unfortunately, Sony is putting an end to this short-lived era of openness to PC gamers. According to a new report, the company is once again making first-party PlayStation games exclusive to the console.

During the pandemic, Sony started releasing its critically acclaimed first-party games on PC. The new wave saw gamers get the ability to play titles such as Horizon Zero Dawn, The Last of Us, Marvel’s Spider-Man, and God of War on another platform. Even now, players are still eagerly awaiting the PC launch of Death Stranding 2, due out later this year.

However, as reported by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, Sony has just had a change of heart and will no longer release any more games on the PC, beyond those already confirmed for future launches.

This will mean that last year’s Ghost of Yotei and the upcoming Saros will remain PlayStation exclusives for the foreseeable future.

It’s a big change to Sony’s direction. However, it’s not without its precedents. For one, Microsoft has started to compete in the non-exclusive market. The company is already set to launch Fable and Forza Horizon 6 on other platforms, including PC and PlayStation, concurrently with the Xbox launch. To compare, PlayStation still waits a long time before launching exclusive games on PC.

Also, now that rumors have begun to speak of a fabled PlayStation 6, Sony might want to keep things close to its chest for now. After all, selling the console might be its top priority for now.

SEE ALSO: PlayStation 6 reportedly delayed to 2029 because of RAM shortage

Continue Reading

Trending