Fast Links
Final Fantasy franchise has for years enthralled gamers such as myself, but even mega fans would struggle to argue the stories are often convoluted and tricky to understand. No doubt, previous entries have struggled to strike the right chord with their storytelling. Final Fantasy 16, however, is different. Square Enix has taken great strides to make the narrative more accessible, and I’m absolutely here for it. Armed with clever new mechanics, players can dive into its rich lore without feeling overwhelmed; with features like Active Time Lore, Thousand Tomes, and State of the Realm, Square Enix has crafted an immersive experience that combines the depth of its world with a lighthearted and engaging tone.
Active Time Lore: Wait, Who’s That Again?
One of the standout features of Final Fantasy 16 is Active Time Lore. As the story unfolds and gorgeous cutscenes occur, players can delve deeper into the game’s lore.
Don’t know who these two mighty beasts having a legendary showdown are? No problem! With a button press, players can access a concise one-page bite of information that sheds light on who they are. Okay, sometimes you have to scroll a bit. But all entries are short and exciting, promise.
Active Time Lore ensures that players never feel lost or confused. But at the same time, it allows them to stay immersed in the story while expanding their knowledge of the game’s world. For instance, when a character named Mid suddenly stormed into my Hideaway, I genuinely had no idea who this blonde engineer was. Still, thanks to this feature, I didn’t have to sit through a long cutscene staring at my screen, puzzled. Active Time Lore quickly reminded me that this was Cid’s daughter so I could return to my cutscene-watching shenanigans.
We’ve all heard how Game of Thrones inspires Final Fantasy 16. For those who’ve watched the show, I’m sure you’ve thought, “Who is this old guy, again?” many times. Final Fantasy 16 takes advantage of the fact that it’s a game to sneak in features that remind the player who each character is and their role in the story in a brief card. It’s something that other story-heavy games could implement in the future, so casual players don’t get lost in the story.
Thousand Tomes: A Feature for For Lore-Obsessed Players
To further make the story accessible in Final Fantasy 16, Square Enix introduces Thousand Tomes. This is a personified, comprehensive database of all the lore and story entries. Tomes is an elderly erudite that resides at the games’ Hideout. By sharing their experiences with Tomes, he’ll shed light on all the Active Time Lore cards available during the adventure.
This invaluable resource is a repository for players to explore at their leisure. But it also cleverly highlights which entries are most relevant to the current point in the story. You can easily access the information they need without getting bogged down in an overwhelming sea of lore. It’s like having a personal guide who knows exactly what you need to know, precisely when you need it.
I ran past old Tomes in Cid’s Hideout, totally oblivious, but I realized his importance when he got an upgraded room in the game’s late Hideout. Most games would pile up lore entries you pick up in your journey in some pause menu; think about how often you’ve picked up an audio cassette in Bioshock Infinite or a written note in The Last of Us, which is meant to contribute to the game’s worldbuilding. Still, once you finished listening to it or reading it, this piece is stored away and unlikely to be accessed again.
If I’m completely honest, I’m not one to open my inventory to check for anything that isn’t loot. Final Fantasy 16 solves the issue by creating a compelling character who weaves the lore into the actual gameplay, so you’re not taken out of the gameplay experience while you learn.
State of the Realm: An Interactive, Thoroughly Designed Slideshow
However, the crown jewel of accessible features in Final Fantasy 16 is undeniably State of the Realm. This meticulously designed feature takes world-building to new heights, allowing players to navigate the intricate tapestry of characters, locations, and events effortlessly.
State of the Realm allows players to explore every character’s backstory, compellingly unveiling their motivations and histories. From the humble beginnings of a young hero to the rise and fall of mighty empires, players can witness the epic scope of Final Fantasy 16‘s world unfold.
But the State of the Realm doesn’t stop there. It offers a dynamic timeline that players can manipulate, shifting through the annals of history to observe the progress of the game’s universe in real-time.
This interactive feature breathes life into the world, giving players a sense of agency as they witness the consequences of their actions reverberate throughout the ages. Whether it’s a heroic triumph or a devastating tragedy, State of the Realm immerses players in the rich tapestry of Final Fantasy 16‘s narrative, allowing them to forge a deeper connection with its characters and lore.
What it All Comes Down To
Square Enix’s commitment to ensuring the story in Final Fantasy 16 is accessible is commendable. Introducing Active Time Lore, Thousand Tomes, and State of the Realm has provided players with invaluable tools to engage with the game’s story on their terms. One no longer has to feel overwhelmed or left in the dark by intricate lore or convoluted plotlines.
Sure, Final Fantasy 16 represents a significant leap forward for the franchise regarding gameplay and graphics. But, what stands out to me is how Square Enix finally nailed the accessibility of its storytelling. It feels like a progression from a publisher which has learned from past missteps. Look, I love Final Fantasy as much as everyone else, but it’s plain that these games’ fantastic RPG features haven’t always had the most robust and accessible narratives to support them.
I’m sure if Final Fantasy 13 had an Active Time Lore feature to help me better understand what on earth a Fal’Cie or L’Cie was, I wouldn’t have been so lost. If Final Fantasy 15 filled the gaps between the Kingslaive movie and the game with something like State of the Realm, maybe I would know who these three guys following me around are.
Luckily, Square Enix has honed its craft to create a captivating and approachable experience with Final Fantasy 16. That doesn’t mean the game is perfect by any means, but it does suggest to me the publisher is taking forward steps toward solving persistent issues that have plagued the franchise for years. Here’s hoping future Final Fantasy games carry the torch for these accessible features. Moreover, they’re features that other developers take heed of and iterate on to introduce in other RPGs down the line.
Final Fantasy 16 is available on PlayStation 5.