Square Enix’s first showing ofFinal Fantasy 16has only given fans a glimpse of the next installment in the long running series, but some of these hints might show more about what the developer has planned. One of these details is the introduction of theEikons,Final Fantasy 16’s summons, which could indicate that this next evolution of the classic mechanic may be finally giving players a whole new level of control.
The new summons have quickly become some of the most notable imagery to come out of what Square Enix has shown ofFinal Fantasy 16so far. Specifically speaking, it’s the way that the summons seem to be both an integral part of the story, as well as the combat, with players seemingly even given the chance to control these Eikons.
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Final Fantasy 16’s New Combat
At the moment, the exact way thatFinal Fantasy 16’s combatwill look and feel is mostly up to speculation, as only a few quick clips of gameplay were revealed at the initial showcase. However, from what has been shown, players can assume a few things about what Square Enix is planning for this new title, including modern action combat similar toFinal Fantasy 15and7 Remake. One mechanic that appears to have been slipped into the gameplay footage is the use of what may be special attacks or a temporary enhancement that utilizes the power of these Eikons against enemies.
The theories of the way that Eikons can affect combat come mostly from the appearance ofclassic summons like Phoenix inFinal Fantasy 16, followed by a short clip of the main character attacking with flaming orange wings extending from his body. Beyond the infusion of the Eikons' powers into attacks, the trailer also shows off two more classic summons, Shiva and Titan, fighting each other on a massive scale. This is where some players have begun to wonder if Square Enix is looking to take the summoning mechanic fromFinal Fantasy 15and give the player more agency in how these powerful entities are used.
Player Control of FF16 Summons
Summon mechanics have evolved in a huge way since they were first introduced inFinal Fantasy 3, starting out as single use attacks that cost a large amount of MP to deal massive damage to all enemies. This changed inFinal Fantasy 10, when the mechanic shifted from being cast like a spell to giving players control of a new, separate character with unique combat abilities only available to the game’s Aeons. Since then, asFinal Fantasy’s combattrends further away from the older turn-based systems to a more action-heavy style, the summons have become temporary companions that players can order to attack, but don’t have complete control of.
Final Fantasy 16now has an incredible chance to finally give players control over these summons, both as the smaller Phoenix enhanced attacks, alongside giving more direct control of massive Eikons like Shiva and Titan. WhileFinal Fantasy 15’s summonswere an incredible sight when Ramuh or Leviathan first appeared and obliterated every enemy in sight, the spectacle eventually wore off thanks to the lack of control in both when they were available and what they did. So, with the nextFinal Fantasypreparing for a next-gen release, Square Enix now has the chance to push the summon system to new heights, quite literally in the case of some of these Eikons.
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Next-Gen Capabilities and FF16
One of the most impressive ways that Sony has shown off the capabilities of the PS5 is with theRatchet & Clank: Rift Apartdemo that shows off how the new system can seamlessly load completely new areas in almost no time at all. Square Enix has similarly shown that it can attain a similar effect for exploration with the open-world ofProject Athiabeing developed under the Luminous Engine for next-gen consoles. With development preparingFinal Fantasy 16as a PS5 exclusiveof some sorts, this open-world style could extend not only to exploration, but also for transitioning combat from the ground floor to high in the air with the Eikons.
Previous titles likeFinal Fantasy 15obviously had limitations from the systems that the game originally launched on, meaning that players were never able to take full control of the summons. However, next-gen consoles are being marketed on pushing the limits of gaming technology, and as a result, Square Enix now has a chance to build on previous games and keep the next title familiar while making sureFinal Fantasy 16isn’t too similar toFinal Fantasy 15and can instead stand on its own.
Final Fantasy 16’s Roots
As had previously been the case for the series when work began onFinal Fantasy 9, Square Enix is often aware of the need to continue to hold onto the fantasy roots of the earlier games. While titles likeFinal Fantasy 7built intricate, sci-fi worlds, every few games in the series have maintained the legacy of medieval fantasy that made the first six games so iconic. This call back toFinal Fantasy’s rootsis apparent inFinal Fantasy 16and has previously been hugely successful for more recent titles likeFinal Fantasy 14and the newCrystal Chroniclesremaster.
In this same way that looking back has continued to help the series move forward, seeing the successes ofFinal Fantasy 10’s summoning mechanic and the set backs withinFinal Fantasy 15’s similar feature can show Square Enix the best path for the future. So, finally giving players the ability to control the summons the way that Aeons were commanded in battle like any other character could be exactly whatFinal Fantasy 16needs to get the most out of the Eikons. It may often be the case that players don’t entirely know what they want, but considering the success ofFinal Fantasy 10,granting player wishes inFinal Fantasy 16could be for the best. After all, large-scale battles would be a definitively powerful next-gen experience, however rare it actually occured.
Final Fantasy 16is in development for PS5.
MORE:Final Fantasy 16 Continues the Series Legacy in an Important Way
