Final Fantasy 16’s story features a myriad of twists and turns, but one of its biggest is undermined long before its explosive cinematic reveal.
Warning: This article contains major spoilers for Final Fantasy 16. Proceed at your own risk.Final Fantasy 16 was released this week, delivering one of the darkest and most mature RPG titles in recent memory. The title takes the series in a myriad of new directions, including a complex narrative that spans decades of traumatic loss amidst war-torn nations. Final Fantasy 16’s narrative takes more than a few pages out of Game of Thrones, which is cited as a major influence for its darker tone. Like Game of Thrones, the title features multiple jarring plot twists, as nations use any means possible to gain control of the Crystals, from which the world of Final Fantasy 16 derives its magic. However, Final Fantasy 16 undermines one of its biggest plot twists, spoiling a reveal that has major implications for its protagonist.
Final Fantasy 16 tells the story of Clive Rosfield, the firstborn son to the King of the Grand Duchy of Rosaria. In the world of Final Fantasy 16, individuals called Dominants share a deep connection with the series’ summons, called Eikons, and can wield their power. However, Rosaria’s Eikon does not choose Clive, instead manifesting in his younger brother, Joshua. Clive is still gifted with some of the Phoenix’s power, and becomes Joshua’s main guard, or Shield. Unfortunately, Rosaria and its Dominant are attacked while Joshua and Clive are still young, and the latter watches first-hand as his brother is killed by a mysterious second Eikon of Fire, Ifrit.
