Summary
Final Fantasy 16makes no apologies with its approach to gameplay and level design. The lack of an open world may have been disappointing to some prior to its release, but Square Enix used the semi-linearity to place higher emphasis on storytelling and pacing rather than exploration and player-generated amusement. What resulted was a game that effortlessly blends the best of the series, and adds a modern,Devil May Cry-esque twistto make confrontations with enemies, both new and old, constantly engaging.
However, that desire for a more traditional format wasn’t extinguished entirely, as the old way of doing things certainly has its benefits. Having a party where each character brings something new, be it with their abilities or personality, makes for a diverse experience, andFinal Fantasy 16has someone waiting in the wings who could, and probably should, have done more through the story. Their place in Clive’s quest is essential, but they don’t feature in the story enough, and not in the combat at all, as Tarja’s role as a healer in the Hideaway would have been very useful out in the field.
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Tarja is Interesting, But Underused by FF16
Clive has plenty of allies in the Hideaway, from the grumpy, but heart-of-gold Charon, to the uplifting and innocent Goetz. The space is full of personalities that make the space feel truly homely, and Tarja is introduced early on as a straight-talking, but very efficient and loyal friend. It’s clear that she has a history with Cid, andbeing a Bearer inFF16, it’s likely that her journey up to this point would have been tumultuous.
It would have been a delight to learn more about her, and save forthe ‘Letting Off Steam’ mission inFF16, the player doesn’t get much quality time with her. That quest is short, but very sweet, and if Clive chooses to go with Tarja, she’ll open up about her relationship with Cid, and note her surprise that it’s been five years since he met his fate. It’s a charming moment that players won’t necessarily see, meaning Tarja can be even more overlooked, despite having character nuances and physical capabilities that would make her a compelling secondary character instead of just another person in the Hideaway.
Final Fantasy Has Always Relied on Healers
ThoughFinal Fantasy 16puts less emphasis on party management as players exclusively assume the role of Clive Rosfield, the series' history is quite a bit different. In the Active Time Battles era, the combat was more about making sure that each character was doing their job to make sure the battle was as smooth as possible, either by dealing damage, stealing items, or healing the party. Later games emphasize the offensive abilities of the protagonist, whether they’re theWarrior of Light inFinal Fantasy 14, Noctis, or Clive, and in doing so it strips some of the strategy away.
Having a competent healer or white mage in the party likeAerith inFinal Fantasy 7or Garnet inFinal Fantasy 9makes anyFinal Fantasygame that much more manageable, as they serve as a linchpin that ensures the party doesn’t get too badly injured in between their attacks. InFinal Fantasy 16the player has potions they can use as well as their limit break to slowly regenerate health, but when Tarja is closely connected to Clive and Cid’s cause, it can feel like a misstep to not have her as a substantial party member.
Final Fantasy 16is available now on PS5. A PC version is currently in development.
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