Six years have handed for the reason that final mainline installment within the decidedly not-so-final Ultimate Fantasy collection, making this one of many largest gaps between video games within the collection’ 35 years of history–though all that ready appears to be for good motive. We solely have one trailer for Ultimate Fantasy 16, however what we have seen makes the sport appear to be a high-fantasy epic combining the grandeur of older titles with the cutting-edge expertise of newer video games, making us hopeful that this subsequent entry can be well-worth the wait.

Nonetheless, with Summer time Sport Fest Reside and loads of Not-E3 showcases simply across the nook, it appears seemingly our wait is sort of over. Within the subsequent few weeks, we count on to listen to a bit extra in regards to the highly-anticipated RPG–and perhaps even get a launch date. Till then, here is the whole lot we learn about Ultimate Fantasy 16 up to now.

Launch date

Ultimate Fantasy 16 won’t have an official launch date, however a latest interview with the sport’s producer, Naoki Yoshida, makes it sound like the sport is coming prior to later. On Could 5, Yoshida instructed UNIQLO journal the sport is close to the top of its improvement, earlier than sharing a bit extra about what followers can count on.

“Now we’re on the finale of the brand new recreation FF16’s improvement,” Yoshida instructed UNIQLO. “In contrast to a web-based recreation that depicts a number of gamers concurrently, FF16 focuses on a person so the state of immersion into the story can be totally different. I really feel just like the story can be very deep.”

All that stated, it appears potential FF16 may come out later this yr. In spite of everything, it has been in improvement for a number of years now. What’s extra, final summer time, Yoshida confirmed the event group had already completed the primary story situation for Ultimate Fantasy 16, in addition to the English voiceovers.

Platforms

Very similar to Ultimate Fantasy 7 Remake, Ultimate Fantasy 16 can be a limited-time PlayStation unique. In contrast to FF7 Remake, nevertheless, it will not be cross-generation, which means PS4 homeowners should make the transfer to PS5 with a purpose to play it.

Sq. Enix shared this information through the recreation’s reveal trailer, noting, “The next content material is captured on PC emulating the PS5 expertise,” earlier than including the most recent entry within the Ultimate Fantasy saga will, “not [be] out there on different platforms for a restricted time after launch on PS5.”

Is Ultimate Fantasy 16 coming to PC or Xbox?

Rejoice, PC players! The trailer additionally acknowledged the sport is coming to PC following its exclusivity window, although as of proper now there isn’t any phrase on how lengthy which may final. If it follows the identical development as FF7 Remake, it is seemingly FF16 will make its approach over to PC a few yr and a half after its preliminary console launch. It additionally would not be too a lot of a shock if FF16 involves Xbox in some unspecified time in the future, given {that a} handful of Ultimate Fantasy titles already stay on Xbox platforms.

Trailers

The primary trailer for FF16 is titled “Awakening,” and affords 4 minutes of story, cutscenes, and gameplay. It additionally includes a highly effective orchestrated theme with a number of Ultimate Fantasy touches, like the long-lasting Crystal Prelude. If we needed to take a wild guess, it sounds a bit like composer Masayoshi Soken’s work on FFXIV: Heavensward.

Behind the scenes

Along with the detailed reveal trailer, Sq. Enix additionally launched an official web site with in-depth appears at FF16’s new world and characters to get you began on understanding the backstory. What’s notable about this entry, particularly, is that it is being developed by Inventive Enterprise Unit III–which is the not-so-flashy identify for the division behind the unbelievable MMORPG Ultimate Fantasy XIV. It is promising provided that Naoki Yoshida is main manufacturing on FF16–he led the group behind the rebirth of FFXIV and continues to direct the MMO, which retains getting higher and is considered top-tier in online game storytelling. FF16 itself is being directed by Hiroshi Takai, who has a prolonged historical past with Ultimate Fantasy and Sq. Enix, and was even a part of creating FFXIV’s reboot.

The story up to now

From what we will inform from the trailer and official web site, there’s battle between realms (principally nations) within the world of Valisthea and a bunch of political drama, but additionally a give attention to Dominants. Domnants are the few particular individuals who can wield the ability of Eikons, that are what summons are referred to as in FF16’s world (and in FFXIV).

It appears such as you’ll undergo two separate time frames in FF16’s story, which you’ll be able to see from primary character Clive Rosfield’s evolution from a spiffy younger man with a flowery haircut to a grizzled veteran with a scruffy beard and a mark tattooed on his face later in life. He is the son of his realm’s archduke, and wields Eikon-related powers in fight however is not essentially a Dominant himself. He is sworn to guard his brother Joshua, the younger boy within the trailer who was fated as a Dominant as a substitute. Nonetheless, as proven within the trailer, Joshua could not management his Eikon–he summons Phoenix after watching somebody presumably essential get killed proper earlier than his eyes. These occasions are capped by a battle between Phoenix and Ifrit, which could be the tragedy (acknowledged within the official character profiles) that drives Clive in FF16.

One other character seen within the trailer is Jill Warrick. She’s the younger woman with grayish hair who accompanies Joshua. She’s stated to have an advanced life and comes from one other realm. She was primarily adopted by the Rosfields, and acts as a mediary between warring nations. She’s stated to be a trusted confidant to each Clive and Joshua.

All through the trailer, you see different characters in battle and in conversations in regards to the political turmoil that appears to be fueling the warfare in Valisthea. You see different iconic Eikons like Shiva and Titan getting used on the battlefield. It appears like Eikons, and Dominants by extension, are akin to highly effective weapons of warfare that shift the stability of energy between realms in Valisthea. There’s additionally a battle in opposition to an armor-clad lance-wielding Dragoon, stated to be an Imperial Viper, which has the characters shook–another collection staple.

FF16’s world additionally revolves round Mothercrystals, that are stated to bless the land with aether (principally magic). However a harmful pressure referred to as The Blight can also be washing over the world. It is price conserving in thoughts that FF16’s tagline is, “The legacy of the crystals has formed our historical past for lengthy sufficient.” We’re unsure what it means, but it surely’s provocative and should should do with what’s been occurring to Valisthea.

What the brand can inform us

We are able to all the time depend on artist Yoshitaka Amano to create a brand new brand for every Ultimate Fantasy that tells us one thing in regards to the recreation’s story. Within the case of FF16’s brand, it options Ifrit and Phoenix face-to-face in a battle, which is a battle that concludes the trailer. With Ifrit as a key opposing pressure and Phoenix being the Eikon that the Rosfields wield, this appears to be a central battle that drives the sport. It additionally seems that Eikons are pivotal to how FF16’s world operates, extra so than earlier Ultimate Fantasy video games.

Gameplay

From the snippets of gameplay within the trailer, FF16 takes on an action-RPG model of fight system and appears prefer it shares similarities to FF15 and FF7 Remake. Clive can solid fireballs, interact at melee vary along with his sword and warp-like skills, and use a number of powers that appear to be they’re tied to Eikons (indicated by the stone fist summoned within the battle in opposition to a Dragoon).

No UI or HUD components have been proven, so it is exhausting to inform if or the way it incorporate components of the collection’ iconic ATB (energetic time battle) system, how spellcasting may work, and even how fight encounters circulation. We have additionally solely seen Clive in motion, so we’re uncertain if there is a social gathering system or how it will work (if it exists).

Ryota Suzuki, who was a fight designer for Satan Could Cry 5 and Dragon’s Dogma, is the battle director for FF16, which may end in one thing fairly thrilling. And regardless of this renewed give attention to motion, producer Naoki Yoshida famous that this new strategy will not come on the expense of the sport’s story.

Learn how to preorder

Sorry, people. You may have to attend a bit longer for preorders to go stay, however relaxation assured we’ll let you already know once they do.