Following months of hype and speculation, Square Enix finally blew the lid off of Final Fantasy 16. The next mainline entry in the venerable JRPG series was shown off during today's PlayStation 5 showcase, with an impressive trailer that left us wanting more.
Based on the lengthy cinematic trailer, we're not sure what to make of the thing. All the usual Final Fantasy hallmarks are there, from the blend of hyper-realism and fantasy to the far-flung setting, but the main thrust of the game isn't totally clear yet. However, this game does lean way more into the "fantasy" aspect of the franchise, from the look of things. It's very reminiscent of the older titles in the franchise, in terms of aesthetic.
Final Fantasy 16 will be a PlayStation 5 exclusive, which comes as a bit of a surprise. Considering the simultaneous launch of the last few mainline games, it seemed like a safe assumption that this would be a multi-plat affair. Prospective buyers might have think twice about their next-gen console of choice now.
Over thirty years later, Final Fantasy is still going strong, and remains one of the biggest sellers out there. For many, the announcement of a new entry marks the unofficial start of a new console generation. With this trailer, Square Enix is officially confirming their commitment to delivering the same ambitious, big-budget thrills well into this new decade.
Final Fantasy 16 is coming to PlayStation 5 and PC sometime in the near future.