Everything we've seen of Final Fantasy XVI so far has suggested that protagonist Clive will be a solo fighter — something that a mainline, single-player Final Fantasy game has never had, with every previous title giving players a ragtag party of heroes to command. The closest we've ever had was Final Fantasy XV, which only allowed players to control Noctis — although later updates expanded control to all four main characters.
Anyway, as it turns out, Final Fantasy XVI will have party members — other characters who will fight alongside Clive. However, these party members will not be playable, with producer Naoki Yoshida confirming that your allies will be AI controlled in a new interview with IGN.
"For most of his journey, Clive will be accompanied by one or more companions. These companions will participate in battle, as well as trade banter with Clive. That said, the party members will be AI-driven so as to allow players to focus solely on controlling Clive," Yoshida explains.
So, Final Fantasy XVI won't be the solitary adventure that we've already painted pictures of in our heads. It'll be interesting to see how combat works when Clive takes to the battlefield with his allies — do they just do their own thing, or will they join you for special attacks or combos? We obviously still have a lot of questions, but we're sure that Square Enix will be providing answers over the coming months as we get closer to the game's summer 2023 release window.
Are you happy to hear that party members are a thing in Final Fantasy XVI? Don't fight alone in the comments section below.
[source ign.com]
Comments 21
Meh..Not for me then.
Makes sense, both FF14 and FF7R have combat focused a team of party members, so 16 could do with something that's a bit different.
So kingdom hearts
I’m okay with this. We will get even more connected with the main character and the storyline then.
I still can’t get over the fact he’s called Clive. It’s like Final Fantasy via Brideshead Revisited.
I don't mind. In games with action style combat system and multiple playable characters (like Persona 5 Strikers or FF7R) I'll stick to the main char anyway
must be just me then but this does bother me
The problem with one main character for me is i really need to like them. I love games that have two mains that you can choose male and female. But i really like what i saw so im still hyped.
"trade banter with Clive" this is literally all that I need from my party members. I don't care if I can't control them. You couldn't really control them in XV but what made those dudes great was the banter they had driving around the world, camping, fighting giant creatures and progressing through the story with them. They were just as great of a group as cloud and co., tidus and co., squall and co., etc
Basically as long as they stay far away from how Octopath Traveler handled party members, I'm good
Most of the time I prefer playing with just the main character so I don't use the other party members much or at all in some games. I have complete faith in Yoshida making an amazing game with a great protagonist so I'm looking forward to it
It’s alright. As long as the combat is engaging. Maybe some kind of “special move” imput for side characters like XV had from day one?
Party members is enough to get me interested again. I don't need to control them
Happy enough with this. Playing Tales of Arise at the minute, where I can change characters in fights if I want, but am happy enough to just play the main character and have the others AI controlled (but I do occasionally give orders). I prefer role playing as one character rather than switching between characters.
Thats a step in the right direction, I guess.
@Ultrasmiles Please don't mention Kingdom Hearts in an FF16 article. Its bad juju. Haha. Let's keep those two things as far away from each other as possible! Lol
And I keep getting reminders why I don't touch mainline final fantasy games anymore.
I've played the FF series since the start on the NES. This is simply not a FF title. Square has lost their way.
Hopefully, some other studios can pick up the mantle and create AAA party based RPGs, because its my favorite genre, but its been dying a slow death.
So long as I can set up their equipment, magic and battle preferences I'm cool with that. Nothing like letting a friendly npc take the brunt of an attack so I can use a potion or healing spell.
Not being able to control a party was my expectation the moment I saw the DMC-esque combat. It's really a pity, since FF7 Remake showed you could mix party control with classic menu-based elements and real-time, actioney combat.
We'll see how it turns out. There could still be enough party interactions during battle that it doesn't feel like you're fighting alone.
I don't mind, it's a nice change of pace from the usual FF! Hyped as heck and still jazzed to play this.
And I'm out. AI party members will always feel like the game playing itself to me. If you want real time action combat, just give me a solo character to play. If you want a party, then make it co-op or give me tactical control and go turn-based. Trying to do both in a single player game is why I've found many FF games to be impossible to get into. If this is your thing, I hope it turns out well for you, but it's not for me.
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