Summary
TheFinal Fantasyfranchise never seems to run out of interesting narratives and worlds, with each one often more eccentric than the last. The series has been known to move from one style and expression to another with each installment, though the heart of what makes each of themFinal Fantasygamesis preserved. The two most recent installments,Final Fantasy 16andFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth, are perfect examples of the series' ability to ebb and flow and are also likely to be a sign of what is to come in future entries.
Final Fantasy 16andFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthare the two most recent installments in the franchise, withFF16being a standalone mainline game andFF7 Rebirthbeing the second part of a mainline remake trilogy. They are entirely different experiences, albeitFinal Fantasygames nonetheless. Perhaps in typicalFinal Fantasyfashion,FF16’s gritty, mature tone starkly contrastsFF7 Rebirth’s more playful, adventurous themes. While there has arguably never been aFinal Fantasygame as mature asFinal Fantasy 16, perhapsFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth’s lighthearted nature will pave the way for the next game in the series to move back to the darker, more somber attitude that came withFF16.
FF16 and FF7 Rebirth Showcase the Series’ Ability to Ebb and Flow
Final Fantasy 16 Is the First Mainline Entry to Receive a Mature Rating
Final Fantasy 16has proven to be one of the more divisive installments in the franchise for several reasons. First, it dropped the more traditional turn-based combat the series was known for and exchanged it for real-time action combat. It also madeClive Rosfield, its protagonist, the only playable character both in and out of combat. This is largely due to the game’s lore, which saw Clive take on multiple roles as a Dominant who could absorb the power of other Eikons and use a variety of elemental abilities. Nevertheless, these changes polarized theFinal Fantasycommunity, and it is uncertain whether the series will ever have a game like it again.
Apart from the core gameplay changes, another divisive move is thatFinal Fantasy 16is the first mainlineFFgame to receive a Mature ratingfrom the ESRB. Although pastFinal Fantasygames have certainly dabbled in and entertained darker themes (likeFinal Fantasy 7), they are still known for their lighthearted, playful moments. Unfortunately,Final Fantasy 16lacked these moments by and large in itsGame of Thrones-esque narrative and world, and it felt less “Final Fantasy” as a result. Still, the initial reception ofFinal Fantasy 16was mostly favorable, so there is something to be said about the maturity it brought to the franchise.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Highlights the Often Playful Tone of the Franchise
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirthis part two of theFinal Fantasy 7 Remaketrilogyand just so happens to focus on the “fun” chapter of the original game’s narrative that is filled with mini-games, playful characters, and even romantic outings. It’s a drastic step in an entirely different direction thanFinal Fantasy 16, but it is a welcome change of pace, especially after the frequent gut punches thatFF16brought in its story. It is quite possibly the truest representation of a traditionalFinal Fantasygame, as it includes a healthy balance of lighthearted moments with Cloud and his friends, and darker moments with Sephiroth, like the Nibelheim flashback sequence.
It would be nice to seeFinal Fantasycontinue to maintain this thematic roller coaster, though going back to the grittier tones ofFinal Fantasy 16may continue to prove too polarizing of a move. Wherever it goes, each installment must maintain the heartbeat of whatFinal Fantasyis and continue to showcase that balance of seriousness and playfulness in its stories, characters, and gameplay.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
WHERE TO PLAY
Discover a vibrant and vast world in this standalone entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the second entry in the Final Fantasy VII remake project, which retells the story of the genre-redefining RPG across three distinct games. Iconic heroes Cloud, Barret, Tifa, Aerith and Red XIII have escaped from the dystopian city Midgar and are now in pursuit of Sephiroth, the vengeful swordsman from Cloud’s past who was thought to be dead. This new adventure can be enjoyed by all players, even those who have yet to play Final Fantasy VII Remake or the PlayStation original. Expect a new standard of cinematic storytelling, fast-paced combat and rich exploration across a vast world.
