Final Fantasy XVI Trailer Breakdown | Development, Gameplay, Lore & More 

It's still crazy to think that Final Fantasy XVI is now out in the wild and that we're even making this video! Thank you all for watching our coverage so far around the game, it means the world to us! ~Darryl + Lauren

Medieval Final Fantasy headed by the XIV devs? This is the stuff of dreams for me. Looking forward to watching this

Great analysis! I have a theory that the trailer only shows footage from within the first hour of playing the game. If you juggle around the settings and scenes from the trailer it could play out like this: Prologue where you play the bodyguard at young age and meet Joshua. Joshua heals you. You meet his mother too (shiva dormant?). You are then sent to a mission in that foggy village (combat tutorial) with a boss fight (morbol). (It would be similar to the reks prologue of FFXII) Afterwards some few things might happen and on your way back to the castle where Joshua and the white haired girl await, the empire attacks. Here you engage the dragoon and shortly after that, the whole phoenix / ifrit "Joshua stop" scene happens. Then you get the timeskip to the present. Here you are thrown into chapter 1, playing as the adult bodyguard with his mission to stop the shiva dormant. You sit at the bonfire and discuss Tactics. Flashbacks to the briefing of the mission -> scene inside the castle with the cigar lady. The mission unfolds and there happens to be shiva Vs titan. All this could be happening within like 1 hour of prologue and beginning of chapter 1. This would mean that we have basically seen NOTHING and we know pretty much nothing too. My theory :)

9:40 After all these years, I just noticed that Tetsuya Nomura managed to put both a belt and a zipper on Snow's glove. Definitely don't want your gloves to fall off.

A FF game set in a high fantasy realm, with crystals and evil empires in the background? I'm all on board! Those kind of FFs are my favourite FFs.

I've been hoping for a more traditional fantasy setting for a main FF title for such a long time. Placing it in the hands of veteran XIV developers only makes me more certain this will be something special.

I’m confident Soken is involved. When he uses “Prelude” as part of a motif, it’s always in this very specific way, and that specific motif is in the music in the trailer

In terms of a more mature story, violence, and war, it reminds me a lot of type-0

In Vagrant Story, there was an archduke with a son named Joshua. Verrrrrrrry interesting.

I just hope there’s no expectation for players to rely on extra content to understand the story and lore this time... I just want a self contained game again.

After watching the trailer of FFXVI I immediatley anticipated the FFU video. I love hearing about the staff members involved with the game and a look into what they are doing. FFU is one of the few/only place that gives that insight into the franchise.

They had me the moment they showed the chocobos, I’m so hyped for next gen.

The message about "the legacy of crystals has shaped our history for long enough" makes me wonder if ff16 will be the one that finally go against crystals at the end and grasp the fate of humanity into their own hands at the end, kind of like rebranding the concept of final fantasy series preparing for future titles that the core plot device will no longer be crystals, especially given that the fabula nova crystallis has been pretty much about crystals and deities manipulating and controlling the fates of humanity, and that the MCs never really got to free humanity's fate from the crystals at the end, they only managed to "fulfill their role as chosen by the crystals/deities". MC may be seeking revenge, but it's not explicitly stated that he's doing it for Joshua against Joshua's killer/enemies, maybe it could be that he saw something and felt betrayed by the crystals (crystals could even be the reason Joshua died) whatever. And like, what if plot twist, Ifrit was forsaken by the crystals in the past and so forgotten by the world and is actually a victim good guy while Phoenix is actually one of the bad guys a deity that still listening to orders by the crystal, and so MC and Ifrit team up and be seeking revenge, like Ardyn and Ifrit 2.0 but this time they are the protagonists. Just a wild guess, my imagination is kinda running wild triggered by the hype, don't take it seriously.

My man Yoshida actually about to save Final Fantasy TWICE.

I'm hoping for getting party members from different races like in FF9.

I think it looks freaking amazing. It's like a really dark Heavensward.

Very good video as always. Amazing how quickly you was able to put this toghther.

Such an in-depth analysis. Really enlightening and thorough. Lot of info and details I missed and totally makes sense. Thanks for sharing.

I found the trailer to be all over the place, it didn't feel like a trailer to me actually. But I loved it! Medieval thematic, the summons, the crystals and, obviously, the graphics.

I’ve been waiting for your analysis 👋🏼

An AMAZING analysis! Honestly congratulations! You make all of us FF nerds proud. Greetings from Greece (useless interesting info Phoenix is a concept of Greek origin too!).

Thank you for the video!! More plzzz

Amazing work! Thanks for the perspective! What about right at the end of the trailer where you see the "main" character in his young and his old form. Do you think there is some kind of timeskip in the game, or just to give it more flavor?

The protagonist sounded like he has the same voice actor as Ardbert from XIV.

Thanks for the content and breakdown! Always awsome FFU!

This was such an amazing breakdown, thanks guys

Comprehensive and high quality content, as always FFU! Thank you 😊💚

Wow, so informative! Thank you!

Its interesting seeing how they represent the eikions of fire, the flames of destruction(ifrit), and the flames of rebirth(phoenix)

Really looking forward to this FF game. Feels like it's going to deliver that FF Kingsglaive experience I wanted to have ever since seeing that war scene at the start of the movie.

Keep up the good work FFunion

If Yoshida is working on it, it's already a pre-order material game this men puts it's entire passion into making it's games and you just can feel it.

The tattoo that some of the Scions have denotes that they’re archons, (Sharlayan scholars) not that they’re a member of the Circle. This is why some characters like G’raha Tia have them despite not being associated with the circle.

Amazing breakdown, thank you!

By the way, I'm so glad i found your channel. I learned so much about Final Fantasy. These games touch my heart and thats why it was so disappointing to see what happened to FF15

I’m so ready for this game!!! 😍😍😍😍

Maybe there are “dark crystal” summons and Ifrit is one. I can totally see them setting up this war between nations, all with a dominant and crystal, and then the big twist in the game is the arrival of unknown dark crystals and dark dominants.

THANK YOU for those first six minutes! Incredibly informative, just what I wanted.

I’ve recently been playing 5 for the first time on my mobile, and it got me thinking about how wonderful the older medieval settings are for the game. I’m absolutely made up with the trailer. I loved the more Sci Fi settings (12 was my favourite for a long time), but seeing a proper fantasy world in a modern ff looks incredible. I’m excited to hear more as it’s leaked/comes out.

Damn I love the piano arr of “Set the Stage” I’m so exited for this game, it’s seems too good to be true.

The moment you mentioned Type 0 and Tactics you got a like from me. You def know what you're talking about

I'm so pumped for the combat system

Another great video. I appreciate all the info work you put into the videos. I for one am look forward to this game and any other future info and hope they are more party members 😊 but we shall see. Ps5 going take all my money lol

That's not a party member in the goblin fight, that's like after image of dodging

I do agree that Soken is involved. Some composers you can recognise through their quirks, like what you’re listening to fits too well into another game they worked on. This trailer, particularly halfway, screamed FFXIV to me score-wise.

15:12 that's him phasing back, leaves a shadow, and snaps back to attack.

Takai is more of a yes-man imo so that means Yoshida got a blank cheque to make the game he wanted as a reward for having saved FFXIV.

nice breakdown

So if we can get garudas claw can we get something similar to 15s armager for the knights of the round

I love the focus on the Phoenix. Is like a renaissance of the Final Fantasy franchise after XIII and XV. (10 years!) This look really solid and the most important thing, no Nomura involved.

i can't wait omg

in yoshida i trust,with the last expansion he did the impossible of surpassing WOTLK for me.

One aspect of the trailer I haven't seen enough speculation over is the mention of "The Twin Realms" - The idea of a parallel universe or another plane of existence could be somehow connected to the unexpected appearance of Ifrit - the second fire Eikon. Perhaps the plot will revolve around two different parties of characters from opposing timelines or parallel worlds that could converge towards the end in a fight towards a greater cause (Warriors of Light & Warriors of Darkness)? Perhaps the main character's older appearance is an alternate version of himself? Or just one of several main characters that span multiple worlds? There are so many ways they could take this plot device if it was the main focus of the storyline! Definitely something to keep in mind. (also dual fire Eikons? the saying 'fighting fire with fire' comes to mind here).

The trailer reminded me of Vagrant Story with some great summons thrown in. And that could be a really good thing! I like the more futurist-past version of FF (8, 10, 13, 15) but the old school treatment could be fun.

I'm thinking Holiday 2021 at the earliest

When I saw the line "The legacy of the crystals has shaped our history for long enough" I couldn't help but to think Square is referring to it's own franchise here and that perhaps they're going to use FFXVI to break free of the crystal theme and go in a new direction.

Command based FF's are always enjoyable. The one thing I'm curious about though is whether or not you will have continuous party members similar to FFXV or will this be a Solo game.

I thought the transformation scenes pointed to the boy being Ifrit, especially since the boys name is being called for when showing Ifrit. The design of the Eikons also is reminiscent of their summoner from what I can see. This makes me think the young girl we see is Shivas' summoner as they look alike

This looks awesome can't wait!

-Devil May Cry 5 and Dragon's Dogma designer is the battle director of the game -FFT, Vagrant Story designer writing the story -FFXIV composer doing the music -FFXIV director producing the game Yep, I'm thinking FF is going to be back on the menu BOOOYYYSSS

I also noticed that looked a lot like Garuda. Glad I'm not the only one who picked up on that.

I'm so up for it~! Looks amazing cool~!!! 💙🌹

The Prelude appears in Shiva's theme in FFXV towards the ending.

Am awesome excited to hear more FF news.

having a numbered final fantasy game as a solo journey feel kinda weird but if there's some on the fly job change/eikon equip that changes playstyle then maybe that'll balance the offset of just playing as one character.

I've got a strong feeling joshua is phoenix. His fire ability had a healing effect on the main protagonist. Also there was voice over speaking about the arch duke's son (joshua) being phoenix. The other dominant that turned into Ifrit also had the proportions of an adult. It also looked like Ifrit was attacking phoenix(joshua) Eva 01 dummy system style. Which has me feeling that is who the main protag is talking about killing in the end of the trailer

That is a great breakdown of the trailer and I agree with all of your points. With the whole Phoenix/Ifrit dynamic, I feel like the Ifrit Dominant is part of the force or Imperials who invaded the dukedom, and is pulled out to fight/kill Phoenix. The MC is probably gifted Phoenix's full powers/becomes his Dominant as Joshua lays dying from the assault, amd from there is the revenge taken. I honestly can't wait for more on this game!

it can be an "umbral" Fire and "Astral" fire, so we can see a lot of summons and battle wind vs wind or ice vs ice

Can you, by chance, put the music you use in the video in the description? There's a haunting melody around 2:24 I can BARELY hear...but it sounds so familiar. It took me several listens to tease it out as maybe the Dolette theme from FF8, just in a quiet, sad piano version (which sounds amazing, honestly)...at least, I THINK that's what it is....

Best explanation impossible!

I wonder if that mark/tattoo is some kind of power transfer/sharing. Because it seems like Ifrit was summoned remotely.

The battle between the two armies at the start must have been between the "crusaders" and the "dhalmeks". The lady with the pipe talked about it in teh trailer. If you look at the chocobo riders they have turbans and very arabian like swords and the world "dhalmeks" also sounds middle eastern. Could also explain why the norse axemen at the start have that tattoo. Crusading for shiva??? Just speculating 🤔

I like to think that a dominant is like a vessel.

I'm feeling quite positive about the reveal ^^ Back to medieval fantasy at last.

Also do note that Icon in Greek can also be translated as ειδωλο which stands for eidolon which are called as such FFXIII or FF9 finalfantasy.fandom.com/wiki/Eidolon_(Final_Fantasy_IX)

The Main Theme plays during the final cutscene of FFXV.

I'm very optimistic for this. SE has a lot to draw experience from in making this a success. From contemporaries such as FFXIV, FF7R, FFXV, even DMC's combat, I can already see how apparent its roots can be with their previous titles.

I'm feeling EVEN more HYPED for this game.

I love the Final Fantasy VIII ending theme based piano piece on the background. Please give me the title. Thank you.

musice used in video ? :O

The video Agni's Philosophy from years ago and that trailer called Project Athia. Is it gonna be a different game or two of those just a stepping stone that leads to FFXVI? I'm hyped for those games until now especially that video.

My feeling is excited.

15:12 that "ally" looks to me more like an afterimage, like, the protagonist was going to be hit, used some hability to avoid the damage while leaving something where he was previously (naruto's substitution jutsu comes to mind), then goes back in to hit the enemy

What kind of engine did they use?

I'm so excited. It looks like an old school Final Fantasy with modern graphics and gameplay.

the most interesting thing about this to me is less singular focus on visuals and more of a consistent focus on the overall gameplay, makes me really excited for a well rounded ff title

I think this installment shows so much promise as not only a comeback from the trenches of XV but also as a potential tying together of multiple storylines. I really, REALLY hope it doesn't stay in production for as long as it is being projected, however, but I'm still so stoked.

Anyone have any idea who the soundtrack composer will be?

Cant wait to play it in 2030

the 'other character' you mention when the protagonist was fighting the goblin, that was a sort of shadow self, for lack of a better word, as it starts to disappear few seconds after

whoa, where can I hear that great FF8 background piano music?

@Final Fantasy Union I think the ally that you reference at 15:12 is actually just a copy of the playable character, like he creates a decoy of himself when dashing away or something. So I think it remains to be seen if multiple people will be controllable. Seems unlikely a mainline FF game would be a solo adventure, but perhaps they are trying to create a more focused action RPG experience that does away with the moving parts of other party members.

ANALYTICAL SKILLS. so impressed

They had me sold when I saw that chocoboy 😅❤️

i really hope they still will make something on the battle system that takes inspiration from older games. i loved the hybrid system that FF7R had.

Been replaying FF9. Gosh it's the best I wish they would return to something like that ❤

RECTIFIED: I was wrong about the JP trailer, look Ò ʌ Ó's comment below. I'm one of the people who started playing FF from 14 and is looking forward to play an offline numbered so 16 is a very much welcomed sight. (In my case though, I've played a little bit of 3, 5 and 6 when I was very young so I didn't get attached to the series.)

Now it's totally possible that Project Athia's true name will be Crimson Arbitrium - Agni's Anthology. The girl from Agni's philosophy tech demo seems to be in project Athia.

Ever since I watched the trailer from the showcase, all I've thought is that maybe this time the story is about rebelling against/ destroying the crystals. And to be honest, that intrigues me greatly. One thing I hope for though is that the lore for this game isn't so scattered.

sorry for my bad english but my theory is this: the dominants dont summon eikons, the dominants can transform in eikons during some specie off trance. so , joshua transform in fenix and die during the battle with ifrit and for that the protagonist swear to revenge. i only cant connect the capacity to the protagonist to use eikons habilities.