Final Fantasy 16has finally been released, ushering in a new age for the fan-favorite RPG franchise.Final Fantasy 16is garnering rave reviews, with many citing the title’s masterful evolution of various gameplay elements while still paying homage to the series' earliest roots. However,Final Fantasy 16still features some of the series' biggest tropes, especially as it pertains to its characters. Protagonist Clive Rosfield, while an effective and mature focal point, displays some ofFinal Fantasy’s most recycled characterization. With nearly every element encountered by the protagonist improved for a new generation,Final Fantasy 16doesn’t break one franchise tradition it should have with Clive Rosfield.
Final Fantasy 16follows Clive throughout three distinct periods of his life. The title is a marked departure from previous entries in theFinal Fantasyseries, featuring a dark and mature storyline, graphic violence, sexual themes, and a narrative that pulls the rug out from under fans on multiple occasions. In addition, various upgrades have transformedFinal Fantasy 16’s gameplay into something more akin to Action RPG titles, leaving a traditional party system in the past. While nearly every facet of the title has been tweaked, or fully revamped, for the next era of titles, Clive Rosfield himself is emblematic of a well-worn trope surrounding the series' protagonists.
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Clive’s Characterization Follows a Long and Frustrating Tradition
Final Fantasy 16’s Clive Rosfield adheres to a major series issue. Despite theFinal Fantasyseries featuring some of the most beloved storylines in gaming history, its protagonists, especially the male ones, often feature similar appearances and story arcs.Final Fantasy’s male protagonists are often portrayed as spikey-haired, emotionally edgy young adults, who suffer from a traumatic past. This past and their reluctance to talk about it make up much of their interpersonal characterization, as well as serving as the primary motivator for their actions throughout the story.
While previous entries in the series have featured similar protagonists,Final Fantasy 16provides a much more thorough portrayal of its lead.Final Fantasy 16’s nearly 60-hour runtimecovers three distinct phases of Clive’s life, including the pivotal events that set him on his path of revenge. Players were able to experience a bit of this story firsthand, during the playable demo released for the title earlier this month. Unlike other protagonists, Clive does not begin the game adhering to the character tropes, but is hardened over time into a dark and reserved lead through the traumatic events spread across his early life.
Clive Rosfield’s Actions Utilize Tradition to Break New Ground
Final Fantasy 16continues the series' legacy in a number of ways, including Clive’s adherence to some frustrating traditions. However, the title is at its best when it subverts these expected elements through Clive’s actions. Despite sharing so much with past protagonists, Clive’s mission is to destroy the crystals, one of the franchise’s earliest symbols of light and virtue. In the originalFinal Fantasy, The Warriors of Light each possess an elemental crystal, and seek to restore other crystals drained by the Four Fiends. InFinal Fantasy 16, Clive seeks to free humanity from the Crystals once and for all.
Final Fantasy 16’s Clive Rosfield manages to break new ground, despite his traditional portrayal, and is one of many moving parts that make the title such a modern masterpiece. By subverting expectations through his actions and mission, Clive is able to take familiar motivations and apply them to a goal that stands in stark contrast to many of his predecessors. Clive’s adherence to tradition, while subverting narrative expectations, sets the stage for future titles to restructure theFinal Fantasyseries' most overused elements. Fans of theFinal Fantasyseries hope thatFinal Fantasy 16is an indicator of the series' future, and, if so, the franchise’s best years are surely ahead of it.
Final Fantasy 16is now available on PS5.
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