June is going to be a packed month for game releases. Street Fighter 6 is leading the pack, with Diablo 4 not far behind. Crash Team Rumble should hit in the month's second half, and Final Fantasy 16 will follow a couple of days later. With an unknown number of June releases potentially joining them, it seems that the first half of 2023 is ending with a bang. As it currently lands at the month's tail end, Final Fantasy 16 will need to distinguish itself, especially since it's also following other massive titles like Resident Evil 4 Remake and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
Fortunately, it's already made a strong effort. The recent Final Fantasy 16 State of Play came hot on the heels of months of interviews, trailers, and even previews. Despite going quiet for a while after an early announcement, Final Fantasy 16 has not left fans wanting for details. As stated by its producer Naoki Yoshida, FF16 aims to restore mainstream faith in the Final Fantasy franchise, and it is prepared to do so. To clinch its efforts, Square Enix should use another successful Final Fantasy title to support 16's launch.
Final Fantasy 14 and 16 Are Cut From The Same Cloth
Invested Final Fantasy fans are likely aware that Final Fantasy 14 and Final Fantasy 16 are strongly connected. While they do not share the same setting, many Square Enix developers have worked on both projects. Much of the key staff behind Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn's first expansion Heavensward had similar roles for Final Fantasy 16, such as producer and director Naoki Yoshida returning as 16's producer, main scenario writer Kazutoyo Maehiro becoming the creative director and writer, and Masayoshi Soken remaining the music composer. Plenty of other individuals contributed to FF16’s creation, but the new title can be seen as an extension of Final Fantasy 14's success.
Such a claim does no disservice to either game, as their links go more than skin deep. Both share many thematic and visual elements, such as a focus on Final Fantasy's core cast of summons, political drama between warring nations, and recalling Final Fantasy's early days. FF16 is closer to medieval fantasy than the high science-fantasy setting of FF14, but both will likely share pockets of technology with their pixelated ancestors. Even the night sky of Final Fantasy 16's Valisthea references Eorzea’s red second moon Dalamud, preparing the way for the two to cross over even further.
Final Fantasy 14 Can Easily Advertise FF16
By analyzing the shared elements of Final Fantasy 14 and 16, it becomes apparent that FF16 is meant to fold newer fans of FF14 back into the wider franchise. From the way the characters look to its side quest format and even its battle UI, Final Fantsay 16 could be an action game adaptation of an FF14 side story. How fitting, then, it would be for that scenario to occur in-game. Around the launch of Final Fantasy 16, a crossover event with Final Fantasy 14 should be organized in the latter. This could be similar to those that past entries have received where a protagonist and antagonist appear from portals, but could also be much more involved.
Because Final Fantasy 14 and 16 share so many elements, it wouldn't be hard to make a commentary on FF16 from the Warrior of Light's perspective. Clive and his fellow Dominants use powers akin to the Primals from FF14's world, right down to sharing the name “Eikons,” and fighting another version of an iconic FF summon will be an old hat for 14's players. At any rate, these two titles seem made to support one another, and Square Enix shouldn't squander the opportunity to let them truly do so.
Final Fantasy 16 will be released on June 22 for PS5.