Fans of the critically-acclaimed Final Fantasy franchise eagerly wait for Square Enix to release more details about much-awaited Final Fantasy 16. After all, current teasers and trailers heavily imply a return to a more medieval Final Fantasy setting. This deviation from the rather modern setting of FF 15, alongside the retention of its action-packed combat system, makes FF 16 all the more exciting for fans.
In turn, current teasers hinting towards a Crystal-heavy saga has fans clamoring for more lore. However, other hardcore fans might also want FF 16 to reintroduce some popular concepts in previous Final Fantasy entries. After all, what better way to return to a Crystal-heavy story than to incorporate other beloved classic themes as well?
Disclaimer: Please note that only the offline Final Fantasy games will be included.
13 FF: The Warriors Of Light
Fans who played Dissidia for the first time might get surprised to realize that the blue-clad Warrior of Light represents the Warrior in Final Fantasy. However, FF players know that there isn't just one Warrior of Light in the first game. Rather, there exists four Light Warriors. These Heroes aren't just destined to rescue Princess Sarah - but they've been charged to restore light into the Crystals and save the world.
In FF 16, fans know so far that protagonist Clive Rosfield serves as the First Shield of Rosaria. As the protector of the Dominant of Phoenix, his brother Joshua, Clive is also blessed with the ability to use part of the Phoenix's fire. While it's implied that each of Valisthea's six kingdoms have their own Dominants and Shields, it would be nice for FF 16 to actually assemble an official set of Warriors of Light to save the land from the Blight.
12 FF 2: Soul Of Rebirth
While Final Fantasy 2 takes a lot of elements from its predecessor, its Game Boy Advance and PlayStation Portable iterations further expanded its story. Thanks to the "Soul of Rebirth" story, FF 2 managed to help players explore what exactly happened to the other party members who sacrifice their lives to ensure that Firion and his friends got to defeat the Dark Emperor.
Despite the struggle of Minwu, Scott, Josef, and Ricard to comprehend their current situation, they eventually find closure and witness the end of Firion's adventures. While death is a staple element in Final Fantasy stories, FF 16 could hopefully feature a heartwarming story similar to "Soul of Rebirth" that could establish a stronger bond between players and characters lost in FF 16's eventual conflicts.
11 FF 3: The Onion Knight
Thanks to Final Fantasy 3, RPG fans finally got their first iteration of the franchise staple Job System. Moreover, the Warriors of Light make a return - but they all start as measly Onion Knights. Despite their ordinary stature, the Onion Knight actually represents the process of overcoming hardships. In FF 3's story, these Onion Knights eventually get to save the world.
Interestingly, the medieval setting of Valisthea contains the perfect aesthetic to include a legitimate Onion Knight in FF 16. Fans may love an Easter Egg involving a squire that begins as an Onion Knight, or a self-proclaimed hero named the Onion Knight.
10 FF 4: Class Transition
Of all classic Final Fantasy games, it's Final Fantasy 4 that contains one of the most compelling stories to date. In it, players take on the role of Cecil Harvey - a former Dark Knight who, after questioning his King's orders - slowly becomes a reformed Paladin. Throughout his journey to redemption, Cecil encounters new allies, rivals, and enemies. More importantly, Cecil slowly confronts remnants of his past that would forge him into a true hero.
Given the tendency of the FF series to become tragic, it makes sense for fans to anticipate a tearjerker or two in FF 16. In these situations, it's easy to imagine how a devoted brother like Clive could walk a dark path in dire situations. Likewise, a reformed villain with a new powerset could become a great callback to Cecil Harvey.
9 FF 5: The Four Crystals
Crystals remain a recurring theme throughout the Final Fantasy franchise. In fact, all FF games have their version of a coveted powerful crystal - sometimes becoming the main source of conflict in the game. Similarly, Final Fantasy 5 also features Four Crystals, each associated to each element, that Bartz Klauser and his friends had to secure to save the world.
Thankfully, the Mothercrystals in FF 16 already imply another story heavily tied to these all-powerful stones. Hopefully, this time around, the Mothercrystals become an active part in the game's story. That way, FF 16 and its medieval setting could truly become a homage of sorts to beloved franchise themes.
8 FF 6: Magitek
First introduced in Final Fantasy 6, Magitek serves as technology that integrates magic into machines. Imperial engineer Cid became the inventor of Magitek after discovering a way to extract magic from espers. As a result, the Gestahlian Empire's Magitek Armor became an indomitable force in the battlefield. In addition, the Empire trains Magitek Knights - humans who use Magitek to tap into magic.
The novelty of Magitek as a concept paved way to its appearances in other franchise entries. These included the magicless Garlean Empire's Magitek armaments (FF 14), Niflheim and Magiteknology (FF15), and Magitek from the White Tiger Crystal. Given its Crystal-based origins, it makes sense for FF 16 to feature a technologically-advanced kingdom to develop Magitek as a superweapon.
7 FF 7: SOLDIER
Cloud, Sephiroth, and even Zack remain three of the most popular characters in Final Fantasy 7, and they all have one thing in common: SOLDIER. In the lore, SOLDIER serves as the military arm of Shinra Electric Company. Thanks to Mako - processed Lifestream energy - Shinra has been able to dominate most of the known world and enforce its will through SOLDIER, its own paramilitary force. Courtesy of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7, fans got a glimpse of what goes on in the fabled establishment that made Midgar's most iconic "heroes."
In FF 16, the Shields serve as the closest analog to protectors in the game. Being the First Shield of the Phoenix Dominant, Clive probably has special training to protect his charge. Hopefully, FF 16 shows other Shields and Dominants as well - particularly their relationship with each other and their respective empires.
6 FF 8: Time Travel
Following FF 7's modern footsteps, Final Fantasy 8 braved the waters of gaming. This time, the game introduces a memorable love story that sidetracks into saving the world and a dash of time travel. In FF 8, players chronicle the adventures of Squall Leonhart and his fellow SeeD mercenaries as they stop the threat of the Sorceress Edea. However, their adventures also unravel the true nature of mysterious events in the past.
It's not often that a Final Fantasy game features such as hard sci-fi mechanic in a straightforward manner. After all, the L'Cie in FF 13 and even the Lifestream in FF 7 all became associated with hints of philosophy. Hopefully, FF 16 manages to incorporate an interesting sci-fi element like time travel to help resolve its intense premise.
5 FF 9: The Mist
The world of Gaia in Final Fantasy 9 contains four continents. Its most populated continent, the Mist Continent, had most of its citizens living above the mysterious Mist. A focal element of the story, this mysterious Mist transforms both flora and fauna in the Mist into monsters and corrupts the hearts of men. Zidane Tribal and his friends end up having to save Gaia after a kidnapping gone wrong.
Interestingly, FF 16 already has a concept similar to the Mist. In the setting, a sickness called the Blight has begun to spread in the continent of Valisthea. Sadly, its impact in society has put Valisthea's six kingdoms in the verge of war.
4 FF 10: Sin
Beyond Blitzball, Dream Zanarkand, and the sheer existential dread of Final Fantasy X lies Sin - its main antagonist. Unlike other main villains in any FF entry, Sin is more of a force of nature than an entity itself. Moreover, Sin has become a key icon in much of Spira's various religious beliefs. At its core, Sin represents both the beginning and end of all things.
Hopefully, the Blight and the malignant forces behind it also help spin FF 16 to a philosophical direction. Moreover, perhaps FF 16 could also subtly show the impact of the Mothercrystals in Valisthean society and culture - much in the same way Sin has done for Spira.