Final Fantasy 16may have been a controversial game, but there’s no denying that it didn’t play things safe. The game turned theFinal Fantasyformula on its head by not only adopting a fast-paced, hack-and-slash combat system, but also by getting rid of playable party members.Final Fantasy 16was very much aDevil May Cry-style title instead of a traditional JRPG, and that made it unique compared to other entries in the franchise, for better or for worse. AlthoughFF16was criticized for its dull side quests and barebones role-playing elements, it still received praise from manyFinal Fantasyenthusiasts for trying something new.
Despite being very different from a surface-level point of view,Final Fantasy 16has a few things in common with its predecessor,Final Fantasy 15. Both games were highly divisive among fans, and both were more action-oriented compared to previousFinal Fantasyinstallments.Final Fantasy 15, however, was considerably more popular than its follow-up. WhileFinal Fantasy 16was modestly successful, it didn’t sell nearly as well asFF15, in part due to its PlayStation console exclusivity and lack of cross-media promotion. AlthoughFF16can still become a lot more popular by taking some pages out ofFF15’s playbook, it probably won’t follow its predecessor’s footsteps in one regard, due to recent technological developments.
FF16 Will Probably Not Take the Route that FF15 Took With Its Handheld Ports
FF15 Received Several Adaptations, Including One for Mobile Phones Titled FF15: Pocket Edition
Square Enix, the publisher of theFinal Fantasyfranchise, heavily marketedFinal Fantasy 15ahead of its release and treated it like it was the next big thing. UnlikeFinal Fantasy 16,FF15was adapted to multiple different mediums. Not only did Square Enix make books, movies, and TV shows inspired by the hit RPG, it also developed several spin-offs set in its universe, such as an MMO strategy game and even a VR fishing game.
One of the more noteworthyFinal Fantasy 15spin-offs that’s often been overlooked isFinal Fantasy 15: Pocket Edition. Released in 2018, this game is an abridged,episodic adaptation ofFF15that was created specifically for mobile phones. It features the same plot, setting, and characters asFF15, but it has a simplified battle system, a cartoony, chibi art style, and a bunch of new side quests.Final Fantasy 15: Pocket Editionwas originally exclusive to Android and iOS devices, but it was ported to consoles and Windows PCs less than a year after its mobile launch.
Handhelds Typically Don’t Receive Adaptations of Console Games Anymore
Final Fantasy 15is probably one of the last modern AAA games to receive aPocket Edition-style portable adaptation. Back in the 90s and 2000s, adaptations of home console games for handhelds were incredibly common. Many PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, and Wii games were often redesigned and reimagined to fit on portable consoles, such asthe DS and the Game Boy Advance. The portable versions of these titles were typically not direct ports, but rather entirely new games, much likeFinal Fantasy 15: Pocket Edition.
These days, the line between handhelds and home consoles has started to blur. Several portable gaming devices, like the Steam Deck and the Nintendo Switch, are powerful enough to run many AAA titles without few limitations. Because of this, companies don’t make downgraded adaptations of home console games for handhelds anymore. That’s why,if a game likeFinal Fantasy 16does come to portable platformsin the future, it will almost certainly not receive a reimagined,Pocket Editionversion, likeFinal Fantasy 15did.
FF16 Could Probably Run on a Switch 2 or a Phone, So a Pocket Edition is Not Necessary
If thereports about the Nintendo Switch 2’s specificationsare true,Final Fantasy 16will probably be able to run just fine on the upcoming handheld with some minor graphical downgrades. In fact, if Square Enix is willing to port it, the game may even be playable on a high-end mobile phone. Several graphically-impressive AAA titles, such asDeath Stranding,Resident Evil Village, andAssassin’s Creed Mirage, have been released on iPhones and iPads, of all things, so there’s a good chance that a nativeFinal Fantasy 16port for mobile phones is feasible, as well.
Final Fantasy 16
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An epic dark fantasy world where the fate of the land is decided by the mighty Eikons and the Dominants who wield them.This is the tale of Clive Rosfield, a warrior granted the title “First Shield of Rosaria” and sworn to protect his younger brother Joshua, the dominant of the Phoenix. Before long, Clive will be caught up in a great tragedy and swear revenge on the Dark Eikon Ifrit, a mysterious entity that brings calamity in its wake.
