Final Fantasy 16: Don’t Worry, The Game Is Inspired By Good Seasons Of Game Of Thrones
For a few years now, we’ve heard Final Fantasy XVI is inspired by HBO’s Game of Thrones, and during my cover story trip to Tokyo, Japan, to speak with Creative Business Unit III, I learned more about this. Specifically, and perhaps critically, I learned that the team was inspired by the first four seasons of Game of Thrones. Or at least, that’s where it started.
“Right around the start of the game’s development back when we’re in that early period is right about when [Season 4 of Game of Thrones on HBO] was airing,” FFXVI producer Naoki Yoshida tells me. “We had seen it grow into this television show that was loved around the world, not just by older generations but younger generations as well. So we bought the Blu-Ray box of Seasons 1, 2, 3, and 4, and made everyone on the team watch it basically to get across to developers that this is what’s trending in the world – that this is the type of fantasy that people are enjoying.”
The Iron Kingdom
But Yoshida says the team took great caution to avoid FFXVI feeling like a carbon copy of Game of Thrones. While its inspirations are clear, it feels like its own thing after playing and watching the game for roughly five hours. Plus, with everything else going on in the game – specifically the Eikon vs. Eikon combat – the team drew on other sources of inspiration like Attack on Titan, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Godzilla, Ultraman, and more.
Not only does Game of Thrones inspire the story and world feel of Final Fantasy XVI, but it also inspires a lot of its visual style, according to art director Hiroshi Minagawa.
Final Fantasy XVI Art Director Hiroshi Minagawa
“When I joined the team and spoke with Takai-san about the overall look of the game, we had that broad stroke that we wanted to have something that’s going to have that Game of Thrones feel, that kind of pure standard high fantasy that you’d see in that type of program and visual medium,” he tells me.
While people today still argue where Game of Thrones began to falter, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who thinks the answer is somewhere in those first four seasons. Those episodes are fantastic television, and if FFXVI’s take on fantasy comes close to rivaling them, we could be in for something special. Fortunately, we don’t have too wait long because FFXVI hits PlayStation 5 on June 22.
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The highly anticipated game, Final Fantasy XVI, has generated quite a bit of hype within the gaming community. After all, this upcoming title is the first installment in the series since 2010 and, as with any new installment, enthusiastic fans can’t wait to jump into a new adventure in a familiar world. It’s no surprise then that fans are naturally curious about the game’s plot, characters, and themes.
Fortunately, Square Enix has revealed it in detail. And one of the most exciting aspects of the game is that it is inspired by good seasons of Game of Thrones.
The similarities between these two fantastical universes are immediately noticeable. Final Fantasy XVI will be set in the world of Valisthea—a continent populated by various nations and regions vying for control. A key difference between the two franchises is the focus on magic and battles with giant monsters. But, like Game of Thrones, there will still be plenty of political maneuvering and decisions, as each nation attempts to gain the upper hand in the grand scheme of things.
In terms of the story, Square Enix has stated that the game’s main protagonists will be a team of brave and powerful heroes who seek to protect the world from a variety of threats. Along their quest, these heroes will battle powerful rival forces in real-time, taking to the skies and fields and confronting massive monsters. As the story progresses, questions will be raised and decisions will need to be made in order to save the world from destruction.
But don’t be alarmed, fans! While Final Fantasy XVI is inspired by the good seasons of Game of Thrones, Square Enix has assured fans that the game will have its own flavor and unique set of experiences. Of course, due to the size and complexity of the world, it will be difficult to give a thorough overview here, but just be sure that the game will have plenty of surprises and exciting moments.
From the deep plot to intense battles, Final Fantasy XVI looks to be a grand adventure for old and new fans alike. With the game set to release soon, we can all look forward to immersing ourselves in the creative world of Valisthea.
