How Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 Inspired FFXVI’s Combat
When discussing Final Fantasy XVI’s combat or watching gameplay, it’s hard not to think about other action combat games, such as Capcom’s Devil May Cry series. And if its combat reminds you of DMC, it’s probably because the combat director of FFXVI is Ryota Suzuki, who helped design combat on Devil May Cry 4 and Devil May Cry 5. But he also worked on Marvel Vs. Capcom 2.
While the DMC inspirations laced within FFXVI’s combat are hard to miss, Suzuki told me that Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 inspired some of FFXVI’s systems as well.
Final Fantasy XVI Combat Director Ryota Suzuki
Final Fantasy XVI Combat Director Ryota Suzuki
“There’s actually something from Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 that we took and put into Final Fantasy XVI, and that is, as you may or may not know, in Marvel Vs. Capcom 2, we had the Assist system where you could give orders to your partner in battle,” Suzuki says. “And by implementing that system, we were able to create the sense of not just one-on-one but multiple people fighting at the same time to create this very frenetic battle system.
“We brought some of that knowledge into creating the system with Torgal [Clive’s companion dog that can be commanded in battle to do different things] and being able to give the pet commands where you’re by yourself but still working together.”
He and the team at Capcom created that Assist system 22 years ago. In it, you give orders to a partner in battle. Doing so creates a period where the main character can’t act. He says Creative Business Unit III didn’t want to do that in FFXVI, so it removed that aspect of the Assist system.
“[That way], when the player gave that order, the player would be able to continue to act, so it’d create more types of frenetic battles where both the partner [Torgal] and the player could still be playing and participating in the battle even though the commands are being given.”
On top of that, Suzuki notes that special actions in FFXVI’s combat were inspired by Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 as well. When you time certain commands just right, it will unlock, in real-time, even more special types of moves, something players experienced with combos in Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 will find feels loosely familiar.
“[These special moves] are one of the things we wanted to implement early on […] that’s not necessary, but players, if they have the skill, would be able to pull off in of those base foundations.”
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For those who lived through the late ‘90s and early 2000s, the Marvel vs. Capcom franchise was one of the most beloved fighting games of its day. So it should come as no surprise that this classic title left a lasting impression on modern video game developers, inspiring the high-octane combat of one od the most highly anticipated games of 2021 – Final Fantasy XVI.
Developed by Capcom in 2000, Marvel vs. Capcom 2 was based on two-on-two tag team fighting. While at first glance it may have seemed like a traditional fighting game, it introduced several innovative mechanics such as the use of Assist Attacks and the ability to perform high-speed combos. These mechanics gave Marvel vs. Capcom 2 an exciting and unpredictable edge, which made it stand out from other games of its era.
So how does this iconic fighting game influence Final Fantasy XVI? In incorporating some of the key mechanics from Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Square Enix has created an incredibly intense combat experience for fans of the franchise. From the ability to combo attacks to the intuitive use of Assist characters, Final Fantasy XVI combats offers a level of excitement and dynamism that was not achievable in earlier Final Fantasy games. This has enabled players to create their own unique strategies and make the most out of their team of characters.
In addition, Final Fantasy XVI has taken the innovative mechanics from Marvel vs. Capcom 2 and given them a distinctly Final Fantasy flair. By layering these mechanics with an exhilarating soundtrack and blending in lush, cinematic visuals, Square Enix has given gamers an unparalleled gaming experience.
While the influences of Marvel vs. Capcom 2 can be appreciated in the revolutionary combat of Final Fantasy XVI, the classic game also inspired the game’s memorable characters. Influenced in part by Marvel’s vast universe of characters, Final Fantasy XVI boasts an impressive roster of protagonists and antagonists with all sorts of unique abilities and personality traits.
It’s clear that Marvel vs. Capcom 2’s influence can be felt in Final Fantasy XVI’s combat system and character roster. This classic game has provided the foundation for a revolutionary gaming experience, and gamers around the world can’t wait to get their hands on this highly anticipated title. With Marvel vs. Capcom 2 as its inspiration, Final Fantasy XVI is sure to be an incredible journey for fans of the franchise and all gaming enthusiasts alike.
