In a recent interview, Naoki Yoshida, the producer of Final Fantasy XVI, confirmed that the game will feature a world map structure similar to that of earlier titles in the series, specifically Final Fantasy X and XII.
Yoshida elaborated on the world map, stating, “We have what’s called a world map. And on that world map, you have the areas that you can travel to, and you select that area, and then you jump to that area seamlessly.” Players will follow the main quest in each area before returning to a hub location known as “The Hideaway.”
The Hideaway will serve as the game’s central hub, allowing players to purchase and upgrade weapons, take on hunts, and engage in other activities. Yoshida explains, “Each place that you unlock then becomes available to visit at any time. And so if you decide, ‘Okay, I want to try something else, I’m done with the main scenario for now,’ you can go back to places that you visited before and explore those places.”
Players can expect to find new side-quests in previously visited areas, giving them an opportunity to delve deeper into the game’s rich world and lore. These side-quests will offer additional content such as hunts, item collection, and character quests, providing players with a fully immersive experience.
Set in the world of Valisthea, Final Fantasy XVI explores a realm divided among six nations, each wielding power through their access to magical Crystals and Dominants, humans who serve as hosts for each nation’s Eikon. As tensions rise between the nations, a devastating malady called the Blight begins to consume the land. The game follows the story of Clive Rosfield, protector of his younger brother Joshua, as he witnesses the destruction of his kingdom and embarks on a vengeful quest against the dark Eikon Ifrit.
The development of Final Fantasy XVI began in 2015, with an experienced team that includes Naoki Yoshida as producer, Hiroshi Takai as main director, artists Hiroshi Minagawa and Kazuya Takahashi, Kazutoyo Maehiro as creative director and lead writer, Masayoshi Soken as composer, and Capcom veteran Ryota Suzuki as the battle designer. Yoshida’s vision for the game encompasses a dark fantasy storyline that aims to captivate both long-time fans and newcomers to the series.
Final Fantasy XVI is set to launch on June 22, 2023, for the PS5.