ConsiderinFinal Fantasy 16. Despite this surprise, Final Fantasy 16's first trailer is truly a sight to behold. The project seems mystical, transformative, and unique in a very captivating way. The game's development will also be overseen by series veteran Naoki Yoshida, often praised for his work on Final Fantasy 14.
Needless to say, Final Fantasy 16 has all the prerequisites required of becoming an amazing game. Perhaps what is most interesting about the Final Fantasy 16 reveal trailer is exactly how much it seems to tell players about the game's narrative. Even in only 4 short minutes, character's names, motivations, and major plot beats have been shown off. Here are some of the small details sprinkled into Final Fantasy 16's trailer which may have plot relevance in the final release.
The trailer for Final Fantasy 16 starts with what is presumably the main protagonist staring into a fire, lost in thought. Although this character doesn't have a name yet, he is seen to be playable so it's safe to assume he is at least one of the main characters. Afterward, the trailer shows off both Titan and Shiva battling. Much like in Final Fantasy 14, the summons is referred to as "Eikons." In Final Fantasy 14, separate summons were worshipped by different races and societies. They will likely take on a similar role in FF16, given the term "Eikon" is being re-used.
FF16 Characters
After this intense battle scene, the FF16 trailer shows off a younger version of the assumed protagonist from earlier standing outside in what is probably his hometown. A young boy named Joshua is told that he cannot go outside by a woman before he is led away. The character from the opening then states that his purpose is to protect "him". While it can't be said for sure, the protagonist is most likely talking about the young boy Joshua. Joshua is also referenced later to be the "Archduke's son" so this nameless protagonist being his defender makes sense, especially considering events that take place later on.
Shortly after this, a scene plays out where a man yells "you swore your sword to our cause!" at someone the viewer isn't able to see. This may be the protagonist, as it is not uncommon for a Final Fantasy character to leave the empire behind for moral or personal reasons. Perhaps the protagonist in FF16 has had these disagreements as well, and wishes to take his adventure into his own hands.
FF16 Summons
The most impactful and intriguing portion of Final Fantasy 16's trailer is most likely the end, where Joshua seemingly transforms into the summon Ifrit. This could be the reason he would need a protector, as well as the reason he would be so sheltered. Following this, Phoenix also flies in to fight Ifrit. While it is hard to say why Phoenix is there, in much of the gameplay through the trailer, there is a noticeable visual motif of "fire-like wings" in the main protagonist's attacks. Due to this, Phoenix may be related to the main character in some way. Perhaps the protagonist can transform into Phoenix in Final Fantasy 16, much like Joshua can with Ifrit. Right now, it's hard to tell for sure, but the visual similarities are apparent.
The trailer then ends with a close up of the protagonist's face as he says "I'll kill you if it's the last thing I do." As he does this, his younger self fades and an older image of him appears with an intense disdain in his eyes. This most likely implies the game will have some type of time skip. Perhaps the protagonist's job of protecting Joshua is short-lived after failing to control Ifrit. After this, he may choose to leave the empire. What would then follow is the time skip, in which the player now controls a more hardened and mature version of the protagonist.
Of course, right now all of this is just speculation. Despite this, Final Fantasy 16 already appears to be an interesting title in a successful long-running series.
