It is the sixteenth game in the mainline Final Fantasy series and is being produced by Naoki Yoshida and directed by Hiroshi Takai. Final Fantasy XVI is set in the fictional land of Valisthea, a continent with six factions that are on the verge of conflict due to a spreading malady called the Blight.
Final Fantasy XVI is an action role-playing game set in the fantasy world of Valisthea, where the people live comfortably thanks to mountains of crystal called the Mothercrystals. The world is controlled by six factions: the Grand Duchy of Rosaria, the Holy Empire of Sanbreque, the Kingdom of Waloed, the Dhalmekian Republic, the Iron Kingdom, and the Crystalline Dominion. Clive is the firstborn child of the Archduke of Rosaria who embarks on a quest for revenge after tragic events involving the dark Eikon Ifrit. Gameplay has Clive fighting using a combination of melee-based sword attacks and magical abilities.
The game is planned to feature various gameplay modes, including one that focuses on the story of the game and provides hints as to what to do next.
Final Fantasy XVI is developed by Square Enix's Creative Business Unit III, the same division behind the development and maintenance of the online game Final Fantasy XIV. It is produced by Naoki Yoshida, who has the dual role of producer and director of Final Fantasy XIV; and directed by Hiroshi Takai, known for his work on the SaGa series and The Last Remnant.
During the original announcement the game was also said to be developed for Microsoft Windows; this was later retracted, with Square Enix announcing it as a timed console exclusive for the PlayStation 5. At the end of December 2021, Yoshida announced that issues related to COVID-19 had delayed the game's development by half a year and that more details would be announced in spring 2022.
