Final Fantasy 16's biggest series departure is still partly influenced by one of the older games

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Final Fantasy 5 had a big hand in the creation of 16's combat

Final Fantasy 16
(Image credit: Square Enix)

It turns out Final Fantasy 16's combat was partly inspired by Final Fantasy 5.

Speaking to the Japanese outlet Dengeki Online (as translated by SiliconEra), senior developers Hiroshi Takai and Kazutoyo Maehiro have shed new light on the game, comparing the Eikon Summons of Final Fantasy 16 to the job system of the classic Final Fantasy 5.

The new game's development team want to recreate the Spellblade, Dualwield, and Rapidfire gauntlet of endgame abilities in Final Fantasy 5 with Eikons in Final Fantasy 16, leading to a similar system whereby players would be able to create unique combinations with the abilities and Summons presented to them.

Going a step further, director Maehiro said "it would be easier to understand if I say that (combat) will feel like controlling Bartz, the main character from Final Fantasy 5, in real-time action," outright comparing Final Fantasy 16 to a real-time version of the classic Square Enix JRPG.

Maehiro also points to the popularity of streaming games as inspiration for Final Fantasy 16's new combat system. Producer Naoki Yoshida also chimes in, adding that the new real-time combat system would genuinely excel in successive playthroughs of Final Fantasy 16.

Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer
Freelance Writer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.