The writing team that brought Final Fantasy 14: Heavensward to the world is about to bring Final Fantasy 16 next summer, and the main characters at the heart of this tale have just been revealed on the game's updated website. Though Square Enix revealed the protagonist for Final Fantasy 16 very early on, now fans finally have a clear image of who will be joining Clive as friend or foe during his adventures across Valisthea.
The website update dropped when Final Fantasy 16's newest trailer did, revealing the game's sprawling setting and highlighting a few of the characters, known as Dominants, who possess the power of the Eikons. Though much of Final Fantasy 16's gameplay remains the subject of speculation, it is assumed that wielding the power of the Eikons such as Ifrit and Titan will feature as its main selling point.
Final Fantasy 16's story looks to be centered around Clive Rosfield, the firstborn son of the Archduke of Rosaria, and his younger brother Joshua Rosfield. Though it was expected that Clive would awaken as the Dominant of the Phoenix, fate had chosen Joshua to bear that burden (and that power) instead. As a result, Clive had spent his years studying the blade and emerging as the First Shield of Rosaria, protector of the Phoenix and blessed with a fragment of its power.
Joining the brothers is their adoptive sister Jill Warrick, a ward of Rosaria who was born in the fallen Northern Territories and taken in by the Archduke to secure lasting peace between the two nations. Many in the Final Fantasy 16 community have speculated her to be the Dominant of Shiva, but this theory remains unconfirmed by the official sources thus far.
The scope of Final Fantasy 16 is vast, and the story will take Clive outside Rosaria and into the other corners of the world. During his travails, he will cross paths with fellow Dominants Hugo Kupka, Benedikta Harman, Dion Lesage, and Barnabas Tharmr. Hugo is the Dominant of Titan, a former foot soldier, who now holds a lot of influence in the Dalmekhian Republic as its Econonic Advisor. On the other hand, Benedikta is the ruthless and cold-hearted Dominant of Garuda. She is in charge of Waloed's spy network currently on the hunt for the Dominant of Ifrit, and it is also implied that she has some sort of connection with Hugo.
Dion Lesage is the Crown Prince of Sanbreque and an accomplished dragoon. As the Dominant of Bahamut, he is beloved by both the troops and the citizens of his Empire, though nefarious shadows gather over its lands. Lastly, Barnabas Tharmr is the King of Waloed who arrived to its shores as a nameless adventurer, forging a formidable realm with the help of his spectral steed and black blade as the Dominant of Odin.
Though Final Fantasy 16 has confirmed party members as a returning mechanic for the game, they will not be controllable like in the past Final Fantasy titles. The ensemble of heroes has long been a staple of the franchise, and one can't help but wonder if Square Enix has finally revealed the game's roster.
Final Fantasy 16 launches in the summer of 2023 for PS5.
Source: Final Fantasy 16