There’s a reference in the upcoming Final Fantasy 16 that most fans of the franchise won’t pick up easily. Clive’s loyal friend Torgal in Final Fantasy 16, the wolf puppy that follows him around, is actually named after a major character in a previous game directed by Hiroshi Takai.Final Fantasy 16 is shaping up to be one of the biggest releases of 2023. Unlike its predecessor, which focused on the joys of riding around in an open world with friends, the game will have a darker story focused on revenge, and is reported to have 11 hours of cutscenes alone. By following Clive in his revenge, players will get one of the most mature storylines of the franchise, but that does not mean that cool references and Easter eggs will be completely forgotten, or that there will be no time for joy during the story.RELATED: Final Fantasy 16 Includes Surprising Online FeatureFor instance, the new Final Fantasy game comes with a curious reference to The Last Remnant, a game that was directed by Hiroshi Takai. Clive’s dog Torgal is named after a major character in that game, which is, ironically, from the sovani, a race of cat men. In Final Fantasy 16, Torgal is one of Clive’s companions. While not being directly controlled by the player, Torgal can receive commands during battles, serving as a loyal friend that will help Clive during the action.

The reference won’t be picked by many fans, though. The Last Remnant wasn’t a big hit when it was released back in 2008 for Xbox 360 and for PC in the following year. Both versions had a few bugs, and gameplay issues and lacked the Final Fantasy brand name, which made the game become largely forgotten by most people, except those who played it back in the day. However, The Last Remnant was remastered for the Nintendo Switch back in 2019, allowing modern gamers to experience it for the first time with improved graphics and a better overall experience.

In related news, a stunning video of Final Fantasy 16 was shown at PAX East 2023, showcasing just how beautiful the game’s world will look even if there’s a war going on. Valisthea, the new setting, was introduced with several images of impossibly high peaks, vast fields, deserts, ruins, and even castles. During the game, Clive will be able to explore these environments alongside Torgal, fighting enemies and exploring while advancing the plot. The game won’t be an open world like Final Fantasy 15, though, and will provide a fairly linear experience sprinkled with side quests.

Final Fantasy 16 releases on June 22 for PS5.

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