While Final Fantasy 16 is the much-anticipated next installment in the long-running JRPG franchise, updates on the game have been very sparse since its announcement back in 2020. Little more than a trailer and information about the game's world on the official site has been offered, leading many fans to worry about when the game will actually release. Some fans have become worried that Final Fantasy 16 will end up going the same route as the infamous Versus 13, but there are several reasons why that's likely not the case this time around.
The impact that Versus 13 has had on Final Fantasy and its spin-offs like Kingdom Hearts is hard to overstate. Originally the brainchild of Square Enix veteran Tetsuya Nomura, the game had a rocky development cycle even before it was shifted to becoming Final Fantasy 15. The game ended up being in development for more than a decade after Nomura was moved to focus on Kingdom Hearts 3, but narrative elements of the original concept have gone on to affect FF7 Remake, Kingdom Hearts, and now Final Fantasy 16. The concept of defying fate has been a strong through-line in the franchise, and FF16 is likely to do just that with some fans' expectations.
Final Fantasy 16 is a Mainline Title, so Fans Shouldn't Compare It to Versus 13
Final Fantasy 16 has a much different setting than Versus 13 and the other games it influenced, but the comparisons made so far are fair. The game has a darker tone than most of the earlier Final Fantasy games, something Versus 13 opened the floodgates for, and is set to make some radical changes to the formula. The similarity that fans worry about, though, is the amount of time that's passed since a major update on FF16. Many had expected to see the new JRPG make an appearance at this year's online E3 presentation, but that show has come and gone. FF16 made a quick appearance in Square Enix's sizzle reel about upcoming projects, but didn't provide any new video or information.
Now that it seems likely that FF16 will also miss the Tokyo Game Show, fans are getting a little anxious. While 2021 will forever be a year associated with delays and sparse updates, many feel that FF16 needs to release something soon. Still, while the comparisons to Versus 13 have come quickly, they are largely unfounded. While it can certainly be frustrating for fans to wait this long, it's important to remember that it has only been about a year since the game was announced. Final Fantasy is a major property for both Square Enix and to Sony, so both are likely working hard to make sure that the PS5 exclusive arrives in a timely manner. That's one of the main reasons fans shouldn't be too worried in and of itself, as FF16 is a mainline game.
Conversely, Versus 13 was originally exactly what it's title suggests: a spin-off. While the game drew a lot of attention and was exciting for fans of Final Fantasy, it was not a mainline entry at first. That isn't to say that Square Enix wasn't dedicated to the project, but it's an important distinction from Final Fantasy 16. Having begun its life as a major numbered entry, the game is likely a singular focus for its teams, despite how much Final Fantasy 16 is breaking series traditions.
It's natural for fans to worry about when the next iteration of a beloved franchise will release when it's been practically silent for nearly a year. But comparing FF16 to Versus 13 in terms of release timing is fairly hyperbolic. The fact that Square Enix has been so quiet about FF16 is both good and bad. While not updating fans very often can have its own issues, the relative radio silence is likely intentional. After the somewhat rocky release of FF15, Square Enix is most likely keeping new gameplay or story elements hidden until they are at a level of polish that it feels comfortable sharing. Luckily, based on everything known so far, it seems like FF16 is shaping up to be one of the standouts in a franchise of greats.
Final Fantasy 16 is in development for the PlayStation 5.