Summary
Final Fantasy 16may be one of the most divisive installments in theFinal Fantasyfranchise, but that doesn’t take away from the impact it has had on the series. It shamelessly exchanged theturn-based combatFinal Fantasywas founded onfor real-time action combat, and while that change alone has been enough to leave a sour expression on the face of some veteran fans, it nonetheless paved the way forFinal Fantasy’s future and other games like it to follow in its footsteps.Clair Obscur: Expedition 33is one of those titles that may appeal to fans ofFinal Fantasy 16for several reasons.
Developed by indie game developer Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive,Clair Obscur: Expedition 33is a story-rich fantasy JRPG with plenty of features fans ofFinal Fantasy 16—and even those who didn’t appreciate it — might enjoy. Not only doesExpedition 33’s combat bridge the gap betweenFinal Fantasy’s past and present, but the voice of its protagonist is one thatFinal Fantasy 16fans should be more than familiar with. In fact, fans ofFinal Fantasy 16may find the voice ofExpedition 33’s protagonist to bring back fond memories of their time with the latest mainlineFinal Fantasyinstallment.
Why Expedition 33 Might Appeal to Final Fantasy 16 Fans
Expedition 33 Features Final Fantasy 16’s Ben Starr as the Voice of One of Its Main Characters
Whether someone has playedFinal Fantasyfrom its origins or experienced it for the first time inFinal Fantasy 16, it’s arguably impossible to walk away from the most recent mainline entry with negative feelings about its protagonist, Clive Rosfield. TheFinal Fantasyseries has featured plenty of noteworthy protagonists, likeFinal Fantasy 4’s Cecil Harvey andFinal Fantasy 13’s Lightning, but almost every one of them pales in comparison to Clive. Clive is one of the strongest and most caring individuals theFinal Fantasyfranchise has ever seen, and that goes even for its non-protagonist characters.
Aside from the heartwarming characteristics that make Clive so memorable, the actor who plays him, Ben Starr, brought the protagonist to life with an excellent vocal performance. The gravelly tones of Starr’s low register gave Clive a unique blend of toughness and softness, which was perfect for his character. Now, Starr appears to be returning inClair Obscur: Expedition 33as the voice of one of its main characters, which means those fans who associate Starr’s voice withClive Rosfieldmight at least find something to love aboutExpedition 33.
It’s currently unclear whether Starr will voice the main protagonist ofExpedition 33, as players will apparently control several “Expeditioners.” Still, the inclusion of Starr’s voice in the trailer forExpedition 33is a good omen, and he is likely the voice of the character Gustave.
Expedition 33’s Combat Bridges the Gap Between Final Fantasy’s Past and Present
Another reasonFinal Fantasy 16fans might have something to look forward to inExpedition 33is its unique combat system. At its core,Expedition 33’s combat is turn-based, just asFinal Fantasywas traditionally beforeFinal Fantasy 16. However, according to the game’s description and what has been revealed in its trailer,Expedition 33’s combat is turn-based with “real-time mechanics.” From the looks of things, it is turn-based in that it prevents players from taking actions until their turn but still allows them control over their characters' actions once it is their turn. As such, there’s a chanceExpedition 33could appeal to fans ofFinal Fantasy 16’s real-time action combatas well as those who prefer that of the series' classic titles.
Final Fantasy 16
WHERE TO PLAY
An epic dark fantasy world where the fate of the land is decided by the mighty Eikons and the Dominants who wield them.This is the tale of Clive Rosfield, a warrior granted the title “First Shield of Rosaria” and sworn to protect his younger brother Joshua, the dominant of the Phoenix. Before long, Clive will be caught up in a great tragedy and swear revenge on the Dark Eikon Ifrit, a mysterious entity that brings calamity in its wake.
