Skip to main content

Final Fantasy XVI State of Play reveals Cid’s Hideaway and story mode

Square Enix and Sony shared over 20 minutes of new Final Fantasy XVI footage and information today during the State of Play presentation. During this dedicated showcase, we got a general overview of the game’s story and combat, saw Cid’s Hideaway, and learned about a story-focused mode that is recommended for players new to action games.

Final Fantasy XVI - State of Play 4K | PS5 Games

After an introduction from Producer Naoki Yoshida, the State of Play explained how Final Fantasy XVI takes place across different periods, when Clive is in his teens, 20s, and 30s. We then see a bit of gameplay with teenage Clive, a look at the world map, and an overview of many of the different locales players can visit during their adventure. The State of Play then moved on to combat, explaining the basics: how Clive gains abilities from the Eikons he encounters and how players can upgrade them with ability points.

Some accessories can be equipped to make the game easier. Players can choose to have a “Story-Focused” adventure when starting a new game if they want those helpful accessories automatically equipped from the start. We then meet some of Clive’s allies, like Cid and Jill and Clive’s pet Torgal, who can also help Clive in a fight. The State of Play then introduces Cid’s Hideaway, which contains vendors, a training mode, a Hunt Board, various sidequests, and more.

Clive speaks to Mid in Final Fantasy XVI.

After a look at some bosses, we got to see some spectacle-filled Eikon fights, which change up the combat, like turning the game into a Panzer Dragoon-like aerial shooter. These are visual marvels to behold. To end the stream, Yoshida revealed that Final Fantasy XVI’s main theme was performed by Kenshi Yonezu.

Final Fantasy XVI will be released exclusively for PlayStation 5 on June 22.

Editors' Recommendations

Tomas Franzese
Gaming Staff Writer
Tomas Franzese is a Staff Writer at Digital Trends, where he reports on and reviews the latest releases and exciting…
All Wall of Memories curiosities in Final Fantasy 16
Final Fantasy 16's cover showcasing its protagonist infront of two demon summons.

Clive is a more sentimental guy than you might expect from looking at him. Even though he puts on a tough face, it's clear he still cares deeply for those around him in Final Fantasy 16. This is most obvious once you unlock the Wall of Memories where he will store all the trinkets and items he finds to display. These curiosities are the main collectibles you will be picking up throughout Final Fantasy 16, but only the first is handed to you. The remaining ones will be off the main path and take a little more work. If you want to fully stock Clive's Wall of Memories with every collectible, here's where you can find them in Final Fantasy 16.
All curiosities

There are a total of 22 curiosities to find to fill up your Wall of Memories in Final Fantasy 16, but you could really say 21 since the first is given to you as part of the story. Here's where to get them all so you can unlock the For the Hoard trophy.
The Oath
Automatically obtained once you reach the "Cid the Outlaw" main quest.
Ambrosia's Tack
Rewarded to you after completing "The White-Winged Wonder" sidequest.
Martelle Apples
Rewarded to you after completing "The Fruits of Her Labors" sidequest.
Cid's Goblet
Rewarded to you after completing the "Payback" sidequest.
Guardians Scarf
Rewarded to you after completing "The Flames of War" sidequest.
Continental Censer
Rewarded to you after completing the "An Eye for an Eye" sidequest.
Hanged Man Signboard
Rewarded to you after completing the "For Great Justice II" sidequest.
Martha's Rest Signboard
Rewarded to you after completing the "Rekindling the Flame II" sidequest.
Crimson Caravans Signboard
Rewarded to you after completing the "Trading Places II" sidequest.
Charred Sparring Sword
Rewarded to you after completing the "More than Words" sidequest.
Scholar's Bonnet
Rewarded to you after completing the"An Inconvenient Truth" sidequest.
Stolas Quill
Rewarded to you after completing the "A Tail to Tell" sidequest.
Model Airship
Rewarded to you after completing the "Aiming High" sidequest.
Winter Mead
Rewarded to you after completing the "Silver Linings" sidequest.
Rusted Battlehelm
Rewarded to you after completing the "Where There's a Will" sidequest.
Snow Daisy Garland
Rewarded to you after completing the "Priceless" sidequest.
The Triunity Accord
Rewarded to you after completing the "Three's Company" sidequest.
Briar's Kiss Signboard
Rewarded to you after completing the "Lines in the Sand II" sidequest.
Clayhearth Signboard
Rewarded to you after completing the "Duty Undying II" sidequest.
Veil Signboard
Rewarded to you after completing the "Under New Management II" sidequest.
Medicine Chest
Rewarded to you after completing the "Back to Their Origin" sidequest.
The Circle of Malius
Rewarded to you after completing all of the trails in every chronolith.

Read more
All Chronolith locations and rewards in Final Fantasy 16
A chronolith trial pillar glowing in the sunlight.

Every Final Fantasy game changes up the battle system in one way or another. Final Fantasy 16 isn't the first to have real-time, action-focused combat, but is by far the most polished and refined one. The story is by no means secondary, but for the first time players are able to really express themselves through the various combos and abilities you can pull off. Square Enix recognized this and included special combat trails called Chronolith Trials. These are somewhat similar to the special missions you can find in games like Devil May Cry 5 where you are faced with a unique challenge for a reward. As tough as these challenges are to beat, finding them is also a bit of a chore. Hop on your Chocobo and follow our lead to find all the Chronolith locations in Final Fantasy 16. 
What are Chronolith Trials?

Chronolith Trials are unique combat trails that put you into an arena that spawns waves of enemies. There will always be three rooms that each spawn three waves of enemies, plus a boss at the end. You're on a timer, and can only use a designated Eikon with predetermined abilities. By pulling off Battle Techniques, including Precision Dodge and Ability Finishes, you can extend your time. If you're quick enough to beat all the enemies without running out of time, you'll earn a special accessory as a reward. There are seven in total, and completing them all will also unlock the final Wall of Memory item you need to complete that collection.
All Chronolith Trial locations
Phoenix
In Greensheaves in Rosaria, fast travel to Martha's Rest and exit to the north. Follow the path east and you will find it just before the path leading to Rhiannon's Ride.

Read more
All Dominants and Eikons in Final Fantasy 16
Final Fantasy 16 summon holding a crystal.

As with most games across the past four decades of Square-Enix's most popular role-playing franchise, Final Fantasy 16 sports plenty of gigantic summons based on various mythologies and religions. However, while these usually play a small part in the overall narrative of past Final Fantasy games, the newest game in the series brings them front and center as an integral part of its main storyline.

In the world of Final Fantasy 16, summons are known as Eikons, and each of these god-like beings possesses a host called a Dominant — a person who can summon the Eikon into the world and use their powers in battle. There are eight in total, and all of them play an important role in the intense and winding tale that Final Fantasy 16 weaves throughout its lengthy campaign.

Read more