As Final Fantasy 16 proves to be one of the series' most ambitious releases to date, it's worth comparing the game's size to the previous mainline entry - the open-world Final Fantasy 15. With a darker tone, more adult themes, and a full focus on fast-paced action combat, FF16 is arguably a larger departure from Final Fantasy's traditional JRPG roots than any other mainline entry before it, even in a series that tends to reinvent itself as much as Final Fantasy does. However, as the game follows in the footsteps of other heavily action-focused games like Devil May Cry, it's also very linear - which impacts the size of its map.
Although the various worlds of Final Fantasy games tend to play an important role in each entry's narrative, how large the maps are can change drastically between releases. The maps of FF10 and FF12, for example, are fairly large by the standards of the series up to that point, fitting their relatively more open gameplay - and even those are dwarfed by the total explorable area of the fully open-world Final Fantasy 15. However, with Final Fantasy 16 taking the series' gameplay in a drastically different direction, its world structure also differs greatly from FF15's
FF15 and FF16's Maps, Compared
Unlike Final Fantasy 15, FF16 is distinctly not a continuous, open-world experience - instead, the structure of the world is closer to some classic Final Fantasy games, with separate explorable areas accessible through fast traveling from a world map. That being said, however, Final Fantasy 16's Valisthea still has plenty to explore, with several of its areas easily rivaling entire other games in size. And, while the lack of a continuous open world may disappoint some players, FF16's world structure is arguably a better fit for its heavily action-focused gameplay.
FF16's Map Is Larger Than FF15's - But Less Open
Comparing overall size, Final Fantasy 16's world map does cover a larger area than Final Fantasy 15's - with the caveat that not all of that area is explorable, due to FF16's separated zone, in stark contrast to FF15's open world exploration with the Regalia. In exchange, however, most of FF16's content tends to be more tightly condensed in its explorable areas. Moreover, while Valisthea does have more open areas, some of its discrete maps are a fairly linear experience, especially areas more heavily associated with the main story, with more open areas holding much of the game's side content or having more to do upon a later revisit.
Unlike FF15's world of Eos, which was a mostly continuous open world with little in the way of areas separated by loading screens, FF16's world is structured around having a number of traversable areas that can be fast-traveled between, as well as a central hub area - Cid's Hideaway. Introduced early in the game, the Hideaway serves as a home base for players to return to, with its many useful facilities making it similar in function to something like Elden Ring's Roundtable Hold. In contrast to Final Fantasy 15's camping system, FF16 players will often find themselves returning to the hideaway during the game's downtime.
Crucially, the difference in map design and gameplay between the two games also means that the content that can be found differs as well. Many of the activities that made up FF15's side content, such as optional dungeons, aren't present in FF16, which instead has the majority of its side content focused on combat encounters, modes, Hunts, and side quests. Notably, a major component of FF16's optional content is replaying fights and main story sequences, similar to character action games like Devil May Cry, with the Chronolith Trials, in particular, being comparable to DMC's Bloody Palace.
FF16's Condensed Map Is A Better Fit For Its Gameplay
While FF16's world is less open than its predecessors, however, it's arguably a better fit for the game's heavily action-focused combat, which serves as its main focus. Given its heavy influence from character action games, which typically have linear levels with a few dead-end side paths holding secrets, FF16's deemphasized focus on having a large, explorable world is a natural fit for its gameplay. In a game heavily focused on combat, having an entirely open world has the potential to make fights too sparse or with little meaningful content in between.
Instead of an emphasis on exploration, the vast majority of Final Fantasy 16's systems are focused on propping up its combat. Accordingly, the game's map design and side content feeds into the combat, with many of the game's side quests taking the form of short diversions with their own associated encounters, and the different sections of the main story can be replayed through the Arete Stone in the hideout, taking players back to the areas they took place in. Similarly, progressing straight through the main story involves little exploration, as the main path quickly moves players through combat encounters and the story.
However, while the lack of an open world allows FF16 to have a narrower focus, it also means that players with more of a preference towards exploration may not find as much to enjoy. The world of Final Fantasy 15, in contrast, has a larger variety of side content, with a number of optional dungeons and fishing spots that can be compelling for players to discover as they move through the game. So, while Final Fantasy 16's less open map makes sense for the kind of game it's trying to be, it comes at the potential cost of the more general appeal that an open-world title might have had.
When comparing the overall map sizes of the two most recent Final Fantasy games, 16's Valisthea is a larger world than 15's Eos, but also less open, with discrete, more condensed areas. The two game's approach to world design also has a heavy bearing on several other aspects of the game, most noticeably on how each game handles its side content. While the narrower focus of Final Fantasy 16 allows it to more strongly appeal to action fans, it may also slightly alienate those who prefer to explore and discover.
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