progress can be transferred to the full game. This is no simple gameplay preview; players can actually experience the first two hours or so of FF16, getting a taste of both its combat and its story.

And that story is already making an impression. Longtime series players already knew going in that FF16 was going to be darker, edgier, and bloodier than Final Fantasy has ever been before. Even so, the demo justifies its M rating right off the bat. It's not all sunshine and chocobos this time; in FF16, battle is brutal, and it has real consequences for the survivors. That's made abundantly clear at the end of FF16's demo, when protagonist Clive takes things too far with his brother Joshua.

It Looks Like Clive Kills Joshua In FF16's Demo

At the end of FF16's demo, it seems that Clive kills Joshua when they lose control of their respective Eikons, Ifrit and Phoenix. Clive and Joshua are the sons of Archduke of Rosaria Elwin Rosfield, the ruler of their home country and Dominant of the Eikon of Fire, Phoenix. Phoenix acts as a sort of protector spirit for Rosaria, and the Archduke's job is to control it, eventually ing down that power to an heir.

However, although he's the Archduke's eldest son, Clive doesn't inherit the power of Phoenix in FF16, making him something of an outcast at the royal court. Instead, young Joshua becomes the new Dominant. Out of love and familial obligation for his younger brother, Clive devotes his life to protecting Joshua, becoming the First Shield of Rosaria - but he can't protect him forever.

After FF16's introductory quest explains all of this and gives players an advance look at the war on the horizon, it flashes back in time to Clive's younger days. Players go through a training montage before Clive and Joshua head out on separate expeditions: Joshua accompanies the Archduke, while Clive and some buddies go to eradicate goblins from a burned-out village. This is an opportunity for players to experience one of FF16's dungeons, with a series of enemy mobs culminating in a thrilling boss battle. When they return, Clive and Joshua have a heart-to-heart, in which they it to their reliance on each other. This only makes what comes next sting more.

Does Joshua Die In Final Fantasy 16's Demo?

Suddenly, enemies appear at the gates, and before long, Rosaria is under Imperial siege. Players briefly take control of Joshua during this next gameplay section of FF16’s demo, in which he attempts to escape his family's castle. Clive soon s the fray, but he's too late: Elwin is killed before Joshua's eyes. Seeing the death of his father flings the boy into an uncontrollable rage. He transforms into Phoenix, summoning a great fire that razes the surrounding area.

Clive attempts to talk him down to no avail, but suddenly, a second Eikon of Fire appears: Ifrit, the first of many Eikons whose power Clive gains in FF16. Clive and Joshua's Eikons duke it out over a dramatic, heart-pounding combat sequence as Clive gradually loses control over Ifrit. In the end, Ifrit rains blows down upon Phoenix until the Eikon - and Joshua - both appear to be dead.

Joshua's Death In FF16 Could Be A Red Herring

While the FF16 demo ends with Joshua presumed dead at Clive's hands, there's still a possibility that this plot beat is just a bit of misdirection. In real-life mythology, phoenixes are closely associated with restorative powers, hence the phrase, "rise like a phoenix." The same holds true in other FF games in which Phoenix appears as a summon; it usually has some sort of healing effect, often raising characters from the dead. It's possible that, due to his connection with the regenerative Phoenix, Joshua doesn't die - or at least is able to return to life.

Square Enix isn't averse to this sort of thing. Players already suspect that trailers for FF7 Rebirth have included some red herrings regarding classic characters' fates in the title. This is done not by outright lying to the player, but by intentionally creating false associations. Player progress carrying over to the full game means that the last story beat won't directly change; FF16 players who load in their demo saves will probably pick up right where the cliffhanger left off. It's not like Joshua's death is fake footage that'll be retconned on release; instead, Joshua's survival could be played as a mid-game twist, creating a prickly conundrum for the other of the Rosfield family.

What Joshua's Death Means For Clive In FF16's Story

Whether Joshua lives or dies, his brother's fate will certainly be impacted over the course of FF16's story. If Joshua is truly dead, it'll probably play out like a redemption story. The older, grizzled Clive will be wracked by guilt over his brother's death and must come to with his role in it. FF16 was introduced, in its first reveal trailer, with the phrase, "The legacy of the crystals have shaped our history for long enough." Since the demo reveals that the crystals are connected to Eikonic power, Clive's journey may take him on a tour to each of these sacred artifacts, which he'll demolish in order to free people from the destructive power of the Eikons.

If Joshua is still alive, however, FF16 could become a classic story of a man searching for his long-lost brother. The final cutscene in the demo shows Clive and Joshua's mother, Anabella, coming upon the scene of their battle. She's turned traitor for the Empire and resolves to send Clive into battle on their side. If Clive does actually go on to fight for the Empire, it'd be a wonderfully dramatic twist for him and his mother to realize that Joshua is still alive.

This would turn parent and child against one another in a way that FF has successfully pulled off more than once before: FF9's Queen Brahne and FFX 's Jecht come to mind. Clive would also have to race against Imperial forces bent on preventing the powerful Phoenix's return. And it goes without saying he'd have to beg for Joshua's forgiveness, in what could be an incredibly vulnerable (and potentially heartbreaking) character beat for FF16's climax.

It's safe to say the FF16 demo has left players guessing. Between its earthshaking combat, gorgeous visuals, and riveting story, it's already got its claws in players worldwide. The cliffhanger ending only furthers this; it's impossible to finish the demo without wondering where Clive is headed next. If the rest of the plot can keep up this energy throughout, it may rank among the greatest FF games in of story and characters. Whatever the case, players will have to wait until Final Fantasy 16's full release on June 22, 2023, to find out.

Source: FINAL FANTASY/YouTube