TheFinal Fantasyseries has experimented with a number of different gameplay formulas and thematic ideas. Fromthe steampunk streets of Midgar inFinal Fantasy 7to the more grounded, history-inspiredFinal Fantasy 16, the franchise has the capacity to change its atmosphere on a whim. The next game will be more in line withFinal Fantasy’s origins, with futuristic sci-fi elements taking a backseat to a war-torn medieval setting. It’s a popular choice in current pop culture, with some juggernaut TV series likeHouse of the Dragonthat also lean on mature themes and bloodthirsty battles.
House of the Dragonis the first time fans have reentered Westeros since the criticized finale ofGame of Thrones. Instead of a sprawling epic that takes its audiences from the sandy, sun-swept land of Dorne to the harsh, unforgiving wasteland north of The Wall, this project seems to be a more close-knit affair. This time, the tumultuous reign of House Targaryen takes precedent over The War of the Five Kings.Square Enix' crowning JRPG franchiseis an entirely different property than anything from the mind of George R. R. Martin, but withFinal Fantasy’s sixteenth mainline installment on the way, there’s enough parallels to warrant some influence from the stronger aspects inHouse of the Dragon.
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Final Fantasy 16’s Family Dynamic
Clive Rosfield is the playable protagonist inFinal Fantasy 16, but it seems his younger brother Joshua has a more important place in the world. As the latter is the Dominant of the primal Phoenix, he is one of Valisthea’s most prominent figures, despite Clive being the firstborn son of the Archduke of Rosaria. It’s evident that Joshua isn’t one for conflict, so Clive took up the blade in a bid to keep his younger brother safe.Final Fantasy 16will likely have far more plot threads in motion, but this emphasis on family has been reiterated through the game’s promotional material.
House of the Dragonis only a few weeks into its 10-episode first season, but it’s become clear that it focuses on the complex dynamics of a complicated family. House Targaryen is one of the great houses of Westeros and has remained on the Iron Throne since Aegon’s conquest, but the space between the family’s greatest feats andDaenerys' actions inGame of Throneswent largely unexplored.House of the Dragonfills the gap with heroes, villains, uneasy alliances, and shocking betrayals showing not all is pleasant in the lives of its characters.Final Fantasy 16should carry the same philosophy, maintaining a deep sense of family to push the narrative forward and make it a more intimate affair.
House of the Dragon’s Liberal Use of Time Jumps
ThoughGame of Throneswas no stranger to time jumps that kept its story moving forward,House of the Dragonuses them with more reckless abandon. Months, even years are glossed over to keep the tale intriguing, with Viserys' new son andRhaenyra’s claim to the thronebeing the topic of much chatter. Explaining every plot detail - both critical and inconsequential - in each episode would slow the show’s pace to a crawl. Finding the right time to reestablish the characters in a new time frame is vital to the overall quality of the show.
Like its 2016 predecessor,Final Fantasy 16will include a time skip wherein the protagonist ages greatly. Noctis is a grumpy 20-year-old over the vast majority of the game, and only becomes a “responsible” adult in the title’s closing stages, but there’s little evidence to suggest Clive’s journey will be the same.Clive’s time skip inFinal Fantasy 16could take place far earlier, with the majority of his quest taking place when he is of age.House of the Dragonproves time skips can do wonders for character development, and Square Enix could benefit from watching how theGame of Thronesspin-off handles its (often convoluted) timeline.
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High Fantasy Needs a Suitable Visual Style
WhileLord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’s aesthetics inspire hope and wonderment,House of the Dragonutilizes dimly lit corridors and drab interior deign to maximum effect, adding to the series' tone and serious themes. With a scaled-back story and less of a desire to show off the diverse corners of Westeros,House of the Dragondoesn’t have to shine a light on the greener pastures of The Reach or the clear skies of Pentos, so it’s free to indulge itself in darkness and craft a consistent atmosphere.
The differences between Amazon’sRings of PowerandHouse of the Dragonare similar to the changes betweenFinal Fantasy 15’s EosandFinal Fantasy 16’s Valisthea, with one being far brighter than the other. The gothic spires and medieval architecture of the latter have more in common with Ishgard inFinal Fantasy 14: Heavenswardthan Lestallum or Altissia, and the brooding tone of the sixteenth mainline game would be best served by a visual style that mirrors a less-than-optimistic tale.
Final Fantasy 16will have an abundance of inspirations, including the games that preceded it. It may not be best forSquare Enix to chase theGame of Throneshype, butHouse of the Dragonprovides a smaller, well-paced story thatFinal Fantasycould take subtle cues from. The spin-off series has been a success among audiences, even coming off the spoiled acclaim of its parent show. Clive and Joshua’s story is a while away from releasing, but capturing some of the magic from the current George R.R. Martin-inspired show could be wise.
Final Fantasy 16releases summer 2023 for PS5.
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