Final Fantasy 16is a game of set pieces. Its stage is set with war and politicking, with a vast cast of characters whose motivations and backstories are as varied as they are complicated. This makes for a gripping storyline that follows a lengthy narrative, proving to be a joy for anylore nerd to sink their teeth into.
Sometimes, though, the best stories are told off-stage. They are waiting in the wings, ready to be discovered. As Clive makes his way around the various settlements in Valisthea, he’s able to overhear snippets of conversation. These little couplets are nothing new to gaming - NPC chatter is an easy way not only to make a world feel lived-in but to subtly impart a sense of depth - but Final Fantasy 16 goes above and beyond in using this small mechanic to make Valisthea a richer, more satisfying world to explore.
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When it comes to the unimportants - the chorus of a world - we are so used to only hearing their stories in terms of how they relate to our main characters. They often have problems that only you’re able to solve, and that’s the only purpose they serve, ever repeating their lines and waiting for their hero to come and gather some beans or slay some giant rats. NPC chatter helps avoid this trap, letting the nameless chaff have experiences away from the action and exist on their own terms, able to enjoy a place in the world without being a footnote on the hero’s journey.
Final Fantasy 16 uses NPC chatter to tell tiny, emotional stories far removed from Clive’s adventure. The writing is consistently gripping and authentic, so you find yourself slowing down as you race through villages and towns on the way to your next quest destination, just to hear what people have to say. The delightful surprise comes when you return to those villages and realise that these people aren’t just having conversations away from the action but living entire lives.In our review of FF16, Jade King noted that the world changes and evolves as events progress. To me, this is exemplified to the highest degree in NPC chatter. There are characters who will never receive names that I find myself more drawn to than actual named characters with substantial backstories.
Take the Lonely Soldier, for example. He’s an NPC you’ll first walk past in Northreach, a town with a brothel, the Veil, that seems to be the numero uno source of entertainment for merchants and soldiers alike. On your first walk past, you’ll overhear him lamenting his lack of money as he chats with a Veil Courtesan, obviously a frequent customer of the brothel. This seems like some typical, flavourful window dressing on your first pass through the town, but this soldier is situated on the most direct route to the Veil, so you’ll pass him quite a few times over the course of the game.
The next time you’ll notice the Lonely Soldier, you’ll overhear a different conversation. This time, it is with a male Courtier that he shares an overheard couplet with, and his new conversation partner is far sweeter and more encouraging. He comforts the Lonely Soldier through his fears on one visit and encourages him to do the right thing on the next. These hints culminate in an emotional exchange in which the Veil Courtier professes his love for the Lonely Soldier. While Final Fantasy 16 has room to grow in terms of tellingauthentic and compelling queer stories, this small window into the budding relationship between a soldier and courtesan is burned into my lovesick heart and highlights just how effectively the game wields these snatches of conversation.
The more you visit a certain place, the more the NPCs there will feel like more than part of the furniture. Final Fantasy 16 tells an epic tale, sure, but it also tells a hundred tiny tales that are delightful to experience. Take a moment to slow down and listen to children learning to read, a new vintage wine ready for the shelves, and Bearers adjusting to their freedom, or you’ll miss them entirely. Not that they’d care, mind you - they’re getting on fine without you.
NEXT:Does Final Fantasy 16 Even Want To Be A Video Game?
