Final Fantasy 16took the long-running RPG franchise into much darker territory. Acting as both a return to the roots and a step toward the future, the title featured many of theFinal Fantasyseries' most traditional elements, while thrusting its narrative and setting into a world of dark and mature fantasy.Final Fantasy 16shares many connections with another dark fantasy series,Game of Thrones, as the two have very similar takes on magic, politics, and breaking fate. Of these,Final Fantasy 16’s closestGame of Thronesconnection may be its take on Greyscale, a fatal disease found inGame of Thrones' Westeros. While the two differ in how they are contracted, their symptoms and prognosis spell a similar fate.
Final Fantasy 16follows Clive Rosfield, as he seeks to free humanity from the influence of the mothercrystals, which allow humanity to access magic. While the general population utilizes shards of the mothercrystals to influence their environment, others are born with the ability to wield magic themselves. These individuals, called Bearers, live a life of servitude, as their respective Kingdoms or Empires see them as more of a tool than a human being. Valisthea’s Bearers are divided into two groups, Branded and Dominants. While the Branded live as slaves, Dominants are elevated to high positions in society. Dominants wield the power of Eikons,Final Fantasy 16’s summons, and are utilized primarily in conflicts of war and aggression. Clive, having experienced both sides firsthand, seeks to destroy the source of magic, thereby freeing all Bearers.
RELATED:One Final Fantasy 16 Feature is Perfect For Free DLC Updates
The Crystal’s Curse is Final Fantasy’s Greyscale
Fans oftheGame of Thronesseriesare familiar with a fatal disease called Greyscale, which causes the infected’s skin to rot and take on a stone-like appearance. Greyscale is caused by a virus-like infection, existing as a natural illness inGame of Thrones' world. Catching Greyscale was very easy, as the disease spread through direct contact with an infected individual. In theGame of Thronesseries, the characters Shireen Baratheon, Jorah Mormont, Archmaester Pylos, and Karl Whitehill all contract Greyscale.
Final Fantasy 16’s Bearersshare a similar fate to those infected with Greyscale. The term “Bearers” itself is short for Bearers of the Crystal’s Curse. As Bearers channel the land of Valisthea’s aether to wield magic, their body pays the price, slowly turning to stone. If a Bearer utilizes magic too frequently, this exchange can prove fatal. As Valisthea’s Branded have no control over the frequency with which their magic is used, many are killed by the Crystal’s Curse and disposed of. Dominants, on the other hand, are well taken care of, as their usefulness is critical to their Kingdom or Empire’s existence.
The Crystal’s Curse is More than Meets the Eye
Whilethe Crystal’s Curseis seemingly explained in the early hours ofFinal Fantasy 16’s narrative, Clive is mysteriously immune to its effects. When other Dominants display signs of physical degradation, Clive remains untouched. Even in the title’s later sections, in which Clive wields the powers of every dominant at once, he can do so without decline. While this appears to be a unique character trait, among the many others Clive exhibits, the true nature of the Crystal’s Curse and Clive’s immunity is much more complex.
ThroughoutFinal Fantasy 16’s narrative,characters refer to Clive as Mythos, and, during the title’s endgame, this term proves to be the key to understanding Valisthea’s magic, the mothercrystals, the Bearers, and Clive’s unique abilities. It is revealed that the mothercrystals and all of humanity were created to fuel the creation of a vessel, called Mythos, through whichFinal Fantasy 16’s true antagonist, Ultima, can cast a spell to destroy and rebuild the world.
Bearers, specifically Dominants, were created to feed this vessel, who could be identified by their ability to wield a limitless amount of aether without bodily decline. In exhibiting an immunity to the Crystal’s curse, Clive is identified as Mythos. However, Clive’s mission to destroy the mothercrystals, thereby foiling Ultima’s plan, proves that humanity’s will is stronger than their pre-destined fate, entering Clive and Ultima into a final conflict, with all of creation hanging in the balance.
Final Fantasy 16is available now for PS5.
MORE:How Final Fantasy 16’s Main Cast Body Count Compares to Game of Thrones
