The latest numbered entry in theFinal Fantasyfranchise has recently been released, and fans around the world are currently working their way through it.Final Fantasy 16is the most action-orientedFinal Fantasytitle yet, exceeding not onlyFinal Fantasy 15andFinal Fantasy 7 Remakebut even heavily combat focused spin-offs likeStranger of Paradise. However, it’s also a return to the medieval setting of olderFinal Fantasytitles, asFinal Fantasy 16hopes to impress the core ofFinal Fantasyonto a new generation.
Across many developer interviews, this central goal of regaining respect for theFinal Fantasyfranchise keeps coming up. It is true that afterFinal Fantasy 10, the frequently experimental franchise entered an age where it couldn’t find stable footing. With two MMOs, one needing a second launch, and the diverseefforts ofFinal Fantasy 12,13, and15,FF16had a lot to answer to. It’s done a good job for the most part, emphasizingFinal Fantasy’s summons through its spectacular Eikon battles. However, one prominent summon seems to have been left behind inFinal Fantasy 15of all places.
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Leviathan Is Missing From Final Fantasy 16
The importance ofFinal Fantasy’s summons inFF16cannot be understated, with the most important characters in the plot all possessing the ability to transform into these beasts. Protagonist Clive Rosfield can even gain the powers of other Eikons despite being the Dominant of Ifrit himself, a trait that was to give thefiery summon some time inFinal Fantasy’s spotlight. The other prominent summons that Clive draws his abilities from consist of Phoenix, Garuda, Ramuh, Titan, Bahamut, Odin, and Shiva, all of whom are deeply integrated into the setting of Valisthea.
One other Eikon is brought up a couple of times, but never gets any play. Leviathan the Lost is referenced late in the game by a character examining some ancient, mythological artwork. A form of this image is also found on the collector’s edition, and also features something that looks like Leviathan on it. However, the enormous water serpent lives up to its subtitle inFinal Fantasy 16, as there’s no apparent Dominant for it, and it never has any bearing on the plot. With howintegral every Eikon is toFinal Fantasy 16, Leviathan sticks out like a sore thumb. It’s so unusual that it may have been held up by factors outside ofFinal Fantasy 16itself.
Final Fantasy 15 May Have Been Leviathan’s Big Moment
Leviathan doesn’t often get the spotlight inFinal Fantasy, but it has benefited from being one of the franchise’s legacy summons. It’s one of the core reoccurring Primals inFinal Fantasy 14, from whichFinal Fantasy 16tends to draw its own Eikons. Despite that,Leviathan’s last mainlineFFstory rolewas actually inFinal Fantasy 15. The game’s major turning point in the city of Altissia is underscored by Leviathan’s destructive appearance, forcing players into a high-octane setpiece that wouldn’t look out of place inFinal Fantasy 16.
Since Leviathan was such a big part ofFF15’s emotional climax, Square Enix may have made the tough choice to give it some breathing room. AFinal Fantasy 16Leviathan encounter might feel too similar toFF15’s, and risks taking away one of the most memorable parts of that game if it’s done better. Pre-release rumors also suggested thatFF16may give Leviathan its own DLC, though no concrete evidence of this currently exists. Still, it is interesting to have one ofFinal Fantasy 16’s defining monsters simply be missing, regardless of whether that’s primarily for an internal or external reason.
Final Fantasy 16is available now on PS5.
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