Many players thought Clive would be the only playable character in Final Fantasy 16. However, that’s not the case. The roster definitely isn’t long, but you will control more than one character during the game. However, this opportunity is only a brief detour, as Clive is undeniably the main character of FF16.
Who are the playable characters in Final Fantasy 16?
There are two playable characters in Final Fantasy 16:
- Clive Rosfield
- Joshua Rosfield
You also get to control the Eikon Ifrit, but we’ll be counting playing as the summoned beast under playing as Clive since he’s the Dominant.
Additionally, even though Joshua is a playable character in FF16, it’s only for a short period of time. In contrast, previous Final Fantasy games, like FF6, for example, allowed you to completely change your party’s composition at points, which allowed any member to essentially become a player character.
However, the story of Final Fantasy 16 is very much centered around Clive and his reaction to events. This tight focus is in contrast to even games like Final Fantasy 15, which was framed around Noctis, but also allowed you to deeply explore other characters’ motivations and play as them.
It’s not unusual for the narrative structure to completely change from one Final Fantasy game to another, so it’s not shocking that Clive is (almost) the only playable character in FF16. However, it might be a reaction to criticisms that Final Fantasy 15 was too all over the place with its narrative and the multiple character DLCs.
Beyond Clive, Joshua offers a brief yet significant variation in gameplay, showcasing his unique abilities as Phoenix’s Dominant. While tied to Clive, Ifrit introduces high-powered combat sequences, enhancing the narrative and gaming dynamics. Despite a leaner roster, each character in FF16 brings depth and variety, creating a distinctive and immersive gaming experience.
