Looking for an extra challenge? Learning what is Final Fantasy Mode in Final Fantasy 16 might just convince you to give the game a go. It's a bit of a mouthful, and although it reads like something that turns the action-oriented combat game back into a classic turn-based JPRG, that couldn't be further from the truth. Let's dig into what it means (and what it doesn't mean) for those who manage to unlock it.
The idea of changing difficulty in a Final Fantasy game is relatively new. That's likely part of the idea behind this strategically-named option in the latest mainline entry. But if you're hearing of it through the grapevine with little context, it can be easy to misconstrue what is means. It's quite simple, really, but it's not for the faint of heart.
What is Final Fantasy Mode in Final Fantasy 16?
Simply billed as an "extra challenging mode," Final Fantasy Mode changes up monster placement to make them harder to avoid or, if you're too weak, harder to push through to advance the story.
Said monsters will be harder to defeat as well, but additional gear upgrades over the standard difficulty setting can even the odds.
The developers consider it to be "the true challenge." That's enough to say you haven't beaten the game until you've cleared it on its hardest setting. Though a similar offering for Arcade Mode is where the real challenge lies.
How do you unlock Final Fantasy Mode in Final Fantasy 16?
Final Fantasy Mode isn't one of the standard difficulty settings you can switch between during gameplay. For this one, you need to complete the game before you can select it for your next playthrough.
You don't even need to beat it on the standard difficulty setting. Just completing it on the easiest mode will unlock Final Fantasy Mode for those who really did just want to experience the story without the challenge before focusing on the action for the next playthrough.
Click that blue link at the very top to see our full list of Final Fantasy 16 guides. For specifics before you buy, check out if Final Fantasy 16 has multiplayer and if it's open world. Not sure if you can even play it? Here's if Final Fantasy 16 is coming to PS4, Xbox, or PC., with the best laptops for Final Fantasy 16 all specced out if you're waiting for the possible port.
For more articles like this, take a look at our Guides and Final Fantasy 16 page.