Summary
Final Fantasy 10-2isn’t the most celebrated game in theFinal Fantasyseries, but it can’t be denied the impact that it had on the franchise and its fans. AfterFinal Fantasy 10placed players in a dark, somber, and hopeless world,Final Fantasy 10-2adopted a much lighter and less serious tone that emphasized fun and play above anything else, thereby drastically subverting expectations. Nevertheless, it showed the extent of whatFinal Fantasyis capable of when it’s willing to defy its own self-laid boundaries. Now,Final Fantasy 16is in a perfect position to do the same, and aFinal Fantasy 10-2-like sequelwould do wonders for it.
GivingFinal Fantasy 16a sequel likeFinal Fantasy 10-2would mean flipping the original game on its head to offer players a substantially different experience set in the same world. With a shift in its protagonist, its overall tone, and its world-building, however, such a sequel would likely leave a mark for its boldness, for better or worse.
A Final Fantasy 10-2-Like Sequel Would Be Perfect for Final Fantasy 16
A Final Fantasy 16-2 Could Shift Perspectives to Jill
Just asFinal Fantasy 10-2shifted things over from its predecessor’s male protagonist (Tidus) to a female protagonist (Yuna), a sequel toFinal Fantasy 16could do the same by shifting its predecessor’s lead fromClive Rosfieldto Jill Warrick. From there, Jill’s journey could focus on the events afterFinal Fantasy 16’s conclusion, which would likely involve the rebuilding process after the destruction of the Crystals and the end of the Blight. More than anything else, however, it would provideFinal Fantasy 16with a great opportunity to develop Jill into a fully realized heroine in her own right.
GivingFinal Fantasy 16a sequel likeFinal Fantasy 10-2would mean flipping the original game on its head to offer players a substantially different experience set in the same world.
Presumably, with Clive either dead or gone after the events ofFinal Fantasy 16, Jill would be left to carry on his mission of creating a new world where Bearers are free in a sequel. Additionally, if Clive were alive and only missing, Jill’s journey could involve a search for him on the side, similar to Yuna’s quest for Tidus inFinal Fantasy 10-2. Finally, aFinal Fantasy 16sequel could delve deeper into Jill’s tragic past of being enslaved, manipulated, and forced into war asShiva’s Dominant, all while allowing her to find her own purpose apart from Clive.
A Final Fantasy 16-2 Could Have a More Flexible and Lighter Tone
One ofFinal Fantasy 10-2’s most controversial and yet charming characteristics was its more flexible and lighter tone, as, likeFinal Fantasy 16, its predecessor was much darker and more serious. AFinal Fantasy 16sequel could take things in a similar direction by introducing a much lighter and warmer tone than its predecessor, especially considering how contentiousFinal Fantasy 16’s mature themeswere both before and after its release. If nothing else, aFinal Fantasy 16sequel would have plenty of room to adjust the tone of the first game on account of its place in the overarching narrative of Valisthea.
A lighter tone in aFinal Fantasy 16sequel would play into the sense of hope that would likely accompany the rebuilding of Valisthea.
A Final Fantasy 16-2 Could Have More Open Exploration and Side Content
Something else thatFinal Fantasy 10-2did in departure from its predecessor is it opened its world up a bit more and added a great deal of extra side content.Final Fantasy 16had large areas for players to explore, but it wasn’t an open world, nor were those areas large enough to produce much diversity in exploration. AFinal Fantasy 16sequelthat followed inFinal Fantasy 10-2’s footsteps could potentially see the first game’s world expanded, along with plenty of optional content to boot.
All in all,Final Fantasy 10-2proved that a sequel doesn’t have to submit to the tone and structure of its predecessor to succeed. In the same way, with a fresh perspective, a different protagonist, and a more light-hearted tone, a sequel to Final Fantasy 16 could rise to the same heights, providingJill Warrickwith a well-deserved spotlight while seeing Valisthea through a fresh pair of eyes.
