Square Enix debuted a new trailer forFinal Fantasy 16during Thursdays’s PlayStation State of Play event. The trailer focuses on Eikons inFinal Fantasy 16, the summons of pastFinal Fantasyfranchises. InFinal Fantasy 16, individuals can become a Dominant, which means they house an Eikon within them. These Dominants can control the fate of nations with their power. One of the new Dominants introduces inFinal Fantasy 16’s new trailer is named Benedikta Harman, the Dominant of the Eikon Garuda.Benedikta can be seen multiple times in thenewFinal Fantasy 16trailer, as can her Eikon, Garuda. She can even be seen transforming into Garuda, answering the question as to whether Dominants merely summon their Eikons or if they completely turn into them. The trailer doesn’t actually name Benedikta, however, nor does it explore her character or backstory. Luckily, that information is provided by Square Enix elsewhere.RELATED:Final Fantasy 16 Reveals Impressive New Landscape ScreenshotsIn a message posted to the officialFinal Fantasy 16Twitter account, a brief character introduction is provided for Benedikta. The biography explains that Benedikta has grown to be “coldhearted and ruthless,” and that she has a talent for “swordplay and subterfuge.” As a result, she’s taken command of the nation of Waloed’s elite intelligencers. These intelligencers are described as being on a mission inFinal Fantasy 16to hunt down the second Eikon of Fire. As a result, she encountersFinal Fantasy 16protagonist Clive Rosfieldand is said to be forced to “face her past.”
Those who have been followingFinal Fantasy 16news will already know that the Dominant of the “first” Eikon of Fire, Phoenix, is Clive’s brother Joshua. SinceJoshua inherited the Phoenixinstead of Clive, Joshua becomes the Archduke of the Grand Duchy of Rosaria. Clive thus becomes Joshua’s First Shield of Rosaria, until he ultimately inherits the dark Eikon Ifrit – the “second” Eikon of Fire.
The story of Clive inheriting theEikon Ifritand why Benedikta is hunting them down will be up toFinal Fantasy 16players to discover. The only other clue available is that Waloed, the nation Benedikta comes from, is militarily advanced and uses Eikons to stifle rebellions. Suffice to say, it’s brutal and seemingly warlike. Perhaps Waloed wants Rosaria for itself.
Final Fantasy 16is a game about war between nations, as well as a deeply character-driven story. Benedikta, being the Dominant of Garuda, has a major role to play in this story. What it is and how it will play out is up to players to discover whenFinal Fantasy 16launches next year.
Final Fantasy 16releases summer 2023 on PS5.
MORE:Every Game Featured At The June 2022 PlayStation State of Play
