Final Fantasy XVI is very obviously the latest installment of the FF franchise. I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did but the polish — it was finished! so very finished! — and the writing really drew me in. Plus it had a LATAM localization that was frankly pretty good.
You know how I mentioned I like worlds that are just on the verge of something? Yep, that’s why I liked the setting of this so much. I also really loved how Clive built his relationships with the quest givers and how those quest givers had arcs of their own. Both of their bases became one of my favorite hubs in games I’ve played.
Gosh, I loved their romance so much. It’s so understated, bubbling under the surface of each of their interactions. They’re so supportive, first and foremost, even when it’s something opposite to their own choices. Like Jill’s quest: Clive at no point doubts that murder will make her feel better. And then murder makes her feel better!
Jill’s such a lonely character, one always acting as if she’s alright and needs nobody. I’d love more exploration of Jill’s anger and steeliness. What does she look or act like if she lets go of her ironclad control over her own emotions? Art about quiet moments among the chaos would also be great.
Also Eikon sex. That’d be cool
As you can tell by now, I love the idea of Clive and Jill bringing people into their relationship. It can be a permanent thing or just one night, I’m okay with all the spectrum of possibilities. While I think their bond is very based in mutual trust, I also think it’d be interesting to see Clive’s issues with self-worth surface in this type of arrangement.
I… did not expect to like Clive as much as I did. He’s so, so lovable: looking so cool but being at heart a dork. I love his arc, how he grows as a person and as a leader. How he learns to smile again with time, how much of a terrible liar he is. How he’s selfless because he feels worthless.
Cid’s such a big part of it, of Clive’s growth. Even in death, he looms large over the rest of the cast. I love this mysterious rogue who came from beyond the sea and decide to set his new home on fire. His relationship with Jill isn’t as developed, so that’s one of the things I’d love to see: his impact on her in particular.
Fic or art set during their stay at the brothel would be very fun.
L’ubor is such a favorite of mine in the game. How we slowly unveil his motivations and how utterly selfless he is under the bluster. How much he values loyalty, while expecting none of it.
I really like Jill and L’ubor’s shared exasperated fondness for “Lord Underhill” and would love a fanwork that had Jill and Clive disarming L’ubor’s defenses one by one. Also fic or art about L’ubor giving them both a chance to relax or about him visiting the Hideaway.
And now, a tragic threesome. I’m okay with happy AUs and the canon timeline.
Theodore is a great foil for Clive and Joshua: the trust and sacrifice for his sibling, the deep love but also the gulf of miscommunication, the self-worth issues, etc. I’d love a fic that explores those contrasts and that connects his protectiveness over his people with Clive & Jill’s relationship to the Hideaway.
Also he’s very cute.
And next, the NPC ships.