Final Fantasy XVI’s combat director, Ryota Suzuki, has worked on several action-combat games, including Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 and Capcom’s Devil May Cry series. While the inspiration of FFXVI’s combat from DMC is evident, Suzuki revealed that Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 inspired some of its systems as well, specifically the Assist system, where you could give orders to your partner in battle. Implementing this system allowed Suzuki to create the sense of multiple people fighting at the same time, and this frenetic battle system is one of FFXVI’s defining features.

FFXVI’s team repurposed this system and created the ability to direct Torgal, Clive’s companion dog in battle, combining “some of that knowledge” to the game. The player can give commands to Torgal without interrupting their own action, thus creating even more frenetic battles where players can participate in the combat, even while their companion is taking commands.

In addition, FFXVI’s special moves system is inspired by Marvel Vs. Capcom 2 as well. By nailing the timing of certain commands, the player can unlock even more special types of moves in real-time, resembling combos in Marvel Vs. Capcom 2.

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