Warning: full spoilers follow for both Final Fantasy 16 and Game of Thrones.
Final Fantasy 16 producer Naoki Yoshida has made no secret about drawing inspiration from Game of Thrones for the latest epic in the long-running RPG series, but the influence of A Song of Ice and Fire goes way beyond its gritty mediaeval setting and regional British accents. At some points the similarities are as heavy-handed as Ramsey Bolton’s approach to Theon’s special area.
So, let’s take a look at the many characters, plot points, and locations in Final Fantasy 16 that feel less like they took inspiration from Game of Thrones and more like George R.R. Martin warged directly into the minds of the team at Square Enix. Full warning, we are going to be covering the entirety of Final Fantasy 16, right up to the finale, so there will be extremely big spoilers. There will naturally be a fair few for Game of Thrones, too, so now is your chance to back out if you need to.
Clive Rosfield Is Basically Jon Snow
With his unkempt dark hair, determined demeanour, and loyal hound by his side, it’s immediately clear that Final Fantasy 16’s protagonist, Clive, has a passing resemblance to Game of Thrones’ Jon Snow. But as Clive’s character develops it becomes increasingly clear that there’s a lot of overlap between the two. Both are the black sheep of a highborn family, are forced into servitude, and have a link to fire-breathing monsters. Flick through the gallery below to see just how many of Clive’s character traits are shared with Jon Snow.
Joshua Rosfield Is Basically Brandon Stark
Much like Jon, Clive has a younger brother who grows into one of the most vital keys to saving humanity from the looming apocalypse. Similar to Brandon Stark, Joshua is pushed to the sidelines for many of the story’s early chapters, but when his importance is made apparent he becomes one of the plot’s most important figures. The two characters are also united by the fact that they share a significant link with mythical birds; Joshua is the Dominant of the Phoenix, while Bran becomes the Three-Eyed Raven. Take a look at the gallery for more details on how Joshua and Bran are alike.
Elwin and Anabella Rosfield Are Basically Ned and Catelyn Stark (plus some Lysa and Cersei)
With Clive and Joshua sharing much in common with two of the Stark children, it’ll likely come of little surprise to learn that there’s parallels between the Rosfield and Stark parents, too. Elwin Rosfield, head of the house and leader of the Grand Duchy of Rosaria, is a lot like Eddard Stark, including being the person who has to die to kick the story off. His wife Anabella, meanwhile, is a little like Catelyn Stark, although she also has traits seemingly drawn from Cat’s sister, Lysa Arryn, and Cersei Lannister. For more details, have a look at the gallery below.
Jill Warrick Is Basically Theon Greyjoy
Clive’s companion and love interest, Jill Warrick, also appears to be heavily inspired by a Game of Thrones character. While her personality and general approach feels largely original for Final Fantasy 16, her backstory is very reminiscent of Theon Greyjoy. A political prisoner that grew up in a family and land far away from her own, Jill is also forced to endure horrible hardships as an adult. It’s an echo of Theon’s own dark, complicated tale. Take a look at the gallery below for more details on the parallels between Jill and Theon.
Clive’s Companions Are a Lot Like Hodor, Daenerys, Ghost, and More
The Rosfield family are where the most significant parallels between Final Fantasy 16 and Game of Thrones can be found, but they are far from the only places where the series’ influence is felt. Many of the supporting cast share traits with Game of Thrones characters, ranging from small details to clear homages. You can see them in the gallery below.
The World of Valisthea Is Basically Westeros
It’s not just the characters that bear a resemblance to the world of Ice and Fire, though. The actual landscape of Valisthea feels a little more than familiar; much like George R.R. Martin’s The Known World, Final Fantasy 16’s story primarily takes place across two continents, one of which is locked in a long and difficult conflict between many houses. Many of the towns and landmarks in this world also echo places from Game of Thrones, either through their physical appearance or their purpose. Check out the similarities we've spotted in the gallery below.
The Villain Is Almost Just The Night King
Many of Final Fantasy 16’s characters and concepts are not as directly inspired by Game of Thrones as those detailed above. However, there are plenty of ideas from the books and show that make their way into Final Fantasy 16 and act as one small part of an otherwise more original character or plotline. For example, an apocalyptic evil that overshadows the power struggles of mortal men is a major element in the story of Valisthea. It's an idea that stops short of just being The Night King, but still certainly has similarities. Then there's wider concepts, such as the quest to bring an end to slavery. Look through the gallery to learn about these in more detail.
That’s everything we spotted, but there’s likely dozens more. Tell us any Game of Thrones details you noticed in Final Fantasy 16 in the comments below.