Warning: This article contains major spoilers for Final Fantasy 16. Proceed at your own risk.
Final Fantasy 16 takes many of the series' foundational elements and reinvents them with a much darker tone. The title’s narrative is centered around concepts and figures that have been a part of the series since the very beginning, including many ofFinal Fantasy 16’s Eikons, or summons.Final Fantasy 16takes the opportunity to reinvent the nature of many of its Eikons, with its most significant change being applied to the series' thunder and lighting Eikon, Ramuh. Specifically,Final Fantasy 16elevates the status of Ramuh in a myriad of ways, with his role in the title’s narrative, and importance to its protagonist, making him one of the most important figures across its 60-hour journey.
InFinal Fantasy 16,Eikons manifest themselves within gifted individuals, called Dominants, who wield their power on behalf of a Kingdom or Realm. However, fans enter into the title’s world at a time when its Kingdoms are at war, introducing its Eikons through massive battlefield brawls. The nature of these introductions often hides the identity of their Eikons, making their reveals into major plot points. Ramuh is one of a few exceptions, as players are introduced to his Dominant long before the Eikon’s debut on the battlefield. In a major shift for the series, Ramuh is one of the most important and powerful Eikons in the world ofFinal Fantasy 16.
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Final Fantasy 16’s Ramuh Is the Series' Most Powerful and Altruistic
The EikonRamuh has changed across theFinal Fantasyseries. However, the figure is often relegated to a role of a mid-tier, or even low-tier summon. That is not true ofFinal Fantasy 16’s Ramuh and his Dominant, as both demonstrate their overwhelming power on multiple occasions. Cidolfus Telamon, Ramuh’s dominant, destroys entire groups of soldiers with a snap of his fingers. Similarly, Ramuh’s first appearance in the title sees him defeat Ifrit, the Dark Eikon of Fire, in a single strike. While Ramuh’s power no doubt elevates him over past iterations, it’s the application of that power that truly redefines the character.
Cidolfus isFinal Fantasy 16’s greatest force for good, using the power of Ramuh to create a sanctuary for former slaves, called Bearers, and outcast Dominants to live their lives in freedom. Over the course ofFinal Fantasy 16’s early narrative, Cidolfus uses his Eikonic abilities exclusively in the service of others, aiding Clive on his journey while freeing Bearers from across the realm. After Ramuh destroys the Mother Crystal at Drake’s Head, Cidolfus is mortally wounded by Typhon. However, he uses the last of his strength to save Clive, rather than himself. With his last breath, Cidolfus gifts Clive with his remaining Eikonic essence, so that he can carry on their mission of creating a better world.
Final Fantasy 16’s Ramuh Is A Symbol of Hope
UsingRamuh’s Eikonic abilities inFinal Fantasy 16, Clive becomes a symbol of hope across all of Valisthea. After taking the name Cid the Outlaw, Clive devotes his life to fulfilling Cidolfus' mission. Throughout the title’s narrative, friend and foe alike recognize Cid’s lightning abilities as a symbol for the forces of good. Both the Cid name and Ramuh’s Eikonic abilities provide the driving force behindFinal Fantasy 16’s narrative and are integral to Clive’s navigation of its various locations. Under Cid the Outlaw, an expansive network of individuals is able to create a means of both freeing Bearers and transporting them to Cid’s sanctuary, The Hideaway.
Final Fantasy 16elevates one of theFinal Fantasyseries' weakest summonsinto a powerful force to be reckoned with. Through Cidolfus, Ramuh’s power seemingly dwarfs that of every other Eikon. Had it not been for Cidolfus' injuries, and choice to put others before himself, Ramuh’s true might could have been demonstrated against the likes of Bahamut and Odin. However, the means of his survival would go against the very definition of Ramuh inFinal Fantasy 16, whose name and abilities stand as a pillar of altruism and hope for the weakest and most vulnerable of Valisthea.
Final Fantasy 16is available now for PS5.
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