Final Fantasy: Trinity of Order

"Even the most ordinary of men can accomplish extraordinary feats"

- Tagline

Final Fantasy: Trinity of Order, also called  Final Fantasy Trinity, Trinity of Order, or simply Trinity, is an installment in the Final Fantasy series. It is an upcoming action role-playing fan game being developed for Microsoft Windows computers, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One consoles. It was originally developed as Final Fantasy XVI: Trinity, but was soon shifted from the main series as a standalone game. However, it is still considered to be a part of the Fabula Nova Crystallis: Final Fantasy series. In this game, players assume the control of three young adults who join together and fight to not only prevent a world war, but also to rebalance the crystals as the Warriors of Order. This game was created as a homage towards the main Final Fantasy series, and as a spiritual sequel of Final Fantasy VI. It also celebrates the 30th anniversary of the series' first game's debut in Japan on December 17, 1987.

Gameplay
The player will have access to a large world in Trinity of Order, the largest in Final Fantasy history so far. In the earlier stages of the game, the player will only be capable of traveling to select locations in a predetermined radius. However, as the storyline progresses, the player can branch out in many directions to many diverse locations. On foot, it would take the player between one to two hours to transverse the full map from end to end, assuming they do not get into any battles. To compensate, the player will have access to small vehicles and chocobos for speeder travel, and the monorail for instant transportation to larger towns and cities.

In the world, the player will be able to interact with various objects and climb up objects, duck and crouch, and even sneak to add a sense of stealth and immersion in the field. The game is developed with player interaction in mind and using what's around them will allow more strategy to be used in battle. Monsters can also appear in towns and cities during storyline events, missions, and the occasional Perimeter Securing. Due to free-flowing time, night and day are also present in the game and will affect the NPCs, monsters, and even player characters alike.

Outside of battle, player position is key to different scenarios in battles. When on the field, a character or enemy's blind spot determines how a battle will start. Touching an enemy normally initiates a battle without an added effect. Attacking an opponent or being attacked outside the blind spot will result in the attacked side's HP being reduced by five percent. Preemptive chances can occur when the player approaches an enemy from their blind spot. A preemptive strikes happen when the player attacks an opponent from their blind spot. An ambush occurs when an enemy comes in contact with the player from their blind spot, and a relentless ambush happens when an enemy attacks a player from their blind spot. Depending on if the blind spot is attacked or not, the afflicted target can either be brought close to a stagger, lose ten percent of their current HP, or both in special cirumstances. Mastering these mechanics can lead to easier battles being fought.

The game will feature branching paths on the storyline, based on choices the player makes during special "Path of Fate" events. Depending on what the player did before in the storyline or decisions in the event, the storyline will progress according to those choices. For example, failing to complete a Perimeter Securing can result in a stronger monster concentration later in the game. Paths of Fate are also included in certain battles, where certain decisions can help or hinder the player and damage or help foes. The characters will also be affected by these choices later on, as well as NPCs. The final events of the game will vary, depending on the choices made in the game earlier on.

Battle
Battles in Trinity will borrow elements from many Final Fantasy games as well as have its own aspects. Players will assume total control over one character in battles that can have up to four characters battling against up to six opponents. The player can move the character around the battlefield freely and will attack in real-time. They will also be able to use different combination attacks with certain weapons by using the analog stick in conjunction with the attack button. Despite being action-oriented, the commands in battle will have their own ATB bars to govern frequency and recovery of usage. The player will be able to use three special ATB bars known as "Niches"; one is Action, the second being Magic, and the third being Support. These three settings are based on the modified Command Synergy Battle system from the Final Fantasy XIII series. Action will control physically attacking, dodging, guarding, and interacting with various objects, Magic will allow players to customize the Niche with four spells to use on the fly and allow in-battle customization, and Support will allow players to equip themselves with up to four support abilities that'll be active for periods of time. Items will can also be used via the D-pad. This battle system will be known as Active-Command Freestyle Battle (ACFB).

Through these actions, the player will use up Action Points for Action, Magic Points for Magic, and Special Points for Support. Physical attacks will lower AP by the cost of whatever type of weapon the character is using. Blocking will not drain the gauge unless a High Guard is achieved, in which a set amount of AP is taken away, and dodging has an AP cost too. Interacting may or may not take AP, depending on the action and the situation given. For example, picking up an item on the battlefield doesn't cost AP, but using an object for an advantage in battle will take AP. Magic will deplete MP depending on the spell and have certain charge times, and SP will lower due to the effects of each support ability. AP will charge while the player is not using an action other than moving and guarding, MP will either increase via restorative items or the Charge ability, and SP can increase with special Sol items. Items do not require AP, MP, or SP and can be used immediately. Enemies will also have their own AP, MP, and SP and can attack, cast spells, and use support abilities accordingly.

The stagger system returns in Trinity, activated after the enemy takes a certain percentage of chain damage, dealt by relentless strikes from magic and physical attacks. When staggered, enemies take more damage, items are easier to steal, and their AP gauge is reset upon recovering. The player's characters can also be staggered in battle, though there are items to cure this effect. Larger enemies in the game are harder to stagger, but will have one or more weak points to attack, similar to Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII. Taking out these weak points will make enemies easier to stagger and may drop attributes and gain negative status effects and weaknesses depending on the weak point attacked, creating variety in battles. Some enemies must have their weak points destroyed in order to damage their bodies. However, most enemies with weak points can be defeated normally.

This game also revolutionizes on the interruption mechanic. If the player is able to time their attacks right, they are capable of interrupting an opponent's attack by striking at the same time the opponent does. If done correctly, the user regains half the AP used in the attack and the enemy is temporarily stunned as well as having their AP dropped by their own attack. Interruptions can also occur if the user attacks a light-weighted enemy with a heavy weapon or if they get a critical hit on an opponent. Interruptions can also help build the stagger gauge. However, there are some enemies that are resistant or even immune to interruption. Enemies are capable of interrupting physical attacks from players as well.

Magic is much easier to use in battle due to the Magic Niche, but selecting certain spells to use was at first seen as dull. To compensate, the Spell Upgrade mechanic was introduced. With this mechanic, if the player wants to choose a more powerful spell, all they need to do is select the appropriate button a number of times if the spell has a higher level. For example, if the Thunder spell is selected by Square/X, pressing the button will cycle through the spells by Thunder, Thundara, then finally Thundaga, only consuming MP as the chosen spell is cast. There are two settings, Cycle to choose spells through its spell tree, and Mono to choose one spell for a corresponding button. Spells also can be charged while changing Niches. If the user wants to cancel spells, they can select another spell, use an item, perform an AP or SP action, or press the flee button. As the spells gets more powerful, the waiting time for the spell to be cast will increase. Thunder, for example, has a wait time of one second, while Thundara has a wait time of two seconds and Thundaga has a wait time of three. The maximum capacity for spells rule from Final Fantasy XII has returned, but a higher number of spells can be used at once to help the flow of battle.

Magic can be customized in battle and made more efficient using the "Arcane Weaving" mechanic. For example, the player can stack three Fire spells to not only deal more damage than normal, but also create a small fire that deals residual damage for a short period of time. Another example is combining Gravity, Bio, and Haste. The effect given will be that all opponents will have their HP cut by 1/4 and be inflicted with a faster draining version of Sap as well. Using Arcane Weaving, the player can combine three totally differing spells to add a variety of effects, sometimes better than casting the three spells in separate order. The only downside is that Arcane Weaving takes away some MP, along with the sum of the MP costs for all three spells.

Just like in Final Fantasy XIII-2, the player will only be able to control one character during battle, but they will be able to instantly switch to any other of the playable characters present on the field at any given time with the Change Leader option. If the player's character is KO'ed, then they will have to switch to another character. If all of the player characters are knocked out in battle, it'll result in a game over, though the player has the option to start the battle over if they want to.

Just like in Final Fantasy XII and Final Fantasy XIII-2, the player will be able to assign their AI-controlled partners special commands during battle. Using Gambit-like "Combat Controls", the AI will interact with the environment, enemies, and allies when certain conditions are called for it. Upon switching, the character that was formerly the player's character will follow their own Combat Controls. The user can also assign them a "Freedom" Combat Control, enabling them to use whatever the player equipped their Niches to do and make their own battle and support decisions.

Characters will level up through experience points after battle, which will increase their stats such as strength, defense, agility, etc. However, magic and support abilities must be learned by holding onto equipment, similar to the process in Final Fantasy IX. While equipping weapons, armor, and accessories, the characters will  gain Ability Building Points after successful battles and can master magic and support abilities with enough points. Maximum AP can increase depending on the strength of the weapon the character is equipping and base AP can increase permanently as weapon classes are leveled up. MP and SP can also rise via character and weapon/armor level up and through some specialty weapons and armor

Each of the three playable characters will have their own form of special attack, known as a Limit Burst, similar to Limit Breaks from many Final Fantasy games. Limit Bursts are used when the user's Burst gauge reaches 100 percent, then they are able to unleash a powerful attack upon one or multiple enemies or cast amazing beneficial effects upon themselves and others. Each playable character will have three Limit Bursts per Niche to equal up to nine different Limit Bursts per character or twenty-seven Limit Bursts in all. Guest characters also have a Limit Burst, but only one as they lack a Magic and/or Support Niche and are only in the party for a short period of time. Characters are also able to use Dual Bursts with two characters or Trinity Bursts with three characters, increasing damage or effects.

Perimeter Securing
During the game, the player will get alerts that certain towns and cities are under attack by hordes of monsters. If the player chooses to come to the town's aid, upon entering the settlement, they will be involved in a Perimeter Securing, where the player has to kill a percentage of enemies before they destroy a percentage of town. For each successful enemy extermination, players will recieve special treasures and/or discounts from shops. If they either fail or ignore the job altogether, prices on items and inn stays will increase and the player may be attacked by soldiers or civilians upon entering. The negatives aren't present on Easy mode. Also, some Perimeter Securings are not essential to storyline completion, so completing them are entirely optional, though the player may miss out on rare and hard-to-acqure items.

Minigames and Sidequests
This game also hosts a number of sidequests and mini games that will allow the player to obtain special items, equipment, and chances to battle powerful enemies. The Mognet system returns to Trinity, where the player delivers letters to various moogles all over the continent in exchange for items and clues. Players can also participate in hunts for unique monsters. Another minigame is the Stadium of Glory, which mimics the Coliseum from Final Fantasy VI. Players must pit their solo character against various monsters, while they are equipped with a locked Freedom Combat Control.

Gameplay Modes
Similar to Dissidia Final Fantasy and Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy, this game will offer two distinct gameplay modes. The default mode will be Trinity Mode, where the game will play using action oriented controls, free-flowing battle time, and on-the-go commands. More nostalgic players can utilize Final Fantasy Mode, which is a more traditional approach to the game. In this mode, the player will be able to utilize commands when the character's wait bar fills, and can use almost all commands via a menu onscreen, similar to most Final Fantasy games. The MP and SP bars will remain mostly unchanged, asides now increasing by level up, but the AP bar will be replaced by a Wait bar to compliment the ATB-flow battling. The Charge MP command will now charge 10, 20, or 30 MP at a time, depending on the character's level and Arcana stat. The user can also change these modes at any time in the main menu, in which the game reprograms the parameters accordingly.

Difficulty Settings
Trinity has four difficulty settings. The first two, Easy and Normal, are available from the start. The third, Hard, is unlocked after beating the game once. And the fourth setting, known as Scourge of Shade, is unlocked if the player manages to beat the game on Hard within 20 hours and have an average party level of at most 60. On Easy, enemies will have simplified attack strategies, are easier to stagger, more gil will be awarded after battle, and items cost less. On Normal, enemies have smarter AI, gil rewards will lower and cost will heighten. On Hard, enemies will have double HP, will be harder to interrupt and have higher chances to interrupt as well has having more complex strategies, also the Items and Customize screens will not freeze during battle. On Scourge of Shade, there will be costs for equipping weapons, armor, and accessories; meaning the player will have to make decisions to make specialty characters. Enemies will have triple Easy/Normal HP, are faster, and have new support abilities to create many battle strategies. Lastly, time limits during Perimeter Securing will require at least 85 percent elimination every time, meaning the player must be faster.

Setting
The setting of Final Fantasy: Trinity of Order is a massive continent known as Ubertatem, Latin for "Fertile Lands", on a currently unnamed planet. There are two other continents, but only a part of one, the Distants, is explored. Ubertatem consists of various human settlements, temperate land and forests, prairies, a large desert, a tundra region, huge mountains, islands, coastlines, and even an active volcano, along with various other landscapes and solitary structures. By the events of the game, Ubertatem has five remaining sovereign nations; Ignis, Chamus, Higarden, the Ulatas Republic, and the Mag Gravis Nationalist Empire, all of which have one major city. There is also a disputed area known as the Hotfields, fought over by the Ulatas Republic and the Mag Gravis Empire, which has no cities. As said before, the continent is so large it would take almost two hours to transverse it by foot, without being involved in battles.

By the time the events of the game start, there are three separate conflicts going on. One is the War of Silence, a propaganda/diplomatic war going on between the Ulatas Republic and the Mag Gravis Empire with some isolated battles, which has gone on for the last 31 years. This war is similar to the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union from 1945 to 1991, The second conflict is a less serious conflict known unofficially as the Barrier Conflict between Ignis, Higarden, and Chamus. The last conflict is the continent-wide war against demonic creatures known as shade monsters, which has lasted for over 300 years. All three conflicts are central to the plot of the game.

The game's overworld borrows elements from past Final Fantasy games with more novel elements. Most locations on the game have their own location maps and are entered through openings such as main roads for towns, openings of caves, forest clearings, etc. Other land formations such as plains, deserts, lakes, mountains, etc., are counted as part of the overworld and are thus able to be traveled through seamlessly without a screen fading out for loading. Even some monsters can pass through various locations during their travelling. Even so, unless the game is first loaded or there is a cutscene, screen loading is nearly instantaneous to allow continuous playing.

The world of Trinity is based on the real modern world and consists of many modern elements combined with historical and fantasy elements, such as cell phones, computers, paved highways, and modern buildings. The world also has cultural references and styles based on location. Larger cities will have historical regions based on real past cultures and time eras on earth. Along with modern guns, people and soldiers can also arm themselves with swords, shields, spears, etc. Also, airships can run on electricity, coal, gasoline, and magitek. Along with chocobos, modern and classic-looking cars exist and are available for the player to use.

Time plays a key role in the game, where the world has real-world days separated into day and night. During the day, the player's characters are more alert and focused in battle, and more NPCs and vehicles are seen along roads and in the sky. At night, traffic swells and then dwindles down as everyone goes home. The player's characters will also be slightly more sluggish in battle and are more susceptible to status effects and being staggered, making the need for inns more essential in this game. Monsters also have three time settings: Daywalker, Nocturnal, and Insomniac. Daywalkers appear more during the day and have slightly lower stats, and are easier to stagger and inflict statuses upon at night. Nocturnals are the reverse of Daywalkers, more active at night and are weakened during the day. Insomniacs are more balanced during day and night than Daywalkers and Nocturnals, though their stats may waver during certain times.

If the player is unable to find an inn or is unable to pay for an inn, the user can use sleeping bags and tents to recover during night. However, the characters will awaken more sluggish than going to an inn, unless they set camp around a Ward Stone, which allows for full sleep recovery.

Some parts of the world also affect characters in terms of weather and natural landscape. Besides giving the world an ever-changing feel based on real life, battles and worldly interaction will be affected as well. For example, having a heavy rain in a forested region will not only lessen the damage and benefits of fire magic, but also boister the effects of lightning and water magic as well. Another example is high up in the snowcapped mountains, where fire and ice magic are parallel to each other in effecs, but also wind magic is weakened due to lesser air pressure. These weather effects give players challenges and sometimes require changes in their strategies to overcome them. However, players are able to use a special "GeoNav" device bought later in the game to observe weather patterns and change up their battle plans accordingly. Certain monsters also appear and hide during certain weather patterns.

The calendar of Trinity is similar to the real world calendar, which all twelve months and 365 days, along with 366-day leap years that occur every four years. Year 0 is when the Crystals of Light and Darkness are restabilized after a interdimensional catastrophe, known to the human race as the Collapse, nearly destroys the world and humanity starts to recover from the brink of extinction, ushering in a technological era. The game begins on August 7th, 2019 and will normally end after February 26th, 2020 depending on the ending the player takes.

It is later revealed that this world exists in the same universe as the world in Final Fantasy VI, connecting it and its history along with the events in the earlier game. According to the official site, Trinity takes place between 15,000 to 20,000 years after the events of Final Fantasy VI, and likely takes place on the same planet. Despite it not being official to Square Enix, the creator of the game stated that after Kefka's defeat in Final Fantasy VI, the Crystals were the sole remaining sources of magic, hidden away in their own dimension. They shortly gave two humans their power during the events of the Collapse before sealing it away again. However, their magic was artificially tapped into somehow by the eventual first leader of the Mag Gravis Empire milennia later, starting a new cycle of Magitek and war.

Characters
The game features three playable characters and three guest characters. As there is no "true" main character, the storyline equally focuses on the three characters and their personal growth and themes throughout the story, though it is narrated by Reever Calsiban. Two of the three major characters are the Warriors of Order, tasked with re-balancing the Crystals and protecting the human race; one being the Warrior of Light and the other being the Warrior of Darkness. The third character is an international criminal known as the Red Scourge. The three main characters each have a "specialty" support ability that can be used at no SP cost. There are also multiple supporting characters and NPCs in the game that'll drive the storyline, offer quests and advice, and to merely spectate as life goes on.

Playable Characters
Reever Calsiban

Reever Calsiban is the first main character introduced in Trinity, and the latest incarnation of the Warrior of Light. A member of the Ubertatem Martial Arts Circuit hailing from the town of Valisek, Higarden, Reever is striving to become a legendary fighter just like his father Cid Arvis Calsiban; whom was a three-time world boxing champion. After becoming the Warrior of Light, he struggles to find out why he was chosen and must come to terms with his responsibilities. Despite being carefree and somewhat flirtatious, he is mature to a point and is the occaisonal voice of reason in tense situations. He is also determined to step out of his father's shadow and make his own name. He is the most balanced of the three major characters, initially not skilled in anything, but is able to grow in some aspects faster than the others. He is best with fist weapons, able to execute quick combos at close range.

Modika Schanzel

Modika Schanzel is the next incarnation of the Warrior of Darkness. Chased out of her village when she was 6 after accidently killing many people with a misguided spell, she was taken in by a world-renown treasure hunter. She eventually learned that she was the Warrior of Darkness and she would soon suffer a grim fate after re-balancing the Crystals, a fate all Warriors of Darkness before her shared. She then travelled all over the world to steer away from her fate. She is quiet and mostly reclusive, but is quick to anger and has a fiery determination. She also dislikes Reever, whom she refers to as "privileged" and "arrogant". She is the quickest of the three and has a great magic stat, enabling her to attack quickly and cast powerful magic. Her best weapons is daggers and knives, useful for quick attacks with lethal status effects.

Benegal Gargevyn

Benegal Gargevyn is the enigmatic Red Scourge. Constantly chased by both the military and the Order of Discord for his magic power, Benegal is one of the most wanted criminals in the world. His past is shrouded in mystery but it seems that wherever he goes, destruction and violence is quick to follow. He uses his great power and violent reputation to recruit Reever and Modika to find a true cause behind the monster outbreaks and fight the Empire. He is the leader of the three and often makes the decisions, though some are questionable. He also has an inner turmoil that he hardly shows to anyone. He has the greatest strength and defense of the group, enabling him to withstand great amounts of damage and attack with great power. His signature weapons are spears and lances, enabling him to attack from a distance with no lost power.

Guest Characters
Lionel de Gento

Lionel de Gento is one of Reever's closest friends and rivals, as well as a fellow fighter from the Ubertatem Martial Arts Circuit. He knows of Reever's capabilities and both supports his goals and aspires to defeat him one day. When the city of Oriens is attacked by a horde of monsters, he helps Reever to repel any monster in their way. He is unarmed in battle and fights barehanded.

Sgt. Marcus Biggs

Sergeant Marcus Biggs is a soldier for the Mag Gravis Imperial Air Force. During the attack on the MGIS Raines, he reluctantly joins arms with Reever and Benegal to ward off the shade monsters' attack, despite his mistrust of Benegal and his new accomplice. He wields a carbine rifle in battle and teaches the player how to use the Barrage and Killsight support abilities.

Cid Arvis Calsiban

Cid Arvis Calsiban is Reever's father and a former three-time world boxing champion. Following a serious injury during an important match, he was forced to retire from his profession. Despite becoming a greatly-skilled architect, he lives with regret over losing his favorite hobby, so he tries to help Reever become the best fighter he can with his advice and stories of his former glory. He fights with a rod in battle.

Other Characters
Viktor Arlov

Kaiser Viktor Arlov IX is the emperor of the Mag Gravis Empire. A cunning and intelligent man, he is capable of swaying the people of the empire to do his bidding. He is also versed with the arts of magic, enabling him to crush his foes when they have superior firepower. Seeking to place the world under one banner, he formulates a plan to end the War of Silence with the Ulatas Republic and take over everything around him with the power of Magitek, which clashes with the Ulatas Republic's ideals of freedom and peace. A firm believer in the Warriors of Order and the Crystals, he seeks the power of Reever, Modika, and Benegal to use in his plans to unite the world.

Gen. Ian Hauser

Grand General Ian Hauser is the supreme head of the Mag Gravis Imperial Military and Arlov's right-hand man. As the leading general, he has complete control over the nation's army, air force, and navy, and is an elite tactician. He plans to use the empire's Magitek might to crush the opposing forces of the Ulatas Republic. Ever loyal to his emperor, he execute his orders without question and with brutal efficiency, though he has his doubts. He has a vendetta with Benegal and constantly plots his capture.

Miguel Toureg

Prime Minister Miguel Toureg is the leader of the Ulatas Republic. A man who believes in freedom and personal rights above all else, he constantly strives to protect his people from the propaganda and threats of the Mag Gravis Empire. Choosing to defend his own lands rather than help to protect Ignis, Higarden, and Chamus, he is protrayed by a coward by the Empire and is confronted with choosing either losing crucial alliances or the possibility of complete destruction. He also seeks to arrest or destroy Reever, Modika, and Benegal before the empire can use their powers.

Zash the Red

Zash the Red is the leader of the Order of Discord, a cult that follows and worships the power of the shade monsters. He believes that the monsters are the answer to the crisis plaguing the world. He wants to create a perfect race of human/shade hybrids that can ascend evolution and guide the world into a new era of time. He is also very vicious and ruthless, having the ability to summon shade slaves to do his bidding.

Daedalus Strigano

Daedalus Strigano is a mysterious man whom, just like Zash the Red, can summon shade monsters. Unlike Zash however, he can absorb the essence of shades and increase his already potent power and use terrifying magic. He, like Kaiser Arlov, is a believer of the Crystals. He, however, only views them as a font of absolute power, and joins the empire in their quest to satisfy his lust for unmatched strength. He and Benegal seem to know one another, and he constantly belittles him, Reever, and Modika on their lack of sufficient power. His signature weapon is a massive scythe known as the Gate of Avalon.

Story
For the last few years, the superpowers of the Ulatas Republic and the Mag Gravis Nationalist Empire have been pushing each other closer to total war due to militarization and proxy attacks within the nations of Ingis, Higarden, and Chamus. During a martial arts tournament in the city of Oriens, Ingis, a sudden shade monster attack devastates the city. Reever, who recently made it into the semifinals of the tournament, awakens his Warrior of Light abilities after his friend is killed by monsters. He is soon recruited by Benegal to find the cause of the sudden monster outbreak against his will. The Ulatas Republic, suspecting Benegal is an agent for the Mag Gravis Empire who orchestrated the attack, begins to mobilize its troops to begin a major defensive effort. The Mag Gravis Empire goes on the offensive and begins to invade Higarden and Ignis, while also searching for Benegal for his mystic powers. This also drags the wandering Modika into the war, captured by the empire due to her own magic. These events soon bring the three together to investigate the monster outbreak and discover an event that overshadows even the threat of war, all while fighting against the two superpowers as criminals.

Downloadable Content and Extras
This game contains downloadable content in the form of outfits, weapons, armor, scenarios, minigames, and the special post-game storyline Into The Inferno. Players who have save files for Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy XIII-2, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII, or Final Fantasy XV will able to download special Final Fantasy logo gear for free. Downloading Into The Inferno offers a post-game storyline with Benegal as the sole playable character as he ventures deeper into the Endless Rift to face his demons and thwart the return of the Unspoken One, in which also includes special weapons, armor, accessories and abilities not otherwise found in the main game.