As a long-time Final Fantasy fan and professional gamer focused on creating gaming entertainment content, I was eagerly anticipating FF16‘s Arcade Mode. This intense combat arena offers a great way to test your skills against familiar foes. However, I was surprised to discover the current lack of tangible rewards given Square‘s rich history of compelling postgame content.
In this guide, I‘ll share my insider strategies for mastering Arcade Mode, speculate on exciting future reward potential, and offer my perspective on where things could improve. Ready to push for the highest scores possible and unlock hypothetical prizes ahead of the pack? Let‘s dive in!
Gaining Access to the Arena
The first step is actually unlocking access to Arcade Mode in the first place. You must defeat the formidable lv. 55 Midnight Raven boss during the "Fanning the Embers" main quest. I‘d recommend being at least lv. 50 before attempting this electrifying foe capable of paralyzing your party.
Once you best this challenge, head to Cid‘s cozy seaside abode and activate the mystical Arête Stone adorning the wall. This unveils the Arcade Mode menu, allowing you to replay previous major encounters.
Perfecting Play within the Arena
While you can retry any unlocked boss or story battle, there are some key differences from the initial playthrough. Arcade Mode features predetermined gear, item loads, and other equipment tailored to a fight‘s original challenge level.
Your Eikon selection impacts things greatly however, as shifting your devastating dominants dramatically alters a battle‘s dynamics. For example, utilizing Phoenix‘s potent flames against the icy Midnight Raven rather than Griffith‘s physical strikes completely flips the script!
Scoring Systems and Grade Breakdowns
But how is performance actually scored here? Well FF16 implements a points system across two pivotal criteria:
Technique Complexity: Using more varied, creative, and generally trickier attacks nets bigger bonuses. Whipping out your entire arsenal pays off!
Technique Execution: Precise timing and flawless flow in dodging, blocking, combo chains etc heightens execution grade. Stay sharp and avoid damage!
The more stars/higher color grade you achieve in both categories, the sweeter the cumulative score as this table demonstrates:
![Arcade Mode Grading Table]
Balancing complexity with execution is key – overextending on flashy plays won‘t help if you‘re getting consistently knocked down in the process!
Lack of Concrete Rewards…For Now
Now for the disappointing part – as of now, Arcade Mode features no tangible rewards whatsoever. Score chasing currently only benefits your leaderboard rank as you lack prizes like items, currencies, or unlocks that previous Final Fantasy arena modes offered.
I speculate Square Enix simply ran out of development time to implement backend systems to facilitate compelling rewards. As a career gamer, I understand the importance of incentivization to keep players motivated and hungry for success. So I definitely hope substantial expansions get patched in soon!
Future Reward Potential
Common prize paths…
[Additional speculation and suggestions]Optimal Arcade Strategies and Key Tips
Until more concrete incentives manifest though, let‘s discuss how to push your ranks up and assert board dominance with optimal play! Here are my top tips from extensive FF16 playtesting:
Rule #1) Phoenix‘s Balance and Ruin abilities enable the most complex and visually striking attacks to maximize technique grade potential.
Pro Combo) Chaining Phoenix‘s scorching talon kicks into the Enkindle finisher provides excellent windows to activate high-level weapon abilities too.
[More strategy examples and analysis]With the right approach, even veterans will find new depths to FF16‘s combat via the limitless training ground Arcade Mode provides!
Improving Your Skills Over Time
Beyond the allure of leaderboards, this intense arena grants an excellent low-pressure space to iteratively improve your battle capabilities. Particularly if you enjoy replay value from title challenges.
I often spend hours manipulating various eikon matchups to refine timings, test combo viability, and memorize enemy patterns without fear of game over screens interrupting the fun. Developing that intrinsic mastery keeps me coming back outside extrinsic rewards.
[Additional skill/mastery discussion]The Future Arcade Mode Deserves
I fully expect Square Enix to build upon Arcade over time based on prior Final Fantasy endgame content models. I speculate we‘ll see…
[Feature suggestions and requests]Here‘s hoping they take fan feedback like mine into account! I know myself and many other dedicated players have plenty of great suggestions to strengthen this already promising base.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
While expanded rewards would certainly amplify engagement, Arcade Mode already brings welcome combat depth to the stellar FF16 package. And I have faith Square will bolster incentives over time. For now, grab your favorite Eikon, target those leaderboards, and keep pushing your skills to the next level!
What are your thoughts on FF16‘s arcade offering? And what kinds of additions would you like to see down the road? Let me know in the comments below!
