Highlights
- Closing Fantasy 16 introduces queer illustration with the connection between Dion and Terence..
- Dion is a vital character within the recreation, holding the title of prince and being the Dominant of Bahamut.
- The ending challenges the “bury your gays” trope and brings equality to the heroes’ fates.
For 20 years now, I’ve been taking part in Closing Fantasy video games. They’ve change into a staple to my life, and never a 12 months goes by that I’m not taking part in one of many entries, and never simply because I’ve been taking part in Closing Fantasy 14 since beta. There are various issues I’ve come to anticipate from the sequence, together with a brand new compelling story to comply with and heroes that can carry up a sequence of feelings inside me.
But when there’s one factor I wasn’t anticipating when taking part in Closing Fantasy 16, was for 2 queer male character to share a kiss on display. Closing Fantasy 16 has given us a number of firsts, together with being the primary full motion major entry within the sequence. It additionally gave us Dion.
Dion Lesage is sort of vital to the general narrative of Closing Fantasy 16. He holds the title of prince within the Holy Empire of Sanbreque. His kingdom’s individuals love him as a result of he genuinely cares about them. He’s additionally the Dominant of Bahamut, which permits him to faucet into the dragon’s energy and remodel into him throughout battles. And right here I might been. at all times contemplating Shiva to be the unofficial queer icon. With a diva-like snap of her finger, she destroyed enemies in Closing Fantasy X, with Diamond Mud. However with Dion’s existence, Bahamut is now, in my thoughts, the official queer icon of the franchise.
Dion has a loyal companion named Sir Terence, and their relationship goes past mere friendship—they’re truly in love. Terence is head over heels for Dion, and it is evident in how devoted he’s to him. I appreciated how a lot consideration was given to their romance, particularly to Terence’s dedication to Dion. As a substitute of simply leaving their affair as a passage within the Energetic Time Lore, the 2 are proven loving each other. They even kiss!
Two males kissing in a Closing Fantasy recreation blew my thoughts in one of the simplest ways potential. In different options, I’ve written about how vital queer identification is to me in video video games, and even how Fireplace Emblem Interact elevated the expertise for me earlier this 12 months. There’s an added depth in seeing it occur in a Closing Fantasy recreation, the sequence that began all of it for me again after I first picked up Closing Fantasy 8 in highschool. It’s unusual to say, however in taking a look at Closing Fantasy like a father determine who nurtured my love of RPGs, Dion’s existence felt like the primary time {that a} father really acknowledges and accepts you for precisely who you’re.
Validation isn’t sufficient, nonetheless, within the trendy realm of video video games. Ladies, individuals of colour, and LGBTQIA+ individuals are discovering an increasing number of illustration inside video video games, and it’s vital that we’re represented in considerate methods. I consider that Dion was represented in an effective way. Dion and Terence deal with one another with real care and respect. Not like typical royal and knight relationships, they keep away from poisonous and abusive patterns. Witnessing their affection for one another is heartwarming.
Dion holds a major position as chief of the Dragoons. He is been known as upon for the Empire’s wars, and his first look is through the Battle of Belenus Tor (each of that are central battles to 16’s overarching narrative). In a vital battle with the Dhalmekian Republic, Dion’s potential to battle is hindered by the specter of retaliation. Regardless of his objections, he follows his father’s command to barter after which destroy the Republic’s military. This strains their relationship, and Dion begins to suspect that one thing or somebody is influencing his father in treacherous methods. Fortunately, Terence nonetheless helps him. As Dion contemplates confronting his father, he is sought by Clive’s brother, Joshua, and his helper, Jote, for his or her need to unearth the reason for the conflicts. The alternatives he makes amid this turmoil will outline his journey within the empire and within the story as a complete.
Dion grew to become some of the vital characters to the story. After he by chance kills his father, brings manic destruction on the dominion he was making an attempt to guard, and practically dies, he begins his redemption arc. Coming again to his senses, he joins Clive and the gang on their journey.
Through the remaining elements of the story, Closing Fantasy 16 narrows its give attention to Clive and Joshua. The 2 resolve to defeat Ultima, the primary antagonist and divine being of the sport. They need to reserve their energy for the upcoming battle, so with the remaining powers he has from Bahamut, Dion decides to assist them. “My life ended within the Dominion, I concern loss of life no extra,” he says, recalling all of the occasions that occurred to him. I admit that this made me cautious of how Closing Fantasy 16 would symbolize him in the long run.
So right here’s the issue with queer illustration inside media: many instances, queer characters fall below the unlucky trope of “bury your gays.” In brief, the queer characters, who often aren’t within the starring position, will die in some phenomenally badass manner, with the viewers feeling a robust sense of unhappiness for this character’s passing, and marking a simple manner for writers to herald range and achieve this in a throwaway method.
SPOILERS BELOW FOR THE ENDING OF FINAL FANTASY 16
And in the long run, he did die in a spectacular method, opening the best way to Ultima and the ultimate dungeon. This upset me to no finish, and I admit that I grew to become disconnected with the story after that. And if the ending hadn’t shifted a lot of my understanding of the story, I’d be writing a in another way toned article.
There was no glad ending, and each Clive and Joshua handed as properly. It rewrote the story of all three males as tragic figures, not simply the queer character. Dying grew to become an equal destiny that not even the primary characters themselves might keep away from. Within the bigger scope of issues, I discovered peace in all of them dying…as unusual as that sounds. As a queer gamer, I discovered solace within the equality of loss of life.
There’s story potential for DLC in Closing Fantasy 16, particularly with developer Naoki Yoshida thinking about it just lately. I’d personally like to see extra of Dion’s story unfold inside it. I’d additionally like to see what occurred to Terrence, after Dion ordered him to depart, throughout a tearful scene during which they each stated goodbye, with out saying the precise phrases. Solely time will inform how the devs resolve to develop the sport as a complete, and the way queer illustration shall be depicted throughout the sequence shifting ahead.