While Final Fantasy XVI has a linear structure for the most part, there are also four vast areas that the player can freely explore. In these areas lurk tough enemies, called Notorious Marks. As they are side content, engaging in battle against them is completely optional. However, players who do slay them can receive precious rewards.
Each of these enemies has a rank, which indicates its strength. Of course, the higher the rank, the better the rewards. Notorious Marks can be found by naturally exploring the game’s open areas, but you can also learn their location through the Hunt Board, which protagonist Clive can access in the hideaway area.
In our exclusive video, you can see two different Notorious Mark battles. Grimalkin is a level 32 monster of rank C that is somewhat reminiscent of a hyena or leopard. Before you get to fight it, you will have to take care of a pack of Wild Nakks that seem to be functioning as its henchmen. Grimalkin charges at you with its fierce claws, but while its attacks are powerful, its motions aren’t easy to read. As long as you manage to dodge and counterattack at the right time, Grimalkin shouldn’t be too difficult to defeat.
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The same cannot be said for Atlas, the second Notorious Mark in our video. Atlas is a level 45 S-ranked enemy that looks similar to an Iron Giant, one of Final Fantasy’s most iconic enemies. It wields a sword with a long reach and fires projectiles that target the player from above. A long-reach attack in which Atlas swings its sword sideways while shooting a beam is particularly powerful and difficult to avoid. In the video, the player is using the Titanic Block Eikonic Ability while fighting in close combat, but will they be able to defeat it?
Final Fantasy XVI releases for PlayStation 5 on June 22. Be sure to check out our exclusive boss battle gameplay of Liquid Flame (see above), a commentary video on the game’s Eikonic Abilities straight from the devs, and gameplay from two of the game’s dungeons.