The soon-to-be-released Final Fantasy XVI comes with a somewhat obscure reference to a game by its director, Hiroshi Takai.

The upcoming Final Fantasy XVI contains a reference that most franchise fans will not easily recognise. Clive’s loyal friend Torgal in the game, a wolfhound who follows him everywhere, is actually named after a main character from a previous game directed by Hiroshi Takai.

Unlike its predecessor, which focused on the joys of riding with friends in the open world, Final Fantasy XVI will feature a darker storyline focused on revenge and will reportedly include 11 hours of cutscenes alone.

Following Clive’s revenge, players will be treated to one of the most mature stories in the franchise. But that doesn’t mean the cool references and Easter eggs will be completely forgotten. Or that there won’t be time for fun throughout the story.

For example, the new Final Fantasy game comes with a quirky reference to The Last Remnant, directed by Hiroshi Takai. Clive’s dog Torgal is named after one of the main characters in that game. Ironically, he comes from a race of cat-people known as the Sovani. Although the player does not directly control Torgal, he can take orders during battles. He serves as a loyal friend who assists Clive during missions.

However, the reference will not be recognised by many fans. The Last Remnant wasn’t a big hit when it was released for Xbox 360 in 2008 and then PC the following year. Both versions had some bugs and gameplay issues. The Final Fantasy brand name was sorely missed, which made the game primarily forgotten by most people. Except perhaps for those who played it at the time.

However, The Last Remnant was remastered for the Nintendo Switch in 2019, allowing modern gamers to experience the game for the first time with improved graphics and a better overall experience.

Throughout the game, you’ll explore the world with Clive Torgal, battling enemies as he moves the plot forward. However, the game will not be an open world like Final Fantasy XV and will offer a reasonably linear experience with side missions sprinkled in.

Source: GamesRadar