Picture this: it's 2025, and gamers everywhere are losing their minds over the newly announced collaboration between Capcom's Monster Hunter Wilds and Square Enix's Final Fantasy 14. Don't get me wrong - a Chocobo-themed Seikret mount and fighting Omega Planetes sounds pretty darn cool. But let's be real for a second: the gaming community can't help but wonder what if the collaboration had gone in a completely different direction? What if instead of FF14, we got a crossover with Final Fantasy 16? Now that would've been one hell of a party!
The FF16 Boss Roster: Pure Insanity Waiting to Happen
Let's talk about the elephant in the room - Final Fantasy 16's boss fights are basically the definition of 'extra.' We're talking about encounters so over-the-top that they make Michael Bay movies look like quiet indie films. These battles may not have been the most complex from a gameplay perspective, but holy moly, the spectacle was absolutely next-level:
🔥 Eikon Battles: Imagine fighting Ifrit, Phoenix, or Bahamut in Monster Hunter Wilds - the sheer scale would be mind-blowing
⚡ Visual Spectacle: FF16 bosses are all about that 'wow' factor - perfect for Monster Hunter's epic combat style
🎮 Memorable Moments: These are some of the most talked-about battles in recent gaming history
Regular Monsters That Pack a Serious Punch
While the bosses get all the glory, FF16's regular monsters are no slouches either. Sure, we've seen Morbols, Coeurls, and Ahrimans before in other Final Fantasy titles, but FF16 gave these classic creatures a serious glow-up. The designers went all out, creating versions that are more detailed, more intimidating, and frankly, more badass than ever before.
Why FF16 Monsters Would Slay in Monster Hunter Wilds:
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Visual Consistency: The gritty, realistic art style of FF16 monsters would blend perfectly with Wilds' aesthetic
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Combat Variety: Each monster has unique attack patterns that would translate beautifully to Monster Hunter's combat system
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That 'Wow' Factor: Let's be honest - hunting a FF16 Coeurl would be way more exciting than your average Rathalos run
Clive Rosfield: The Monster Hunter We Never Knew We Needed
Here's the kicker: Clive Rosfield is basically a Monster Hunter protagonist who accidentally wandered into the wrong game. Think about it - the man spends his entire journey hunting down massive, terrifying creatures. He's got the gear, the attitude, and let's be real, the hair for it. Adding Clive as a playable character would have been chef's kiss perfection.
Why Clive Would Fit Right In:
| Aspect | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Combat Style | Clive's Eikon abilities would translate beautifully to Hunter Arts |
| Character Design | His armor and weapon aesthetics are already Monster Hunter-ready |
| Personality | Serious monster hunter with a tragic backstory? Sounds familiar... |
Capcom's Crossover History: They've Done It Before!
Some might say adding a protagonist from another franchise is crossing the line, but hello? Capcom literally did this back in 2019 with Geralt of Rivia in Monster Hunter: World. The Witcher crossover was a massive success, proving that guest characters can work incredibly well in the Monster Hunter universe.
The Geralt Precedent:
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✅ Full quest line with unique story content
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✅ Playable guest character with special abilities
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✅ Enemies and items from The Witcher universe
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✅ Universal praise from both fan bases
The Missed Opportunity of the Century?
While the FF14 collaboration is certainly nothing to sneeze at, there's this nagging feeling that Square Enix and Capcom played it a bit too safe. FF16 represents a grittier, more mature take on the Final Fantasy franchise that would have meshed perfectly with Monster Hunter Wilds' tone and aesthetic.
What Could Have Been:
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Epic Eikon battles as endgame content
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⚔️ Clive Rosfield as a special hunter
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🛡️ FF16-themed armor and weapons
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Unique combat mechanics inspired by Eikon abilities
The Silver Lining: Hope for the Future
Look, I'm not saying the FF14 collaboration is bad - far from it. Getting to ride a Chocobo-inspired Seikret is every Final Fantasy fan's dream come true. But the gaming community can't help but imagine what might have been if the stars had aligned differently. Maybe, just maybe, this initial collaboration will pave the way for future crossovers with other Final Fantasy titles.
At the end of the day, both franchises are still killing it in 2025, and any collaboration between them is cause for celebration. But here's hoping that somewhere down the line, we'll get to see Clive Rosfield face off against the Arkveld. Now that would be a collaboration worth writing home about! ✨