I appreciate the Square Enix Final Fantasy Ultimania entries and supplemental books, but I’m never actually reading them in a straightforward manner. I approach them like I would something like an encyclopedia, checking out a specific entry, element, or character. You know, picking at it. LOGOS: The World of Final Fantasy XVI, the latest book covering FFXVI, is different due to the execution. It’s a lore book and essentially an encyclopedia filled with details about this Final Fantasy entry, but the way it is written and set up meant I actually would go through and read parts of it straight through, rather than going to certain parts about specific people or places.
The main reason for this is due to the execution. When Square Enix had the team set out to work on LOGOS: The World of Final Fantasy XVI, they didn’t design it in the same way as the Ultimania series of books, but instead worked with the same sort of elements incorporated in FFXVI proper. One of the features of the game is The Thousand Tomes. This is maintained by Harpocrates II Hyperboreos in the RPG. As we experience parts of the story, we can send Clive to check in with the scholar to update what is essentially an in-game glossary and see Active Time Lore elements going over people, places, and event. This actual physical book feels like a hardbound copy of that kind of data and information. It’s set up so it feels like Harpocrates wrote it.
This makes a huge difference, as it doesn’t feel like seeing a physical representation of The Thousand Tomes or going through a standard type of art book or Ultimania. It’s written like a historical archive or even textbook. For example, the “In the Beginning” portion reads like something of a factual text while also almost coming across as a creation myth, due to it detailing the arrival of Ultima and the establishment of the Mothercrystals. When we get to “The Dominents” section, it doesn’t come across as straightforward character profiles. It’s written like brief biographies of each of the major individuals. The “Our Home” area reminded me a little of some of the travel guides for places like Japan or Mexico that I received as gifts in high school and college when I expressed interest in visiting those countries. It feels more like you can sit down and read through a whole section and treat them as different kinds of informative texts, instead of only looking up one or two points for clarification.
Another important element is the way in which all that is handled. In Final Fantasy XVI, we got a lot of information about the world, its characters, and lore due to The Thousand Tomes, but LOGOS: The World of FFXVI isn’t a book retelling all of that. As Localization Director Michael-Christopher Koji Fox noted ahead of its launch, over 90% of it is new. While it is pulling from established facts and canon, the team behind the game and individuals came together to enhance that. He noted both Creative Director Kazutoyo Maehiro and Translator John Taylor were heavily involved. I beat the game. I finished the add-ons. I basically saw everything. Yet this does still feel new and I feel like I learned more things about people and places by going through it.
Another notable element is its execution. LOGOS: The World of Final Fantasy XVI is a hefty book. It’s 368 pages and hardcover. But the design direction for the pages does make it look antique and weathered. The art direction for character portraits, landscapes, and monsters feel like period pieces. While some of the other elements might be designed with visual clarity in mind, such as brief sheet music section for The Grand Duchy of Rosaria’s anthem, it still feels period-accurate. It’s staying true to the theme, which I appreciated.
I really appreciate the approach Square Enix took with LOGOS: The World of Final Fantasy XVI, as the book feels like a real history of FFXVI and more than just an encyclopedia. Having it written from Harpocrates’ perspective helps with readability. As does making the sections feel like actual engaging histories and biographies instead of just entries in an informative text or art book. It really stays true to the design direction and feel of the game.
LOGOS: The World of Final Fantasy XVI is available now, and Square Enix’s other FFXVI books like The Art of FFXVI: Echoes of the Rising Tide are also available worldwide. The game is available on the PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC.
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