Your adventure begins with Cecil, the Dark Knight captain of the Red Wings, questioning his orders after raiding Mysidia. This initial sequence sets the stage for the entire narrative. After the opening cutscene, you'll find yourself in Baron Castle. Your first objective is to report to the King. Navigate through the castle, speaking to guards and townspeople if you wish, to reach the throne room. After a tense conversation, Cecil is stripped of his command and sent on a new mission to the Mist Cave. Before leaving Baron, ensure you visit the Item Shop and equip Cecil with any available upgrades, though your starting gear is generally sufficient for the initial encounters. Stock up on Potions if you can afford them, as they will be invaluable in the upcoming dungeon. Head south from Baron to reach the overworld map and proceed towards the Mist Cave.
While Final Fantasy XVI focuses on a singular protagonist, its exploration of internal military conflict and moral duty echoes Cecil’s initial struggle as a captain in Baron.
While Cecil’s internal conflict drives this linear opening, Final Fantasy VIII Remastered introduces its protagonist through a cinematic duel that immediately integrates the complex Junction system.