Voice Actor Ben Starr's Take on Final Fantasy 12's Cid in FF16

Insight from the voice behind Final Fantasy 16's Clive Rosfield on a controversial version of the recurring character Cid.
Voice Actor Ben Starr's Take on Final Fantasy 12's Cid in FF16

Highlights

  • Final Fantasy 16's Ben Starr critiques Final Fantasy 12's Cid as the worst rendition ever seen.
  • The Rising Tide DLC for Final Fantasy 16 is scheduled for release on April 18, 2024, bringing fresh storylines and the return of Eikon Leviathan.
  • A new character named Shula will join Clive Rosfield in the DLC to rescue the Dominant of Leviathan.

Final Fantasy 16 voice actor Ben Starr, who portrays protagonist Clive Rosfield, has shared his playful opinion on a specific Cid – a character known for appearing in various Final Fantasy titles. Starr, a dedicated fan of the series, has weighed in on past games, offering his unique perspective.

The highly anticipated Final Fantasy 16, the most recent addition to the franchise with a history spanning close to four decades, made its debut in June 2023 to critical acclaim. The game's darker tone, a departure from the franchise's typical light-heartedness, was well-received by players. Starr's portrayal of the serious and burdened protagonist resonated with audiences as he embarks on a journey to save the world after enduring personal losses.

During an interview with TheGamer, Starr expressed his strong dislike for the portrayal of Cid in Final Fantasy 12, labeling it as the worst iteration of the character and jokingly suggesting he would eliminate him in a game scenario. This perspective aligns with the fact that Doctor Cid in FF12 is the series' sole villainous version of the character. Doctor Cid serves as the lead scientist at the Draklor Laboratory within the Archadian Empire, and he is revealed to be the indifferent father of the playable character Balthier, who is unaware of their relationship. Starr remarked, "I would eliminate Cid from Final Fantasy 12 - I genuinely believe he ranks among the most detestable Cids in the series."

Preview of the Upcoming Final Fantasy 16 DLC

  • The Rising Tide release date: April 18, 2024
  • Launch time: 12:00 AM EST
  • Expected price: $20

Approaching its first anniversary post-launch, Final Fantasy 16 continues to captivate players, gearing up for the release of its new story expansion, The Rising Tide, on April 18. This additional content promises to delve deeper into the game's lore, offering players more engaging experiences. The preceding DLC, Echoes of the Fallen, delved into events leading up to the final showdown, while The Rising Tide will explore the aftermath.

One of the anticipated storylines in The Rising Tide involves the reappearance of the Eikon Leviathan, a character briefly hinted at in the main game but notably absent. This segment is expected to focus on Leviathan's revival and its integration into Clive's arsenal of Eikons to utilize. Clive can select from a varied array of Eikons, including Ifrit, Phoenix, Titan, Garuda, Shiva, Bahamut, and Odin, with the addition of new abilities and powers being a highlight for fans.

Additionally, The Rising Tide will introduce a new ally, Shula, who will join Clive and his companions in the mission to rescue the Dominant of Leviathan, the individual capable of summoning the Eikon. Hailing from the unexplored region of Mysidia, Shula's inclusion hints at extensive exploration opportunities for players in the upcoming DLC. While details on subsequent DLCs remain scarce, Final Fantasy enthusiasts have much to anticipate in the near future.