Dog Cosplay meets Final Fantasy XVI at Sydney’s Darlo Bar

Final Fantasy XVI is celebrating things a little differently leading up to its June 22 launch, by celebrating our beloved best doggo friends. The event will be known as Paws of Valisthea, and look to bring dogs of all breeds, shapes and sizes together at Sydney’s Darlo Bar on the 17th of June, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

The best part? Much like the fearless in-game companion Torgal, dogs will be encouraged to dress up in their best Final Fantasy Eikon cosplay for the chance to win some tasty treats. Copies of the upcoming Final Fantasy XVI will also be up for grabs upon release along with a PlayStation 5 console for the best-dressed pup. That’s not all, however. The event will also give fans a chance to go hands-on with the game ahead of its release.

if you’re still looking for a furry friend, RSPCA NSW will be there with several adoptable rescue dogs available to meet and accept donations. A list of streamers including Bajo, IamFallFromGrace and MopGarden will also be hosting live streams in support.

Eric Folliot, Marketing Director at SQUARE ENIX commented on the news, stating “Final Fantasy XVI is the fantastic new addition to this epic video game anthology that will delight existing fans, but also the perfect game for those who have never played a Final Fantasy. We’re really excited to see gamers on PlayStation 5 dive into the world of Valisthea, accompanied by their faithful canine companion: Torgal. It’s an exciting landmark for the series, as it’s the perfect game that anyone can jump into and start playing in their own style”. “We’re looking forward to seeing fans both old and new at launch dress up their furry best friends to become fearless Eikons!”

We all love Final Fantasy. We all love our dogs. It’s time the two collaborated. Final Fantasy XVI will launch on PlayStation 5 on the 22nd of June, 2023.

Matthew Arcari

Matthew Arcari is the games and technology editor at The AU Review. You can find him on Twitter at @sirchunkee, or at the Dagobah System, chilling with Luke and Yoda.