Final Fantasy is one of the biggest names in gaming and as such this has a lot to live up to. Fortunately, FFXVI does manage to stand on the shoulder of giants and carry its name with a memorable, enjoyable experience - albeit with a few flaws.
When I think of Final Fantasy, instantly I think of stunning soundtracks and visuals. This does not disappoint on this front. Wonderfully animated cut scenes and excellent voice acting are present and correct. There are some stunning set pieces, highly emotional moments and outrageous boss fights that will live long in the memory. The story is highly gripping to begin with. Unfortunately this isn't sustained all the way through, and I found the final villain to be slightly disappointing and it felt like a character we've seen a hundred times in these sorts of games. Where FFXVI really shines storywise is the interactions between the different factions and their dominants, and the relationship between Clive, Cid, Jill and Joshua.
Clive is one of the deepest Final Fantasy protagonists, with a complex and tragic backstory that gives him a more rounded character and motivation than previous members of the series. Where this title differs from previous, is the lack of a party as such. Whilst other characters do join you, they are only every temporary members and you are unable to customise their equipment etc. Some may find this disappointing. These characters are still generally well written and likeable, but could have done with more time to shine.
This is an action RPG, unlike many other Final Fantasy games. I have always preferred turn based, however the systems here are relatively easy to learn and not overly difficult. Later in the game, the different Eikon abilities mean you can have a lot of fun setting up different battle styles. Until this point though, you may find the early game battles a bit samey.
For me, the game lacks a sense of exploration. There, for much of the game, is little incentive to wander exploring. Additionally, the side quests for much of the game are really dull. It isn't until the final main quest where a range of interesting side quests are unlocked that add a real depth to some characters and are interesting to play through.
I'd recommend the game to fans of the series and fans of the genre. The game may also appeal to those interested in trying an action RPG for the first time, as the default difficulty is perfectly fine and can also be made easier. I found no need to grind for the main story, which may appeal to newcomers. For those who enjoy this though, there are extra challenges to take on such as hunting powerful monsters, forging weapons and taking part in trials that limit your abilities.
When I think of Final Fantasy, instantly I think of stunning soundtracks and visuals. This does not disappoint on this front. Wonderfully animated cut scenes and excellent voice acting are present and correct. There are some stunning set pieces, highly emotional moments and outrageous boss fights that will live long in the memory. The story is highly gripping to begin with. Unfortunately this isn't sustained all the way through, and I found the final villain to be slightly disappointing and it felt like a character we've seen a hundred times in these sorts of games. Where FFXVI really shines storywise is the interactions between the different factions and their dominants, and the relationship between Clive, Cid, Jill and Joshua.
Clive is one of the deepest Final Fantasy protagonists, with a complex and tragic backstory that gives him a more rounded character and motivation than previous members of the series. Where this title differs from previous, is the lack of a party as such. Whilst other characters do join you, they are only every temporary members and you are unable to customise their equipment etc. Some may find this disappointing. These characters are still generally well written and likeable, but could have done with more time to shine.
This is an action RPG, unlike many other Final Fantasy games. I have always preferred turn based, however the systems here are relatively easy to learn and not overly difficult. Later in the game, the different Eikon abilities mean you can have a lot of fun setting up different battle styles. Until this point though, you may find the early game battles a bit samey.
For me, the game lacks a sense of exploration. There, for much of the game, is little incentive to wander exploring. Additionally, the side quests for much of the game are really dull. It isn't until the final main quest where a range of interesting side quests are unlocked that add a real depth to some characters and are interesting to play through.
I'd recommend the game to fans of the series and fans of the genre. The game may also appeal to those interested in trying an action RPG for the first time, as the default difficulty is perfectly fine and can also be made easier. I found no need to grind for the main story, which may appeal to newcomers. For those who enjoy this though, there are extra challenges to take on such as hunting powerful monsters, forging weapons and taking part in trials that limit your abilities.
HunterMask
5 months ago