jordypickles
2 reviews liked by jordypickles
Final Fantasy XV
2016
I am a huge sucker for bro stories. Just the guys doing stuff. Everyone calls FF15 a road trip game up until the city with the little sister and its so true. The open world was pretty empty, mostly long roads and wide fields, but filled with memories. I never used the fast travel and manually drove wherever I went, excited every time Prompto grabbed our attention to get a nice photo op with the boys. It had zero mechanical reasons to be there, but for the reason of making me cry it was a 10/10 addition. Trudging thru dungeons, spamming sword teleports, chilling at camp with the gang, talking to the hot mechanic girl, its a perfect tale of summer vacation.
Final Fantasy VII is an iconic game that requires no introduction. Despite feeling like I had already played it through osmosis, I was hesitant to choose a version that would introduce me to this world, given the heated debates within the community. However, I eventually settled on the remake because of its impressive presentation. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint.
From the get-go, the game's attention to detail on its characters was apparent. The numerous quiet moments provided insights into the characters' emotional depth, which was truly remarkable. The interconnectivity between Shinra, Midgar, and the characters was intriguing. Learning something new about one character would inform the others, and vice versa.
Cloud's character is methodically portrayed, particularly after playing future entries. It's difficult to characterize someone as withdrawn as Cloud, who possesses a litany of coping mechanisms due to his past traumas. However, the game did an excellent job of bringing his character to life. The Avalanche crew, including Biggs, Wedge, and especially Jessie, were given more than enough attention, which surprised me, given their minor roles in the original game. It's fantastic how fleshed out they are.
In retrospect, Chapter 4, an original entry, was fantastic. I loved how Jessie pushed Cloud out of his comfort zone and included him in group dynamics. Tifa was also impressive, acting as a stabilizing force for Cloud, who was clearly struggling. Aerith is a fantastic blend of mysticism, ancient knowledge, roughness around the edges of the slums, and her last lines in the game resonate deeply with the audience.
Barret, my favorite character, acts as the heart and soul of the game. The Shinra corporation is well-constructed, not just by the higher-ups, but also by lower-level workers who add nuance to Shinra, while simultaneously adding more moral complexity to Barret, who doesn't seem to have fully considered the consequences of his actions. What I find fascinating about this game is its ending and how it includes the original game within the concept of fate while diverging from it, which is both thrilling and meshes well with the story's themes. This only makes me more excited about future entries.
In conclusion, Final Fantasy VII Remake is a phenomenal game that surpassed my expectations, and I'm thrilled that I chose it as my introduction to this world.
From the get-go, the game's attention to detail on its characters was apparent. The numerous quiet moments provided insights into the characters' emotional depth, which was truly remarkable. The interconnectivity between Shinra, Midgar, and the characters was intriguing. Learning something new about one character would inform the others, and vice versa.
Cloud's character is methodically portrayed, particularly after playing future entries. It's difficult to characterize someone as withdrawn as Cloud, who possesses a litany of coping mechanisms due to his past traumas. However, the game did an excellent job of bringing his character to life. The Avalanche crew, including Biggs, Wedge, and especially Jessie, were given more than enough attention, which surprised me, given their minor roles in the original game. It's fantastic how fleshed out they are.
In retrospect, Chapter 4, an original entry, was fantastic. I loved how Jessie pushed Cloud out of his comfort zone and included him in group dynamics. Tifa was also impressive, acting as a stabilizing force for Cloud, who was clearly struggling. Aerith is a fantastic blend of mysticism, ancient knowledge, roughness around the edges of the slums, and her last lines in the game resonate deeply with the audience.
Barret, my favorite character, acts as the heart and soul of the game. The Shinra corporation is well-constructed, not just by the higher-ups, but also by lower-level workers who add nuance to Shinra, while simultaneously adding more moral complexity to Barret, who doesn't seem to have fully considered the consequences of his actions. What I find fascinating about this game is its ending and how it includes the original game within the concept of fate while diverging from it, which is both thrilling and meshes well with the story's themes. This only makes me more excited about future entries.
In conclusion, Final Fantasy VII Remake is a phenomenal game that surpassed my expectations, and I'm thrilled that I chose it as my introduction to this world.