Final Fantasy XVI

I'll admit that I wasn't too excited for this one, mainly because the series had kind of lost it's way, and I feel that XV, while fun, was ultimately a step down from what made the series amazing. I was also a little worried when people said it wasn't going to be open world, I thought that was a bad idea. But then I actually played it, and in no uncertain terms, I was honestly blown away. I just misunderstood what people were saying earlier, it's technically an open world, just with a smaller one separated into more detailed sections, which I prefer to a big empty world. In a lot of ways, this is kind of a return to form for the series, definitely going for quality over quantity, even with a gameplay style somewhat reminiscent of Kingdom Hearts, which I thoroughly enjoy, it changes the formula while still bringing in some core features to the series. But what makes it even better is the story, they finally put more effort into all of that than the gameplay, the world building, the characters, even the progression, I can honestly say it's the best story in an FF game since X, and I'm not saying that ironically. There are genuinely parts I don't expect and a deeper tone to the whole thing.

My one gripe about it is the change to an M Rating, not just that, but the added violence and swearing, and to a lesser extent, sex. A lot of this can feel kind of out of place to a long time fan of Final Fantasy, and I honestly think they could've just as easily made it rated T. But ultimately, I'm not all that upset about it, because they don't just decide to fill it chock full of excessive swearing, sex, or overly gorey violence, they just put little bits of that in, and it still overall feels like an FF game with all the adventure, lore, and stakes in it. It doesn't try too hard to be dark and edgy, and keep in mind this isn't the first FF game to get an M Rating.

Overall, I think it is well worth your money, whether you're a fan of the series already or not, and I hope they maintain the direction of quality over quantity with future games, because one's like these prove that the series is not yet past it's prime.

Okay, this game is amazing. My favorite Final Fantasy games are 7 and 14. This is much more darker and mature. It's very, very brutal. But i love it. Story is emotional rollercoaster, combat is so amazing, world is big, music is one of the best i have ever heard. Soken is on fire!! There also many amazing characters. Clive is a very strong character, but my favorite is Cid and Jill. And of course Torgal. Such a good boy. Graphics and visuals, top notch, and voice acting is so good too. Anyway, time will tell if this is a best Final Fantasy game. Right now, for me it is!! Thank you Business Unit III, Yoshi-P and Square Enix. Masterpiece 10/10.

This game should have been marketed as a system seller for the PlayStation 5 because it shows what the console is truly capable of. There were so many moments where my jaw hit the floor while watching and playing parts of this games sequences, boss fights and cinematics. Adding to that praise a truly mesmerising soundtrack, this game is simply one of the all time greats from all things technical.

The only bad marks it gets is how it builds a very interesting and in depth story of politics, wars and regicide from all different angles but then almost drops this to focus on the more mythic and other worldly elements of its story. I feel like the story chiefs were caught in a tug of war between grounded political intrigue and remembering this is a Final Fantasy game and therefore needs a cosmic entity to define the whole picture.

While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, I do think more could have been done to have the games multiple antagonists have more of an impact on our hero's actions and 'destiny' than they did. They end up being stepping stones, only to be rendered narratively obsolete by there being a bridge further down river. But really, come the end of the game there are numerous call backs that make it not too much of an egregious misstep.

The only other criticism is a nitpick, as mentioned at the start, this game is a technical marvel, but to its detriment at times as there are so many particle effects, flashes and chaos happening on screen that, if you're using multiple abilities at the same time, it can become extremely difficult to tell what on earth is going on on your screen. Certain abilities had me turning my camera to an upward angle so I could see what the enemy was doing as I was charging up a latent power that took up much needed space. Also considering the enemies also have their own particle effects and attacks that leave impacts on the ground, it's a confusing and chaotic melee on screen. Thankfully the combat is extremely fun and intense so again, it's a nitpick.

The strength of this game quite rightly is the technical flexing it pulls off with ease. I had zero crashes which is extremely impressive considering everything that can be happening everywhere, all at once on my screen. Unforgettable boss battles and brilliant performances from all casts members. This is a one of a kind fantasy epic and I will always look back on it with excitement.

I wanted to write this review on the eve of it's two-year anniversary. I was truly captivated by Final Fantasy XVI, particularly by its darker, more mature narrative. The story delves into complex themes of power, betrayal, and sacrifice, creating a gritty atmosphere that sets it apart from previous entries. For example, the intense scenes involving the political machinations and inner conflicts of the characters amplify this darker tone, making the story feel both compelling and emotionally charged.

The character development in the game mirrors elements from Game of Thrones, with deeply layered characters navigating morally ambiguous situations. Clive's transformation from a driven soldier to a more layered and conflicted hero is particularly admirable, reminiscent of the nuanced character arcs seen in the iconic series. The intricate relationships and betrayals further add to the realism and depth of the narrative.

Visually, the game is breathtaking. The attention to scenery and the action-packed graphics are nothing short of spectacular. Each environment feels alive and meticulously crafted-from the lush, vivid landscapes to the detailed cityscapes. The dynamic combat sequences are fluid and exhilarating, making every boss fight feel epic and immersive. The visuals truly elevate the gaming experience to a cinematic level.

The voice acting also deserves praise. The cast nailed their roles, bringing authenticity and emotion to every line. For instance, the lead's somber yet fierce delivery during pivotal moments added weight and engagement, pulling players deeper into the story.

I loved Final Fantasy XVI so much that I initially played it on my PS5, enjoying the base game, the DLC, and even trying out New Game+ to experience the story from a fresh perspective. Its immersive world and engaging gameplay left such an impression that I recently re-bought it on Steam just to stream it and share my philosophical input on the game's themes, characters, and narrative intricacies. It's rare for a game to inspire such a dual-layered experience for me.

However, the game isn't without its flaws. One area where it struggled was in the direction, likely affected by the studio's simultaneous development of two AAA titles. It sometimes felt like the game's pacing and narrative focus were compromised, with certain sequences feeling rushed or underdeveloped, hinting that the studio's priorities might have been split.

Overall, Final Fantasy XVI is a visually stunning, narratively rich, and emotionally resonant experience-despite some developmental challenges. It's a must-play for fans of darker stories and epic adventures.

Final Fantasy XVI is a perfect game. The story is well written and thought out, compelling, invokes emotion, and knows when to add humour that will not take away from the tone.

You are immeditately thrusted into the combat so you can feel the sense of what the game is all about from the word "go". All of the characters are either relatable, sympathetic, or hated in some way.

The dialogue is well written, and the voice acting carries the weight very well.

The combat is amazing, it is easy to pick up if you're a new player while also adding a challenge for those experienced in action games, and the eikon kaiju battles were nothing short of epic in different ways.

XVI leaves no loose ends except for the questions it did not answer. You can pet the dog.

The graphics and visuals are absolutely gorgeous, and even though we are not able to touch the water this game hands down has the best water physics out of any game I have seen.

XVI likes to throw cliches at you only to completely subvert your expectation because it knows that you know what should happen, for example; the final boss is well established and doesn't get outshone by a surprise villain irrelevent to the established plot.

And finally, even though there are some moments where visuals frame drop or the characters move like they're in Final Fantast XIV it is completely outshone to the point that it is only a very minor issue that can be made at best.

It's perfect. Everything, down to the last minute details. 10/10 the best game ever made.