![]() ![]() When it comes to inventory management and crafting though, you likely won't need any help, as they've been simplified almost to a fault. Equip another to easily execute combos with perfect timing. If it feels too overwhelming, equip an auto-dodge ring provided at the beginning of the game and mash the attack button. The game also allows you to simplify combat with special accessories. They're roughly equivalent to footnotes in a complicated fantasy novel, and I really hope other development teams take note (looking at you, Kingdom Hearts).Ĭlive transformed into Ifrit, Eikon of Fire. But a bounty of innovative quality of life features streamline the game, my favorite being the Active Time Lore (ATL) system.Īt nearly any point you can hold the touchpad to pull up a small constellation of entries on relevant characters, locations, or events. Navigating the not-quite-open-world zones of Valisthea, browsing menus, and equipping gear and abilities all feels buttery smooth. Square Enix took their time to polish Final Fantasy XVI and it shows. The simplified controls don't provide much of a challenge, but the epic confrontations show off spectacular, cinematic animation at its finest. You'll also occasionally get treated to Eikon battles, where massive mythological beings face off. I punctuated countless victories by quietly exclaiming to myself "Helllllll yeah" after landing a series of combos on a staggered enemy. You'll earn new abilities at a steady clip throughout the game to keep things from getting stale. Similar to fighting games, Clive can string together attacks into myriad combos. While it's not as deep as DMC5, it's just as flashy, satisfying, and consistently fun, while also welcoming to newcomers of the action genre. Square Enixįans of games like Devil May Cry 5 and Dragons Dogma will immediately feel at home thanks to the contributions of Capcom veteran and XVI's Combat Director, Ryota Suzuki. Switch between elemental modes to unleash devastating combos on enemies. I never thought I'd say this about a Final Fantasy game, but XVI's fast-paced action combat might be its greatest strength, and unquestionably ranks among the best in the series. Its characters are complex, their relationships are well-developed, and the romance between Clive and his childhood friend Jill is so touching that it made me weep a total of five times (no shame in admitting that). Yoshida has also drawn ire for comments he made about representation in the game last year: "Due to the underlying geographical, technological, and geopolitical constraints of this setting, Valisthea was never going to realistically be as diverse as say a modern-day Earth." While he's since clarified these remarks, it's true that the game doesn't feature as many people of color as rival big-budget RPGs like Hogwarts Legacy or Diablo IV.īut despite its blemishes, Final Fantasy XVI tells an amazing tale about the lengths we'll go to fight for those we love and for what we believe is right. If you've ever watched the famed HBO series, you'll see many parallels. But Final Fantasy XVI's weakest moments come when it leans too heavily on Game of Thrones tropes. Square Enixįor the most part, these influences blend together into a gripping narrative. Often impressive and at times unparalleled, Final Fantasy XVI is not only a worthy entry in the legendary series, it's also one of the best (trust me - I've been playing a lot of this series recently).įinal Fantasy XVI follows a group of outcasts - including Goetz, Charon, Jill, and Clive (pictured left to right). I tell my wife, "Sweetheart, I can't believe I'm playing this game right now." The more I play, the more my heart fills with a childlike joy. Someone thinks it's an okay idea to let me review it. It's 2023 and I'm downloading a pre-release copy of Final Fantasy XVI in a hotel room. That game was Final Fantasy IV (released as Final Fantasy II in North America), and it would introduce me to my favorite series of all time. The cover was red and plain, its only distinguishing feature a shiny sword replacing the letter "t" in its title. My eye caught titles that looked appealing - Smartball, Rocky Rodent, Contra 3, F-Zero - but before I could make a decision, my sister pulled something off the shelves. I scored a perfect four stars on my weekly writing test, which meant that my parents would let me rent a game and buy me a Happy Meal. It's 1993 and I'm standing in front of a gigantic wall of video games at my local video rental store. ![]() Protagonist Clive, who wields elemental magic and can transform into a gigantic Eikon under the right conditions. ![]()
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