All views are that of the writer and aren’t influenced by any copies of video games offered by publishers for evaluate functions.
Closing Fantasy XVI is a big turning level within the franchise, new gameplay dynamics, subsequent era {hardware} and competitors from different well-known RPG’s. So I (CJ) thought I’d ask two of our reviewers Chloe (New to Closing Fantasy) and Chris (performed earlier Closing Fantasy video games) to share their ideas and see if the sport holds up for each new gamers and previous.
FINAL FANTASY XVI is a brand-new standalone title within the iconic FINAL FANTASY franchise, welcoming each new gamers and current followers alike right into a excessive fantasy world the place the destiny of the land is set by mighty creatures referred to as Eikons and the women and men who management them—Dominants. The story follows Clive Rosfield, a talented swordsman and First Protect of Rosaria, tasked with the safety of his youthful brother Joshua—Dominant of the Phoenix. Surprising occasions, nonetheless, set our hero on the darkish and harmful street to revenge.
Presently solely obtainable on Ps 5.
Chloe: As a newcomer to taking part in Closing Fantasy video games, this newest installment has set a excessive bar with a posh forged of characters and a sprawling story that gave weight to the principle conflicts of the world and provided loads of immersion relating to the unraveling of the politics within the numerous kingdoms. It has been some time since a recreation commanded this a lot consideration from me, conserving me invested within the story and the characters and making me reluctant to place the sport down even for a second.
The story is just about commonplace fantasy fare with protagonist Clive Rosfield struggling a tragedy as a youngster that places him on the trail to changing into an outlaw pushed to save lots of Storm from an otherworldly risk however there’s simply sufficient spark and magnificence within the setpieces to maintain it attention-grabbing and the extra emotional scenes are by no means only for shock worth, with the heavy hitting components of the story sending shockwaves by the remainder of the narrative.
It helps that the big forged of characters retains issues from getting stagnant. It is a transfer that would have had the chance of constructing the sport really feel overstuffed however every character earns their place within the narrative and the host of random NPCs met the world over add additional depth to the lore of Storm and Ash. The breakout star of the sport must be Cid, the chief of the outlaws that Clive falls in with early on within the story. Clive, Joshua Rosfield, Jill Warrick and Dion Lesage are sturdy characters as nicely, bringing gravitas and complexity to their roles within the story that performs nicely off the widely somewhat creepy issue the villains deliver to the desk.
So far as gameplay is anxious, the fight retains you in your toes with the Eikon talents which might be mastered all through the sport. It is a number of enjoyable, experimenting with all of the totally different strikes to discover a playstyle that fits you although melee assaults can typically find yourself being a fallback whilst you’re ready for skill cooldowns to complete whereas the ranged assault is nigh on ineffective for dealing injury. The boss battles nonetheless are the best spotlight of the sport and there was nothing fairly like hitting the button for a cinematic fight transfer and watching the Eikons conflict of their elemental fury.
Chris: Recreation demos virtually by no means win me over (see: Forspoken), typically inflicting extra injury than meant, however the Closing Fantasy XVI demo grabbed me and demanded my consideration for half-hour straight, finally forcing me to play the total game–and what a smart selection that was.
One of the crucial distinguished issues about FFXVI is the shift away from turn-based RPG fight. This time, it requires fast reflexes and strategic pondering to string collectively combos, parry and unleash highly effective assaults. It helps that the story proves to be extraordinarily partaking and cinematic with a captivating and well-developed principal protagonist. Whereas the RPG parts are lacking, it is nonetheless thrilling to observe Clive as he makes his method by a world crammed with wealthy historical past and lore. The primary quests are action-packed and the boss fights are all distinctive in their very own method, and regardless of the considerably lackluster aspect quests in Valisthea within the first 20 or so hours, I used to be hooked onto the emotional and gripping story from begin to end. I like nothing greater than a recreation that brings its story to life in enjoyable and ingenious methods, and Closing Fantasy 16 introduces the Energetic Time Lore button that brilliantly permits gamers to look by the bios of all of the characters in that exact scene in addition to related places and phrases. Good in the event you’re bored with going by the Wiki each hour or two!
Chloe: Video video games like these at all times make me really feel like a vacationer as I simply cease to take a screenshot of each cinematic second or random part of panorama. There was an excellent vary of places on this recreation from the early scenes of woods and rivers in Rosaria and Sanbreque to the deserts and dusty cliffs of Dhalmekia in a while within the recreation with an excellent degree of care and element going into every backdrop. The cinematic cutscenes additionally delivered of a top quality although the minor speaking cutscenes with NPCs in quests exterior of the principle story beats had been a bit of stiff compared.
Chris: There is not any denying that FFXVI is visually breathtaking. The cinematics are a few of the greatest I’ve ever seen in a videogame, starting from epic battle scenes to character introductions, all of that are really a feast for the eyes and really story-driven. It is laborious to not gush over how gorgeous the sport appears to be like at each second, which feels much more spectacular given the darkish and grim undertones of the world it is set in, and one explicit standout scene for me was the Clive/Ifrit spectacle that’s brimming with beautiful visuals and extremely rendered options.
Chloe: Loads of effort plainly went into making Closing Fantasy XVI’s soundtrack as atmospheric as doable with rousing fight music and a variety of orchestral items conveying the temper of the story as the sport progresses whereas additionally capturing the texture of each location you go to to make the expertise as immersive as doable. The Orchestrion is a pleasant little contact to permit gamers to get pleasure from their favorite soundtrack items whereas on the Hideaway, the principle hub for the participant character and his companions, assuming that’s that you just go to the difficulty of accumulating all of the rolls hidden all through the world.
The voice performing in the meantime is impeccable, with all the actors bringing every character to life with loads of character and vigor. Logan Hannan did as nice a job as Clive Rosfield’s youthful brother Joshua as he did when he voiced Hugo within the Plague Story sequence, proving the younger actor has a brilliant future forward of him. Ben Starr voices Clive, offering a wealthy and regular efficiency with Nina Yndis (Benedikta Harman), Ralph Ineson (Cid) and Stewart Clarke (Dion Lesage) additionally placing in notably highly effective performances that enabled the characters to really feel actual and grounded on the planet of the sport.
Chris:The soundtrack is an absolute banger, there is no doubt about it. From the sweeping orchestral piece that completely units the tone for the sport’s epic story, the epic battle music that compliments the fast-paced fight, and the unimaginable voice performing that deliver these characters to life, I have never felt fairly as moved by music in a recreation as I’ve in Closing Fantasy 16. It’s really excellent and, equally to the visuals, a feast for the ears.
Chloe: Up to now, I’ve logged over 50 hours of time within the recreation and had one crash. It runs nicely and the load in instances from quick journey are fast and seamless, by no means breaking the immersion of gameplay. I’ve the sport set to prioritise body fee over graphics and whether or not that makes a distinction or not when it comes to how easily the sport runs I could not say however I’ve skilled only a few issues. It is refreshing after so many recreation releases with bugs and glitches on day one and it is relieving to see that Sq. Enix put in effort to verify the sport was pretty much as good as doable for the gamers who preorder or buy on launch day
Chris:I typically discover it troublesome to critique the efficiency of a console recreation, notably a PS5 recreation, as a result of many of the ones I’ve performed because the console’s launch have run very nicely (we do not discuss Cyberpunk 2077). FFXVI runs exceptionally nicely, whilst I prioritized High quality Mode, however I am not one to complain about 30 vs 60 FPS. I had completely no qualms with the body charges and graphic mode I ended up selecting, and as a substitute felt very impressed with the sleek crusing of a recreation that’s heavy on gorgeous visuals, detailed character fashions and wealthy environments.
For these questioning about Accessibility choice for Closing Fantasy XVI, there may be not a lot to surprise about sadly. There’s the frequent place measurement of textual content for subtitles and menus in place however nothing greater than that sadly, particularly for a recreation of its measurement and recognition. They do nonetheless add a brand new function which may support in gameplay which is the 5 rings which may support you in attacking, defence, celebration member assist and many others, nonetheless you might be restricted in what number of of those you’ll be able to gear and is extra a problem assist than accessibility.
Top-of-the-line new Closing Fantasy’s since Closing Fantasy X. With gameplay that can be interesting to each previous and new gamers of Closing Fantasy, 16 is a step in the fitting path for the long-running franchise. With an excellent story and likable characters, you might be immediately drawn in. With thrilling motion sequences and music to match, this new iteration won’t disappoint
Gameplay: 9/10
Visuals: 9/10
Sound: 9/10
Efficiency: 9/10
