All views are that of the creator and are usually not influenced by any copies of video games supplied by publishers for assessment functions.
Last Fantasy XVI is a large turning level within the franchise, new gameplay dynamics, subsequent era {hardware} and competitors from different well-known RPG’s. So I (CJ) thought I might ask two of our reviewers Chloe (New to Last Fantasy) and Chris (performed earlier Last 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 present followers alike right into a excessive fantasy world the place the destiny of the land is determined by mighty creatures often called 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, nevertheless, set our hero on the darkish and harmful highway to revenge.
Presently solely obtainable on Ps 5.
Chloe: As a newcomer to taking part in Last Fantasy video games, this newest installment has set a excessive bar with a posh solid of characters and a sprawling story that gave weight to the principle conflicts of the world and supplied loads of immersion in the case of the unraveling of the politics within the varied kingdoms. It has been some time since a recreation commanded this a lot consideration from me, retaining 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 customary fantasy fare with protagonist Clive Rosfield struggling a tragedy as a teen 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 fascinating and the extra emotional scenes are by no means only for shock worth, with the heavy hitting components of the story sending shockwaves by means of the remainder of the narrative.
It helps that the large solid of characters retains issues from getting stagnant. It is a transfer that might have had the danger of constructing the sport really feel overstuffed however every character earns their place within the narrative and the host of random NPCs met internationally add additional depth to the lore of Storm and Ash. The breakout star of the sport needs to 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 robust characters as properly, bringing gravitas and complexity to their roles within the story that performs properly off the commonly slightly creepy issue the villains carry to the desk.
So far as gameplay is worried, the fight retains you in your toes with the Eikon talents which might be mastered all through the sport. It is a variety of enjoyable, experimenting with all of the completely different strikes to discover a playstyle that fits you although melee assaults can typically find yourself being a fallback when you’re ready for capacity cooldowns to complete whereas the ranged assault is nigh on ineffective for dealing injury. The boss battles nevertheless 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: Sport demos nearly by no means win me over (see: Forspoken), typically inflicting extra injury than meant, however the Last Fantasy XVI demo grabbed me and demanded my consideration for half-hour straight, ultimately forcing me to play the complete game–and what a sensible selection that was.
One of the outstanding 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 participating and cinematic with a captivating and well-developed principal protagonist. Whereas the RPG parts are lacking, it is nonetheless thrilling to comply with Clive as he makes his manner by means of a world crammed with wealthy historical past and lore. The principle quests are action-packed and the boss fights are all distinctive in their very own manner, 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 Last Fantasy 16 introduces the Lively Time Lore button that brilliantly permits gamers to look by means of the bios of all of the characters in that specific scene in addition to related areas and phrases. Excellent if you happen to’re uninterested in going by means of the Wiki each hour or two!
Chloe: Video video games like these all the time 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 amazing vary of areas on this recreation from the early scenes of woods and rivers in Rosaria and Sanbreque to the deserts and dusty cliffs of Dhalmekia afterward within the recreation with an amazing 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 have been slightly stiff compared.
Chris: There isn’t any denying that FFXVI is visually breathtaking. The cinematics are a few of the finest I’ve ever seen in a videogame, starting from epic battle scenes to character introductions, all of that are actually a feast for the eyes and really story-driven. It is onerous 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 Last Fantasy XVI’s soundtrack as atmospheric as attainable 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 attainable. The Orchestrion is a pleasant little contact to permit gamers to take pleasure in their favorite soundtrack items whereas on the Hideaway, the principle hub for the participant character and his companions, assuming that’s that you simply 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 earth of the sport.
Chris:The soundtrack is an absolute banger, there isn’t any 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 unbelievable voice performing that carry these characters to life, I have not felt fairly as moved by music in a recreation as I’ve in Last Fantasy 16. It’s actually excellent and, equally to the visuals, a feast for the ears.
Chloe: Thus far, I’ve logged over 50 hours of time within the recreation and had one crash. It runs properly 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 by way of 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 nearly as good as attainable for the gamers who preorder or buy on launch day
Chris:I typically discover it troublesome to critique the efficiency of a console recreation, significantly a PS5 recreation, as a result of a lot of the ones I’ve performed because the console’s launch have run very properly (we do not speak about Cyberpunk 2077). FFXVI runs exceptionally properly, 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 an alternative 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 possibility for Last Fantasy XVI, there’s not a lot to surprise about sadly. There’s the widespread place dimension of textual content for subtitles and menus in place however nothing greater than that sadly, particularly for a recreation of its dimension and recognition. They do nevertheless add a brand new characteristic which may assist in gameplay which is the 5 rings which may assist you in attacking, defence, celebration member assist and many others, nevertheless you’re restricted in what number of of those you possibly can tools and is extra a problem assist than accessibility.
The most effective new Last Fantasy’s since Last Fantasy X. With gameplay that can be interesting to each previous and new gamers of Last Fantasy, 16 is a step in the fitting path for the long-running franchise. With an amazing story and likable characters, you’re immediately drawn in. With thrilling motion sequences and music to match, this new iteration is not going to disappoint
Gameplay: 9/10
Visuals: 9/10
Sound: 9/10
Efficiency: 9/10
