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Developer (Platform): Square Enix Creative Business Unit 3 (PlayStation 5)
Publisher (Release): Square Enix (2023)
Length: 60-70 hours
Genres: Adult; Fantasy; RPG; Action; Adventure
❗️Disclaimers❗️:
moderate violence and gore with scenes of a sexual nature
plenty, and I do mean plenty, of flashing lights
this review contains low-level spoilers
recommendation: must play
👍 Pros 👍
Strongest voice performances for the series to date
Wide array of abilities and an addictive gameplay loop
Gorgeous graphics compliment a stunning soundtrack
👎 Cons 👎
Story and dialogue can be repetitive, compounded by cutscenes that overstay their welcome by just a bit
A more simplistic approach to combat will not please hardcore fans of turn-based strategy
Some stuttering and frame drops (especially in performance)
👀 Synopsis & Trailer 👀
When Clive Rosfield witnesses his kingdom destroyed, it sets him on the dangerous path between nations in conflict as he scours the land of Valisthea for the dark power of Ifrit.
🛎️ Introduction 🛎️
What is a Final Fantasy game?
I’ve been seeing this question a lot across social media in response to 16’s release. Most long-running series experience it, Resident Evil is a recent one that also had the fanbase at odds, and it’s a consequence of nostalgia and our futile fight to reclaim that feeling.
The answer is always both, though. No, Final Fantasy 16 isn’t a Final Fantasy game, but, yes, it also is. It’s not the turn-based RPG that likely dominated our childhoods; it’s more like Final Fantasy grew up and had a baby with Game of Thrones and Devil May Cry.
🧩 Plots 🧩
In Final Fantasy style, 16 is a grand opera of engaging yet simplistic moral themes, with strong focuses on slavery and the maltreatment of minorities. It doesn’t break new ground, especially not for the series, but it builds a compelling world in Valisthea, with incredibly rich and emotional moments that help balance out the cliches.
What interesting breath you have
Its core plot draws heavily from the likes of medieval fantasy, with warring nations and rudimentary hygiene. This is where the most stark difference in tone from its predecessors really hits the player. Final Fantasy 16 is bloody, violent, and, surprisingly, kinda sexy.
Secret civilisation: Check
I get major 7 and 10 story beats from 16, with some similarly clunky third-act exposition to confuse and delight. Its finale, however, doesn’t disappoint, with bombastic action the scale of which the series has never seen.
…bloody, violent, and, surprisingly, kinda sexy.
🎭 Characters 🎭
Clive Rosfield continues the series trend of stoic protagonists, but, rather than leave the player wondering how he gets anyone to join his cause given how uninterested a gruff exterior can feel, Clive is surprisingly warm. The husky alpha male with a strong vocal performance from Ben Starr, the writing does a good job of portraying a flawed and vulnerable hero with the weight of the world on their shoulders. That said, his development is a bit stagnant.
Ben Starr shines (pun!)
Speaking of stagnant development, a decent supporting cast helps build the world with different perspectives, but those perspectives don’t really change. Each character seems to have one overall goal or ideal that never changes or shifts with the events they experience. Voice acting is strong, but repetitive dialogue across a 70-hour experience can grate on the nerves a little.
Torgal is best boy
Making up for it in spades are Torgal (best boy), Clive’s faithful hound, and Cid, whose incarnation in this entry is cheeky outlaw with some undeniable Jack Sparrow vibes that left me feeling strangely attracted to a fictional character.
…husky alpha male with a strong vocal performance from Ben Starr…
👾 Gameplay and Graphics 👾
The most divisive of the commentary online is 16’s gameplay. For a while, the series has been experimenting with a faster flow of action and a more simplistic approach to strategy and difficulty. 16 is likely the most action-packed the franchise has been, with frenetic and flashy fighting that blends player input with epic cinematic clashes.
Personally, I loved it. Final Fantasy 16’s scale takes full advantage of the PS5’s capabilities, showcasing some gorgeous magical abilities and creature designs that never fail to inspire awe in the player.
On the flip side, fans of a more strategic approach to combat are going to be sorely disappointed. As slick as the action is, 16 leans heavily on the style over the substance, with encounters largely a cycle of dodging while powerful attacks charge. There is a fun array of abilities that beg to be experimented with, and I’ve been having a blast checking other players’ choices now I’ve finished.
Still…would…?
The world of Valisthea is, in a couple words, stupendously stunning. Some of the set pieces continue to blow my mind and, while expansive, the game is, thankfully, a far cry from open world. Exploring the contained areas it offers is complimented by undeniably traditional Final Fantasy whistles and strings, offering magical music to accompany the player on their journey (and you will not be prepared for combat and boss music).
Side quests beef up the experience with some rote fetching, but a good chunk of them deliver some impressive world-building. Short and surprisingly emotional, going out of your way for your merry band of outlaws is the best way to discover Valisthea and the people who populate her.
Valisthea is stupendously stunning
16 is likely the most action-packed the franchise has been…
🧠 Final Thoughts 🧠
Final Fantasy 16 is a fun, flashy fantasy RPG that’s a little lighter on the RPG than its predecessors. With a seamless balance of player engagement and cinematic clashes, the world of Valisthea is vividly realised in all its Game of Thrones-inspired glory. Not to be bogged down by all those grey tones, 16 showcases some of the best visuals yet, with stunning vistas and soaring soundtracks to hit the player right in the heart.
For some, sadly, its hack ‘n’ slash gameplay is a long way from the turn-based action of old and might disappoint the latter’s more hardcore fans while the more streamlined nature of the game sacrifices substance for style.
The Phoenix Project 