The latest installment to the Square Enix franchise, Final Fantasy 16, has more than what you may have bargained for, and it will make you want more. The game features stunning visuals, fantastic lore, and gameplay that is incredibly easy to get into.
The game is user-friendly for those unfamiliar with the franchise, and the boss battles make it so you can take on anything and anyone. It’s clear Final Fantasy 16 was created so that even non-gamers would enjoy it, which is why it was made with two sets of difficulty levels. However, as you play the game, you’ll soon learn how much closer you’ll be to the end of your journey, which sucks because Final Fantasy 16 makes you want more.
So, follow our guide to see what our review of Final Fantasy 16 is.
The gameplay is easy to follow
One thing I really enjoyed about playing Final Fantasy was how easy it was to learn the skills, combos, and abilities. Once you have figured out how to win through precision dodging and countering, that game becomes more straightforward and user-friendly.
However, although I may say that it becomes user-friendly, it does not mean you won’t have a hard time during specific battles, such as Garuda and Titan. These battles are long and challenging, so you’ll quickly become frustrated if you don’t know how to pace yourself. While many sections of the game are easy to follow and show you where and what you need to do, there will be parts where it feels too easy. Of course, this is until you get to the boss battle and become humbled.
As the story is told through Clive’s perspective, you will learn much about what makes him tick. Unfortunately, he is a man of few words. However, he combats this with his actions. Clive’s character development throughout the story is not shoved in our faces. He goes from a spitfire youth to a broadening young man on a suicide mission and, finally, a man determined to bring peace.
The areas are stunning and are picture perfect
In Final Fantasy 16, you will encounter various realms in Valisthea; each realm will have a different environment. Upon visiting each realm for the first time, you will be greeted by the morning light. As you return, though it may be various times during the day, you can encounter a sunset that illuminates every part of the realm.
From the marble tile to the ginormous Mothercrystal known as Drake’s Head, it will have you positioning Clive in every way just for the perfect screenshot. Of course, Final Fantasy 16 is based in Medieval Europe, so you can expect to see architecture fashioned to suit the world. A Keynote is to stand in the highest area you can find, and you’ll get the screenshot you deserve.
During your travels, you can easily find picture-perfect places that will have your thumb ready to go on the screenshot button. Aside from the beautifully sculptured landscapes, once you make your way to The Holy Empire of Sanbreque, nothing stops you from gawking at the sheer beauty of the palace.
Based on the immense beauty of the game, it is abundantly clear why Producer Naoki Yoshida and the team focused solely on developing Final Fantasy 16 for the PlayStation 5. During any part of the game, you can witness graphics that will have your mind blown at the sheer beauty of it all. However, the only unfortunate part is that the game does not have a motion blur feature, leaving you with slight nausea. However, on the plus side, it goes away after a few minutes of the game, so I would have to say it’s bearable.
It’s more than just a side-quest
While Final Fantasy 16 has a fair share of side-quests, these quests may seem far between because you may only get two or three at a time. However, you will receive additional quests from Cid’s associates during your main story quests. While in some games, these side quests are precisely what you think they may be, a side quest to distract you from the main quest. However, in Final Fantasy 16, these side quests may seem irrelevant at first, but as you progress in the game, you’ll soon learn the significance of it.
For example, you will receive a side quest request from the Courier Glenn. This is the Red Letter Day side quest, in which you must find and collect the various items Glenn has lost in Orabelle Downs. At the end of this quest, you will learn that Cid has a daughter called Midadol Telomon, or just Mid. If you haven’t done this quest, you may have been shocked when she appeared in the new Hideaway, in which she will play an important role.
I should also mention that you can only ride your trusty Chocobo steed after completing the White-Winged Wonder side quest. As a result, these side quests are mostly tied into everything within the game. While the game isn’t open-world and fairly easy to get around by sprinting or fast travel, a Chocobo can decrease the time it takes. Though some may be boorish, they help you learn more about the Hideaway, Bearers, and ongoing in Valisthea.
In each quest, you will learn more about the Bearers want what their life has been like while enslaved. Though the story does touch on this topic well enough, when it comes to the slave mentally, you realize how hard it is to stop thinking in this mindset. During one of the side quests, you will also learn what it takes to remove a Branded tattoo from a Bearer and how a Bearer could die if done incorrectly.
There’s no damsel in distress
As with many games, FFXVI has a male and female lead. In Final Fantasy 16, this will be Clive Rosfield and Jill Warrick. Clive was the Marquess of Rosaria, and Jill, a Princess of the Nothern Territories. Though Jill was taken in as a Ward of Rosaria, she formed a sibling bond with the Rosfield brothers. However, that does not mean she grew up weak, though it was not her choice.
Jill is the first person Clive will reunite with, and though she was held against her will by the Iron Kingdom, it was to protect those weaker than her. This does not make her a weak character or a damsel in distress. This shows that Jill has the strength and courage to protect those weaker than her. Additionally, she is very much capable of defending herself using Shiva’s powers. Had she not been affected by Mothercrystals powers, she would be a force to reckon with.
In conclusion
Overall, Final Fantasy 16 is a brilliant game that makes you want more and not finish it. Though you may believe you have learned everything in the game, you’re met with even more twists and turns each time you enter a new area. Though the game is plentiful when it comes to combat and cinematic scenes, I truly believe this game was made with the intention of everyone in mind.
If it were made for a hardcore gamer, every battle would be more challenging than the previous, not to mention completing quests would take some time to accomplish. However, it is fun and engaging and will make you want to explore every nook and cranny.
