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Customer Review
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2024
This is a review of Final Fantasy XVI from someone who has been a FF fan since 1994. I have played every FF including Tactics, Tactics Advance, Crystal Chronicles, 1-16, remakes, even 11 and 14.
****The Story****
This game's cinematics are truly epic. And the eikon battles are interesting. The game's storyworld is reminiscent of "Game Of Thrones" (A Song of Ice and Fire). You play as a highborn man with a wolf sidekick, and there is a very dark, and often sad story. There are many of bloody scenes, and deaths (T_T). And sinister bosses. The English translators added a LOT of (i think, unnecessary) cursing to the script ("kusso", the S-word or darn-it in Japanese, ubiquitously became the F word in English). The graphics are pretty good as well. Past FF stories were more magical fantasy, but 16 is more dark fantasy. There is also a love story (^.^).
****FF16 is a Hack-n-Slash game****
First off, FF16 is NOTHING like the past FF games. It is now a "hack-n-slash", meaning it is an Action RPG (not a Turn Based RPG). Mash the square button until your thumb's sore... Gameplay is reminiscent of Dungeon Siege or Balur's Gate from the 2000s. There is only ONE playable character. Sometimes you get an NPC party member, but you can't control them. The battles are all open-world battles (real-time), instead of turn-based battles and random encounters. FF has been slowly phasing out turn based RPGs for a while now (T_T) . But FF16 TRULY eviscerates any remaining pieces of a turn-based game. It didn't make it a bad game, but I am sure there are other FF fans out there that may be disappointed by this change.
****Asset Re-Use****
The dev team took some shortcuts here. The monsters are HEAVILY re-skinned. Outside of bosses, there are 20-30 enemies TOTAL in the 30-40 hour game, with different textures (reminds me of Final Fantasy IV). The game's areas are uneventful. There are no puzzles, locked doors, sokoban, switches, slides, jump-cliffs, secret treasures, NOTHING. Where are the mind-bending puzzles? Where is the ample supply of shiny treasure? Where is the guy on the john? The Humor? Gone. Gone. Gone.
****Game Design****
The "quest system" in FF16 is very mechanical and the quests are "errand-boy" quests. Go here. Talk to someone. Repeat.. No real flavor, surprises, jokes, and no items. The equipment for Clive is scant, as are his abilities. You don't get ANY items in the game world itself. Instead, you have to buy or "craft" items at the blacksmith. Now, I'm sorry to say, but the ability system gets just plain annoying. You can only have 3 spells equipped at once, and you can't "mix" spell types (like thunder / ice) without the final upgrade. So you end up hardly ever using a LOT of spells. Most spells only upgrade twice. There are no classic spells like Thunder, Thundaga etc. Very few spells compared to past FF games (maybe 20 castable spells in total). Judgment bolt is pretty awesome. Also, that said, I found myself locked into a battle formula, where I kept using the same spells over and over. Judgment Bolt, Pile Driver, Flames of Rebirth, Mash Square Mash Square.., Judgment Bolt, Pile Driver, Flames of Rebirth, Mash Square, Mash Square.. I beat all of the hunts yet I never really felt like the game was very challenging (FFV and FFVII had some VERY challenging enemies, Bahamut... Ruby weapon..). You can change the game difficulty at any time, but even "action focused" is pretty easy. (Assuming they want us to beat the game quickly so we will buy DLC ^^)
****Top Notch Cinematics****
The unique thing about FF16 is the Eikon (Summon) battles. Some of the Eikon battles were truly the most epic battles of ANY RPG ever made. That said, this game itself is mediocre. I wouldn't say to get it JUST because you're an FF fan, as it is NOTHING like the classic FF franchise. I'd get it because of the cool Eikon battles. If you want a GREAT modern Final Fantasy game that is true to its roots, get "Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth". Personally I don't know how Final Fantasy 16 got 4.5 stars on Amazon. It's fun at points, but overall very mediocre, and repetitive.
Also, if you want to know what the BEST Final Fantasy games are, don't listen to anyone else I will tell you: Final Fantasy 9, Final Fantasy 7, Final Fantasy 5 (including pixel remake), Final Fantasy 6 (Final Fantasy 3 in the USA), Final Fantasy 12, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (and Tactics for PS ^^), and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
****The Story****
This game's cinematics are truly epic. And the eikon battles are interesting. The game's storyworld is reminiscent of "Game Of Thrones" (A Song of Ice and Fire). You play as a highborn man with a wolf sidekick, and there is a very dark, and often sad story. There are many of bloody scenes, and deaths (T_T). And sinister bosses. The English translators added a LOT of (i think, unnecessary) cursing to the script ("kusso", the S-word or darn-it in Japanese, ubiquitously became the F word in English). The graphics are pretty good as well. Past FF stories were more magical fantasy, but 16 is more dark fantasy. There is also a love story (^.^).
****FF16 is a Hack-n-Slash game****
First off, FF16 is NOTHING like the past FF games. It is now a "hack-n-slash", meaning it is an Action RPG (not a Turn Based RPG). Mash the square button until your thumb's sore... Gameplay is reminiscent of Dungeon Siege or Balur's Gate from the 2000s. There is only ONE playable character. Sometimes you get an NPC party member, but you can't control them. The battles are all open-world battles (real-time), instead of turn-based battles and random encounters. FF has been slowly phasing out turn based RPGs for a while now (T_T) . But FF16 TRULY eviscerates any remaining pieces of a turn-based game. It didn't make it a bad game, but I am sure there are other FF fans out there that may be disappointed by this change.
****Asset Re-Use****
The dev team took some shortcuts here. The monsters are HEAVILY re-skinned. Outside of bosses, there are 20-30 enemies TOTAL in the 30-40 hour game, with different textures (reminds me of Final Fantasy IV). The game's areas are uneventful. There are no puzzles, locked doors, sokoban, switches, slides, jump-cliffs, secret treasures, NOTHING. Where are the mind-bending puzzles? Where is the ample supply of shiny treasure? Where is the guy on the john? The Humor? Gone. Gone. Gone.
****Game Design****
The "quest system" in FF16 is very mechanical and the quests are "errand-boy" quests. Go here. Talk to someone. Repeat.. No real flavor, surprises, jokes, and no items. The equipment for Clive is scant, as are his abilities. You don't get ANY items in the game world itself. Instead, you have to buy or "craft" items at the blacksmith. Now, I'm sorry to say, but the ability system gets just plain annoying. You can only have 3 spells equipped at once, and you can't "mix" spell types (like thunder / ice) without the final upgrade. So you end up hardly ever using a LOT of spells. Most spells only upgrade twice. There are no classic spells like Thunder, Thundaga etc. Very few spells compared to past FF games (maybe 20 castable spells in total). Judgment bolt is pretty awesome. Also, that said, I found myself locked into a battle formula, where I kept using the same spells over and over. Judgment Bolt, Pile Driver, Flames of Rebirth, Mash Square Mash Square.., Judgment Bolt, Pile Driver, Flames of Rebirth, Mash Square, Mash Square.. I beat all of the hunts yet I never really felt like the game was very challenging (FFV and FFVII had some VERY challenging enemies, Bahamut... Ruby weapon..). You can change the game difficulty at any time, but even "action focused" is pretty easy. (Assuming they want us to beat the game quickly so we will buy DLC ^^)
****Top Notch Cinematics****
The unique thing about FF16 is the Eikon (Summon) battles. Some of the Eikon battles were truly the most epic battles of ANY RPG ever made. That said, this game itself is mediocre. I wouldn't say to get it JUST because you're an FF fan, as it is NOTHING like the classic FF franchise. I'd get it because of the cool Eikon battles. If you want a GREAT modern Final Fantasy game that is true to its roots, get "Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth". Personally I don't know how Final Fantasy 16 got 4.5 stars on Amazon. It's fun at points, but overall very mediocre, and repetitive.
Also, if you want to know what the BEST Final Fantasy games are, don't listen to anyone else I will tell you: Final Fantasy 9, Final Fantasy 7, Final Fantasy 5 (including pixel remake), Final Fantasy 6 (Final Fantasy 3 in the USA), Final Fantasy 12, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (and Tactics for PS ^^), and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
This is a review of Final Fantasy XVI from someone who has been a FF fan since 1994. I have played every FF including Tactics, Tactics Advance, Crystal Chronicles, 1-16, remakes, even 11 and 14.
****The Story****
This game's cinematics are truly epic. And the eikon battles are interesting. The game's storyworld is reminiscent of "Game Of Thrones" (A Song of Ice and Fire). You play as a highborn man with a wolf sidekick, and there is a very dark, and often sad story. There are many of bloody scenes, and deaths (T_T). And sinister bosses. The English translators added a LOT of (i think, unnecessary) cursing to the script ("kusso", the S-word or darn-it in Japanese, ubiquitously became the F word in English). The graphics are pretty good as well. Past FF stories were more magical fantasy, but 16 is more dark fantasy. There is also a love story (^.^).
****FF16 is a Hack-n-Slash game****
First off, FF16 is NOTHING like the past FF games. It is now a "hack-n-slash", meaning it is an Action RPG (not a Turn Based RPG). Mash the square button until your thumb's sore... Gameplay is reminiscent of Dungeon Siege or Balur's Gate from the 2000s. There is only ONE playable character. Sometimes you get an NPC party member, but you can't control them. The battles are all open-world battles (real-time), instead of turn-based battles and random encounters. FF has been slowly phasing out turn based RPGs for a while now (T_T) . But FF16 TRULY eviscerates any remaining pieces of a turn-based game. It didn't make it a bad game, but I am sure there are other FF fans out there that may be disappointed by this change.
****Asset Re-Use****
The dev team took some shortcuts here. The monsters are HEAVILY re-skinned. Outside of bosses, there are 20-30 enemies TOTAL in the 30-40 hour game, with different textures (reminds me of Final Fantasy IV). The game's areas are uneventful. There are no puzzles, locked doors, sokoban, switches, slides, jump-cliffs, secret treasures, NOTHING. Where are the mind-bending puzzles? Where is the ample supply of shiny treasure? Where is the guy on the john? The Humor? Gone. Gone. Gone.
****Game Design****
The "quest system" in FF16 is very mechanical and the quests are "errand-boy" quests. Go here. Talk to someone. Repeat.. No real flavor, surprises, jokes, and no items. The equipment for Clive is scant, as are his abilities. You don't get ANY items in the game world itself. Instead, you have to buy or "craft" items at the blacksmith. Now, I'm sorry to say, but the ability system gets just plain annoying. You can only have 3 spells equipped at once, and you can't "mix" spell types (like thunder / ice) without the final upgrade. So you end up hardly ever using a LOT of spells. Most spells only upgrade twice. There are no classic spells like Thunder, Thundaga etc. Very few spells compared to past FF games (maybe 20 castable spells in total). Judgment bolt is pretty awesome. Also, that said, I found myself locked into a battle formula, where I kept using the same spells over and over. Judgment Bolt, Pile Driver, Flames of Rebirth, Mash Square Mash Square.., Judgment Bolt, Pile Driver, Flames of Rebirth, Mash Square, Mash Square.. I beat all of the hunts yet I never really felt like the game was very challenging (FFV and FFVII had some VERY challenging enemies, Bahamut... Ruby weapon..). You can change the game difficulty at any time, but even "action focused" is pretty easy. (Assuming they want us to beat the game quickly so we will buy DLC ^^)
****Top Notch Cinematics****
The unique thing about FF16 is the Eikon (Summon) battles. Some of the Eikon battles were truly the most epic battles of ANY RPG ever made. That said, this game itself is mediocre. I wouldn't say to get it JUST because you're an FF fan, as it is NOTHING like the classic FF franchise. I'd get it because of the cool Eikon battles. If you want a GREAT modern Final Fantasy game that is true to its roots, get "Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth". Personally I don't know how Final Fantasy 16 got 4.5 stars on Amazon. It's fun at points, but overall very mediocre, and repetitive.
Also, if you want to know what the BEST Final Fantasy games are, don't listen to anyone else I will tell you: Final Fantasy 9, Final Fantasy 7, Final Fantasy 5 (including pixel remake), Final Fantasy 6 (Final Fantasy 3 in the USA), Final Fantasy 12, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (and Tactics for PS ^^), and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
****The Story****
This game's cinematics are truly epic. And the eikon battles are interesting. The game's storyworld is reminiscent of "Game Of Thrones" (A Song of Ice and Fire). You play as a highborn man with a wolf sidekick, and there is a very dark, and often sad story. There are many of bloody scenes, and deaths (T_T). And sinister bosses. The English translators added a LOT of (i think, unnecessary) cursing to the script ("kusso", the S-word or darn-it in Japanese, ubiquitously became the F word in English). The graphics are pretty good as well. Past FF stories were more magical fantasy, but 16 is more dark fantasy. There is also a love story (^.^).
****FF16 is a Hack-n-Slash game****
First off, FF16 is NOTHING like the past FF games. It is now a "hack-n-slash", meaning it is an Action RPG (not a Turn Based RPG). Mash the square button until your thumb's sore... Gameplay is reminiscent of Dungeon Siege or Balur's Gate from the 2000s. There is only ONE playable character. Sometimes you get an NPC party member, but you can't control them. The battles are all open-world battles (real-time), instead of turn-based battles and random encounters. FF has been slowly phasing out turn based RPGs for a while now (T_T) . But FF16 TRULY eviscerates any remaining pieces of a turn-based game. It didn't make it a bad game, but I am sure there are other FF fans out there that may be disappointed by this change.
****Asset Re-Use****
The dev team took some shortcuts here. The monsters are HEAVILY re-skinned. Outside of bosses, there are 20-30 enemies TOTAL in the 30-40 hour game, with different textures (reminds me of Final Fantasy IV). The game's areas are uneventful. There are no puzzles, locked doors, sokoban, switches, slides, jump-cliffs, secret treasures, NOTHING. Where are the mind-bending puzzles? Where is the ample supply of shiny treasure? Where is the guy on the john? The Humor? Gone. Gone. Gone.
****Game Design****
The "quest system" in FF16 is very mechanical and the quests are "errand-boy" quests. Go here. Talk to someone. Repeat.. No real flavor, surprises, jokes, and no items. The equipment for Clive is scant, as are his abilities. You don't get ANY items in the game world itself. Instead, you have to buy or "craft" items at the blacksmith. Now, I'm sorry to say, but the ability system gets just plain annoying. You can only have 3 spells equipped at once, and you can't "mix" spell types (like thunder / ice) without the final upgrade. So you end up hardly ever using a LOT of spells. Most spells only upgrade twice. There are no classic spells like Thunder, Thundaga etc. Very few spells compared to past FF games (maybe 20 castable spells in total). Judgment bolt is pretty awesome. Also, that said, I found myself locked into a battle formula, where I kept using the same spells over and over. Judgment Bolt, Pile Driver, Flames of Rebirth, Mash Square Mash Square.., Judgment Bolt, Pile Driver, Flames of Rebirth, Mash Square, Mash Square.. I beat all of the hunts yet I never really felt like the game was very challenging (FFV and FFVII had some VERY challenging enemies, Bahamut... Ruby weapon..). You can change the game difficulty at any time, but even "action focused" is pretty easy. (Assuming they want us to beat the game quickly so we will buy DLC ^^)
****Top Notch Cinematics****
The unique thing about FF16 is the Eikon (Summon) battles. Some of the Eikon battles were truly the most epic battles of ANY RPG ever made. That said, this game itself is mediocre. I wouldn't say to get it JUST because you're an FF fan, as it is NOTHING like the classic FF franchise. I'd get it because of the cool Eikon battles. If you want a GREAT modern Final Fantasy game that is true to its roots, get "Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth". Personally I don't know how Final Fantasy 16 got 4.5 stars on Amazon. It's fun at points, but overall very mediocre, and repetitive.
Also, if you want to know what the BEST Final Fantasy games are, don't listen to anyone else I will tell you: Final Fantasy 9, Final Fantasy 7, Final Fantasy 5 (including pixel remake), Final Fantasy 6 (Final Fantasy 3 in the USA), Final Fantasy 12, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance (and Tactics for PS ^^), and Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth.
Images in this review
