Story (7/10):
Final Fantasy XVI delivers an engaging and captivating story that combines elements of love, revenge, betrayal, and unexpected twists. The brutality and bloodshed in the animations suit the overall atmosphere, although some parts of the story feel rushed. The protagonist, Clive, has garnered a lot of sympathy from fans and is already hailed by many as the best main character in the series. It's really intriguing to witness Clive's journey from a younger version to a mature character. The game boasts a likable roster of main and side characters, with Cid standing out as one of the best fleshed-out characters in the entire Final Fantasy series. However, some characters could definitely use more development. The occasional missions that feel like unnecessary side quests disrupt the story's pacing, but the Active Time Lore feature helps players catch up on important story details. The world-building with its five kingdoms, religions, and histories is extensive and clearly draws inspiration from TV shows and movies like Game of Thrones.
Gameplay (6/10):
The fighting system in Final Fantasy XVI is easy to learn and enjoyable to master. As you gradually learn new skills, you can adjust your skill set to suit different situations and play styles. However, the combat does become repetitive after finding a winning combination of skills, and some Eikon fights feel chaotic, lengthy and repetitive. The game offers a good balance of difficulty, although it occasionally becomes too easy towards the end. Unfortunately, other items besides potions and elixirs feel useless, and the lack of many RPG elements might disappoint some players. Quick time events and unnecessary mechanics like holding the R2 button for big doors can be annoying. Jumping serves little purpose in the world and can cause confusion when trying to interact with the environment. Companions feel underutilized, and the absence of a mini-map forces players to open the map frequently, which can be frustrating.
Content (6/10):
Final Fantasy XVI features numerous references to other games in the series, adding nostalgic elements like music and the famous Vivi scarecrows. Side quests contribute well to the lore and world-building, but they become tedious as the game progresses. The ability to pet Torgal is a nice touch (GOTY! ^^), and hunts provide an easy way to extend playtime, although they may not be enjoyable for everyone. However, the game lacks variety in enemy design, resorting to palette-swapping, and waves of enemies become monotonous. Crafting is simplistic and feels like an afterthought. The game feels somewhat barebones, leaving players with the impression that they are waiting for an expansion to fill the gaps.
Graphics (8/10):
The graphics in Final Fantasy XVI are top-notch, especially in open-world and brightly lit scenes. Epic Eikon fights are visually stunning and rival action movies in their presentation. However, darker and less-lighted levels suffer from less impressive graphics. The game takes clear inspiration from Final Fantasy XIV, which is evident in some of the character designs. While the animations are well-crafted, they can feel painfully slow, especially during quest completion or combat sequences.
Sound (10/10):
The music in Final Fantasy XVI is simply outstanding, with each track perfectly capturing the atmosphere of its respective area or scene. Soken's music is a highlight of the game, showcasing a variety of styles, including fantastic electronic tracks. The voice acting, whether in English or German, is superb and sets a new benchmark for the series and even other games.
Verdict (7/10):
Final Fantasy XVI is a great addition to the series, featuring an interesting story, likable characters, and a well-crafted world. The gameplay is easy to learn, although it can become repetitive, and the side quests feel like a chore towards the end. Despite these flaws, the game's breathtaking graphics and excellent music elevate the overall experience. The voice acting is a standout feature, setting a new standard for the series. However, the game falls short of being among the best Final Fantasy titles due to its shortcomings in gameplay and content. Nevertheless, it remains a solid main entry in the series.
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