10. Updates & New Content
Final Fantasy XVI features a complete experience – a story told in full
The full game is meant to deliver a 30–50-hour experience (length depends on time devoted to completing optional side content). There’s plenty to do from enjoying the lengthy cinematics, learning more about the world, to hunting bounties the entire experience doesn’t feel padded, thought some may have different thoughts to some of the main and side quest designs.
9. Equipment Customization
There are customizable accessories which modify how the game is played. From accessibility accessories which offers features such as auto combo, auto dodge, or slow-down (for dodging) – the game has an easily customization experience. For those that find the game too difficulty, these accessories help balance the game in your favor. There are also mechanic modifying accessories such as the berserker ring – which rewards precision dodges with a faster/semi-prime (attack buff) which lasts for a few hits.
While there is some customization – Final Fantasy XVI is weaker RPG elements in comparison to the earlier games. Such as Final Fantasy X’s equipment crafting system where you can unlock EXP modifiers, and other boons – the crafting system in Final Fantasy XVI is straight forward and only has flat stat boosts without any modifiers. There are still accessories which provide small percentage-based boosts to a specific skill, but these are marginal and accessories which alter core gameplay are a bit more valuable in my opinion.
8. Character Designs
FF16 has some of the best character designs to date – featuring a variety of different looks, each NPC and Character looks different and doesn’t feel duplicated or randomly generated which is an amazing feat.
We are able to see character development, and individuality among the characters and each character feels like they serve a purpose to push the character on their journey. The overall experience is relatable, as the cinematics does a good job at portraying each character’s backstory and role.
7. Tedious content – Side Quests
The side quests in FF16 provide a deeper understanding of the region and insight into the lifestyle of the characters. Each side quest has a reason and builds on the setting, though the design can leave a bit more to be desired.
This is especially true later on in the game when it can feel a bit too much; in terms of how long it takes to complete all of them. You are hit with close to a dozen side quests as you approach the conclusion of the game which takes hours to complete all of them, and the quests aren’t necessarily fun to do as it’s mostly just moving between 2 locations. You could say the Side Quests in FF16 is the Achilles heel of the game, but alas the overall experience is still great if you enjoy the opportunity to deep dive into a world setting.
6. Replayability (does it get boring fast?)
FF16 on the first run offers a complete experience. There’s solid progression so it keeps the gameplay interesting with new unlocks constantly. You’ll find meaningful upgrades and unlocks throughout the game so you have a linear progression experience.
The game is also designed with new game+ mode in mind which adds an additional difficulty as well as new craftables so you can re-experience the game slightly differently. The new game+ difficulty carries over essentials such as levels, gear, and ability points allowing you to experience the start of the game fully kitted out which has a different flavour compared to the first run through.
5. Sound Effects & Music
Music has always been outstanding in every single FF game, but FF16 features an amazing soundtrack that complement the combat and cinematics. There are also iconic tunes remixed from previous games present in FF16 – it’s a very Final Fantasy feeling adventure.
The sound of impacting of attacks, and skills feel satisfying. As important as it is for a game to have streamlined combat – complementary music is just as, if not more important than combat. Poor sound design can make a game feel dull and boring to play, so its very appreciated that the sound effects were masterfully designed. Lastly, the voice acting in the game was very fitting and had emotion conveyed nicely. The performance was well delivered and appreciated making FF16 a very full and fulfilling adventure.
4. Story
Story is always a core component in an RPG – a poor story can make the lengthy adventure feel pointless. Luckily the story in FF16 strings you on with revelation after revelation. It’s an unpredictable adventure that throws surprise after surprise making it an enjoyable and interesting experience.
FF 16 provides a full experience; you experience almost every aspect of Clive’s life – from a youth to an adult. You can see his growth and experience the changes and realizations he comes to with himself. How well a story clicks with you differs from person to person, so it is important to note while some may appreciate the story, others have also criticized it for it being a bit straight forward, or non-sensical. FF16 does require you to do a bit of deep diving in the compendium for lore diving, but those that do so will enjoy the depth and world building of FF16.
3. Graphics & Visuals
If there was a game to define a Fantasy game that would be Final Fantasy 16. Featuring massive constructs that defy human logic, and the physics of our world – Final Fantasy 16 has amazing imaginative and awestruck visuals which is bound to be jaw dropping. It wouldn’t be crazy to call Final Fantasy 16 one of the best games to look at in 2023.
On a scale never seen before, with power levels higher than ever – Clive is essentially the strongest Final Fantasy character in all 16 games. Introducing a completely new scale of enemy encounters and Eikon battles, Final Fantasy 16 was enjoyable. There were elements that you’d find in Eikon battles with scripted over the top attacks that seems like something out of an anime, but with QTE prompts you are put in control making it a very enjoyable yet interactive experience.
2. Combat (Leveling, Mechanics)
One of the best things about FF16 is the combat system. Leveling is very straight forward – you beat up monsters and complete side quests to gain experience points and level up. As you level up, you also gain ability points (this is a separate resource gained at the same time as EXP) – which you can use to learn, and mastery your abilities. Once an ability is mastered, you can equip it on any Eikons – and this is true even for ultimate abilities.
The flexibility to swap between each Eikon and mix & match all abilities between all Eikon creates an amazing number of different combinations that you can play with making it an amazing combat system. While you can technically use a single build/Eikon ability combination to complete the entire game because all of the combinations work (maybe a bit too well). You could argue that it’s a pointless feature to have access to so many abilities. However, it’s important to note that combat in a game is meant to be fun and adventurous – you are meant to try different combinations out and not just stick to one build.
The game does lack a feeling of progression in terms of power. For Eikon upgrades you have a linear progression tied to the main story and you unlock new abilities that give you access to new skills but it doesn’t add a significant amount of power. You stay at roughly the same level after you gain the ability of a third Eikon – because you can only have 3 Eikons active at the same time. The game’s combat was designed around making all Eikon builds viable so the damage values are balanced very equally with trade offs between dealing more damage but having a longer cooldown, or attacking faster but having lower damage – it enables different playstyles but all playstyles work roughly at the same effectiveness.
1. Overall Fun factor
FF16 hits all check marks for being a game of the year contender. It has great story, music, visuals, combat, character design, and performance – it’s pretty great in all aspects that a game needs to be great in. It was an extremely enjoyable experience albeit some minor complaints about the delivery of the side quests and how dry the experience was.
The game’s visuals totally make up for that minor caveat – the scale and colors used to make the vibrant visuals pop is done masterfully – each region is memorable and different making it a joy to go through each region and area of the game. The combat is truly the highlight of the game – its fast and responsive and feels great to play. As you master the combat system you feel like you have full control over every battle.
Overall, the game is definitely one of the best games released in 2023 – it is definitely a top contender for game of the year. It’s not perfect, and there are areas I hope they can improve on in the next game (namely side quest delivery and RPG elements can be improved on) – but its definitely worth playing!
