REVIEW – The history of the Final Fantasy series is filled with twists, experimentation, successes, and failures. The recent XV installment received mixed reviews, whereas the VII remake exceeded many players’ expectations. Now, the stage belongs to the XVI episode, introducing a completely new world, story, and cast of characters while harking back to old traditions. Did Square Enix manage to create another masterpiece, or has it disappointed fans? Our review reveals all.

The new episode is among the exclusive titles for PS5, which in itself stirred up significant anticipation among gamers. This medieval-style fantasy world is marked by tensions between humans and godlike beings, the Eikons. Our protagonist, Clive Rosfield, is a young knight swearing vengeance against the Eikons following a tragic event. The gameplay brings in innovations as it leans more towards action and combat than previous installments. The graphics tap into the power of PS5’s hardware, conjuring a captivating visual spectacle on screen.

A Dark and Grim Fantasy World

One of the greatest strengths of this work is its world, known as Valisthea. This geographical region is bordered by gigantic crystal pillars from which the life-giving force, Aether, emanates. The Aether is important not only to humans but also to the Eikons, godlike creatures living in human hosts. Among the Eikons are different types like Ifrit, Shiva, or Titan, who series fans will readily recognize. There’s a unique relationship between Eikons and their hosts, termed Dominance. Dominance means that the Eikon transfers a portion of its power and abilities to its host.

Within the Valisthea region, six major kingdoms exist, embroiled in political and military clashes. We get acquainted with three prominent empires: Rosaria, Crystallis, and Dhalmekia. The northern territories are ruled by Rosaria, with its capital, Halcyonia, home to Clive Rosfield and his brother, Joshua Rosfield. As a Dominant, Joshua wields the power of Phoenix, the firebird. Clive, in turn, is Joshua’s protector and shield. Crystallis is a territory surrounded by mountains, with its heart being Ashcroft.

In this region, we encounter Jill Warrick, who hails from the Northern Territories but was brought to Crystallis as a child to fortify the alliance between the two states. Jill possesses a special ability enabling her to sense the presence and emotions of Eikons. Dhalmekia lies in the southern regions, with its capital, Tyrigarde. Here rules Varis zos Galvus, also a Dominant, whose Eikon is Titan, the earth giant. Varis is a power-hungry, ruthless ruler who initiated war against Rosaria.

The narrative unfolds in these conflicts, and through Clive Rosfield’s fate, we uncover the world’s dark side. At the episode’s outset, a tragic event occurs, in which Clive loses his brother and Jill and suffers injuries in a mysterious Eikon attack. Consequently, Clive swears vengeance on the Eikons and embarks on a perilous journey confronting the world’s injustices, political intrigue, and his personal demons. It soon evolves into a dark, grim fantasy drama, not shying away from brutality and tragedy – reminiscent of watching Game of Thrones. The episode presents scenes from different timelines, revealing Clive’s past, present, and future, effectively maintaining interest and tension throughout the story.

There’s also a new feature in storytelling: Final Fantasy 16 introduces “Active Time Lore”, allowing players to pull up context-specific information during scenes or conversations. This feature helps players keep up with …the game’s complex mythology and kingdom-specific terms, which contain information about characters, locations, and much more. The entries in the Active Time Lore also evolve with the story events, providing updated information about the world and the protagonist’s knowledge.

Exciting, Action-Packed Gameplay

Final Fantasy XVI’s gameplay has undergone significant changes compared to previous episodes. The game is an action-RPG, where battles occur in real-time, combined with strategic elements. Players can move freely on the map and in battles, making combat more dynamic than previous entries. As Clive Rosfield, players will be able to use various attacks and spells, as well as activate special abilities that help defeat enemies.

The combat system blends fast-paced action with character-building RPG mechanics. This means that while players engage in swift, action-oriented battles, they are simultaneously building their characters’ abilities and stats. The gameplay leans more towards action than traditional RPG mechanics, emphasizing quick reflexes. However, the character-building RPG elements still play a crucial role in gameplay.

In addition, the combat system has a flexible resource management aspect. The ability to balance stamina and mana will be crucial in battles, and players must keep this in mind to fight enemies effectively.

We should also mention that Final Fantasy 16 introduces a unique system involving Eikons and Dominants. Eikons are mighty beings, recognizable to players familiar with the Final Fantasy series from previous games’ summons. Dominants are special individuals who can harness the power of Eikons, even transforming into them. This adds another layer to combat, leading to grand, intense battles.

Last but not least, the enemies are diverse and challenging. The game features various enemy types, each with its own attack patterns and weaknesses. To defeat enemies, players must utilize all elements of the combat system and make strategic decisions about offense and defense.

A Breathtaking Spectacle of the “Final Fantasy”

Final Fantasy XVI aims to impress not only with its gameplay but also with its graphics and sound. The software, designed for the PS5 console, takes full advantage of its hardware capabilities. The graphics are detailed, lifelike, and vibrant. The world’s different regions have their unique atmospheres and styles, reflected by lights, shadows, textures, and effects. The characters’ faces, movements, and expressions are believable and expressive. During battles, fire, ice, lightning, and other elements are spectacularly displayed, offering a truly eye-catching visual experience.

There’s also no shortage of aural pleasure. The music is the work of the Final Fantasy series’ composer, Nobuo Uematsu, who returned for the sixteenth installment. The score is epic, dramatic, and varied, perfectly fitting the game’s world and narrative.

Furthermore, sound effects play a vital role, underscoring the dynamism of the battles and the power of the Eikons. The voice acting is also high-quality, with character voices matching their personalities and emotions. The game is available in English, Japanese, and other languages (sadly not Hungarian), so everyone can enjoy the epic adventures it offers. The language accessibility helps to break down geographical barriers, inviting players from different cultures to immerse themselves in this fantastical world.

Masterpiece or mere illusion? What is this new ‘fantasy’ truly about?

Final Fantasy XVI has been eagerly awaited by players around the world. The entirely new worldview, storytelling, and character development all radiate a dark yet captivating atmosphere. The action-packed, diverse, and dynamic gameplay provides a multitude of opportunities for players to establish their own style. The visuals and sound effects take advantage of the PS5’s technological features, transforming into a living, breathing, top-tier audio-visual experience.

However, the game is far from perfect, and certain shortcomings cannot be ignored. The storytelling can become overly convoluted, complex, and confusing, as it jumps across different timelines and not always clarifying the events behind the scenes. Technical glitches may occur during gameplay, such as slowdowns, stuttering, or bugs. The difficulty level can also fluctuate, with some battles seeming too easy or, on the contrary, too challenging.

Final Fantasy XVI is therefore a creation that simultaneously embodies brilliance and deficiencies. It’s definitely worth the time for loyal fans of the series, as it contains elements reminiscent of the classics, albeit in a novel guise. However, the game does not solely target long-time loyal fans, but also new players who have been longing for an exciting and visually stunning fantasy adventure for a while.

-BadSector-

Publisher: Square Enix

Developer: Square Enix Creative Business Unit III

Style: Action JRPG

Release: June 22, 2023.