After each Eikon battle in Closing Fantasy XVI, I stored asking myself “how can the subsequent one be any higher?” Solely to be confirmed incorrect every time.

The size and scope of Closing Fantasy XVI are completely staggering on each stage, from the complicated narrative that looks like a multi-season TV present, to the expansive motion fight that grows and modifications meaningfully throughout dozens of hours. All of that is highlighted with what is perhaps one of the best boss battles I’ve ever seen in a online game. There are some minor quibbles available, however Closing Fantasy XVI is an prompt traditional in a sequence already stuffed with many.

Closing Fantasy XVI takes place in a model new setting referred to as Valisthea, a darkish fantasy realm cut up into a number of warring kingdoms that battle over management of the Mothercrystals, large objects that permit the individuals of the world to make use of magic and stay in consolation. Throughout Valisthea there are a choose handful of those who have inherited the facility of Eikons, large god-like creatures that take the type of summons from previous video games, like Titan, Shiva, and Bahamut. You management Clive Rosfield, the second son of the Duke of Rosaria, a rustic steeped in custom that worships the Eikon of Hearth, Phoenix. After a tragic flip of occasions Clive awakens as a second Eikon of Hearth, one thing beforehand thought inconceivable.

Picture Credit score: Sq. Enix

Closing Fantasy XVI weaves a fancy story steeped in politics and subterfuge within the early sport. From the leap it’s abundantly clear that the event group has taken liberal inspiration from Recreation of Thrones, however that model actually works right here.

There’s definitely a extra “grownup” tone that seeps into Closing Fantasy XVI, however that advantages this sport largely due to some stellar performances from the voice solid that add loads of maturity. That being mentioned, that extra grownup tone doesn’t imply this sport doesn’t have the identical type of whimsy that you just would possibly count on from a Closing Fantasy. There are many heartfelt moments and a shocking quantity of comedy. On that latter side, an enormous spotlight is Clive’s uncle, Byron Rosfield, who feels just like the larger-than-life galumph of an outdated man, proper according to Galuf from FFV or Cid from FFVII.

Regardless that Clive is the one playable character there are a wealth of individuals he forges relationships with all through the story, from shut confidants like Jill, Shiva’s dominants, to the fantastically-written Cid. You might not be constructing a celebration, per se, however there’s significant improvement for almost each main character, each by way of their very own tales and the way they relate to Clive. So whereas some could also be dissatisfied by the shortage of “customization” for a celebration, the narrative crux of working collectively remains to be there in full power.

An completely soul-crushing opening paves the way in which for an emotional story that places the main focus squarely on a dynamic solid of characters, and it turns into clear early on that narrative is a big focus of Closing Fantasy XVI. That darkish fantasy model does an awesome job of investing you on this planet, earlier than the latter half of the sport takes some wild fantastical jumps that put the story squarely within the fantasy and sci-fi wheelhouse the sequence is constructed on.

Clive himself is an interesting protagonist that’s initially wracked with self-doubt and a singular give attention to revenge, however as time goes on each of these factors soften and he has to discover ways to lean on others. There are many weighty themes that the sport isn’t afraid to dive headfirst into, together with slavery and subjugation, breaking freed from a cycle of oppression, and striving to create a greater world for everybody. Its themes are surprisingly topical at this second in time, and for probably the most half, they’re tackled effectively.

Quite a lot of the sport’s advertising has proven these large bombastic battles and set items, however FFXVI has a shocking quantity of sluggish character improvement and world-building interspersed between all that. A curler coaster journey is definitely a very good comparability as you will have sure between these ultra-high depth story moments and slower methodical questing.

Curiously, Final Fantasy XIV gamers will completely see loads of parallels within the storytelling right here, and even in just a few of the twists. It’s clear that the event group has taken the teachings they’ve discovered during the last decade on the MMO to coronary heart. Maybe what most stunned me, nevertheless, is how narratively complicated Closing Fantasy XVI‘s sidequests really feel.

There’s an actual weight behind the storytelling, and Closing Fantasy XVI actually needs to point out you the way its world and characters change over time. A few of the sport’s most tear-jerking moments can truly be present in non-compulsory sidequests, however there’s a catch. Whereas these quests are narratively complicated, they’re mechanically easy, usually amounting to nothing greater than killing just a few enemies or gathering gadgets. The rewards are sometimes lackluster as effectively, that means the narrative payoff is the true cause you would possibly pursue aspect actions.

After all, other than the narrative decisions the opposite large change with Closing Fantasy XVI is its leap to full-on motion RPG. On its face the fight system is deceptively easy, giving Clive fundamental combo, dodge means, ranged magic, and so on. The opening hours ease you into the expertise by incrementally introducing these methods, however the place issues actually get wild is if you begin to unlock the completely different Eikon units, as each offers Clive a handful of latest talents.

Closing Fantasy XVI does an outstanding job with its development, incrementally introducing new Eikon units, every of which feels completely distinct. You possibly can equip as much as three Eikon units at any time letting you entry all three’s distinctive perks. Nevertheless, Eikon talents will be blended and matched nevertheless you please when you spend sufficient SP, letting you create a wealth of various playstyles.

For instance, Titan focuses on inflicting large injury to single enemies and utilizing counters, whereas Odin is nice at dashing between crowds of enemies and unleashing AoE assaults.

The sheer number of this technique is staggering, particularly as you proceed to unlock new choices after dozens of hours. The one draw back right here is that outdoors of the Eikon system, loads of the “RPG” components really feel paper skinny. There’s a leveling and crafting system however each require so little enter from the participant they’ll simply fade into the background. For many of the sport, there’s usually one possibility for a greater weapon and armor, though equipment do present far more customization for what sort of construct you need.

Whereas there are occasion members that be a part of Clive throughout his journey they’re utterly hands-off, besides on your devoted hound Torgal. This large wolf is the one character that’s continuously with you, and he primarily works as a fight help.

By urgent left on the d-pad you may swap out of your gadgets to instructions for Torgal, and utilizing these instructions in tandem with your personal assaults can create new combos. If you happen to’d slightly Torgal handles issues himself, although, there’s an adjunct that makes that occur, together with equipment that may assist alter fight problem by letting you do computerized combos, make dodges simpler, and so on.

Whereas there’s loads of selection packed into the completely different enemy and boss sorts, absolutely the pinnacle of Closing Fantasy XVI is the jaw-dropping Eikon battles, which function climaxes for each the narrative and gameplay.

Every of those Eikon battles feels wildly completely different, and absolutely the scale of the motion taking place on-screen looks like one of many first true moments we’ve seen what the PS5 is able to.

Whereas the Eikon battles usually contain a wholesome dose of cutscenes, each additionally has its personal distinct gameplay model. One mixes issues up with rail-shooter components, one other has you racing up the aspect of an enormous opponent whereas dodging obstacles, whereas one other looks like a tough-as-nails sword duel between you and your opponent.

Again and again I discovered myself in awe of the ambition of those Eikon battles; they every really feel so mechanically wealthy and distinctive, whereas additionally serving as turning factors for the story. I truthfully can’t consider one other sport on the market that pulls boss battles off this effectively this constantly.

An enormous a part of that, in fact, is just how attractive Closing Fantasy XVI‘s presentation is on each stage. Cutscenes look completely unbelievable with life like character animations and dazzling particle results, particularly in these aforementioned Eikon battles. On the similar time, the world of Valisthea feels environmentally various with sweeping European-esque vistas, arid deserts, crumbling cities, and extra. I performed Closing Fantasy XVI completely in Graphics Mode, which held at 30fps constantly, and I can’t consider a single time I noticed any type of frame-rate drop, even within the overwhelming motion sections.

An enormous a part of the presentation that deserves particular point out is the soundtrack; an eclectic mixture of epic opera, sweeping orchestral, heavy metallic, and rock. Masayoshi Soken’s work has been defining for Closing Fantasy XIV, however he’s completely outdone himself with this soundtrack, which provides a lot weight and gravitas to each the narrative and gameplay.

There are flaws I can level to in Closing Fantasy XVI, like often sluggish pacing and skinny RPG components, however these flaws are so utterly overshadowed by the whole lot the sport will get proper.

Closing Fantasy XVI needs to engross you in its world and lore, and takes liberal steps to that, even with the smallest of aspect characters. You possibly can dive as deep into the sport’s lore as you need, however crucially you don’t need to, it by no means forces you to. The fight system grows by leaps and bounds, leading to probably the most exhilarating motion experiences on the market, particularly within the jaw-dropping boss and Eikon battles.

After 80 hours what I discover most fascinating about Closing Fantasy XVI is its full dedication to redefine what it means to be a Closing Fantasy sport, whereas additionally nonetheless staying true to the roots and themes of the sequence. It is a prime instance of how Closing Fantasy doesn’t need to be sure by one concept or system, and I sincerely hope it serves as inspiration for future builders to take the sequence in their very own, utterly new, path.

Reviewer: Hayes Madsen | Award: Editor’s Selection | Copy supplied by Writer.

Final Fantasy XVI Review – Forged By Flame

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Closing Fantasy XVI on PS5

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