The Story of Final Fantasy XVI

Final Fantasy XVI unfolds in the enchanting realm of Valisthea, a medieval-inspired land reminiscent of Westeros from Game of Thrones. In this captivating world, rival nations vie for supremacy and control over the Mothercrystals. This intriguing concept pays homage to the 8- and 16-bit eras of the series, where precious gems determined the destinies of humanity.

Our protagonist, Clive Rosfield, once a nobleman turned mercenary, is consumed by a thirst for vengeance after a calamity strips his family of power and claims the life of his brother. His quest propels him into the path of Valisthea’s Dominants, gifted warriors who wield the formidable power of legendary creatures called Eikons.

The journey is a thrilling roller-coaster ride that spans 40 hours of action-packed adventure. Unlike sprawling epics that take an eternity to unfold, Final Fantasy XVI wastes no time, catapulting players into the heart of the action within the first 20 minutes. The game pays homage to the early Final Fantasy titles with its rapid plot twists, betrayals, and a relentless sense of urgency that would be impossible in an expansive open-world setting. While seasoned fans will delight in discovering numerous Easter eggs and references to previous games like FF4 and FF6, newcomers can fully immerse themselves in the experience without any prior knowledge.

How this is different than anything the studio previously put out?

Producer Naoki Yoshida envisioned FF16 as a more “mature” Final Fantasy, and indeed, the game delivers on this promise. It embraces a darker and more intense tone, featuring violence, coarse language, and mature themes. Overall, these elements are handled remarkably well, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.

However, the game stumbles when it comes to its portrayal of women. The character Benedikta Harman suffers from unfortunate missteps in attempting to create a Cersei Lannister-like figure, resulting in a portrayal that leans toward a caricature of a reality TV villain with inappropriate sexual undertones. While this is disappointing, the majority of the game’s other characters shine brightly and make a lasting impression.

The Visuals in Final Fantasy XVI

As expected from Square Enix, Final Fantasy XVI continues the tradition of pushing visual boundaries to new heights. The game truly shines in its show-stopping Eikon battles, capturing the spotlight with their extravagant and psychedelic pyrotechnics. Each Eikon battle offers an awe-inspiring experience, where the influence of the God of War becomes most evident. Players are treated to breathtaking displays of brutal yet visually stunning violence. The combination of Square Enix’s artistic prowess and the influence from other successful franchises ensures that Final Fantasy XVI delivers a visual feast that players won’t soon forget.

Character designs are another standout. Final Fantasy XVI spans three eras in Clive’s life, encompassing roughly eighteen years. We see numerous characters grow and change over that time, getting new outfits, new hairstyles, and sometimes new scars. Naturally, pretty much everyone is ridiculously good-looking and has amazing drip.

Gameplay and Combat

Final Fantasy XVI introduces two significant changes to the core formula of the series. First, unlike most previous titles where you can control multiple party members, here you only control Clive, the main protagonist, and have simple inputs to control his loyal hound, Torval. This streamlined approach is likely a result of the game’s other major change, which completely moves away from the traditional turn-based spell-slinging combat to a combo-driven system. The new combat style draws inspiration from games like God of War, Devil May Cry, and even Yakuza.

Throughout the game, Clive gradually gains new Eikon abilities, allowing players to customize their playstyle. The options are diverse, including slow and powerful blows, swift strikes, ranged magic attacks, and traditional sword slashes. Players can mix and match these abilities to create a combat style that suits their preferences. However, this new combat system may require some adjustment. Especially, considering those not accustomed to managing parries, dodges, and ability cooldowns.

To make the combat more accessible to players, the development team implemented several accessories that automate dodging and combos. While this inclusion enhances accessibility, it comes with a trade-off. These accessories occupy valuable accessory slots that could otherwise be used for other stat or ability enhancements.

Conclusion

Final Fantasy XVI revitalizes the franchise with its boundary-breaking visuals, captivating character designs, and dynamic combo-driven combat. Despite minor trade-offs in accessibility, Final Fantasy XVI’s stunning aesthetics and exciting gameplay make it a worthy addition to the beloved series.

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The game is the first installment in a series, leaving Square Enix with the task of satisfying both longtime fans and newcomers. It must excel as a standalone experience while contributing to a grander narrative. FF7 Remake skillfully achieves these objectives, delivering breathtaking aesthetics, a captivating storyline, and dynamic combat. While occasional uneven pacing and repetitive dungeon designs prevent it from attaining perfection, the overall experience remains a cherished gem for both dedicated fans and first-time players.

Gameplay

The Final Fantasy VII Remake takes a departure from the turn-based battles of the PS1 original. They opted for a more action-oriented combat system that draws inspiration from the successful Final Fantasy XV. Players can switch between three characters in their squad, each with a unique role. Barret excels as a long-range tank. Tifa dominates in up-close melee combat with powerful combos. Aerith wields delicate-yet-powerful magic, and Cloud serves as the versatile all-rounder.

During combat, landing attacks fill the ATB Gauge, enabling the squad to utilize healing items, magic, and high-damage moves. The combat menu slows down time significantly, granting players control over the pace of action, and allowing for thoughtful strategy or rapid-fire decision-making. While there might be occasional camera issues in boss fights, they are far less frequent and intrusive compared to FF15, and swapping to another character usually resolves them instantly.

In contrast to the original game’s relatively blank slate party members, FF7 Remake offers plenty of customization through equipment upgrades and the Materia system. Each character’s weapons and defensive gear can be equipped with Materia, granting access to spells, stat boosts, and new abilities. Players must frequently adjust their Materia setup on normal difficulty to exploit elemental weaknesses effectively. Late-game bosses present formidable challenges, requiring the right setup to overcome their might.

The story of Final Fantasy VII

Overall, FF7 Remake’s expansions to the original story are both satisfying and valuable. They managed to enrich the relationships within the core group and incorporate unique dialogue seamlessly into combat and exploration. The game demonstrates the unwavering loyalty among its characters, making it truly convincing and heartfelt.

Initially, I was doubtful about delving deeper into the B-tier members of Avalanche, who didn’t leave much impact in the original game. However, FF7 Remake pleasantly surprised me. Spending time with characters like Jessie, Biggs, and Wedge not only adds depth but also elevates the stakes and leaves a lasting impression, making the overall narrative more memorable.

Prior to playing FF7 Remake, there were concerns about whether it would maintain the original game’s quirky humor. However, the game manages to be even funnier, thanks to the zestier language. It’s the little touches of personality that truly stand out.

Graphics and sound

The original FF7 had a visually impressive start on the first PlayStation, but over time, its low-poly character models became a subject of humor among fans. FF7 Remake, however, elevates the game’s aesthetics to a whole new level. The main character designs are intricately detailed, conveying a wide range of emotions and expressions. The action sequences are breathtaking, featuring balletic combat and visually stunning moments.

However, there is a caveat. While FF7 Remake’s environments are impeccably detailed, many of its dungeons and locations within the city of Midgar look similar. The use of recurring terrain, color palettes, and design features can lead to a sense of redundancy, especially or players without a strong sentimental attachment to the original game. This may be especially noticeable in comparison with highly diverse and imaginative dungeon designs of games like Persona 5.

The outstanding and diverse soundtrack of FF7 Remake goes a long way in enhancing the game’s atmosphere. It features fully orchestrated remixes of iconic tunes from the original FF7. The soundtrack boasts an impressive variety of genres, from jazz to metal, bossa nova to electronica, and sultry torch songs to 1950s-era rock. As a long-standing tradition of the Final Fantasy series, FF7 Remake’s soundtrack sets an impossibly high bar for game music and is undoubtedly the franchise’s best soundtrack yet. The music contributes significantly to the overall experience, making it even more enjoyable and immersive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, FF7 Remake is a visually stunning and emotionally engaging experience that successfully revitalizes the classic PlayStation game. Despite some repetitive environments, the expansions to the story and enriched character relationships make it a cherished and memorable gaming experience, leaving players eagerly anticipating the future installments to come.

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