Final Fantasy XVI review: Square Enix at their finest

NOTE: This review is only for the base game. This will not contain Echoes of the Fallen or The Rising Tide DLC.

 

Every console generation has its own game that’s such a spectacle that it's considered a genre-defying, even a generation-defying game. This one is no exception. From the vast landscape, filled with people and their own journeys, to the experimental hack-and-slash fighting style, and the retaining of classic Final Fantasy elements, this long-lasting franchise still has some incredible stories left to tell. This is the story of Final Fantasy XVI, perhaps one of the best JRPG’s of this generation, and for good reasons. 

 

To top things off, the story behind the world is filled with magic and war, ever-changing under the influence of the Mothercrystals that various nations were created to protect, or fell to protect and even conquer, in this vast landscape of Valaesteia. Set within the lifetime of Clive Rosfield, the firstborn of the nation of Rosaria, as he experiences loss, revenge, and eventually hope within these dark times, especially what these nations do to natural-born magic users. Through the ages of 15, 28, and 33, this world changes with plans set in motion by people who have their own agendas. Despite this ever-changing world, there's still a looming threat behind it all as Clivve himself has his own goals of trying to find the man who killed his brother. It’s a very dark, fantasy-like world, but the story bleeds hope onto the pages of this wonderful adventure that’s sure to leave an emotional impact for years to come. There are some bonus DLC that help expand on some story aspects that have been glossed over, but those will be their own reviews.

The gameplay of this game is very simple when you're traveling through this world, as it showcases Valasteia in all its glory. Simple run, jump, collect, and even chat with the various people along the way. But like any good RPG, there are monsters, bandits, and even villains to overcome, which sets up the game’s main combat. Going against the older Final Fantasy titles, where you need to use its iconic turn-based battle system, Final Fantasy XVI is played more like a hack-and-slash game with weapons and various magical abilities you collect throughout the story. From the winds of Garuda, to the lightning of Rahmu, and even more powers to get along the way, you can mix and match abilities that best suit your playstyle. Sure, there are also allies you make during the story that help with combat, including your trusty dog Torgal, but you end up dealing the most damage to your enemies. Despite you pulling your NPC party member’s weight, the combat remains ever fun with new combos you can discover to help smite your enemies. There’s also a training room that you can use to learn about the various powers you collect, so try to use that to level up your gameplay.
 

At some points of the story, your enemies may take on the form of giant elemental beings known as Eikons, which act as the iconic summons of the game, and Clive needs to take care of them as fan favorite summon, Ifrit. While there are fewer combos to use during these giant fights, it's worth noting that having giant monsters beating the tar out of one another leaves a pretty big smile on your face. There are even some techniques that can be learned through the story that give you a boost, with some surprises I can’t say without it being a spoiler. Despite that, though, these Eikon fights are a very welcome addition to a game that feels gigantic in its own right.
 

When taking a break from the main story, it’s best to relax and help others in need with side quests. They may be fetch quests, but later updates of the game have you teleporting directly to the next part of the quest to save some time. There’s also a training mode in the hideaway, which acts as a central hub when you're not questing, where you can read on the lore, listen to music, upgrade armor and weapons, and even take on more side content, such as side quests and bounties for stronger monsters you are sure to face. But my favorite of the side content has to be the Chronolyth Trials, which pushes what you know about your Eikonic abilities to the limit. These trials are extremely tough to go through, but when you beat them all, you become better from the experience. You get to learn new combos that you never once thought of using in normal combat. 

 

A major part of what makes Final Fantasy XVI so incredible is its ginormous cast of characters that both help and hurt you throughout your journey, with Ben Starr’s performance as Clive Rosfield being the main highlight of the game. We also have other incredible performances, such as Cid, Jill, Dion, Barnabas, and even Torgal. And even down to the simplest of merchants, all of them have a lot of effort put into it when it comes to performances. Personally, this game features my favorite ensemble of cast and their voice actors in any game, and each one has its own role in this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

To fill this magical yet dark world of Vallasteia is its award-winning soundtrack. From peaceful exploration to high-energy fight music, this incredible ost from the incredibly talented Masayoshi Soken, who fans may recognize from his work on Final Fantasy XIV, Square-Enix’s MMORPG that has its own dedicated fanbase. Some of my favorites from this OST have to include Away, Find the Flame, and Assension, which all connect in one of the most breathtaking moments of the entire game, let alone the entire franchise. And the sound that accompanies it also helps elevate this game to something out of a dream, with clashes, roars, monstrous noises, and even the grunts of the people around you. 

 

Like everything else in this game, the graphics in this game are simply stunning to look at, even going as far as to blend the realistic natural settings with these characters, creatures, buildings, and other landscapes that will surely take your breath away during your time in Valesteia. From the deserts of the Dalmeckia Empire, to the forests of Rosaria, to even the dark feeling of Waloed, all of these locations feel both alive in terms of people, and dead considering the in-game blight that slowly, yet inevitably, is taking over these landscapes in a later part of the game’s story. Despite all this darkness that is sweeping the land, even a smaller location like the Hideaway can seem bright during uncertain times. Through it all, the graphics of this game never fail to amaze me at any point of the countless hours I have played. I would even go as far as to say this game has the best graphics of any of the Final Fantasy games.

 

Conclusion. 

In conclusion, if you want to experience one of the best games of this current generation, then look no further than Final Fantasy XVI. From everything included, such as its music, to its characters, combat, story, and everything in between. While those who review it are still annoyed by the fact that the turn-based battle system is overhauled to a hack-and-slash style game akin to Bayonetta (which is not a shock as Platnium Games had a hand in making the game), the story, setting, music, and characters have never felt more in tune with the Final Fantasy tone that has blessed the gaming industry for almost 40 years.

​

10/10