Final Fantasy 16: A Game Changer for Gamers Seeking a Refreshing Escape

Final Fantasy 16 has garnered predominantly positive feedback for valid reasons. While some criticisms exist regarding the subpar gear system and the repetitive nature of side quests that often involve fetching items, the game excels in numerous aspects. The action combat is outstanding, particularly showcased in exhilarating boss fights. The compelling storyline has forged emotional connections with characters such as Dion, Cid, and Clive. Moreover, Final Fantasy 16 offers a refreshing approach to the world map, which will delight players seeking respite from the saturation of open world games.

Final Fantasy 16 Gives Players Open Areas, Just Not an Open World

Open world games have gained popularity in the past decade due to their numerous strengths. Allowing players to freely explore vast landscapes and approach the game in their preferred manner, whether through completing side quests or grinding for upgrades, has been a major draw. However, there are drawbacks to consider, such as the potential for the game's story to be interrupted when engaging with the open world aspects, as well as the tendency for these games to have extremely long playtimes. This may not be suitable for players with limited time. Additionally, for gamers who value a strong narrative, open worlds can sometimes detract from the overall experience rather than enhance it.

Thankfully, some developers are recognizing the advantages of open world settings while also maintaining a solid story structure. They carefully design their content to capture the strengths of open worlds without overwhelming players with an excessively large play space. The open, exploration-based section of The Last of Us 2 in Seattle is a great example of this approach. Here, players have the option to delve into a large area, complete memorable side activities, and then continue with the main story. Similarly, in God of War Ragnarok, the Crater serves as a small open world filled with engaging side content that players can choose to explore at their leisure. These areas provide a taste of open world gameplay without overshadowing the game's primary focus on narrative and characters. Final Fantasy 16 follows suit by striking a balance between open world elements and a compelling story.

Rather than opting for an expansive open world like in Final Fantasy 15, Square Enix chooses to provide players with four sizable zones to explore. Each zone is equipped with multiple fast travel points for convenience. These areas, similar to God of War Ragnarok's Crater, offer a satisfying exploration experience without overwhelming amounts of content. While players will revisit these zones for main story quests and side missions in Final Fantasy 16, there isn't much else to engage with beyond that.

Square Enix prioritizes the game's narrative over open world activities and content. Players won't feel obligated to clear numerous locations on the map or face the daunting task of completing the game in 100 hours. Instead, they can expect a game that fully immerses them in high-quality combat and storytelling. While this may disappoint players who enjoy optional content and vast worlds to explore, those seeking a break from that style will likely find this approach thrilling. Especially fans of classic Final Fantasy games like Final Fantasy 10 will appreciate the linear format, as each action outside of Chronoliths and Hunts holds narrative significance.

The level design in Final Fantasy 16 is intriguing and has the potential to serve as inspiration for other games, such as Marvel's Wolverine, where a fully open world may not be suitable. Although it may not appeal to everyone, it is highly recommended for those who enjoy open areas but feel overwhelmed or fatigued by expansive worlds. Players are given ample space to ride a chocobo and engage in optional fights, as well as numerous locations to grind for kills. However, the majority of the game follows a linear path, consisting of both main and side quests, which sets Final Fantasy 16 apart from the multitude of open world games.

Exclusively available on PS5, Final Fantasy 16 can be accessed now.