Final Fantasy 16: Addressing FF15's Major Critique - An Epic Transformation!

Square Enix has implemented an intriguing approach to the difficulty level in Final Fantasy 16, providing a broad range that accommodates both casual players and those seeking more challenging gameplay. Unlike its predecessor, Final Fantasy 15, which faced criticism for being too easy, the developers have made significant changes that go beyond simply increasing boss difficulty or adjusting settings.

One notable alteration in Final Fantasy 16 revolves around the distribution of healing items. Players now have limited opportunities to replenish their health while exploring dungeons and battling formidable bosses. However, Square Enix did not merely restrict the quantity of these items and consider it a solution. Instead, they intelligently adjusted player and boss health dynamics to maintain a sense of progress without compromising on complexity.

Final Fantasy 15's Infinite Health Stocks

One major criticism of Final Fantasy 15's combat was its lack of difficulty, despite its flashy visuals. The ease of defeating even the toughest bosses stemmed from Noctis' agile combat style, which allowed him to swiftly maneuver around the battlefield. However, what truly made these battles too easy were the abundance of healing items. Potions, high potions, and phoenix downs could be stacked up to a maximum of 99, and their low cost enabled players to amass a large supply from the early stages of the game.

This unlimited access to healing items allowed players to effortlessly pause the game at any point during a fight and quickly restore the entire party's health after a boss unleashed a devastating attack. Final Fantasy 16 takes a different approach by limiting the number of potions and high potions that players can carry at any given time. With only four potions and three high potions to start with, the game offers fewer opportunities for healing while navigating the world or battling end-of-dungeon bosses.

Retrying Boss Phases in Final Fantasy 16

Final Fantasy 16 offers a unique gameplay experience with its limited supply of potions and high potions. Unlike its predecessors, the game doesn't introduce an item with the same reviving effect as the phoenix down until much later in the adventure. This contrast is especially apparent when comparing it to Noctis and his comrades who can revive themselves even after their health has plummeted. While the scarcity of potions may appear daunting, the game's retry system effectively balances the difficulty, granting players in need a chance to progress through the challenges.

To address criticism about the ease of Final Fantasy 15 and to ensure that Final Fantasy 16 remains accessible, Square Enix has come up with a clever solution in the form of the retry system. When facing regular enemies or challenging targets on the hunt board, dying will send players back to the nearest obelisk, resulting in the loss of any items obtained during the battle. However, when battling multi-phase bosses like the Akashic Dragon in Final Fantasy 16, players are given the option to retry from the beginning of the most recent phase, with the added bonus of having their items replenished.

While resetting between phases of challenging bosses in Final Fantasy 16 may not provide the same level of satisfaction for certain players, it serves to mitigate the intensity of the fights. These boss battles can span several minutes, and being forced to restart from the beginning would undoubtedly lead to immense frustration. Therefore, incorporating a more accessible pathway to reach the end credits, one that remains invisible to skilled players, effectively addresses the need to rebalance difficulty settings and assist players in progressing through Final Fantasy 16's campaign.

Final Fantasy 16 is currently accessible on PS5.