The Ultimate Final Fantasy 16: Unveiling an Epic Gaming Masterpiece

Final Fantasy 16 presents itself as a highly polarizing installment in the JRPG series, but it also stands as one of the finest. Square Enix and developer Creative Business Unit III have skillfully crafted a grandiose fantasy adventure that leans more towards action, while incorporating a political backdrop and high-stakes circumstances. This latest iteration of Final Fantasy offers a distinctive flavor, yet remains captivating, immersive, and exhilarating.

While Final Fantasy 16 aims to maintain familiar elements, it also introduces modern twists, particularly in its story. Initially appearing as a straightforward revenge narrative centered around Clive Rosfield, it gradually evolves into an expansive journey to restore power to the people. This tale is populated by memorable heroes and villains, all within a world rich in history and lore. Although there are evident influences from works like Game of Thrones, the FF 16 story retains a strong connection to the core essence of the series. As an example, the traditional Summons of previous Final Fantasys have been renamed Eikons, transforming into massive, fantastical creatures that specific individuals, known as Dominants, can assume the form of.

In the world of Valisthea in Final Fantasy 16, Dominants are a rare occurrence. However, during Clive's time, there is a significant increase in the number of Dominants compared to previous eras. Dominants, along with Eikons, grant immense power to a ruling nation. But what happens when this power becomes accessible to everyone? Imagine a world where everyone possesses a destructive force like a nuclear weapon. This intriguing concept serves as a captivating backdrop for Final Fantasy 16, enriched with intricate details and lore. Thanks to the game's brilliant Active Lore System, players can immerse themselves in this world without getting lost, similar to the complexity of a George RR Martin book. Yet, the core story of Clive and his companions stands on its own, drawing players in with its compelling narrative. Without revealing any spoilers, one of the best aspects of Final Fantasy games is how they intertwine the individual character arcs with the larger conflict, and Final Fantasy 16 takes this approach in refreshing and innovative ways.

Final Fantasy 16 is a visually stunning video game that continues the franchise's tradition of pushing the boundaries of console visuals. The sights and sounds in the game are incredible, offering players an immersive experience. While there may be some criticisms regarding the game's performance, they are not overly distracting. Given the level of detail and the vastness of the game's world, as well as the absence of loading screens, it is understandable that the frame rate may occasionally be inconsistent. However, despite these performance issues, Final Fantasy 16 is a feast for the eyes. It features lush landscapes, surprising and imposing environments, and character and enemy designs that range from beautiful to grotesque. While there are linear corridors and battle arenas in the game, it also offers larger, pseudo-open world areas for players to explore and test out their combat abilities or search for loot. In every aspect, Final Fantasy 16 consistently delivers visually captivating content.

Alongside its stunning design, the music of Final Fantasy 16 stands tall among the franchise's most exceptional scores. From the very beginning, experienced by many through the recently-released demo, composer Masayoshi Soken crafts a grandiose tone that perfectly complements the game's medieval fantasy setting. While there are nostalgic nods to the series' golden era, it is the original music that truly illuminates the game. Notably, there is a captivating battle theme that never fails to ignite excitement for the impending clash.

Final Fantasy 16's gameplay takes a departure from its turn-based origins and leans more towards a character action game. In this entry, players control a single character instead of managing a party, allowing for a faster-paced experience and giving players more control in the moment-to-moment gameplay. While there are still elements of party management and buffing/debuffing, the complexities have been streamlined to enhance the overall flow of combat.

The combat in Final Fantasy 16 may appear simple at first glance, resembling a button-mashing experience. However, with Clive's Eikonic Abilities and a range of sword abilities that can be used on the ground and in the air, players are provided with the tools to experiment and discover new strategies. Initially, it may seem like using the most damaging attacks is the best approach, but as players progress, they will learn how different attacks can be combined to form powerful combos. For instance, using the Phoenix ability to launch an enemy into the air, followed by the Garuda ability to elevate both Clive and the opponent even higher, and concluding with an Ifrit fire spear attack that impales the helpless foe with Clive's sword.

The influence of the Devil May Cry franchise is evident in Battle Director Ryota Suzuki's work on Final Fantasy 16. However, the game still maintains a strong sense of strategy, where the combination of specific abilities and actions can result in devastating damage. The timing of these actions has been significantly accelerated, adding to the intensity of the gameplay.

Final Fantasy 16 introduces familiar mechanics such as parrying, jumping, and dodging, but their implementation leads to incredibly satisfying moments that require precise timing. Additionally, players have the option to customize their protagonist, Clive, with up to six Eikonic Abilities that cater to different playstyles. These abilities also offer clever movement techniques based on the activated Eikon.

In combat, players have the freedom to choose their approach. Some may prefer to quickly deal damage to stagger enemies, utilizing basic attacks to steadily chip away at their health, similar to the mechanic in Final Fantasy 7 Remake. On the other hand, more tactical players may opt to save their more powerful Eikonic Abilities for when the enemy is staggered. Regardless of the chosen strategy, players will find each approach to be highly rewarding.

Overall, Final Fantasy 16 offers a plethora of choices when it comes to engaging in battles with different enemies. The combat system is designed to ensure that any approach taken by the player feels satisfying and impactful.

What sets Final Fantasy 16 apart from previous entries in the series is its new identity as a character action game, providing a more seamless experience during boss battles. No longer do players have to helplessly witness a boss charging up an attack that will inevitably deplete a significant portion of their health. Instead, every attack can be evaded, parried, or at the very least, avoided. The boss designs remain consistently impressive, but now the battles themselves become truly memorable, unlike anything seen before.

In Final Fantasy 16, the Eikon battles add a unique touch to the game, going beyond just swordplay. These battles, reminiscent of epic Kaiju showdowns, are visually stunning and would be impressive even as cutscenes. However, what sets them apart is the player's ability to actively participate in these battles, creating a captivating experience. Unlike mere quick-time events, the Eikon battles have their own dynamics and complexity, with the game constantly introducing new abilities to keep them engaging.

As players progress through Final Fantasy 16, the game continues to grow and evolve. By the 30-hour mark, they will reflect on their journey and realize how much the combat has transformed, thanks to the introduction of new Eikonic abilities. Additionally, the game expands through side quests, larger environments, and monster hunts, offering players a deeper sense of immersion and a variety of distractions along their linear path.

Final Fantasy 16 caters to a diverse range of fans who may have differing opinions on whether certain elements stay true to the IP. However, the franchise holds various meanings for different individuals. For those seeking an immersive narrative where a heroic figure wields a sword against seemingly insurmountable odds and formidable adversaries, this game delivers. Similarly, for those desiring combat that challenges them to think strategically and unleash awe-inspiring abilities, Final Fantasy 16 provides just that. Moreover, for those who simply wish to explore and engage with the intricately crafted world Square Enix has constructed, this game offers ample opportunities for interaction. While Final Fantasy 16 represents a new era for the franchise, it remains true to its roots.

Final Fantasy 16 is an action RPG developed by Square Enix, set in the land of Valisthea. The game revolves around a spreading disease known as the Blight, which has brought six different factions to the brink of war. The plot focuses on summoned monsters called Eikons, who are controlled by unique humans known as Dominants. Despite its imperfections, such as inconsistent pacing and hit-or-miss side quests, Final Fantasy 16 successfully combines engaging combat and a compelling story. Square Enix's Creative Business Unit III has managed to make this game their own, infusing it with a sense of joy and care to create an epic experience that rewards its fan base. Final Fantasy 16 proves that embracing the unexpected can be just as enjoyable as sticking to the tried and true.

Final Fantasy 16 releases June 22, 2023 for PlayStation 5. Game Rant was provided a PS5 code for this review.