Ashadelo on 03 June 2025
Updating my list
Finish 2025
* Diablo 4
* Persona 3 Reload
* Danganronpa 3
* Mortal Kombat X
* Street Fighter 4
* Resident Evil 8
* Final Fantasy XVI
*Currently Playing*
* Final Fantasy XVI
* Oblivion Remastered
* Tony Hawk Remaster
* God of War
I recently finished Final Fantasy XVI, and as someone who has played and completed all mainline Final Fantasy games, I couldn’t help but compare it to its predecessors. Overall, I enjoyed the game, but I have some thoughts on its strengths and shortcomings.
The story is a highlight—easy to follow, with no major plot holes (unlike Final Fantasy XV). The relationship between Clive and Joshua is particularly well-crafted and emotionally engaging. However, I was disappointed by the lack of development for other characters like Jill, Dion, and even Torgal. While their stories begin to take shape, I wanted more meaningful interactions with Clive to deepen their relationships and add depth to the narrative.
The music is solid, with some standout tracks, but it often feels underutilized. Apart from the opening theme and battle music, I wish more memorable tracks had been paired with key locations or story moments to enhance the experience. Visually, the game is stunning, with top-tier graphics that truly shine.
My biggest issue, however, is the combat system. While sword-based basic attacks are fun—especially when powered up with Ifrit’s abilities—the magic system dominates battles. Roughly 90% of combat relies on cycling through magic sets: hold the trigger, use a lower spell, then a higher spell, switch to spell set two, then three, and repeat. This repetitive loop makes fights feel like they lack strategy. Dodging, parrying, or positioning seem unnecessary, as most battles end quickly after cycling through spells. As an action RPG rather than a traditional JRPG, the combat should have been better balanced, with swordplay playing a more significant role—ideally closer to 50% of the focus. This overreliance on magic was a major frustration for me.
Another disappointment is the lack of party control. Unlike previous Final Fantasy games, which emphasize party dynamics, skill customization, and gear management, Final Fantasy XVI focuses solely on Clive. Party members jump in and out without any player input, and there’s no way to customize their gear, skills, or abilities. Even Torgal’s commands are limited to a few basic options. The series has always excelled at developing character relationships within the party over time, but outside of Joshua, Jill, and Torgal, there’s little of that here.
I understand Square Enix wanted to take a new direction, leaning into a Devil May Cry or God of War-style action RPG. However, as a Final Fantasy game, it feels like a departure from the series’ core strengths—party-based gameplay, deep character development, and strategic combat. I hope Final Fantasy mode offers a different experience, but for my first playthrough, the combat system was a significant letdown.
If this weren’t a Final Fantasy title, I might have viewed it differently. Going in blind, I had no idea it would play like an action RPG. While it’s a really good game overall, the combat system and lack of party depth place it in the bottom five mainline Final Fantasy games for me. I hope future entries return to a party-focused system with customizable attacks, spells, gear, and skill trees, alongside stronger character development within the group.
我是广州人
