Upon first impression, Ultimate Fantasy XVI struck me with its darker and extra violent tone than something within the collection’ previous. It is not simply within the graphic depictions of bloody battles or godlike beings crushing one another to a pulp, but in addition within the express narrative threads about persecution and enslavement. It delves into the dying and destruction that follows within the wake of all of the political drama and supernatural standoffs. The brutality inflicted upon its victims is laid naked at almost each flip, typically to the purpose of embellishment, to strike the nerves it needs to hit. However there is a thematic coherence to all of it that melds what occurs to the individuals on the floor stage with the fantastical components that steer their destinies. And inside that harsh exterior, glossed with magic and aether, is a gripping story about characters clinging to their humanity, the bonds that give them energy, and the lengths they’re going to go to make the world a greater place–all informed in a approach that solely Ultimate Fantasy can.
Ultimate Fantasy has at all times been about reinvention and FFXVI maybe marks the collection’ most drastic shift but. The fight system veers a lot nearer to a Satan Might Cry than Ultimate Fantasy XV or VII Remake, and is a shining instance of what an action-RPG could be. Eikon battles initially appear to be simply explosive set-pieces however develop into significant moments which are as narratively pushed as they’re totally spectacular spectacles. By way of the awe-inspiring battles and emotional cutscenes, I discovered myself repeatedly asking in disbelief, “Did this sport simply do that?” because the soundtrack’s stunning melodies have been seared into my reminiscence. Nonetheless, these peaks are additionally met with dated design conventions that stick out like sore thumbs, making for some noticeable lulls within the 50-plus hours I spent with the sport. Nonetheless, I’ll at all times keep in mind FFXVI for its highly effective and beautiful moments, for these are the explanations it stands among the many storied franchise’s finest.
FFXVI may be very a lot in regards to the progress of Clive and the individuals round him, however story’s preliminary emphasis on the nations and political constructions of Valisthea set the stage for every part that follows. Valisthea is a world tormented by environmental decay and battle is fueled by the starvation for assets, which on this case, are the crystals. As a result of they’re a catch-all magical useful resource, these with the inherent capability to wield magic are abused, subjugated, and handled as property; instruments for use and sacrificed in service of their supposed superiors. Thus, liberation and revolution are the narrative throughlines, and FFXVI closely leans into these themes, utilizing them as a powerful basis to construct each aspect of the story and its characters.
FFXVI largely navigates these themes with a deft hand. Its writing usually demonstrates an understanding of the complicated dynamics that include the territory, and it shines by empowering characters, letting them and their experiences be the focal factors in sharp cutscenes and dialogue. As heinous because the darkest moments could also be, they’re additionally essential to every character’s understanding of the hostile world they exist in. It is encouraging to see the sport plainly say what must be mentioned, although at instances that deft hand turns heavy, laying it on a bit too thick or overlooking a little bit of nuance that might’ve gone a great distance in correctly unpacking a theme or perspective. On uncommon events, I discovered a number of minor story occasions that undermined the fairly clear messages the sport tries to ship. However as a core motivation for the solid, and me because the participant, to take motion stays convincing all through, and this ends in some nice narrative payoffs.
Clive and his brother Joshua are caught up in all this as a result of they belong to a royal household that inherits the ability of Phoenix, one of many Eikons that shake up the ability steadiness inside Valisthea. Tragedy strikes their household early on, setting the story in movement and establishing simply how vital Dominants–the choose few who can faucet and remodel into Eikons–are as weapons of mass destruction. It looks like a blessing, nevertheless it’s very a lot a curse, and the earth-shaking energy they wield comes with clear penalties. This mixing of political drama, social injustice, and the fantastical tropes of Ultimate Fantasy offers the story room to have the legendary bombast anticipated of the collection but in addition make it significant. The Eikons are an important reimagining of Ultimate Fantasy’s summons, and so they’re neatly contextualized inside the story–so for as bonkers and over-the-top as Eikons could be, FFXVI’s story at all times finds itself touchdown on strong floor.
Embedded within the themes of riot and the shows of godlike energy are robust private tales of revenge and redemption. The burden of sins, issues they’ve carried out that they don’t seem to be wholly liable for, weigh heavy on the primary solid’s shoulders. I’ve grown fairly uninterested in the outdated trope that searching for revenge is an empty endeavor that makes you as dangerous as your oppressors, so it is invigorating to have a narrative put its foot down and provides characters the satisfaction of killing their masters to set themselves free, offered with out caveat. Nonetheless, atonement is yet one more vital lens by means of which you see characters develop and undergo the method of re-distinguishing what’s proper and flawed. Typically this implies forgoing their privileges, making immeasurable sacrifices, or defying their supposed destiny.
For all its darkish turns, FFXVI may be very a lot a narrative about love and the assorted types it may take. It is an attractive, sincere story of brotherhood; there is a familial love that I typically discover arduous to narrate to, however on this regard, FFXVI cuts sharper than any story I’ve skilled in current reminiscence. There are additionally a number of romantic plot strains that stream naturally into what motivates explicit characters, and deep friendships that type by means of shared experiences. And good boy Torgal is the loyal canine who fights with Clive each step of the way in which. It would not be a Ultimate Fantasy with out the ability of human bonds manifesting because the energy to hold on and giving its characters a world price combating for.
These extra granular themes work so effectively as a result of whether or not it is Clive, Joshua, Cid, Jill or any of the opposite key characters, their personalities are pushed by impressed voice performances. Clive is usually the gruff man who does not have a lot to be pleased about, however this makes the moments he breaks out of his shell all of the extra impactful. When he screams and cries in desperation, it is the sound of somebody actually in ache and you are feeling it in your bones, and when he cracks a smile or lets unfastened, it is a second to rejoice. It actually makes him one of many realest protagonists within the Ultimate Fantasy pantheon. Cid shakes the room with the sheer bass in his voice, and his clean charisma and sharp wits steal each scene. He is the type of particular person that may make even essentially the most aimless individuals consider in a trigger, and essentially the most stone-hearted individuals naked their souls. A plausible human high quality attracts you towards Jill, so when she pours her coronary heart out or has blood in her eyes, you already know she means it. And when every of them rises to the event of their most crucial moments, you may rattling effectively hear it of their supply.
FFXVI goes for some massive swings, and hits when it issues most. It is a tightly woven and centered story informed with out sacrificing the magic that makes Ultimate Fantasy particular. It takes some time to see it come collectively, and stumbles into a number of disappointing tropes alongside the way in which. However at its peak, whether or not it’s the sheer thrill of the motion or the uncooked emotional honesty–and typically the concord between the two–FFXVI goes so arduous that I may really feel it in my coronary heart.
A big a part of what had me so invested in FFXVI is the stylish-action fight since it is so tightly tied to the sport’s id. When you solely management Clive all through the sport, his roster of Eikon skills construct up alongside story occasions, and the framing of his biggest battles works so effectively as a result of he controls like a nimble, masterful swordsman with a slew of badass powers he can whip out and string collectively at any second.
FFXVI loosely retains the design ideas of an RPG, with talent timber, a leveling system, upgradable gear, and stats that create a way of development. However whenever you’re in fight, your dealing with of Clive’s technical capabilities and Eikon powers are what’ll win the battle. You possibly can equip three Eikons and swap between them on the fly in battle–each has two powers on cooldown and a novel utility transfer that you would be able to execute at any time. Customizing and mapping out your Eikon skills is vital; to be approached as if you happen to’re creating loadouts or crew compositions in different video games. And since these skills all have properties reminiscent of launching, midair execution, charge-ups, or area-of-effect injury, you will get artistic with some candy combos.
For instance, I usually used a bread-and-butter rotation beginning with Phoenix’s Rising Flames then going into Garuda’s Depraved Wheel, launching myself midair earlier than smashing down with Titan’s Upheaval and ending off with a full-powered Windup earlier than mixing in the usual sword-slashing combo. If you happen to simply need cool-looking skills that do tons of injury, you will get away with that, too. However the extra you examine the nuances of how sure skills could be strung collectively, the extra you will see the methods you may execute deliberate assault rotations.
Brilliantly designed boss battles convey out the most effective within the stylish-action fight. Usually, you’re employed to convey down their stagger meter then hit them with all you have obtained, rigorously planning your assault sequence to benefit from the injury multiplier that goes into impact in a staggered state, much like Ultimate Fantasy VII Remake. However these bosses additionally problem your abilities in dodging, positioning, studying incoming assaults, and reacting with precision and swiftness. As somebody who has a pair thousand hours in Ultimate Fantasy XIV and often does savage raids, I can clearly see how the MMORPG’s boss mechanics have influenced FFXVI. It is one of many growth crew’s many strengths and I am thrilled to see these design philosophies cross over to counterpoint the expertise.
As a result of the buildup of Eikon skills is beholden to story progress, it takes time for the deeper gameplay components to open up. Whereas it strengthens the narrative coherence with the gameplay, it creates considerably odd pacing within the first half of the sport, and it’s kind of disappointing as a result of later Eikon skills provide some fascinating prospects and add layers of depth.
FFXVI is not a very troublesome sport, however typically you will run into DPS checks or encounter enemy assaults that do important injury in a single hit, which you’ll typically brute power your approach by means of by popping potions. There’s problem within the purely gameplay-focused Arcade Mode–which ranks you want a Satan Might Cry game–and the New Recreation+ Ultimania problem, which cranks the problem to near-impossible heights, for individuals who need it. Aside from sheer enjoyment of besting the sport’s hardest battles, partaking with these modes is usually for leaderboard bragging rights. On the flipside, there are equipment that act as gameplay assists that may assist those that might wrestle with varied facets of the fight system–options reminiscent of auto-combos or extra lenient dodge timing do not fully automate the expertise, although there are equipment that may try this for you. Nonetheless you select to play, it is actually satisfying to finest essentially the most imposing monsters whereas receiving hardly a scratch with each Eikon capability exhausted.
FFXVI is not a posh sport both, as its construction is fairly simple. You will have a house base known as The Hideaway and sparsely populated hub areas for every area that regularly open up as you make progress and sidequests populate these areas to flesh out the world. When you get entry to the Hunt Board, you will discover non-compulsory boss fights inside these areas that reward you with a satisfying problem, a bunch of XP, and supplies for higher gear. However the primary quest is primarily pushed by distinct combat-focused situations akin to a linear dungeon the place mobs of enemies are interspersed with a handful of boss fights. Not solely do these comprise a number of the finest story moments and cinematics, it is the place gameplay finds its groove, hitting an fulfilling cadence of spectacular fights.
Sidequests are, sadly, one in all FFXVI’s weaker elements. Having carried out all of them, I really feel they’re nonetheless price doing for the way in which they humanize the individuals of Valisthea. I’d go as far to say {that a} handful of them are essential for getting the complete image of key characters and their relationships. However outdoors of these few vital ones that reward you with heartfelt scenes, they’re largely comprised of stilted dialogue sequences with targets that hardly ever benefit from the sport’s strengths. It is the place the writing sometimes falls flat, too, so the distinction in high quality is stark when the primary quest has best-in-class storytelling.
The place FFXVI flexes the toughest, although, is within the Eikon-versus-Eikon battles: pivotal moments the place absolutely remodeled Dominants put every part on the road and battle with every part they obtained. There aren’t many of those boss fights, however the ones from across the midway level up till the tip make for a number of the wildest, most spectacular spectacles seen in video video games. New powers particular to those battles open up as the sport goes on, too, so it isn’t all fast time occasions or glorified button mashing. And even after they do depend on QTEs, you get a ridiculous show of energy that might make Asura’s Wrath proud. I am not simply wooed by fancy cinematics or super-high visible constancy, however FFXVI is one case the place that technical prowess accentuates the grand scale of those genuinely shocking, astonishing moments.
Whether or not it is in heated battles, emotional cutscenes, or transient treks throughout Valisthea, it would not be a Ultimate Fantasy sport with out an evocative soundtrack to match. Composer Masayoshi Soken and his crew are a big a part of what makes FFXIV a particular MMORPG expertise, and their work on FFXVI additional proves that the collection’ music is in good arms. Reverberating piano items instill a tranquil and wistful vibe set in opposition to the huge landscapes, very similar to overworld themes heard in FFXIV. The commanding orchestras and choirs convey an simple weight to essential battles. However, as Soken usually does, he breaks from thematic conventions so as to add digital tunes and heavy guitars that one way or the other match proper in. Even the conventional boss theme had me sitting up straight, shoulders squared, buzzing alongside as I whooped on my foes with confidence. And the identifiable melodies that turn out to be highly effective leitmotifs seize emotions which are powerful to place into phrases: stunning expressions of the complicated feelings that the characters, and me because the participant, really feel particularly moments. Music is integral to the storytelling in Ultimate Fantasy and FFXVI is a masterful execution of this pillar of the collection’ custom.
After I hear the brand new renditions of the Crystal Prelude and the unique Ultimate Fantasy theme, I look again on the franchise’s wealthy historical past and understand simply how a lot of an impression it is made on me and numerous others. There are eras of my life which were outlined by Ultimate Fantasy video games and my connection to them. Having seen FFXVI all through, I am pleased to incorporate it alongside a few of my all-time favorites within the collection. It is heartening to see that this daring method to each story and gameplay is now a part of that legacy, increasing the definition of what a mainline entry might be. It might fall brief in some respects, nevertheless it ought to be celebrated for its most beautiful moments and the characters who embody them. FFXVI succeeds and earns its place inside the Ultimate Fantasy pantheon as one of many nice entries, and does so by itself phrases.