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Ulysses 31
Member
Some might see it more like jangling keys and won't be so easily emotionally manipulated
Sub_Level
wants to fuck an Asian grill.
It is reminiscent of that, yes. But tbh you see that in other action games too. Devil May Cry 3 and Ninja Gaiden Black are not meant to be played once and put down. Tons of content is locked behind subsequently unlocked difficulties. Its just one of those things.
To put it simply the entire game is shrouded in a big silly dark filter, the same way TLOU2 launched with a film grain filter of 38/100 ratio to inexplicably deliberately make the game look worse. It’ll always be too dark no matter how much time we waste messing around with the TV settings. The game isn’t very good anyway and then this dark filter is the icing on the cake of a thoroughly disappointing launch day. No idea why, it’s extremely annoying especially considering most of us wear glasses and have shit eyesight after 30 or 40 years playing games every day.
Please add more context for your spoiler posts so people know what they’re clicking on. Amount of hours into the game, whether story or gameplay, major or minor spoiler, etc.
Madflavor
Member
I'll throw my hat in. For me the characters and storytelling has been the bread and butter of Final Fantasy. If we're looking at mainline entries in the past twenty years (excluding MMOs), we've got XII, XIII and XV. With FFXVI so far the story is coherent, the characters are likeable, and the cutscene direction is excellent. Already that's definitely more than I can say for XIII and XV. The only real problem with the story is the pacing. It is very slow in between the juicier sections, to a point where it's a detriment to the game. But when it's good, it's really fucking good. There are moments that are some of the best in the series. Clive is a more likeable and sympathetic protagonist than Vaan, Lightning and Noctis, and Ben Starr's performance elevates his character.
Now if we factor in all other FFs such as FFXIV and FFVII:R, FFXIV is my personal favorite in the past 20 years, and I won't know whether or not I like VIII:R more until I beat XVI.
Wow so I have a big, irritating and pointless difficulty spike to reward me in 10-15 hours time. Whoop-de do.
cash_longfellow
Member
Anyone getting a small occasional light green screen ticker in certain cutscenes? I’m playing in 4k on an hdr TV performance mode. Scares me to death because my launch console had a green screen crash and console turned off issue after about 8 months of use. Vrr is off on the console.
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Dynasty8
Member
It might be one of the audio settings within the game. I forget what it's called, but open the game's setting and turn off any visual audio feedback.
ProtoByte
Weeb Underling
He's more than allowed to not like the game - I had a whole thread pre-launch about how the gameplay looked like solid, but decidely PS2/early PS3 Japanese action game stuff (looks like I was right, even based on positive feedback); it's not a setting or look most people necessarily want or expect out of FF - but his review starts off on false pretenses.
Xenoblade is not really a successful franchise. It peaks at like 3 million copies. Persona sells enough to be called successful (bearing in mind that sales of 5, Royal included, tap at about 5-6 million), but it's not successful because of the turn based combat. In fact, I would say Persona manages success in spite of its gameplay. It sells on the idea behind the story, the characters, and the visual novel-esque presentation that allows players to self-insert into an idyllic high school experience. In any case, I don't even see a review of it on his channel.
Final Fantasy VII Remake is not turn based. It's like saying Max Payne is a strategy series.
Yoshida is right about FF needing to evolve past what it has been before; Skill Up's issues with the party are a perfect example of how storytelling in a lot of Japanese games have stagnated. How many times has the generic "power of friendship" thing been shoehorned into stories where it doesn't even fit? In the case of XVI, telling a story over 20 years means that people are going to come and go out of one guy's life, no matter how eventful it is. I think more games, even western ones would do better to honestly portray people and relationships. Not everyone's going to remain friends forever.
It must also be said that no matter what you think of this game, it's only a positive for Square Enix going forward. It's been too long since they had a relatively clean development cycle for a game that wasn't a remake, that had focused direction. If nothing else this game sets a new procedural standard for the company going forward, even if you don't agree with the specific content.
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TheKremlinBossMan
Banned
So far this is the best final fantasy I have ever played. My favorite prior to this title was FF Tactics. That could change I am only 25 hours in and am about 5 hours past unlocking Ramuh. The story is so good that I can't even play anything else because I have to see where it's going. The side quests add more context to that story and the world. Certain ones really stand out "Play Things" and everything else around the Veil blew me away.
After the Typhon fight and villain reveal
The graphics are definitely next-gen even if the console can't keep up, the music is God tier only one song so far I'm not really fond of. The areas really open up and are absolutely huge. The combat is so well executed that I cannot compare it to any other Final Fantasy. The easiest way to describe it is to just tell you to watch for the button-mashing comment. Anyone saying that hasn't gotten the combat yet and is playing a completely different game than the one I am playing. It's easy enough to get into but the combat system is deep. Unless it falls off a cliff this will be in my top 10, maybe 5 games easy.
Forgot to add I love the hunts, Ahriman is an easy fight but, make one mistake, and boom.
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cash_longfellow
Member
Yep, I made sure that was off as well.
Hugare
Member
touchfuzzy
Member
The particles and effects are a bit much to the point of being distracting too. It's not a big deal with the giant monster fights, but anything against a human sized enemy I can't even see them. My last one there I was getting hit by attacks that are just coming through a wall of particle effects and fire and ice and shit.
Katatonic
Member
This game keeps firing on all cylinders. Just when I thought I experienced the most epic shit, it kicks it up another notch.
One fight where
was so friggin emotional and badass, it had us hollering at the screen like crazy.
The music is on another level. How many tracks did Soken write for this? We're talking God-tier melodies that elevate the soul.
This is the first time ever where I'm already looking forward to replaying a game without even finishing it.
One fight where
Torgal jumps in to help
The music is on another level. How many tracks did Soken write for this? We're talking God-tier melodies that elevate the soul.
This is the first time ever where I'm already looking forward to replaying a game without even finishing it.
SaniOYOYOY
Member
just reach the 2nd timeskip, godamiit game is so good. I had 0 complain so far.
I really cant agree with any of these combat criticism. if you went in expecting a character action game, this does 0 mistake so far.
I have to command them to not lose the focus of the story from Clive, a less competent writer will make a mess out of this with all these GOT esque political faction running around.
granted I only played 4 6 7 9 13 15 but so far 16 is easily the best out of them.
I really cant agree with any of these combat criticism. if you went in expecting a character action game, this does 0 mistake so far.
the typhoon battle so far is the most jawdropping boss battle in my recent memory, with the drake battle at the bridge at my close 2nd
I have to command them to not lose the focus of the story from Clive, a less competent writer will make a mess out of this with all these GOT esque political faction running around.
exacly what my impressions are
granted I only played 4 6 7 9 13 15 but so far 16 is easily the best out of them.
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Raven117
Member
Absolutely on point.
Clear
CliffyB's Cock Holster
The problem with Skill-Ups review for me is that for his take to carry any weight then you have to diminish the significance of the shift toward a DMC-style character action focus. Games that go that route generally ONLY do that, so for a FF16 to commit the way that it does its inevitable that the RPG side is going to get stripped back to some degree. Its a big ask to basically ask the player to "learn" two different styles of game in a single package.
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Slothbeing1209
Member
I like the combat, the Eikon system is fun and has a lots of depth. But it needs more basic skills/attacks, it's kind of boring when you using the same chain combos for a 40 hous game.
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adamsapple
Or is it just one of Phil's balls in my throat?
People who are far ahead in the game, out of the initial demo area and the upfront set-pieces, do you guys agree with this ?
ManaByte
Member
Sounds like some reviewers just played the demo and not any further. Some of the best weapons so far come from crafting.
Beastclaw Raider
Banned
Nah it's the same as stacking 99 hi-potions/phoenix downs etc.. for a fight.
SaniOYOYOY
Member
cant say I agree, I am comboing enough after geting garuda. and the game gives you limit break and the 3rd eikon after a while
Beastclaw Raider
Banned
Same, and always found new uses of my abilities and keep doing skills respec and trying to find new combos etc..
If you want to be lazy then it's a easy and boring system.
Probably the first final fantasy that actually rewards skill and effort
Bry0
Member
That’s probably my only complaint. I wish there was a little more, and I don’t think the core game would really need to change much to add a little more of that stuff. Regardless I can still take it for what it is and have a blast. It’s still been awesome so far.
saintjules
Member
saintjules
Member
I get Skill Ups feeling regarding combat and cutscenes. But I am only maybe 5 hours or so in. I'll reserve judgment for later, but I'm not completely blown away by the game's features as of yet.
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I agree with the commentary that the game not letting you play hard mode at the start is a problem. The combat has excellent depth, but the gameplay doesn’t force you to engage with it like FromSoft games do, and so you have some gamers just mashing square, using skills on cooldown, and essentially breezing through most combat encounters. This of course, leads to folks saying the combat is button mashy.
Landing a heatwave counter or a rook’s gambit counter is incredibly satisfying. It just looks great, feels good, and you get a massive reduction in the cooldown timers that essentially rewards technical mastery of the combat. But so far, none of the enemies have posed genuine risk.
Missed opportunity, imo.
Landing a heatwave counter or a rook’s gambit counter is incredibly satisfying. It just looks great, feels good, and you get a massive reduction in the cooldown timers that essentially rewards technical mastery of the combat. But so far, none of the enemies have posed genuine risk.
Missed opportunity, imo.
Dr. Claus
Banned
I will say it does give me Clssic Final Fantasy game vibes for that reason. Sure, you could just mash attack and kill everything that way, but fights would last far longer. By making proper use of your skills, abilities, and when/how to lower CDs - you can end fights nearly 50-80% faster. Which feels great moving from one fight ot the next in that quick forward momentum from understanding the mechanics.
Yeah, I agree on that note, the fights definitely go much faster if you do engage with the mechanics. Pulling an enemy down at half stagger and then gouging the shit out of them to get them to full stagger or at least very close to full stagger is sooooo good.
James Sawyer Ford
Member
how is this different than every single JRPG in existence?
the battle systems don't need to be punishingly hard, they just need to be fun and engaging.
Dynasty8
Member
What are you making the comparison to? FFXV? That was also a bad decision where you can constantly spam potions to win.
XVI doesn't have to present the same problems here. It's a modern day gaming issue here, but at least other games give the option to be challenged, even if the difficulty increase is more artificial. I was very concerned with the difficulty before the release of this game...and I'm sad to say I was right.
FF is my favorite franchise of all time. I am not annoyed with the switch from turn based to action. What I am annoyed is why the game only has 2 difficulty options for your first playthrough: 1) Extremely Easy and 2) Easy.
Sub_Level
wants to fuck an Asian grill.
Theres an online leaderboard unlocked at some point so I think we might be seein some exciting score runs!
James Sawyer Ford
Member
It's a pretty reductive analysis
"if cutscenes and combat weren't strong there'd be no reason to play this game"
Uhh.... ok? That's what everyone is playing this game for? It's like saying playing RE4 wouldn't be any good without the cutscenes and combat.
It's just silly. The meat and potatoes of any final fantasy is the combat and cutscenes (story). And they are fucking strong in this.
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shenmue mugen
Member
I'm loving this game SO MUCH.
Sygma
Member
yeah its 100% accurate
until you get into ng+ which lets you toy with accessories and other stuff
But like, lets not pretend that FF ever had any depth in terms of itemisation. Its kinda like Diablo, dumb casual fun
and in this one the real meat is in NG+ / Ultimaniac difficulty in arcade when you hit ng+
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For sure. Ive gotta be a good ten hours in at least. Every single side quest has been pointless so far lol there really is basically zero RPG elements to this game.
Im having fun. But certain criticisms like SkillUps are valid. Its a great, fun game. No way it ends up GOTY.
ManaByte
Member
Bookmarked for future fun.
Beastclaw Raider
Banned
What am I comparing it to? Like I said, it's the first final fantasy game that rewards skill and efforts.
Sorry but to act that the game is easy while totally ignoring that all of them were besides endgame is absurd. There wasn't any challenges in the old titles as well, oh wait I'm ready for kefka, let's grind to 99 while killing dinosaurs to be ready for it etc.. Oh ultima weapon, let's grind and then find the needed items after the endgame for it.
Give me a break
Nah, they’re lore dumps. If you don’t care about how they’re growing food in the hideout, then yes, they are “pointless”.
Perfo
Thirteen flew over the cuckoo's nest
Yeah actually they always add something to the characterisation of it all.
Lol. They're growing food like anyone would grow food, with ingredients, that I had to go fetch. Where is the lore in grabbing ingredients for food? Lmfao. There are MANY more examples like that so far than anything that actually adds anything at all to the story or world, and they are all extremelyyyyyyy basic.
Lol anyone who has played as much as I have and thinks this has any shot at GOTY is smoking that good
Xaero Gravity
NEXT LEVEL lame™
It's not quite the FF I want, but I think still a very well made game and I'm still enjoying it for the most part. Granted I am still very early on and I've heard several times that the game picks up once Hunts are available.
I feel like I'd like the game a lot more if it weren't a mainline game in the series, which is similar to how I felt about Hitman Absolution.
I feel like I'd like the game a lot more if it weren't a mainline game in the series, which is similar to how I felt about Hitman Absolution.
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Dynasty8
Member
Compared to the older games, this is much more forgiving.
Grinding is a different story...sure, almost every single RPG you can overpower and effortlessly win, but that will take a long time and a lot of commitment. Most people won't reach Lv99 by the time they get to the final boss in older FF games. It's the game's balance and forgiveness that boggles my mind.
Older FF games had more regular enemies that would challenge players and be a threat if you didn't make the right decision, used the right spells with limited MP, right items, etc. They would hit harder too.
So far most regular enemies can be one shot by an Eikon ability that you can use infinitely with cooldowns. I'm intentionally not even buying the stronger weapons and still doing this.
I keep using the word forgiveness because I believe it's a major issue with not only this game, but most triple A games nowadays. Imagine in FF6, 7 or 8 if your party wipes while fighting an early to mid boss...and you have to only press a single button to respawn with maximum health, maximum healing items and oh, the boss now has a quarter of their HP deducted. To me that takes a lot of the tension, excitement and engagement away. Just my personal opinion.
Other than that? The story, characters, music, writing and world building is superb. It's phenomenal. The best I've seen from Square since the golden age of RPG's. I want this game to be good, but it is missing many important things that would have made this the GOAT.
CrustyBritches
Gold Member
The whole arc with Benedicta is great. Some real high-octane stuff there. It's been awesome so far, but they should have allowed for higher difficulty level right out of the gate, and when you die in a boss fight you should have to start over or "pay" for the continue with a rare or expensive special item. That's my only gripe so far. In the Elden Ring era, players want to be challenged and punished. Danger should be lurking around every corner.
Beastclaw Raider
Banned
If it's too easy as some people complain then why restarting with potions during a boss fight is a problem for them?
Shouldnt of died during the boss fight in the first place, it's too easy
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fart town usa
Member
Just wanted to toss out that FFXIII is legit difficult at times. You can't brute force your way through anything in that game, even regular enemies. If you don't have the right paradigms in place you'll get your ass handed to you.