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[acidagfc]

The gameplay is growing on me, the graphics are great, except for the motion blur. The main complaint I have right now is with the writing.

Why in a fantasy medieval setting does everyone cuss like modern sailors? Can't really play with the volume up with family around when characters are screaming the f word ten times in a row.

Smoking and dropping f bombs - thats the entire M rating so far (about 8 hours in). Might have easily cut down to teen without affecting the story.
Nothing 'adult' about it so far - wars, betrayals - any school level literature is about as adult as this.

 

[FoxMcChief]

She really does look like Zidane.

Yup. Anyone that digs on her is also into monkey boys. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Don’t cancel me reeeeeeeeee!

 

[F0rneus]

How long before we can talk about story spoilers (and some gameplay mechanics) in tags?

 

[Madflavor]

Benedikta is hot af, don't care if she looks like Zidane.

 

[TheDarkPhantom]

I see you Ms. Harman! Absolutely incredible, that music, those cinematic breaks

 

[Dr_Salt]

This is one impressive looking game. I agree with the people saying this might be the first next gen experience we have.

 

[semiconscious]

Influenced by Game of Thrones and The Witcher. The storytelling is alright so far but not quite compelling, feels a bit slow to get anything done in each scene, long pauses between each bit of dialogue, lacking dramatic punch. Combat is a little basic and repetitive. Hoping it picks up as it goes.

I'm roughly 10+ hours in and I honestly have no idea what the hype is all about. It's mindless fun so far, total cinematic action game. I'm honestly surprised at how easy it's been.

Combat so far is baby's first action game, it's not even as robust as Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. FFXVI actually reminds me quite a bit of that game and honestly, C:LOS has it beat when it comes to level design and combat mechanics. Story is fine but I'm also kind of checked out already. It's hard to stay engaged when the side missions are so goofy. The tone is all over the place...

color me extremely unsurprised...

 

[Shifty1897]

This is the second game I've played in the last 3 years to have what I consider are full on next gen graphics. I just walked through the prettiest forest I've ever seen. I stopped every 10 steps just to look around slack jawed. And the soundtrack is a lock for best music of 2023. My biggest knock against the game is that it isn't very challenging yet. I wish I could turn up the difficulty higher. You got this finely tuned action battle system with parries and precision dodges and combo chaining and air cancels and... you don't really need to use much of it to win. I hear there's extra difficulty modes you can unlock once you beat the game once though.

 

[Dr. Claus]

Smoking and dropping f bombs - thats the entire M rating so far (about 8 hours in). Might have easily cut down to teen without affecting the story.
Nothing 'adult' about it so far - wars, betrayals - any school level literature is about as adult as this.

Ah yes, the horrors of being used as a sex toy, child soldiers, people sent to die in a war they have no say in - truly nothing about that is M rated at all!

Give me a break, mate.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

This game…holy shiiiit

Mad Max Fury Road vibes when it comes to the intensity of the action and bombastic soundtrack

 

[CrustyBritches]

My biggest knock against the game is that it isn't very challenging yet. I wish I could turn up the difficulty higher. You got this finely tuned action battle system with parries and precision dodges and combo chaining and air cancels and... you don't really need to use much of it to win. I hear there's extra difficulty modes you can unlock once you beat the game once though.

I agree with this. There's a little challenge when fighting the boss characters, but in general you're not really under much threat, so the intensity and adrenaline of the fights aren't as high as they could be. It would have been nice to have the hardest difficulty available from the get go.

This game is a lot like a Sony game along the lines of God of War or Ragnarok. I'm enjoying the story much more than GoW:R or HFW. I do wish it had branching dialogue like TW3. I'm a real whore for the sense of agency that gives you.
---
Had a chance to put a couple more hours in and I'm actually really enjoying playing it on the Steam Deck via Chiaki. The graphics look really sharp on a smaller screen compared to a 65" tv.

Spoiler: Deck+Chiaki screenshots(no consequential spoilers just a few random shots):

 

[Dr. Claus]

I agree with this. There's a little challenge when fighting the boss characters, but in general you're not really under much threat, so the intensity and adrenaline of the fights aren't as high as they could be. It would have been nice to have the hardest difficulty available from the get go.

This game is a lot like a Sony game along the lines of God of War or Ragnarok. I'm enjoying the story much more than GoW:R or HFW. I do wish it had branching dialogue like TW3. I'm a real whore for the sense of agency that gives you.
---
Had a chance to put a couple more hours in and I'm actually really enjoying playing it on the Steam Deck via Chiaki. The graphics look really sharp on a smaller screen compared to a 65" tv.

Spoiler: Deck+Chiaki screenshots(no consequential spoilers just a few random shots):

The game is definitely easy, sadly. But so was FF7R. That combat didn't truly shine until Hard mode and I think the same will happen here (but honestly I had the same issue with DMC5 and Bayonetta 2 as well).

Def don't' need pointless and ultimately meaningless "choices". Witcher 3 honestly would have been better without them given how little it ultimately mattered in most of the game. Focus on a well told narrative with a very defined character OR have a completely custom character not voiced with tons of choice. That halfway point in games like Witcher 3 just doesn't work well IMO.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

In terms of setting and tone, this is arguably the most somber FF title since X.

X was also my favorite of what I will loosely refer to as the "modern era" which started with the PS2.

What's interesting is this game is often as linear and contains as much running through corridors from cutscene from cutscene as FFXIII did, but it's so much better in the way it's handled. This is partly because the story and characters are so far superior, and also partly because the combat is so much more engaging.

Shortly after the demo's content ends, all pretenses of being Game of Thrones falls by the wayside. That was just a ruse, this game is more like Final Fantasy X-Men than anything else. Even the amount of cussing mysteriously falls to nearly zero, everyone stops using the word fuck in every other sentence once things actually become serious.

 

[rofif]

Game is great. Linear just as I prefer. Even

Influenced by Game of Thrones and The Witcher. The storytelling is alright so far but not quite compelling, feels a bit slow to get anything done in each scene, long pauses between each bit of dialogue, lacking dramatic punch. Combat is a little basic and repetitive. Hoping it picks up as it goes.

if you deconstruct it like that, then anything is bad. Half life2 got bad shooting and poor story because you don’t talk in it.
You can say anything but not lacking dramatic punch
Basic combat is also good thing. Simple but deep if wanted like dark souls

 

[EviLore]

if you deconstruct it like that, then anything is bad.

Not really, but you like it more than I do so far and that's fine.

 

[Perfo]

Still can’t decide what’s better on my LG C9 HDR settings damn! HGIG or DTM it’s driving me nuts

 

[KàIRóS]

16+ hours into the game and I can confirm the reviewers were capping about the RPG elements not being there, I'am currently having a headache choosing my build with only 4 Eikons and half their abilities unlocked and a few accesories with very interesting effects, at most I would say the RPG elements were streamlined but they are definitely there if you really want to make a more specific playstyle build.

Combat gets godly after you get 3 Eikons, so I recommend everyone to just keep moving forward the story until that point before doing a bunch of side stuff.

My only complaint would be the controls for Torgal getting mapped to the D-pad, it doesn't flow naturally like everything else, if they allow custom controls in a later patch I'm definitely changing that.

 

[Fools idol]

there is a significant story event about... 25 hours in that is almost like a fork in the road from which the story goes from actually quite good to actually fucking terrible and it is a damn shame.

This could have been one of the best stories in the series but it just devolves into a hot mess .. like they started to panic it wouldn't be done in time so they started to rush things.

 

[Koenigssee]

The gameplay is growing on me, the graphics are great, except for the motion blur. The main complaint I have right now is with the writing.

Why in a fantasy medieval setting does everyone cuss like modern sailors? Can't really play with the volume up with family around when characters are screaming the f word ten times in a row.

Keep that volume down and the kids out of the room my man this ain't nothing yet.

 

[rofif]

Still can’t decide what’s better on my LG C9 HDR settings damn! HGIG or DTM it’s driving me nuts

Same here! Game is very dark in some parts. I played few scenes with dtm and calibrated hdr with dtm on (as dtm should be used) and it looks just as good and brighter.
Technically the game supports ps5 calibration so hgig is correct but dtm looks great too

 

[Dr. Claus]

16+ hours into the game and I can confirm the reviewers were capping about the RPG elements not being there, I'am currently having a headache choosing my build with only 4 Eikons and half their abilities unlocked and a few accesories with very interesting effects, at most I would say the RPG elements were streamlined but they are definitely there if you really want to make a more specific playstyle build.

Combat gets godly after you get 3 Eikons, so I recommend everyone to just keep moving forward the story until that point before doing a bunch of side stuff.

My only complaint would be the controls for Torgal getting mapped to the D-pad, it doesn't flow naturally like everything else, if they allow custom controls in a later patch I'm definitely changing that.

Switch to Control C mode and Torgol and charged magic works a *lot* better.

 

[CrustyBritches]

The game is definitely easy, sadly. But so was FF7R. That combat didn't truly shine until Hard mode and I think the same will happen here (but honestly I had the same issue with DMC5 and Bayonetta 2 as well).

Def don't' need pointless and ultimately meaningless "choices". Witcher 3 honestly would have been better without them given how little it ultimately mattered in most of the game. Focus on a well told narrative with a very defined character OR have a completely custom character not voiced with tons of choice. That halfway point in games like Witcher 3 just doesn't work well IMO.

We’ll have to agree to disagree. There was plenty of variety in immediate outcome from the choices you’d make, and it added a lot of flavor to Geralt’s personality to be able to be a dickhead, or use Jedi mindtricks, or romance certain characters.

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy this style, too.

 

[IlGialloMondadori]

there is a significant story event about... 25 hours in that is almost like a fork in the road from which the story goes from actually quite good to actually fucking terrible and it is a damn shame.

This could have been one of the best stories in the series but it just devolves into a hot mess .. like they started to panic it wouldn't be done in time so they started to rush things.

Sounds like they really took the inspired by game of thrones literally. S8 here we go.

Haha loving the game so far though. It’s absolutely gorgeous.

 

[Sleepwalker]

The spectacle is unmatched here, truly next gen. Stayed up playing till 2am and im only like 8% in so far, not doing any sidequests either so far.


The enemies feel a little spongy though, what does the story/action toggle even do? I have it in action but you can equip the rings anyway in either mode lol, so weird.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

16+ hours into the game and I can confirm the reviewers were capping about the RPG elements not being there, I'am currently having a headache choosing my build with only 4 Eikons and half their abilities unlocked and a few accesories with very interesting effects, at most I would say the RPG elements were streamlined but they are definitely there if you really want to make a more specific playstyle build.

Combat gets godly after you get 3 Eikons, so I recommend everyone to just keep moving forward the story until that point before doing a bunch of side stuff.

My only complaint would be the controls for Torgal getting mapped to the D-pad, it doesn't flow naturally like everything else, if they allow custom controls in a later patch I'm definitely changing that.

I put the Ring of Torgal Do It Yourself on early and have never taken it off. It sucks that it wastes one of my accessory slots but oh well. I'm not going to micromanage the dog while I'm busy fighting shit, thanks but no thanks.

And yes, I'm only at 2 Eikons and I'm already having a great time swapping around and throwing out skills and whacking the enemies. This is definitely DMC's combat designer, you really can air juggle enemies until dead if you set it up right.

The bosses feel a bit bullet spongey though, they toned down combat complexity compared to actual DMC but then gave the bosses gigantic HP counts just to make you do it longer. Sigh.

The Chirada and Suparna fight having MMO-style ground indicators was fucking adorable, thanks FFXIV team LMAO

 

[DelireMan7]

So did the prologue (again ) and continue till the Hideaway (name location not really spoilery but better safe than sorry)

Game is so good. Combat is really cool. I always in action game to use every moves at my disposal and now that I have unlock all the basic move, I tried to use all of them at each battle. So good !
Combo opportunity looks amazing. I like to charge my sword, jump on enemy, release (it makes you going higher), aerial combo and then downthrust.
Also can't get enough of precision dodge slowdown/counter attack. Feels so good !

I am also in love with Jill. Already the concept art for her were amazing and I was charmed at first sight.
Her child version is really cute and love her personality and glimpse of her backstory we get in the Active Time Lore (ATL).
Then her adult version... Can't wait to see more of her.

Benedikta is hot but too much "slutty hot" for me xD

I like the ATL but the downside is it makes me pause cutscenes every 10 sec to see if a new entry appeared xD. So progressively I'll stop using it I guess. Breaks to much the flow.

 

[Boneless]

I tried tybe B but i think is too much for the shoulder buttons, so i switched again to A

Its the same for demon souls, using r1 and r2 for attacks.

 

[CrustyBritches]

Just saw some Zidane…

Spoiler

side boobs

 

[Unknown Soldier]

I like the ATL but the downside is it makes me pause cutscenes every 10 sec to see if a new entry appeared xD. So progressively I'll stop using it I guess. Breaks to much the flow.

You can review the lore anytime you like at the dude in the Hideaway. I haven't bothered with the ATL since the Prologue, if I have a question about something in the world I'll look it up later. Interrupting the cutscenes in this game feels really bad compared to most videogame cutscenes I've sat through.

 

[TheDarkPhantom]

Laughing out of joy and wonder the whole way through that last battle at what was unfolding before me, I'll put it to you like this

Spoiler

if the Ifrit vs Garuda fight didn't make your jaw hit the floor then it might be time for you to move on from gaming, you've become way too cynical lol

The game will have to fall off a cliff for it not to be my GOTY, got damn!

EDIT: And it was obvious to me

Spoiler

the Clive was Ifrit during the Phoenix battle in the prologue, very cool nonetheless. Oh, and Cid continues to be god-tier, Ramuh up in this bitch!

 

[Perfo]

Same here! Game is very dark in some parts. I played few scenes with dtm and calibrated hdr with dtm on (as dtm should be used) and it looks just as good and brighter.
Technically the game supports ps5 calibration so hgig is correct but dtm looks great too

Problem I have is that is too dim with HGIG and too bright colourful with DTM. Lol

 

[TheDarkPhantom]

And we go from that into

Spoiler

Odin entering the fray?!

This game is too much

EDIT:

Spoiler

VS Bahamut!?

God help me

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

Problem I have is that is too dim with HGIG and too bright colourful with DTM. Lol

DTM on > HGIG by a mile for me.

 

[ChiefDada]

6 hours in, switched back and forth between performance and quality. Do yourself a favor, pick performance and don’t look back. Quality mode is a blur feast, and response to dodge/parry timings is horrid in quality mode.

Additionally, unless you’re zooming in 200%. Telling the difference in clarity is pretty minuscule between the two while in motion. The benefits of performance mode to the game’s responsiveness can’t be understated unless you’re playing the one finger mode.

DF really did a number on people. Quality mode is ok enough, but performance mode is much stronger than current sentiments suggest. I feel bad for people who didn't play a certain, very cool battle in performance mode because it was a locked 60 all the way through and it was stunning.

Still can’t decide what’s better on my LG C9 HDR settings damn! HGIG or DTM it’s driving me nuts

HGIG and don't look back. Let the shadows not shine in all their glory.

 

[Doctor Hades]

Visually the game is absolutely insane, a true feast of the eye at nearly every step. I feel like this might be the first true next gen game on PS5. It does not show me things I know with a better look, it shows me things I have never seen before.

FF16 looks fantastic most of the time but it is sometimes uneven. I still think Horizon: Forbidden West looks better overall, having much better performance across all modes, a higher rendering resolution, a solid 60 fps mode (now with good IQ) and it's a proper open-world, not a series of separate "rooms" loading via a map. Also, the cutscenes in Forbidden West are much more coherent, with main quests looking just as good as side quests plus the whole game is voice-acted. FF16 took be back a bit when I was taking to random NPCs and they uttered a few words at the start then stopped and I realised I was supposed to read the rest. Yeah, that is typically of many Japanese RPGs but I do feel it let's the presentation down a bit.

 

[James Sawyer Ford]

FF16 has the best set pieces by far of any game. It can be uneven at times but the high points are extremely high

The phenomenal art style goes a long way too, but yeah HFW technically is astounding it’s just lacking the artistry and craftsmanship of something like FF16

 

[StueyDuck]

So without looking at too much (cause I don't wanna ruin things for myself)

What is the general length of this game sounding to be?

I know Howlongtobeat puts it at 45hrs but since that's mostly Journos I imagine, and we all know how quality a game journalist is at doing their job .

I'm guessing it's probably 25-30 hr range for us normies

 

[Perfo]

DF really did a number on people. Quality mode is ok enough, but performance mode is much stronger than current sentiments suggest. I feel bad for people who didn't play a certain, very cool battle in performance mode because it was a locked 60 all the way through and it was stunning.



HGIG and don't look back. Let the shadows not shine in all their glory.

What brightness ingame you set with HGIG

 

[rofif]

Anyone tried playing with pulse3d or other headphones?
Am I mistaken or does 3d headphones audio sound like absolute muddy crap here? Turn it off in ps5 system settings and it sounds much better.
Maybe this game don’t support 3d audio and ps5 is doing it’s own thing on simple stereo. Or maybe it should sound like that but idk. Sounds muddy

 

[rofif]

What brightness ingame you set with HGIG

I’ve seen that hdr guy video on yt. I don’t agree with his settings. The game has intended look and he kinda destroys it by lowering the brightness and overcoming with dtm to add more contrasty look.
The brightness slider in game is not for hdr. It’s the usual brightness slider that only streamers use if viewers can’t see anything lol

 

[rofif]

Wow the music when you go up that windy hill before certain fight (and visuals!). Anyone knows the track name?

 

[ChiefDada]

Just showing section of the map where they were just showing off with shadows. Non-spoiler but will tag anyways just in case.

Spoiler

 

[GigaBowser]

I only wants a combats game if the combats is deep and challangings

Should I get this?

 

[Zheph]

10 hours in... I am not sure I have seen any game more spectacular than this one FFS it's so wild

 

[GigaBowser]

there is a significant story event about... 25 hours in that is almost like a fork in the road from which the story goes from actually quite good to actually fucking terrible and it is a damn shame.

This could have been one of the best stories in the series but it just devolves into a hot mess .. like they started to panic it wouldn't be done in time so they started to rush things.

How many hours longs is the games?

 

[Koenigssee]

Isn't

Spoiler: Ifrit's ability

Ignition

Squall's Revolver Drive in Dissidia ? Nice throwback.

 

[CrustyBritches]

Not gonna lie, the game slowed down for a bit and had me a little disillusioned, then all of the sudden went full balls to the wall. This game has the highest highs. Just feels like…

Combat is so tasty now that I unlocked(not yet mastered) the whole Clive moveset(not Eikonic) and started incorporating them. I love the moves he does on grounded opponents. Especially the Eikonic shift with the ground punch and flame ignition.

Had to stop for the night right before what appears to be some more epic shit. I’m a true believer in this game. Loving it.

 

[Liquid_015]

Not gonna lie, the game slowed down for a bit and had me a little disillusioned, then all of the sudden went full balls to the wall. This game has the highest highs. Just feels like…

Combat is so tasty now that I unlocked(not yet mastered) the whole Clive moveset and started incorporating them. I love the moves he does on grounded opponents. Especially the Eikonic shift with the ground punch and flame ignition.

Had to stop for the night right before what appears to be some more epic shit. I’m a true believer in this game. Loving it.

It definitely took me a while to figure out how to switch my eikon abilities that I unlocked via the abilities skill tree window XD

Spoiler: Odin

That scene with Odin vs Bahamut was fucking glorious

 

[ChiefDada]

What brightness ingame you set with HGIG

Default brightness (5).

 

[rofif]

I only wants a combats game if the combats is deep and challangings

Should I get this?

100%
It’s not too difficult so far. But you are very active in combat