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FFXVI brings fresh energy to the franchise with stunning visuals highlighting the PlayStation 5’s power through a compelling 40-60-hour adventure. The player’s journey to Valisthea, a realm where six nations stand on the brink of war, each under the protection of powerful beings called Dominants. Ralph Ineson delivers a standout performance as Cid Telamon among an already impressive cast of characters.
This latest installment breaks new ground, keeping the series’ signature epic storytelling intact. In this review we’ll take you through its innovative combat system and remarkable technical achievements.
A Bold New Combat System
Square Enix’s decision to embrace action-based combat in Final Fantasy 16 marks a major shift from the series’ traditional gameplay. Producer Naoki Yoshida explained that this change was influenced by younger players who found command-selection systems less engaging. If you’re ready to experience this evolution firsthand, you can look into the Final Fantasy 16 PC buy and dive into the action.
From turn-based to action combat
Devil May Cry veteran Ryota Suzuki designed a combat system that delivers immediate, reactive gameplay. Players need skill and timing to succeed. The game moves away from menu-driven commands. Players control protagonist Clive with direct input and execute combos and special moves through precise button combinations. The system brings in a stagger mechanic. Sustained attacks can leave enemies vulnerable to devastating follow-up combinations.
Eikon abilities and customization
The Eikon system sits at the core of combat as Final Fantasy 16’s take on the series’ iconic summons. Players can equip up to three Eikons at once. Each Eikon gives access to unique abilities and combat styles. On top of that, each Eikon provides distinct tactical advantages. Garuda excels at swift attacks but deals less damage. Titan delivers powerful blows at a slower pace.
Players unlock and upgrade abilities using points earned through combat. Each Eikon comes with:
- A Core Ability that remains permanently available
- Two additional abilities that can be freely customized
- A special Eikonic Feat mapped to the circle button
Accessibility options for all players
Square Enix added innovative accessibility features through equippable rings to help players face the challenges of this new system. These include:
- Ring of Timely Strikes: Simplifies combo execution to single button presses
- Ring of Timely Focus: Slows time before incoming attacks
- Ring of Timely Evasion: Provides automatic dodge assistance
- Ring of Timely Healing: Automatically uses potions when health drops low
- Ring of Timely Assistance: Manages AI companion actions
In spite of that, these accessibility options come with a strategic trade-off. Equipping rings takes up accessory slots that could boost Clive’s combat capabilities. The game gives players three accessory slots. This lets them mix and match different rings based on their preferred playstyle.
The combat system includes various visual and audio accessibility features. Players can customize subtitle sizes, use hearing-impaired subtitles, and see visual alerts that show the direction of in-game sounds. This detailed approach will give players of all skill levels a chance to experience Final Fantasy 16’s dynamic combat while keeping the core excitement of its action-oriented gameplay.
Story and World of Valisthea
Valisthea’s realm shows evidence of Final Fantasy 16’s intricate world-building. Towering Mothercrystals give magical powers to their surrounding lands, and these crystalline formations have shaped the geography and political scene of this medieval fantasy world.
Political intrigue meets fantasy
Six distinct realms compete for power and resources across Valisthea’s two main continents – Storm and Ash. The Grand Duchy of Rosaria, home to protagonist Clive Rosfield, sits at the center of this political web. The Holy Empire of Sanbreque emerged as the most powerful nation under Emperor Sylvestre Lesage’s rule, wielding both military might and religious authority.
Hugo Kupka, the Dominant of Titan, often guides the Dhalmekian Republic’s decisions based on personal ambitions despite its parliamentary system. The Kingdom of Waloed uses its military strength to protect its territories from threats from neighboring orcs and beast-men.
Character relationships and growth
A cast of compelling characters shapes Clive’s experience as their relationships evolve throughout the story. His bond with childhood friend Jill grows into an equal partnership that breaks traditional medieval fantasy tropes. Clive values Jill’s combat skills and depends on her strength during their shared quest.
Dion and Terence’s relationship represents groundbreaking progress as the first openly portrayed same-sex couple in the series. Their story unfolds through intimate moments that surpass their official duties.
Complex family dynamics emerge through Clive’s relationship with his brother Joshua. Their reunion shows immediate trust and cooperation despite years apart. Clive and Cidolfus’s brotherly bond demonstrates deep mutual respect, and Clive eventually carries on his mentor’s legacy.
Final Fantasy 16 tells a story about humanity’s greatest flaws and the struggle to overcome them through these relationships. The emotional core remains strong despite its epic scope. Players can’t help but form attachments to even minor characters in this richly crafted world.
Technical Achievement and Visuals
Square Enix’s latest game challenges what’s possible with its breathtaking visuals and performance. The team used Autodesk Maya and MotionBuilder to create movie-like cutscenes.
Graphics modes comparison
Players can choose between two visual styles, i.e., graphics and performance modes. The graphics mode runs at 1440p and upscales to 4K at 30fps. The performance mode runs at 1080p and upscales to 4K to hit 60fps during fights. Cutscenes stay locked at 30fps, in whatever mode you pick.
Performance analysis
PC players get detailed graphics settings to fine-tune their experience. You can tweak texture quality, terrain detail, shadow resolution, water effects, and NPC density. The game supports these modern upscaling technologies:
- NVIDIA DLSS 3
- AMD FSR 3.0
- Intel XeSS
The game’s CPU optimization really stands out. It can use up to sixteen threads efficiently. However, GPU demands are high, so even an RTX 3080 doesn’t cope very well with 60fps at native 1080p in max settings.
Visual effects and animations
The game’s face animation system uses the Facial Action Coding System (FACS) to create lifelike expressions. The team built special Maya tools to control these facial movements with precision. The game also shows off amazing cloth physics through Square Enix’s Bonamik engine and the KineDriver bone system.
Each character model has carefully crafted materials. Leather, fabric, and metal surfaces look real despite the stylized art style. The shadow system looks like ray-traced shadows with clean self-shadowing and natural contact hardening.
The environments shine with variety, from medieval cities to hot deserts. While the lighting system mostly uses baked lights, it works with strong ambient occlusion to place characters naturally in scenes. Particle effects make the atmosphere come alive. Magical elements and torch flames cast moving orange light across the world.
Content Beyond the Main Story
Final Fantasy 16 is a fantastic strategy game where the primary campaign is just the beginning. The game packs tons of optional content that makes the whole experience better. Players will find plenty to do as they roam through Valisthea’s big landscapes.
Side quests and hunts
The game has 76 optional side quests that you unlock as you progress through the story. Some missions marked with a green plus symbol give you vital upgrades and special rewards. These stories fill important gaps in character backgrounds and add more depth to Valisthea’s rich lore.
You can access the Hunt Board after finishing “The Gathering Storm” main quest. It features 32 unique monster hunts from C-Class to S-Class difficulty. Each hunt you complete gives you:
- Key crafting materials
- Gil (currency)
- Renown points
- Special endgame items
New Game Plus features
Final Fantasy 16 opens up a detailed New Game Plus mode once you beat the main story. The highlight is Final Fantasy Mode, which bumps the level cap from 50 to 100. This mode also brings tougher enemies in different spots.
This challenging mode comes with several exclusive perks:
- Weapon upgrades now go from +3 to +6
- You can craft the legendary Ultima Weapon
- You get to blend accessories for better customization
- You can compete on global leaderboards for Arcade Mode and Chronolith Trials
Ultimaniac Mode gives you the toughest combat challenge in the game. Stage Replay lets you go back to areas you’ve finished to:
- Get materials you missed
- Find overlooked items
- Rewatch cutscenes
- Earn special rewards like the Medal of Valor
The game stays fun long after you finish it. These extra features can double your playtime. Final Fantasy 16’s post-game content rewards dedicated players with fresh challenges and meaningful ways to progress.
Concluding Thoughts
Final Fantasy 16 is a complete game-changer that transforms the series while staying true to what makes it special. Our review shows how Square Enix blended Devil May Cry-style combat with the deep storytelling that fans love about the franchise.
The game’s perfect balance between being easy to pick up and challenging to master lets players at any skill level enjoy its combat system. Valisthea’s political drama and characters like Clive and Cid create a story that pulls you in and doesn’t let go during the 40-60 hour trip.
The game’s technical brilliance shows in every detail. Players can choose between crystal-clear 4K graphics or smoother performance settings. Final Fantasy 16 looks stunning and shows what modern gaming hardware can do.
After the main story ends, the post-game content gives players many more hours of challenges and rewards. The challenging Ultimaniac Mode, side quests, and well-laid-out New Game Plus features make Final Fantasy XVI worth every penny beyond your first playthrough. This new chapter shows Square Enix knows when to take big risks while keeping the epic scale fans love. The game doesn’t just meet expectations; it raises the bar for modern RPGs.
