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Ultimate Fantasy XVI on PS5
After each Eikon battle in Ultimate Fantasy XVI, I stored asking myself “how can the following one be any higher?” Solely to be confirmed incorrect each time.
The dimensions and scope of Ultimate Fantasy XVI are completely staggering on each degree, from the complicated narrative that looks like a multi-season TV present, to the expansive motion fight that grows and adjustments meaningfully throughout dozens of hours. All of that is highlighted with what is perhaps one of the best boss battles I’ve ever seen in a online game. There are some minor quibbles available, however Ultimate Fantasy XVI is an instantaneous basic in a sequence already crammed with many.
Ultimate Fantasy XVI takes place in a model new setting referred to as Valisthea, a darkish fantasy realm cut up into a number of warring kingdoms that struggle over management of the Mothercrystals, huge objects that enable the folks of the world to make use of magic and stay in consolation. Throughout Valisthea there are a choose handful of those that have inherited the ability of Eikons, huge god-like creatures that take the type of summons from previous video games, like Titan, Shiva, and Bahamut. You management Clive Rosfield, the second son of the Duke of Rosaria, a rustic steeped in custom that worships the Eikon of Fireplace, Phoenix. After a tragic flip of occasions Clive awakens as a second Eikon of Fireplace, one thing beforehand thought unattainable.
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Ultimate Fantasy XVI weaves a posh story steeped in politics and subterfuge within the early recreation. From the leap it’s abundantly clear that the event crew has taken liberal inspiration from Recreation of Thrones, however that model actually works right here.
There’s definitely a extra “grownup” tone that seeps into Ultimate Fantasy XVI, however that advantages this recreation largely due to some stellar performances from the voice forged that add a whole lot of maturity. That being stated, that extra grownup tone doesn’t imply this recreation doesn’t have the identical form of whimsy that you simply may anticipate from a Ultimate Fantasy. There are many heartfelt moments and a stunning quantity of comedy. On that latter side, an enormous spotlight is Clive’s uncle, Byron Rosfield, who feels just like the larger-than-life galumph of an outdated man, proper in step with Galuf from FFV or Cid from FFVII.
Regardless that Clive is the one playable character there are a wealth of individuals he forges relationships with all through the story, from shut confidants like Jill, Shiva’s dominants, to the fantastically-written Cid. You is probably not constructing a celebration, per se, however there’s significant improvement for practically each main character, each by way of their very own tales and the way they relate to Clive. So whereas some could also be dissatisfied by the dearth of “customization” for a celebration, the narrative crux of working collectively remains to be there in full drive.
An totally soul-crushing opening paves the way in which for an emotional story that places the main target squarely on a dynamic forged of characters, and it turns into clear early on that narrative is a large focus of Ultimate Fantasy XVI. That darkish fantasy model does an amazing job of investing you on the earth, earlier than the latter half of the sport takes some wild fantastical jumps that put the story squarely within the fantasy and sci-fi wheelhouse the sequence is constructed on.
Clive himself is a captivating protagonist that’s initially wracked with self-doubt and a singular give attention to revenge, however as time goes on each of these factors soften and he has to discover ways to lean on others. There are many weighty themes that the sport isn’t afraid to dive headfirst into, together with slavery and subjugation, breaking freed from a cycle of oppression, and striving to create a greater world for everybody. Its themes are surprisingly topical at this second in time, and for probably the most half, they’re tackled nicely.
Numerous the sport’s advertising has proven these massive bombastic battles and set items, however FFXVI has a stunning quantity of sluggish character improvement and world-building interspersed between all that. A curler coaster experience is definitely a superb comparability as you might have sure between these ultra-high depth story moments and slower methodical questing.
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Curiously, Final Fantasy XIV gamers will completely see a whole lot of parallels within the storytelling right here, and even in just a few of the twists. It’s clear that the event crew has taken the teachings they’ve discovered over the past decade on the MMO to coronary heart. Maybe what most shocked me, nonetheless, is how narratively complicated Ultimate Fantasy XVI‘s sidequests really feel.
There’s an actual weight behind the storytelling, and Ultimate Fantasy XVI actually desires to indicate you the way its world and characters change over time. A few of the recreation’s most tear-jerking moments can truly be present in elective sidequests, however there’s a catch. Whereas these quests are narratively complicated, they’re mechanically easy, typically amounting to nothing greater than killing just a few enemies or amassing objects. The rewards are sometimes lackluster as nicely, which means the narrative payoff is the true purpose you may pursue facet actions.
After all, aside from the narrative selections the opposite massive change with Ultimate Fantasy XVI is its leap to full-on motion RPG. On its face the fight system is deceptively easy, giving Clive primary combo, dodge capacity, ranged magic, and so on. The opening hours ease you into the expertise by incrementally introducing these programs, however the place issues actually get wild is whenever you begin to unlock the totally different Eikon units, as every one offers Clive a handful of recent talents.
![](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/FFXVI-3.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Ultimate Fantasy XVI does an exceptional job with its development, incrementally introducing new Eikon units, every of which feels completely distinct. You may equip as much as three Eikon units at any time letting you entry all three’s distinctive perks. Nonetheless, Eikon talents could be combined and matched nonetheless you please when you spend sufficient SP, letting you create a wealth of various playstyles.
For instance, Titan focuses on inflicting huge injury to single enemies and utilizing counters, whereas Odin is nice at dashing between crowds of enemies and unleashing AoE assaults.
The sheer number of this technique is staggering, particularly as you proceed to unlock new choices after dozens of hours. The one draw back right here is that outdoors of the Eikon system, a whole lot of the “RPG” components really feel paper skinny. There’s a leveling and crafting system however each require so little enter from the participant they will simply fade into the background. For a lot of the recreation, there’s sometimes one possibility for a greater weapon and armor, though equipment do present way more customization for what sort of construct you need.
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Whereas there are occasion members that be a part of Clive throughout his journey they’re utterly hands-off, besides in your devoted hound Torgal. This huge wolf is the one character that’s always with you, and he basically works as a fight help.
By urgent left on the d-pad you’ll be able to change out of your objects to instructions for Torgal, and utilizing these instructions in tandem with your personal assaults can create new combos. For those who’d relatively Torgal handles issues himself, although, there’s an adjunct that makes that occur, together with equipment that may assist alter fight problem by letting you do automated combos, make dodges simpler, and so on.
Whereas there’s a whole lot of selection packed into the totally different enemy and boss sorts, absolutely the pinnacle of Ultimate Fantasy XVI is the jaw-dropping Eikon battles, which function climaxes for each the narrative and gameplay.
Every of those Eikon battles feels wildly totally different, and absolutely the scale of the motion taking place on-screen looks like one of many first true moments we’ve seen what the PS5 is able to.
![](https://twinfinite.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/FFXVI-5.jpg?resize=640%2C360)
Whereas the Eikon battles sometimes contain a wholesome dose of cutscenes, every one additionally has its personal distinct gameplay model. One mixes issues up with rail-shooter components, one other has you racing up the facet of an enormous opponent whereas dodging obstacles, whereas one other looks like a tough-as-nails sword duel between you and your opponent.
Again and again I discovered myself in awe of the ambition of those Eikon battles; they every really feel so mechanically wealthy and distinctive, whereas additionally serving as turning factors for the story. I actually can’t consider one other recreation on the market that pulls boss battles off this nicely this persistently.
A giant a part of that, in fact, is solely how beautiful Ultimate Fantasy XVI‘s presentation is on each degree. Cutscenes look completely improbable with sensible character animations and dazzling particle results, particularly in these aforementioned Eikon battles. On the identical time, the world of Valisthea feels environmentally various with sweeping European-esque vistas, arid deserts, crumbling cities, and extra. I performed Ultimate Fantasy XVI completely in Graphics Mode, which held at 30fps persistently, and I can’t consider a single time I noticed any form of frame-rate drop, even within the overwhelming motion sections.
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A giant a part of the presentation that deserves particular point out is the soundtrack; an eclectic mixture of epic opera, sweeping orchestral, heavy steel, and rock. Masayoshi Soken’s work has been defining for Ultimate Fantasy XIV, however he’s completely outdone himself with this soundtrack, which provides a lot weight and gravitas to each the narrative and gameplay.
There are flaws I can level to in Ultimate Fantasy XVI, like sometimes sluggish pacing and skinny RPG components, however these flaws are so utterly overshadowed by every little thing the sport will get proper.
Ultimate Fantasy XVI desires to engross you in its world and lore, and takes liberal steps to that, even with the smallest of facet characters. You may dive as deep into the sport’s lore as you need, however crucially you don’t need to, it by no means forces you to. The fight system grows by leaps and bounds, leading to one of the crucial exhilarating motion experiences on the market, particularly within the jaw-dropping boss and Eikon battles.
After 80 hours what I discover most fascinating about Ultimate Fantasy XVI is its full dedication to redefine what it means to be a Ultimate Fantasy recreation, whereas additionally nonetheless staying true to the roots and themes of the sequence. It is a prime instance of how Ultimate Fantasy doesn’t need to be sure by one concept or system, and I sincerely hope it serves as inspiration for future builders to take the sequence in their very own, utterly new, route.
Execs
Complicated narrative that with sidequests that really feel significant.
Extraordinarily customizable fight system that grows over time.
Unimaginable soundtrack that jumps between kinds and genres.
Stellar presentation and a vibrant world that feels wealthy visually.
Large Eikon battles that every really feel distinct and memorable.
Cons
“RPG” components really feel a bit skinny.
Sidequests are narratively wealthy however oftentimes easy on the gameplay entrance.
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