It's all over the place...but I also think it's wonderful.
Some actual thoughts now that I've sat with it for a bit: I really can't disagree with any of the criticism I've read about FFXVI. The story really does lack a sense of identity of it's own and a lot of it's themes and ideas are under baked. The combat is satisfying and visually spectacular but doesn't really push it's limits far enough. Even something as minor as considering what element to use against certain enemies could have elevated the combat to a new level. As it is, you're basically treating every enemy the exact same way and with the difficulty being such a non-factor (at least in the standard gameplay modes) you just settle into playing the game on autopilot. They could have stripped out crafting altogether considering what little impact it actually has.
The story is...messy. A lot of interesting ideas are introduced early on that either do not get the development or sensitive treatment they deserve or are completely sidelined halfway through the story. Most of the main cast don't really have an arc and the resolution for the ones that do can feel unearned at times.
I don't know though, despite all that, this game really got me on an emotional level. I don't think enough praise could ever be heaped on the vocal and performance capture artists in FFXVI. It's really not an exaggeration to say it's some of the strongest performances by an ensemble in any game. They really elevate the hell out of that script. Not a weak link in the bunch! And despite some pretty big missteps in how this game treats its characters, it's clear that the devs care about this cast a lot. There's some really lovely interactions between Clive and the members of the Hideaway in the second half that really sold me on this little community that the devs created. And I'm not ashamed to say that I was moved to tears by the end.
So yeah, I'm a big ol' sap. Some fun combat, pretty visuals and a bit of light emotional manipulation is all it takes to get an 8/ 10 from me I suppose! But really, if you own a PS5 FFXVI is worth picking up on sale. The set pieces alone justify it imo and it's easy enough to skip past all the stuff you don't like.
I can't believe this game and Bayonetta 3 came out less than a year apart...
Some actual thoughts now that I've sat with it for a bit: I really can't disagree with any of the criticism I've read about FFXVI. The story really does lack a sense of identity of it's own and a lot of it's themes and ideas are under baked. The combat is satisfying and visually spectacular but doesn't really push it's limits far enough. Even something as minor as considering what element to use against certain enemies could have elevated the combat to a new level. As it is, you're basically treating every enemy the exact same way and with the difficulty being such a non-factor (at least in the standard gameplay modes) you just settle into playing the game on autopilot. They could have stripped out crafting altogether considering what little impact it actually has.
The story is...messy. A lot of interesting ideas are introduced early on that either do not get the development or sensitive treatment they deserve or are completely sidelined halfway through the story. Most of the main cast don't really have an arc and the resolution for the ones that do can feel unearned at times.
I don't know though, despite all that, this game really got me on an emotional level. I don't think enough praise could ever be heaped on the vocal and performance capture artists in FFXVI. It's really not an exaggeration to say it's some of the strongest performances by an ensemble in any game. They really elevate the hell out of that script. Not a weak link in the bunch! And despite some pretty big missteps in how this game treats its characters, it's clear that the devs care about this cast a lot. There's some really lovely interactions between Clive and the members of the Hideaway in the second half that really sold me on this little community that the devs created. And I'm not ashamed to say that I was moved to tears by the end.
So yeah, I'm a big ol' sap. Some fun combat, pretty visuals and a bit of light emotional manipulation is all it takes to get an 8/ 10 from me I suppose! But really, if you own a PS5 FFXVI is worth picking up on sale. The set pieces alone justify it imo and it's easy enough to skip past all the stuff you don't like.
I can't believe this game and Bayonetta 3 came out less than a year apart...