⭐Set pieces- 5/5⭐
Music-5/5
Visuals- 5/5
Side quests -3/5
Rpg mechanics 3/5
Characters- 4/5
Story- 3/5
Lore and World building- 2/5
Dialogue- 5/5

An achievement in the art of tragic storytelling. The most brutal world in a final fantasy game I've played. That story goes down the drain with Barnabas and Ultima where they explore an existential crisis. Out the gates, the story gets off to a notable rip roaring start. I'm the type of person where non game play aspects like music and visuals can make a game score jump from a 3/5 to a 4/5 and this game has that in spades. Is it a good Final Fantasy? Its worthy to carry the final fantasy torch but their abandonment of turn-based battle serves as a nice palate cleanser and pays off mostly. There is no brain-teasing strategy or loadouts which is not very final fantasy-like. The side quests don't hurt the game but they arent inventive and the mechanics aren't creative but the bonuses are rewarding and you'll be treated to some pretty great voice acting. Its hard to differentiate between this and an MMO sidequest grind sometimes. This game reaches staggering heights that are unmatched by any game I've played when its good and makes it tough not to give it a 5/5. Its THAT good. but a roller coaster in quality