Please share and comment. It truly helps. Game is great fun, lots of combat, I dug the main story and the arts. However, lots of little things did pick away at the enjoyment. It was mostly just the huge change in focus to a singular story(or a more driven one) with him being the main combatant as well, with the odd world design. It Didn't feel as expansive as I had hope. My patreon www.patreon.com/AngryCentaurGaming
This game shows why we need more demos available for AAA games. So many people will pick this up from that free couple of hours. Made me go from a sale to day 1 for sure
@@smharyanto4660 This game was in a right mess and they still released and demo and the full release is just as bad yet non of the reviews call it out. ACG used to but nowadays it seems watching Digital Foundry is a must otherwise you have no idea what state the game will be in. An incredibly wobbly 60FPS at 720p is not acceptable and should have been called out.
Nice edit with Torgol kicking the soldier off of the cliff right as you were talking about him. You still put the love into the editing even after all these years. Most people wont notice, but its that attention to detail that makes your videos stand out.
These changes sound great to me but man, I get how long-time fans might be disappointed. I imagine it's how upset I'd feel if FromSoftware switched Souls games to team and turn-based combat. Thanks for another detailed and interesting review.
Judging from the demo alone, I really dig the change in focus to something more single-character driven. I'm one of those guys who plays these games specifically for the story, and not necessarily the challenge, so I really appreciate that Square-Enix threw in a story-mode for those of us who prefer to focus on that. The combat is still fun as hell, even if it does get simplified in story-mode. This might be one of the most accessible Final Fantasy games out there. As soon as the physical copy is available, I'm picking it up.
I agree. Although I think I am biased when it comes to these things. Now that I am older and deep into my career and having a kid, I've got less time to play games. I think single-player, story driven, linear games are easier to get immersed in for people who don't have the time to dedicate to larger, more open world games. I feel like FF16 is a game I could play and enjoy for a few hours a day and not feel like I've wasted time ticking off icons on a map. I've been less excited about open-world titles lately.
@@hannaduet4727 Yeah, I like a good open-world game like Horizon: Forbidden West, but a lot of them are just too open. Give me a linear game with a really strong story, and it'll keep me busy for a long time.
I'm not surprised FF16 has all these great reviews, It didn't take long for me to be invested in the narrative in the demo, coupled with the Dark fantasy vibe and the drastically different combat that works and well... This is probably the biggest launch since what 9 or 10? It's a good one.
Interested to experience the level design. You touched on linearity but actually every FF EVER is extremely linear baring 15 which was only open world in the first area... So I don't see this as a downside, but agree that the spaces look so beautifully crafted that I WISH I could explore them thoroughly rather than treat them as glorified hallways! Anyways, can't wait for launch and thanks for all u do man! Much appreciated as always
@@Idkwhtpsipto Right!?! Not sure where that sentiment comes from... I actually grew up with 10 and it is indeed my favorite purely from nostalgia. My dog is even named Yuna haha... Give it a go someday its easy to pick up and PC lets u speed things up a bit! Cheers
There’s a difference between linearity in the story progression vs linearity of level design. Early FF games had linear story, but with open world maps, maze like dungeons, and things like side quests or mini games to do that break up the story. There is an emphasis in exploring in past entries that it seems like 16 had left behind. In ff7 once you got an airship the world was your oyster and you could breed chocobos, fight super bosses, find ultimate weapons, etc. you had player agency to decide to do those things. In ff6 you would lose all your party members half way thru and then could find them again in mostly any order you wanted. So I think it’s not fair to call every FF ever extremely linear, when there was a lot of non linear exploration on offer.
@@LTNetjak the ff7 map honestly sucks as much as I love that game. The traversal with tiny bronco was so boring and the only thing you could miss is Wutai
@@WolfYama yes, this exactly. It's fine that they went more linear with the level structure (though I would have preferred a little more openness) but it's silly to insist that the other games (at least most of them) weren't more open in their level design
I want to feel the same way as everyone else here, I loved the story too, however the way they didn't show Clive at the end there when that was going on while he was pleading felt disjointed from what was going on. Felt like it didn't line up with what was going on. Like they couldn't think of a way to make it so Clive could see it but couldn't try to run to them, I don't know. It felt like I got all the way to end of the demo for them to flub the most crucial part. Still getting the game mind you, this is a minor complaint but a serious one for me.
I am looking forward to this game. The music and story had me intrigued when i played the demo. It has a lot to live up to considering all the other greats in the series like FF7 and FF12. Can't wait.
I def agree with the second playthrough. I actually experienced this with the demo. I played the Wilson challenge through probably four times and it was more fun each time. By the end I was basically dancing around the battlefield and destroying Benedikta. I do REALLY wish there was an option to START in the final fantasy mode though. Elden Ring proved people aren’t afraid of hard games and they can still sell like crazy. Odd choice to not at least include it as an option.
I like how you framed the focus on the people "beneath the Lannisters". Definitely a very interesting way to look at it and an intriguing way for a game to explore.
NGL I was cautious about this one after seeing the trailers. There was stuff in them that had me second guessing if this was going to work out or not. I'm very glad to see so much positive reception. There are still changes that I am not a huge fan of but there is no doubt that it's going to be a good time when I let myself get over those little hiccups.
There are some things I would have liked to be done differently perhaps but damn.. it’s overshadowed by such beautifully crafted scenery, some of the best dialogue in video games, and amazing voice actors… I’m completely hooked.. every scene is amazing, and I haven’t felt like it’s dragging at all Probably one of my top Final Fantasy games of all time
The music alone in this entry is sure to blow people out of the water. I also love the more mature tone we've seen with diologue. The demo alone throws in more profanity than any FF game I can recall
They need to bring Nobuo back for one last Final Fantasy. I know he likely doesn’t want to, but no one made video game music like he. VIII is the best soundtrack, followed by VII, IX, VI, and V in my opinion. But heck, any soundtrack from I-X could be considered one of the greatest video game soundtracks ever.
Considering the history of Devil May Cry, the comparison might be more apt than you realized. Devil May Cry started out as a Resident Evil game, but the direction veered so far from the series roots that they just decided to make it its own franchise. Final Fantasy XVI looks like it would've benefitted from the same treatment.
I do think they could morph today's graphics with a turn based approach to a rpg with a 3 or 4 unit team. It would be hard to get a perfect balance of fight speed and strategy but things these days seem to have to cater to newer players and those who would otherwise not buy a turn based system. It cost so much to make these games these days to not try and get a larger piece of sales. I grew up with strictly turn based rpgs which I'm guessing you did too but I don't think a bunch of newer players have the patience for.
@@jasonsmarr3621I grew up with them and played many including obscure ones and I still don't have the patience for them. Aside from very specific examples such as SMT, it's painfully clear there's almost no benefit in turn based battles from a player engagement standpoint, where action based gameplay can have all the elements of most turn based games without losing depth, and adds the challenge of timing and reflex skill, while being far more stimulating to control. Turn based gameplay was not a well refined gameplay choice, it was a cleverly devised WORKAROUND for the hardware and engine limitations of old software, it's not the right choice in most scenarios and offers very little in the way of innovation or engagement aside from a few cases, and Final Fantasy was as typical TBS JRPG as they came. People acting like this is some betrayal of Final Fantasy's philosophy when it's clear from the start this is the system they really wanted is laughable. What do people think ATB was made for? Or FF12s system? It was ALWAYS the goal for them to go full high speed combat spectacle and slowly bridging that gap with these in-transition systems, and now they finally had the talent they needed to execute it proper.
@@johnwrath3612 yea yakuza like a dragon became my favorite yakuza game i loved it so much it became part of the few games i actually platinum in my lifetime
Wtf is with this year? I don't have the money or time to play the games I want. TotK, Diablo4, now this one... And then there's still a lot coming. My poor wallet
I enjoyed 15 I know a lot of people weren't as big of fans. That being said 16 going a darker theme feeling a bit more mature not to mention the dominant battles at least visually look awesome. Looking forward to this one.
I enjoyed 15 a lot as well! I also am looking forward to 16. I’m not a purist FF fan, I try them all and I like they try new things, even if I end up not liking the game.
@@bobderbaumeisterthe2589 nah that's understandable that press and hold formula didn't work for a lot of people. But I felt like the more attention you paid to it the better it became. It's combat wasn't JUST hold down this button do this. It was direction and timing and picking the right weapons for the job. Then when they introduced the capability to play as each of the characters as well it opened a completely different experience. That being said I still can understand that the mechanics aren't for everyone. Some just outright disliked the way it controlled. For me it gave it a sense of fluidity
So excited for this review, I've been on the fence with FF titles since 13 and always wait to hear reviews ahead of time or hear how my friends enjoy the title. Thank you for getting this out ahead of time before release.
in the demo there was a long part where you walk/run for 10s between cutscenes over and over - does that continue happening a lot in the game? it might be a deal breaker for me it just annoys me that i keep getting control and its taken away every moment
It may happen a few times but rarely did I feel like I was just walking to and from cutscenes with nothing in between. At worst, some side quests do this but most of the time there’s combat, a boss, or the next piece of dialogue is right around the corner.
As testament to this particular game, I haven’t been in to this IP for a few years and really wasn’t looking forward to it, but the demo was so striking, gorgeous, well written, and epic in scale, that it absolutely hooked me and I can’t wait to play it; the full game.
Ff15 did NOT gel with me at all. The combat, the constant soldier drops, the boyband-on-tour feel. That made me cautious for ff16... until I played the demo and saw other takes on the game.
Ive noticed reviews have stopped mentioning qtes. Ive also noticed the game includes them, so is the silence a matter of resignation or acceptance? Personally, i think games should justify removing control from the player, but if people have generally come around what made them 'click' for you?
I find it quite concerning, or telling, that the comments are full of people saying they've never been an FF fan but think this looks cool, or they've only played 15 ... Let's hope it feels enough like final fantasy for us older fans too ... Tho I ain't sure
I loved ,loved this review as always Karak has a way with words explaining intricate gaming details and letting you focus on specific words ‘fun factor’, ‘for everyone everyone’ and more this is why when I look for reviews ACG is my first to check definitely saving up to pre order game . Keep it up bro you got a forever fan !
Enjoying the game but was let down by the linearity of the level design. Might as well just have a level selection. I knew it wasn’t open world but i do hope it opens up more I’m only about 6 hours in so far. I just love the since of adventure in an big open world game like the witcher 3, horizon, red dead or skyrim. And its crazy how much the graphical quality can change depending on the scene. I still would recommend the game just have some gripes with it.
Thanks for a great review. I thoroughly enjoyed the FFVII remake and the overall quality of the Final Fantasy games as a whole. However, I'm not an old school die hard fan so I will find less issues in the overall presentation of the FFVI story and can't wait to dive in .
8:47 have you played previous ff games? 15 was the only one that was open world. Literally only two of the previous games had any open areas of exploration…
Great review :) Admittedly, I was under the impression we were getting something closer to Tales of Arise in terms of gameplay, didn't expect it to be 100% All Clive All the Time. The voice work from the demo gave me FF12 vibes, and the music was aces. So regardless of the shift in gameplay and focus, it looks like my gritty, rasberry jam.
I just don't know what to think of this,. It's been so long since a final fantasy and myself clicked.... I just cannot get myself hyped for any of these games anymore. Even final fantasy 7 remake let me down a bit and I love the original
This game I might grab in the future, but I'm not a fan of paying $70 for ANY game... especially when most games these days are treating it like an entrance fee and the REAL price comes from all the extra features that easily bring the price into the triple digits.
I am excited to try this one out. I have never gotten into Final Fantasy aside from briefly playing FF 10. It was fun, but I probably just mostly didnt enjoy turn based combat. I appreciate all your videos, really enjoy hearing your takes and seeing if I might want to jump into any of these hundreds of games always coming out. Thanks for your content!! 🎉
@@who_hurt_youproductions8826I think Squeenix is really REALLY underestimating how many people like proper turned-based combat. Pokemon sells like hot cakes and it hasnt deviated from turned based combat at all. Not to mention the popularity of card games. I think if Squeenix made a FF game that harkened back to old school turned based combat, they'd be shocked at the amount of people who'd buy in.
I was gonna buy till i played the demo. Edgelord character, spammy combat, and stuttering even in “performance mode” that constantly goes 720p… yikes. Hard pass, thankful for the demo though - saved me 70$
Appreciate all the work! I'm glad you were able to approach the game with some critical thoughts in mind, I know it can be easy to get swept up in the momentum of word of mouth so glad there are still some things that could be worked on. This was a day 1 for me but I'm always glad to hear other opinions on it.
I understand we no longer have the turn based. Final Fantasy needs to return to some of its roots. Discovering and recruiting allies each w/ their own backstory. Example FF6snes / FF7/ OCTOPATH 1&2 PS1/ Chrono Trigger. I'm still waiting on SQUARE ENIX to do this down the line for the FF series. FF16 is a lone swordsman.
Great review. I'm really pleasantly surprised that they made such a ballsy move with their departure from party based games. Looking forward to it. My only gripe is that some of the areas feel kind of empty, but I haven't seen a lot of the game so my impression could be wrong.
The boring, button mashy, spongey enemy combat does absolutely nothing for me, which is a shame because everything else about this does seem compelling.
The review is detailed, honest, and unbiased as always, and I really appreciate it. I may have to pick this one up. Thanks, Karak! God bless and stay safe!
I know the save transfers if you finished the demo but have they said anything about if you will unlock trophies you would have otherwise gotten by playing it from the start again?
@@dannyslagI'm hype for this one, but I would _really_ like to see a modern turn based FF, and also, I would like to see an FF CRPG - that would be amazing.
I like most of the changes but the fight system of VII remaster is a better balance with a slight more complexity. The ending was upsetting for me, I feel they do not had the slight uplift you have felt at the end of XV...
What really frustrates me about these newer Final Fantasy games is not that they aren't good, it's that they are good, great even, and I love them... but I can't help but still feel the loss of the traditional Final Fantasy game, and the success of these games makes me feel like we will never go back to that. So, I am caught in a place where I am frustrated that the games they are making are so good, but are still not quite what I am wanting them to be. I would really love to see them take the franchise and split it. One branch making these new, more linear, action games. The other, a turn-based, super open world, more exploration-heavy game... with AIRSHIPS in it again. God, I miss the excitement of getting your first airship mid-game. The flying mod to the car in XV just didn't quite pull that off. I do like the more mature approach though for both game types. Sadly, I know I am wishing for something not likely to ever happen.
No real item progression, items you do get add like 20 health when you already have thousands of HP, no crafting, no variation in gear, boss weapons look cool but only add like 5 more base damage with no effects like chain lightning or anything, side quests are only useful for XP. Where's the RPG?
The more I hear, the more I think I'll be missing out if I don't play this. The game sounds like it'll scratch an itch I didn't even know I had. This year is overwhelming with good releases: Diablo 4, Tears of the Kingdom, Armored Core (Presumably), FF16, Hades 2(Hopefully at least in Early Access Form). 2023 is just shaping up to be my year. Got a decent job, graduated college, getting married in October, and best gaming year in a long time. Cheers you grumpy horse-man hybrid, and thank you for all you do for the gaming community!
I might watching some lets plays but ehh I like FF series too much to let go of my party system. Also seems like they're moving into a hack and slash genre too.
This review helped me tailor my expectations! I've sort of felt like the cinematic hand-holding (sometimes easy mode) gameplay on crucial moments has watered down some of the narrative stakes in the series. Why am I spending countless hours on honing characters when the game will just give me a pass at certain points? I am interested in trying out how deep this combat system goes, though.
So What I hearing is a good game, but not a good final fantasy game. Personally I wish companies would stop doing this. If I wanted to play a DMC game I would buy DMC. I buy FF because I want to play FF. And look if a developer wants to branch out and try something different that's great, but call it something different then. Don't tack it on to an existing franchise to try and capitalize on the name. That is a recipe for eroding fan trust and engagement over time. Just imagine if Naughty Dog had called Uncharted, Jak and Daxter 4 instead...
thank you. if you want a fanta buy a fanta. Dont ask cola to change so that you can like it, that makes no sense lol. That's why you have the fanta and the other choices.
Looking forward to this, especially the new combat system. The fact that it isn't a massive open world game doesn't bother me as sometimes it is nice to just have a more focussed experience.
I haven’t played final fantasy since the old ones on ps2. I’ve been wanting to jump back into it but never got around to it. Is 16 one you can play without having to play the ones before or I need to play those other ones first?
This game looks so amazing that I'm very tempted to buy a PS5. Having always been a FF and Dragon Quest fan, it would be nice to see a FF game back on top. The pre-launch event was amazing, and you felt like they really put their heart and soul into it.
I was so sad about Final Fantasy 15’s DLC is getting canceled but I wasn’t sure and I finally just picked up the game the newest game for like $36 physical instead of spending 70 and I’m happy I did. It’s still great though I still like it it’s just reminds me a little bit of of the harvestella combat and the town and mechanics are similar to harvestalla sans the farming.
I’m always cautious to preorder games since cyberpunk but that’s why I love reviews like these that come out quickly and just hit the nail on the head! Thank you for the review! Edit: Nail not Mail goddamnit
Turn based will always be my preference, but I do prefer the Baldur's Gate 3 or even Yakuza: Like a Dragon style, where the fight moves around an arena rather than just lining up
This game so far has actually been one of the most pleasant surprises in gaming history. The combat feels immense, rewarding and responsive. Big thanks and congratulations to the team behind the game and always big thanks to lord Karak.
You really are the best video game reviewer I've ever come across. Your skill in your craft is amusingly distracting throughout. Sometimes I find myself focusing on the painter instead of the painting in progress, and have to rewind. 😅 I might buy this for my girlfriend just so I can watch her play it. Thanks, dude.
The story is ok but it lost all of its rpg aspects which isnt ff at all. The combat gets repetitive after awhile. With all the cutscenes they shouldve just made this a movie
With so many AAA games coming out that are flawed garbage, I wait for the reviews to get some info before buying. ACG provides a no-nonsense review that I cant wait to watch. Keep it up. Cant wait to play FF16.
I mean what can I say, I’m about 14 hours into the story, so far, performance is absolutely shite, the game is waaaaaaaaaay to dark and a lot of the boss fights honestly I had to pause the game from spamming square so much, In terms of the story I think it’s great nice dark and gritty tone but yeah I’m surprised it’s gotten the scores it has tbh. I think 15 is better still so far
Thanks for the review as always. It's good that they are trying new things rather becoming stagnant. The story is a key factor to the final fantasy series and I hope it delivers. Looking forward to it
I was waiting for this review before buying it. I haven’t played a final fantasy game for well over a decade, but the demo got me hooked on this one. I’m glad too see it’s true to the rest of the game!
Finally finished this game what an emotional ride. The major issue I had with the game was that exploration felt unrewarding and at times nonexistent in dungeons or what the developers call stages. Definitely doesn’t hit as high for me as FFXIV but the presentation is of course quite better than that. The spectacle and emotional scenes were great. The most times I have cried during a Final Fantasy game, and yes that includes FFXIV And yes I like it so much that I started new game+ though I had to step away from it because it was causing me to shun other things such as sleeping on time and gym XD
I have been pretty burned out on open world collectaton games. Happy this has a tight story. Worked well for FF7R. I find it odd that being ‘different’ is treated so cautiously and almost perceived as a negative. FF is not new to mature themes FF4 had you executing a bunch of people for the games opening FF6 had throat slitting, mass murder via bio Terrorism, slavery,etc. FF7 had you cross dressing at a brothel in 1997 FF8 explores what it is like to be a child soldier who has their memory erased FF10 made you ensure terrible voice acting and try to make a alcoholic abusive father sympathetic 12 is a political war story 13 has you rounded up, put in a special outfit, placed on a train destined for extermination 14 is endless in its mature themes 15 makes you an emo 16 has swears and sex
I've never played a FF game before because turn-based games are just not my thing but the story, the world and the characters always looked super interesting. Now with the change of genre, I'm soo excited to play it later this year when I have a bit more time. 😊
This game to me is like a walking battle simulator. You never really have control over anything, and enemies are spongy just for that fact. The demo opened my eyes glad I didn't get it. Plus, way too many cutscenes
Please share and comment. It truly helps. Game is great fun, lots of combat, I dug the main story and the arts. However, lots of little things did pick away at the enjoyment. It was mostly just the huge change in focus to a singular story(or a more driven one) with him being the main combatant as well, with the odd world design. It Didn't feel as expansive as I had hope.
My patreon www.patreon.com/AngryCentaurGaming
I've no interest in FF games so I'll leave this for the rhythmic algae.
We luv u bro
@@Elwaves2925 rhythmic algae lul
It's 10/10 you fckin goofy woke reviewer
Honestly some of your issues seem like positives to me lol.
Played the demo without having watched any trailers so i didnt know what to expect but hot damn did that story grab me by the end. I need more!!
me too lol
bought it instantly
Yo buddy . I was able to ignore all media related to FF16 until this Monday. Needless to say it’s downloaded and I’m ready 🤙🏻
Same
same hereee
Same
This game shows why we need more demos available for AAA games. So many people will pick this up from that free couple of hours. Made me go from a sale to day 1 for sure
Most companies wont do it, especially if they try to hide the horendous state of their game just like cyberpunk, gta trilogy DE, redfall, etc.
@@smharyanto4660
This game was in a right mess and they still released and demo and the full release is just as bad yet non of the reviews call it out.
ACG used to but nowadays it seems watching Digital Foundry is a must otherwise you have no idea what state the game will be in.
An incredibly wobbly 60FPS at 720p is not acceptable and should have been called out.
Ironically it had the opposite effect for forspoken. It actually saved people from buying that hot mess.
@@chadbizeau5997
Gamestop threw all their steelbook editions out.
I wish they did that in the UK, I'd have gotten the lot and sold them for 10 a pop.
True, but only polished games where the developers believe in what they’re selling can do this. Others just wanna cyberpunk us into paying for a dud.
Nice edit with Torgol kicking the soldier off of the cliff right as you were talking about him. You still put the love into the editing even after all these years. Most people wont notice, but its that attention to detail that makes your videos stand out.
THANK you for noticing man!
These changes sound great to me but man, I get how long-time fans might be disappointed. I imagine it's how upset I'd feel if FromSoftware switched Souls games to team and turn-based combat. Thanks for another detailed and interesting review.
Someone that gets it.
@@jamesswope9732ya I’m done with this 2023 BS it doesn’t even run well currently 💩
It has been mediocre experimental tech demos since the prerelease FFX footage came out to “showcase” the Emotion engine
Judging from the demo alone, I really dig the change in focus to something more single-character driven. I'm one of those guys who plays these games specifically for the story, and not necessarily the challenge, so I really appreciate that Square-Enix threw in a story-mode for those of us who prefer to focus on that. The combat is still fun as hell, even if it does get simplified in story-mode. This might be one of the most accessible Final Fantasy games out there. As soon as the physical copy is available, I'm picking it up.
I agree. Although I think I am biased when it comes to these things. Now that I am older and deep into my career and having a kid, I've got less time to play games. I think single-player, story driven, linear games are easier to get immersed in for people who don't have the time to dedicate to larger, more open world games. I feel like FF16 is a game I could play and enjoy for a few hours a day and not feel like I've wasted time ticking off icons on a map. I've been less excited about open-world titles lately.
@@hannaduet4727 Yeah, I like a good open-world game like Horizon: Forbidden West, but a lot of them are just too open. Give me a linear game with a really strong story, and it'll keep me busy for a long time.
Yeah, what we needed all along was for final fantasy to be more like every other game.
I'm not surprised FF16 has all these great reviews, It didn't take long for me to be invested in the narrative in the demo, coupled with the Dark fantasy vibe and the drastically different combat that works and well... This is probably the biggest launch since what 9 or 10? It's a good one.
Bro going from zelda to this is like going from one 5 star hotel to another 5 star hotel 😂❤❤
Despite being trash, 15 had the biggest launch in the franchise
@@mingyuhuang8944 Zelda has no story
@@JettzCGXV was amazing
I'm so hyped... For this review.
Amazing
ACG does the best reviews.
And Skill Up!
@@tamto6328Skill Up is rubbish.
@@jigzyonline2 your opinion, not fact
I'm really enjoying it and with it being more linear, I can appreciate the story telling. The combat is great also. Thanks for the review!
Thank god you got a review code cause your review is one of the only reviews I trust. So excited for this game
Interested to experience the level design. You touched on linearity but actually every FF EVER is extremely linear baring 15 which was only open world in the first area... So I don't see this as a downside, but agree that the spaces look so beautifully crafted that I WISH I could explore them thoroughly rather than treat them as glorified hallways! Anyways, can't wait for launch and thanks for all u do man! Much appreciated as always
I always say this same thing. They’re all linear, ESPECIALLY 10 which is apparently fan favorite.
@@Idkwhtpsipto Right!?! Not sure where that sentiment comes from... I actually grew up with 10 and it is indeed my favorite purely from nostalgia. My dog is even named Yuna haha... Give it a go someday its easy to pick up and PC lets u speed things up a bit! Cheers
There’s a difference between linearity in the story progression vs linearity of level design. Early FF games had linear story, but with open world maps, maze like dungeons, and things like side quests or mini games to do that break up the story. There is an emphasis in exploring in past entries that it seems like 16 had left behind. In ff7 once you got an airship the world was your oyster and you could breed chocobos, fight super bosses, find ultimate weapons, etc. you had player agency to decide to do those things. In ff6 you would lose all your party members half way thru and then could find them again in mostly any order you wanted. So I think it’s not fair to call every FF ever extremely linear, when there was a lot of non linear exploration on offer.
@@LTNetjak the ff7 map honestly sucks as much as I love that game. The traversal with tiny bronco was so boring and the only thing you could miss is Wutai
@@WolfYama yes, this exactly. It's fine that they went more linear with the level structure (though I would have preferred a little more openness) but it's silly to insist that the other games (at least most of them) weren't more open in their level design
So excited for this game! Im not the biggest FF stan, but seeing the gameplay and demo had really sold me on this
Bro going from zelda to this is like going from one 5 star hotel to another 5 star hotel 😂❤❤
It's not really what I am looking for in an FF game. Feels like a Devil may Cry addition.
Great review as always
The demo really got me. That story beat hit me with a gut punch. That was friggin great! 😢
I want to feel the same way as everyone else here, I loved the story too, however the way they didn't show Clive at the end there when that was going on while he was pleading felt disjointed from what was going on. Felt like it didn't line up with what was going on. Like they couldn't think of a way to make it so Clive could see it but couldn't try to run to them, I don't know. It felt like I got all the way to end of the demo for them to flub the most crucial part. Still getting the game mind you, this is a minor complaint but a serious one for me.
@@Grawbad there's a reason it was done that way
@@Grawbad that supposed to be confusion. I’ll put it this way, that is what Clive was experiencing pretty literally, and it’s confusing to him as well
I am looking forward to this game. The music and story had me intrigued when i played the demo. It has a lot to live up to considering all the other greats in the series like FF7 and FF12. Can't wait.
I def agree with the second playthrough. I actually experienced this with the demo. I played the Wilson challenge through probably four times and it was more fun each time. By the end I was basically dancing around the battlefield and destroying Benedikta. I do REALLY wish there was an option to START in the final fantasy mode though. Elden Ring proved people aren’t afraid of hard games and they can still sell like crazy. Odd choice to not at least include it as an option.
It is getting really annoying to have to play through the game once or twice before "the real game™" starts.
easy to digest and straight to the point review. APPRECIATE YOU
I've never really been that much into Final Fantasy except XIV, but this has really caught my attention, it looks awesome
It sounds like a cross between the most recent GoW games and Nier Automata with a dash of Witcher/GoT. That sound right?
I like how you framed the focus on the people "beneath the Lannisters". Definitely a very interesting way to look at it and an intriguing way for a game to explore.
NGL I was cautious about this one after seeing the trailers. There was stuff in them that had me second guessing if this was going to work out or not. I'm very glad to see so much positive reception. There are still changes that I am not a huge fan of but there is no doubt that it's going to be a good time when I let myself get over those little hiccups.
How'd you feel about the demo?
There are some things I would have liked to be done differently perhaps but damn.. it’s overshadowed by such beautifully crafted scenery, some of the best dialogue in video games, and amazing voice actors… I’m completely hooked.. every scene is amazing, and I haven’t felt like it’s dragging at all
Probably one of my top Final Fantasy games of all time
The music alone in this entry is sure to blow people out of the water. I also love the more mature tone we've seen with diologue. The demo alone throws in more profanity than any FF game I can recall
The music was the best part of 15
They need to bring Nobuo back for one last Final Fantasy. I know he likely doesn’t want to, but no one made video game music like he.
VIII is the best soundtrack, followed by VII, IX, VI, and V in my opinion. But heck, any soundtrack from I-X could be considered one of the greatest video game soundtracks ever.
@@Phantom-kc9lyYoko did a fantastic job (like she usually does). She’s no Nobuo, but she’s still great.
@@D71219ONE i need to pop in my FFXV Soundtrack Blu Ray now lol
Considering the history of Devil May Cry, the comparison might be more apt than you realized.
Devil May Cry started out as a Resident Evil game, but the direction veered so far from the series roots that they just decided to make it its own franchise. Final Fantasy XVI looks like it would've benefitted from the same treatment.
I’d love a modern turn based final fantasy, but damn this does look pretty good. Great review.
I do think they could morph today's graphics with a turn based approach to a rpg with a 3 or 4 unit team. It would be hard to get a perfect balance of fight speed and strategy but things these days seem to have to cater to newer players and those who would otherwise not buy a turn based system. It cost so much to make these games these days to not try and get a larger piece of sales. I grew up with strictly turn based rpgs which I'm guessing you did too but I don't think a bunch of newer players have the patience for.
@@jasonsmarr3621I grew up with them and played many including obscure ones and I still don't have the patience for them. Aside from very specific examples such as SMT, it's painfully clear there's almost no benefit in turn based battles from a player engagement standpoint, where action based gameplay can have all the elements of most turn based games without losing depth, and adds the challenge of timing and reflex skill, while being far more stimulating to control.
Turn based gameplay was not a well refined gameplay choice, it was a cleverly devised WORKAROUND for the hardware and engine limitations of old software, it's not the right choice in most scenarios and offers very little in the way of innovation or engagement aside from a few cases, and Final Fantasy was as typical TBS JRPG as they came.
People acting like this is some betrayal of Final Fantasy's philosophy when it's clear from the start this is the system they really wanted is laughable.
What do people think ATB was made for? Or FF12s system? It was ALWAYS the goal for them to go full high speed combat spectacle and slowly bridging that gap with these in-transition systems, and now they finally had the talent they needed to execute it proper.
@@jasonsmarr3621 yakuza like a dragon is a 100 hour traditional turn based jRPG and it fucking rules
@@johnwrath3612 I've actually played it for a few hours. I did really enjoy what they did.
@@johnwrath3612 yea yakuza like a dragon became my favorite yakuza game i loved it so much it became part of the few games i actually platinum in my lifetime
Wtf is with this year? I don't have the money or time to play the games I want. TotK, Diablo4, now this one... And then there's still a lot coming. My poor wallet
Bruh imagine buying Diablo 4 lmao.
@@IAMNOTRANA I bought it and have over 500 hours in it. Now I just play 1 month of each season but I definitely got my money worth.
I enjoyed 15 I know a lot of people weren't as big of fans. That being said 16 going a darker theme feeling a bit more mature not to mention the dominant battles at least visually look awesome. Looking forward to this one.
I enjoyed 15 as well!
I enjoyed 15 a lot as well! I also am looking forward to 16. I’m not a purist FF fan, I try them all and I like they try new things, even if I end up not liking the game.
I enjoy 16 but 15 didn't click with me combat wise and I don't know why😅😢
@@bobderbaumeisterthe2589 nah that's understandable that press and hold formula didn't work for a lot of people. But I felt like the more attention you paid to it the better it became. It's combat wasn't JUST hold down this button do this. It was direction and timing and picking the right weapons for the job. Then when they introduced the capability to play as each of the characters as well it opened a completely different experience. That being said I still can understand that the mechanics aren't for everyone. Some just outright disliked the way it controlled. For me it gave it a sense of fluidity
So excited for this review, I've been on the fence with FF titles since 13 and always wait to hear reviews ahead of time or hear how my friends enjoy the title. Thank you for getting this out ahead of time before release.
in the demo there was a long part where you walk/run for 10s between cutscenes over and over - does that continue happening a lot in the game? it might be a deal breaker for me it just annoys me that i keep getting control and its taken away every moment
It may happen a few times but rarely did I feel like I was just walking to and from cutscenes with nothing in between. At worst, some side quests do this but most of the time there’s combat, a boss, or the next piece of dialogue is right around the corner.
@@kkammei thx for the clarification :)
As testament to this particular game, I haven’t been in to this IP for a few years and really wasn’t looking forward to it, but the demo was so striking, gorgeous, well written, and epic in scale, that it absolutely hooked me and I can’t wait to play it; the full game.
Ff15 did NOT gel with me at all. The combat, the constant soldier drops, the boyband-on-tour feel.
That made me cautious for ff16... until I played the demo and saw other takes on the game.
Ive noticed reviews have stopped mentioning qtes. Ive also noticed the game includes them, so is the silence a matter of resignation or acceptance?
Personally, i think games should justify removing control from the player, but if people have generally come around what made them 'click' for you?
I’m so excited for final fantasy again after so many years. I really hope this one doesn’t disappoint.
Bro going from zelda to this is like going from one 5 star hotel to another 5 star hotel 😂
Another exceptional review @acgreviews !
One of the most trust worthy content creators on the platform!
I find it quite concerning, or telling, that the comments are full of people saying they've never been an FF fan but think this looks cool, or they've only played 15 ... Let's hope it feels enough like final fantasy for us older fans too ... Tho I ain't sure
I loved ,loved this review as always Karak has a way with words explaining intricate gaming details and letting you focus on specific words ‘fun factor’, ‘for everyone everyone’ and more this is why when I look for reviews ACG is my first to check definitely saving up to pre order game . Keep it up bro you got a forever fan !
Thanks jeff
Enjoying the game but was let down by the linearity of the level design. Might as well just have a level selection. I knew it wasn’t open world but i do hope it opens up more I’m only about 6 hours in so far. I just love the since of adventure in an big open world game like the witcher 3, horizon, red dead or skyrim. And its crazy how much the graphical quality can change depending on the scene. I still would recommend the game just have some gripes with it.
Thanks for a great review. I thoroughly enjoyed the FFVII remake and the overall quality of the Final Fantasy games as a whole. However, I'm not an old school die hard fan so I will find less issues in the overall presentation of the FFVI story and can't wait to dive in .
I guess I'm just getting older but I grew up playing final fantasy 7,8,9, and 10. This game looks good but I'm not trying to play devil may fantasy.
stay clear
8:47 have you played previous ff games? 15 was the only one that was open world. Literally only two of the previous games had any open areas of exploration…
Great review :)
Admittedly, I was under the impression we were getting something closer to Tales of Arise in terms of gameplay, didn't expect it to be 100% All Clive All the Time. The voice work from the demo gave me FF12 vibes, and the music was aces. So regardless of the shift in gameplay and focus, it looks like my gritty, rasberry jam.
Who talks like this?
FF12 is criminally underrated in all ways
@tooru872 You don't talk like this? Wowza, you're sure missing out, bud! It's the bee's knees!
I just don't know what to think of this,. It's been so long since a final fantasy and myself clicked.... I just cannot get myself hyped for any of these games anymore. Even final fantasy 7 remake let me down a bit and I love the original
Your reviews are always amazing 👏🏽
Thank you for this I appreciate all the work you do got us 💗
This game I might grab in the future, but I'm not a fan of paying $70 for ANY game... especially when most games these days are treating it like an entrance fee and the REAL price comes from all the extra features that easily bring the price into the triple digits.
I am excited to try this one out. I have never gotten into Final Fantasy aside from briefly playing FF 10. It was fun, but I probably just mostly didnt enjoy turn based combat. I appreciate all your videos, really enjoy hearing your takes and seeing if I might want to jump into any of these hundreds of games always coming out. Thanks for your content!! 🎉
casual
Yeah, turn based combat, why would you want to think?
@@CazaDeYork because it makes you think and strategize
@@who_hurt_youproductions8826I think Squeenix is really REALLY underestimating how many people like proper turned-based combat. Pokemon sells like hot cakes and it hasnt deviated from turned based combat at all. Not to mention the popularity of card games. I think if Squeenix made a FF game that harkened back to old school turned based combat, they'd be shocked at the amount of people who'd buy in.
@@dukenukem7043 only npcs like trash games like final fantasy
I miss turn based FF. This hack and slash just doesn't feel like FF to me.
After playing the demo, I was fully sold on this game. Loved everything about it and it was a pleasantly different and dark take in Final Fantasy.
I was gonna buy till i played the demo. Edgelord character, spammy combat, and stuttering even in “performance mode” that constantly goes 720p… yikes. Hard pass, thankful for the demo though - saved me 70$
The first "Buy" review that convinced me that it isn't a buy, for me specifically. Great review, honest takes are few and far between.
Appreciate all the work! I'm glad you were able to approach the game with some critical thoughts in mind, I know it can be easy to get swept up in the momentum of word of mouth so glad there are still some things that could be worked on. This was a day 1 for me but I'm always glad to hear other opinions on it.
Thanks. I always try to give games a chance.
I understand we no longer have the turn based. Final Fantasy needs to return to some of its roots. Discovering and recruiting allies each w/ their own backstory. Example FF6snes / FF7/ OCTOPATH 1&2 PS1/ Chrono Trigger. I'm still waiting on SQUARE ENIX to do this down the line for the FF series. FF16 is a lone swordsman.
Great review. I'm really pleasantly surprised that they made such a ballsy move with their departure from party based games. Looking forward to it. My only gripe is that some of the areas feel kind of empty, but I haven't seen a lot of the game so my impression could be wrong.
The boring, button mashy, spongey enemy combat does absolutely nothing for me, which is a shame because everything else about this does seem compelling.
The review is detailed, honest, and unbiased as always, and I really appreciate it. I may have to pick this one up. Thanks, Karak! God bless and stay safe!
Bro going from zelda to this is like going from one 5 star hotel to another 5 star hotel 😂❤
I know the save transfers if you finished the demo but have they said anything about if you will unlock trophies you would have otherwise gotten by playing it from the start again?
Really like seeing Square taking a chance and doing something different. This is the first Final Fantasy title I've been excited for in a while.
@@dannyslag You sound like a fun party guest.
@@dannyslagI'm hype for this one, but I would _really_ like to see a modern turn based FF, and also, I would like to see an FF CRPG - that would be amazing.
@@dannyslag so it's only ff if it's turn based? k then
Do you make any choices, are there branching paths?
Are there any unexpected twists?
As always, stellar and informative review. Thanks for all you do!
I like most of the changes but the fight system of VII remaster is a better balance with a slight more complexity.
The ending was upsetting for me, I feel they do not had the slight uplift you have felt at the end of XV...
Pre ordered the game a month ago and got the steel book. The demo was amazing and can’t wait til Friday. Thanks for the Review ACG. Great as always
Hope you enjoy it!
Fool
will we be able to disable the enemy damage numbers?
We need blue mage with this level of combat!
What really frustrates me about these newer Final Fantasy games is not that they aren't good, it's that they are good, great even, and I love them... but I can't help but still feel the loss of the traditional Final Fantasy game, and the success of these games makes me feel like we will never go back to that. So, I am caught in a place where I am frustrated that the games they are making are so good, but are still not quite what I am wanting them to be. I would really love to see them take the franchise and split it. One branch making these new, more linear, action games. The other, a turn-based, super open world, more exploration-heavy game... with AIRSHIPS in it again. God, I miss the excitement of getting your first airship mid-game. The flying mod to the car in XV just didn't quite pull that off. I do like the more mature approach though for both game types. Sadly, I know I am wishing for something not likely to ever happen.
No real item progression, items you do get add like 20 health when you already have thousands of HP, no crafting, no variation in gear, boss weapons look cool but only add like 5 more base damage with no effects like chain lightning or anything, side quests are only useful for XP. Where's the RPG?
The more I hear, the more I think I'll be missing out if I don't play this. The game sounds like it'll scratch an itch I didn't even know I had. This year is overwhelming with good releases: Diablo 4, Tears of the Kingdom, Armored Core (Presumably), FF16, Hades 2(Hopefully at least in Early Access Form). 2023 is just shaping up to be my year. Got a decent job, graduated college, getting married in October, and best gaming year in a long time. Cheers you grumpy horse-man hybrid, and thank you for all you do for the gaming community!
How does one enter for a free copy? Id love to get one for my brother; hes very interested in playing this
I don't know. Just looks like pixel vomit. Can't tell what is happening in combat. This stuff kinda sucks
I might watching some lets plays but ehh I like FF series too much to let go of my party system. Also seems like they're moving into a hack and slash genre too.
This review helped me tailor my expectations! I've sort of felt like the cinematic hand-holding (sometimes easy mode) gameplay on crucial moments has watered down some of the narrative stakes in the series. Why am I spending countless hours on honing characters when the game will just give me a pass at certain points? I am interested in trying out how deep this combat system goes, though.
Any reason for the title change on the video?
Respect for all the work on the reviews man. Been watching you for years. Honestly the only reviewer I actually trust
Great review as always! Can’t wait to dive into this world!
Bruh, did that pooch just backflip kick a dude like 20 feet?!
I'm down. Lol
So What I hearing is a good game, but not a good final fantasy game. Personally I wish companies would stop doing this. If I wanted to play a DMC game I would buy DMC. I buy FF because I want to play FF. And look if a developer wants to branch out and try something different that's great, but call it something different then. Don't tack it on to an existing franchise to try and capitalize on the name. That is a recipe for eroding fan trust and engagement over time. Just imagine if Naughty Dog had called Uncharted, Jak and Daxter 4 instead...
thank you. if you want a fanta buy a fanta. Dont ask cola to change so that you can like it, that makes no sense lol. That's why you have the fanta and the other choices.
The demo got me HOOKED. Day one buy for sure for me, and especially with their implementing NG+, I can’t wait.
First day1 in a long time for me
Looking forward to this, especially the new combat system. The fact that it isn't a massive open world game doesn't bother me as sometimes it is nice to just have a more focussed experience.
I haven’t played final fantasy since the old ones on ps2. I’ve been wanting to jump back into it but never got around to it. Is 16 one you can play without having to play the ones before or I need to play those other ones first?
This game looks so amazing that I'm very tempted to buy a PS5. Having always been a FF and Dragon Quest fan, it would be nice to see a FF game back on top. The pre-launch event was amazing, and you felt like they really put their heart and soul into it.
I was so sad about Final Fantasy 15’s DLC is getting canceled but I wasn’t sure and I finally just picked up the game the newest game for like $36 physical instead of spending 70 and I’m happy I did. It’s still great though I still like it it’s just reminds me a little bit of of the harvestella combat and the town and mechanics are similar to harvestalla sans the farming.
So glad to see such a huge franchise reinvent itself a bit.
Have they added an option to disable motion blur yet?
I’m always cautious to preorder games since cyberpunk but that’s why I love reviews like these that come out quickly and just hit the nail on the head! Thank you for the review!
Edit: Nail not Mail goddamnit
ACG sure knows how to hit that mail!
Ff15 was my first game in the series and I absolutely loved it. Played 7 remake and loved it too. I look forward to playing this one
Torgal looks like the best boy!
Would you recommend this if I never played any other games before. Looks amazing and I really want to play this just little nervous?
What has happened? The final fantasy franchise has been saved!
@@TheGuiltsOfUs saved from what fun and excitment?
@@kevinbonin6173 nah saved from boring ahh turn based and cringe anime performances lmao
Turn based will always be my preference, but I do prefer the Baldur's Gate 3 or even Yakuza: Like a Dragon style, where the fight moves around an arena rather than just lining up
@prod.b4bnik ...You do realize that this is Final Fantasy, right? The Anime portion of it has kinda ALWAYS been there.
@@mhiization yeah exactly my point, good riddance.
Love your reviews!! Articulate, informative and exciting, love it !!! 🔥
This game so far has actually been one of the most pleasant surprises in gaming history.
The combat feels immense, rewarding and responsive.
Big thanks and congratulations to the team behind the game and always big thanks to lord Karak.
You really are the best video game reviewer I've ever come across. Your skill in your craft is amusingly distracting throughout. Sometimes I find myself focusing on the painter instead of the painting in progress, and have to rewind. 😅 I might buy this for my girlfriend just so I can watch her play it. Thanks, dude.
The story is ok but it lost all of its rpg aspects which isnt ff at all. The combat gets repetitive after awhile. With all the cutscenes they shouldve just made this a movie
With so many AAA games coming out that are flawed garbage, I wait for the reviews to get some info before buying. ACG provides a no-nonsense review that I cant wait to watch. Keep it up. Cant wait to play FF16.
Release it on PC please 😊
I mean what can I say, I’m about 14 hours into the story, so far, performance is absolutely shite, the game is waaaaaaaaaay to dark and a lot of the boss fights honestly I had to pause the game from spamming square so much, In terms of the story I think it’s great nice dark and gritty tone but yeah I’m surprised it’s gotten the scores it has tbh. I think 15 is better still so far
Thanks for the review as always. It's good that they are trying new things rather becoming stagnant. The story is a key factor to the final fantasy series and I hope it delivers. Looking forward to it
You bet. Thanks for Watching Lauren. FF loves to switch things up
I'll never understand people that get offended by the way other people play their games
Thanks so much for this review as they're always helpful, detailed, and exactly what we need. Keep up the good work.
@acgreviews I’ve only played the demo . In your opinion , How does Clive stand up to past FF protagonists like Cloud , Squall, Tidus etc
I was waiting for this review before buying it. I haven’t played a final fantasy game for well over a decade, but the demo got me hooked on this one. I’m glad too see it’s true to the rest of the game!
Finally finished this game what an emotional ride. The major issue I had with the game was that exploration felt unrewarding and at times nonexistent in dungeons or what the developers call stages.
Definitely doesn’t hit as high for me as FFXIV but the presentation is of course quite better than that. The spectacle and emotional scenes were great.
The most times I have cried during a Final Fantasy game, and yes that includes FFXIV
And yes I like it so much that I started new game+ though I had to step away from it because it was causing me to shun other things such as sleeping on time and gym XD
The demo was incredible, glad to see the full game is great
What was incredible about the demo? Choppy 50-40 fps 720p “performance mode”, spammy combat or edgelord main protagonist?
I have been pretty burned out on open world collectaton games. Happy this has a tight story. Worked well for FF7R.
I find it odd that being ‘different’ is treated so cautiously and almost perceived as a negative.
FF is not new to mature themes
FF4 had you executing a bunch of people for the games opening
FF6 had throat slitting, mass murder via bio Terrorism, slavery,etc.
FF7 had you cross dressing at a brothel in 1997
FF8 explores what it is like to be a child soldier who has their memory erased
FF10 made you ensure terrible voice acting and try to make a alcoholic abusive father sympathetic
12 is a political war story
13 has you rounded up, put in a special outfit, placed on a train destined for extermination
14 is endless in its mature themes
15 makes you an emo
16 has swears and sex
I've never played a FF game before because turn-based games are just not my thing but the story, the world and the characters always looked super interesting. Now with the change of genre, I'm soo excited to play it later this year when I have a bit more time. 😊
Dude the last 2-3 games are like this . They didn’t switch to action just now , been like this for a couple of years now
It hasnt been turn based since ff10 lol. 13 doesnt count :3
This game to me is like a walking battle simulator. You never really have control over anything, and enemies are spongy just for that fact. The demo opened my eyes glad I didn't get it. Plus, way too many cutscenes