What is Final Fantasy, in this age of gaming? Dozens of mainline games and spin-offs later, the latest game in the series is here and if you’ve poked your head into online discussions, then you’ve probably read a few lines from fans who are convinced that Final Fantasy XVI (AKA 16) is less Final Fantasy and more Devil May Clive. But that couldn’t be further from the truth, because Final Fantasy 16 represents the best of the franchise. It is both revolutionary and familiar with its approach to the JRPG genre, a game that pushes the series forward in a bold new direction while never losing sight of its origins.

It’s a rarity in the grand scheme of modern gaming, a lengthy and adult tale of swords and sorcery that doesn’t set itself up for sequels or try to shove a season pass down your throat. More than that, Final Fantasy 16 is a journey that’ll have you pumping your fist in the air thanks to the sheer amount of spectacle that it crams into every pixel, and it’ll break your heart when you experience a story that is full of hardship, existential angst, and tragedy.

This is the idea of Final Fantasy at its very best.

Right off the bat, Final Fantasy 16 makes its mission statement clear. Pinching a liberal amount of inspiration from Game of Thrones to tell a high fantasy story, FF16 sticks to a more linear path as it gives you direct control of Clive Rosfield in a world of dungeons, dragons, and Dominants. The land of Valisthea, blessed with a natural reservoir of magical aether and gigantic crystalline structures known as the Mother Crystals, is locked in an endless war between the major nations, one which has largely resulted in a stalemate between the sides thanks to the loyal Dominants who wield the military powers of the almighty Eikons.

With a blight creeping across the land, a race of oppressed magic-wielders reduced to slave labor, and tactical maneuvering being done in the background, FF16’s story is a rich and layered tale of intrigue and betrayal. If you’re already baffled at the idea of brushing up on Eikons, the various nations, the unique monsters inhabiting this world, and the various lands that you’ll visit, fret not! In one genius move, FF16 allows you to pause the screen at any given time and read up on digestible lore entries that are relevant to the scene at hand, keeping you in the loop of the story.

Once the game truly gets going, FF16 wisely uses its linear structure to tell a more focused story that’s anchored by some of the best voice-acting in the franchise to date, and grand-scale battles that’ll sear themselves into your retinas thanks to the power of the PS5. In many ways, FF16 captures that blockbuster spirit of Final Fantasy 7, a game that all entries in the series have been living in the shadow of ever since it first released on the original PlayStation way back in 1997.

FF16 looks and feels like a next-gen experience with its setpiece moments: epic battles that sees Clive unleashing hellfire and brimstone on his enemies in cinematic clashes. At the same time, FF16 is also a surprisingly subtle game, with nuanced performances bringing the pixel-punching spectacle back down to Valisthean earth. Clive himself is easily one of the best Final Fantasy protagonists since Zack first swung his Buster Sword in Crisis Core. He’s a haunted but deterministic prince who grows throughout the adventure and never relinquishes his humanity even after he finds the power to challenge gods.

There’s a Shakespearian quality about Clive, a simmering volcano of emotions that always erupt at the right time as he strives to save his homeland. A dry sense of humor, a killer sense of fashion, and an award-winning vocal performance from Jamestown actor Ben Starr help cement Clive’s legacy as an all-time great in Final Fantasy’s pantheon.

And that’s no small feat, given just how brilliant the rest of the cast is as well. Susannah Fielding as Jill Warrick is an elegant counterpart to Clive; Ralph Ineson is having a hell of a year as he brings Cid to live; and Christopher York steals the show as Gav whenever he’s in a scene. It’s a core cast that elevates the game, turning a wild story of fantasy, tragedy, and the very nature of freedom into a terrific tale.

But if Final Fantasy 16 is a joy to look at, what’s does it feel like to play? Many fans consider its more action-packed approach to be a huge departure from the series in general, but that’s not true. Final Fantasy has been an experimental series for as long as it has been around, and while the original games made interesting detours within the framework of classic turn-based RPG structures, more modern games have given players greater agency over what happens on the screen.

Just look at Final Fantasy 12’s Active Dimension Battle system or Final Fantasy VII Remake’s more dynamic mix of real-time combat. From Final Fantasy 13 to Crisis Core, Final Fantasy is always pushing the series in new directions, and in Final Fantasy 16, that direction is all-out action that still feels reminiscent of the NES classics.

It’s unfair to describe FF16 as a Devil May Cry clone, as the game instead uses that inspiration to create a bridge between fast-paced action and traditional turn-based combat. Sure, there’s a new core here in which Clive uses his melee skills and unique powers to hack away at enemies, but these abilities are complemented by traditional spells and power-ups.

It makes for an exciting and bold new approach to combat – one that keeps you on the edge of your seat as you juggle all-out assaults with Eikonic blocks and parries, eventually staggering your opponent and unleashing the full force of Clive’s abilities onto the health bar of anything unlucky enough to pick a fight with him. That shuffle between magic, limit breaks, and channeled Eikon powers work beautifully in tandem, providing a fierce and blistering experience that other Final Fantasy games lack.

In contrast, FF16 has a much more limited item economy. Clive has his usual selection of potions to give him a boost when his health bar is low, but equipment is limited to just one weapon, two pieces of armor, and three talismans that can be combined to boost his abilities. I’m a fan of this scaled-back approach to item management, as FF16 makes the process of upgrading and improving Clive’s gear a more manageable system that requires minimal farming, and forces you to focus on your skills in battle instead. Some people might call it undercooked crafting, but to me, the idea of having fewer grinding chores between story beats is a welcome reprieve.

Another bone to pick here is the sidequests, which at first, are nothing more than glorified fetch-quests. They’re good for earning currency and a few items for crafting, but they lack that magical touch which makes the campaign so compelling – at least for a good chunk of the time. Later on, towards the endgame, Final Fantasy 16’s optional missions become better deep dives into the world of Valisthea, shining new light on characters and revealing fascinating tidbits of information in the process.

But whatever complaints there are about Final Fantasy 16, they’re massively outweighed by the brilliance of this game. In the grand scheme of things, FF16 is a surprisingly touching and tender experience whenever Clive isn’t rearranging entire continents in his battles with his fellow Eikons. It’s a game that asks some hard questions and actually manages to answer them in meaningful and insightful ways, balancing cosmic-level brawls, that play out to the tune of a booming orchestra, with quiet moments of introspection and human connection. And by the scales of Bahamut, what a soundtrack this game has!

Final Fantasy 16 is out now for PS5.


Final Fantasy 16 review

Final Fantasy 16 might be a massive departure from what fans expect from this series, but a potent mix of epic action, outstanding characters, and jaw-dropping visuals all help to create an unforgettable story and one of the best Final Fantasy adventures of all time.

 10
Final Fantasy 16 was reviewed on PS5