Final Fantasy XVI (2023)

[JazzMan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr6PtdY0i7M&ab_channel=PlayStation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gV5rIW1Qums&ab_channel=PlayStation

Expected to release Summer of 2023

[KSUowls]

Re: Final Fantasy XVI (2023)

FF15 is the only mainline FF game (from 6 forward) that I don't have an absurd amount of hours. It was such a disappointment for me, and so I'm hoping that FF16 renews that taste of FF excitement that I haven't felt in a decade.

The graphics are stellar in the videos, and the trailers hint at a cool story.

I'm very concerned about the direction the game took only using a single playable character though. Trying to keep an open mind there, but it just is a major departure. Also, I have yet to be sold on the general direction of this franchise's decision to move away from the turn based combat of jRPGs of old.

[JazzMan]

Re: Final Fantasy XVI (2023)

FF15 is the only mainline FF game (from 6 forward) that I don't have an absurd amount of hours. It was such a disappointment for me, and so I'm hoping that FF16 renews that taste of FF excitement that I haven't felt in a decade.

The graphics are stellar in the videos, and the trailers hint at a cool story.

I'm very concerned about the direction the game took only using a single playable character though. Trying to keep an open mind there, but it just is a major departure. Also, I have yet to be sold on the general direction of this franchise's decision to move away from the turn based combat of jRPGs of old.

Square proved that the action JRPG can work in Final Fantasy as they did with the 7 Remake, but being that was a different development team I imagine they've had this single-character style gameplay honed in for awhile now; I'm sure if they could have they would have just straight up adopted the FF7R battle system since IMO that's the perfect blend of action and classic turn-based party gameplay

Interesting to me though that this team didn't seem to learn from FFXV's criticism, where you could only pretty much play just as Noctis for the whole game until the Royal Edition came out, then they added functionality for the rest of the boys

I'm definitely getting DMC vibes from the XVI gameplay shown so far though which is certainly interesting lol. But for me personally as long as the story is fully fleshed out and compelling I'll play through whatever gameplay system Square implements - XV wasn't nearly good enough in that department to ignore the gameplay shortcomings

[JazzMan]

Re: Final Fantasy XVI (2023)

Some updates dropped this morning:

FF16 will not be open world, will be a linear chapter-based game in the same vein as FF7 Remake

https://www.ign.com/articles/final-fantasy-16-open-world

Honestly love this, I grew tired of open-world games a long, long time ago. Elden Ring has been the only one to do it "right" for me basically since Red Dead 2 came out; I have no problem with a linear story-driven experience

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FF16 will have you control one character in action while the rest of the party you get along the way will be fully AI-driven

https://www.gamesradar.com/final-fantasy-16-has-fully-ai-driven-party-members-in-battle/

Bit of a disappointment here, I loved how FF7R handled the party system with the ease of switching to other characters with the touch of a single button, or you can tell them to do commands on their own. And FF15 was much better when it gave you the reigns to the other party members. But with the Devil May Cry main gameplay director on board, I have no concerns about the quality of gameplay coming

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FF16 will be an "ambitious, more mature entry in the series"

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/final-fantasy-16-is-an-ambitious-more-mature-entry-in-the-series-says-producer/1100-6504803/

The writer from Tactics is on the team here, I expect it to be a very political game in the sense that Tactics was, as opposed to a more fantastical, typical FF story. If we get the Shakespearean dialogue from 12 back it could be perfect, still some of my favorite voice acting in any game

[KSUowls]

Re: Final Fantasy XVI (2023)

I have no problem with linear story games, but I do within the FF franchise. Rpgs in general are just better when there are fewer restrictions, and obviously it's kind of a staple of the franchise going back 30 years.

Similar issue with the solo character control. FF has always been about your party. For the style combat of game that this one appears to have them it does make sense, but I also disagree with the franchise direction in this regard. It's not so much an evolution of gameplay as it is a complete deviation from gameplay on one of the most successful franchises ever.

The mature story is the only positive that I see here, but ultimately it depends on execution. I generally prefer more mature themes in story telling so that's a positive, but it isn't enough to just simply be gritty. I am a bit concerned, given all the other deviations from FF staples, that they will take things too far. Though having the writer from tactics is a good sign.

Sent from my SM-G996U using Tapatalk

[JazzMan]

Re: Final Fantasy XVI (2023)

https://youtu.be/1skR3Mk1cO8

Newest trailer

[marshray]

Re: Final Fantasy XVI (2023)

Watching the trailers regularly. Very excited.

Regards,
DA2

[KSUowls]

Re: Final Fantasy XVI (2023)

Will FF16 be a PS5 exclusive? Is FF16 connected to ff14?

Not sure on the first question, but the answer to the ladder is no. The only thing that FF14 & 16 have in common is the producer.

[mpklub]

Re: Final Fantasy XVI (2023)

My understanding is FF16 is exclusive to PS5 for at least six months. I don't know if that means PC and/or Xbox after. My guess would be a PC release at some point. Xbox I wouldn't bet on it just based on Squares weird release history on Xbox.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Operation Sports mobile app

[JazzMan]

Re: Final Fantasy XVI (2023)

Will FF16 be a PS5 exclusive? Is FF16 connected to ff14?

Won't be connected to 14 aside from an easter egg or two

PS5 exclusive for the first 6 months, then it will come to PC for sure. Xbox, I'd say it's 70-30. FF7 Remake never made its way to the console, but Crisis Core Reunion did somehow, so who knows honestly

[KSUowls]

Re: Final Fantasy XVI (2023)

This will be the first main line FF entry that I do not buy (due to the departure from what the series is), but Square Enix can always be counted on for delivering some great environments. This new trailer looks great. SE has set the bar so high for themselves that it's almost disappointing that these great visuals are not completely lifelike

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD5V4fimwlU

[JazzMan]

Re: Final Fantasy XVI (2023)

One month out from release, game looks like it could be an easy GOTY contender

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPT26Dd3OzE&ab_channel=PlayStation

I'm so pumped man

[49UNCFan]

Re: Final Fantasy XVI (2023)

The demo is out 2 hours long

[JazzMan]

Re: Final Fantasy XVI (2023)

3 days until release, might have to run through the demo again tomorrow or Wednesday to prepare lol

The Eikonic Challenge in the demo is a lot of fun. Combat is going to be insane in this game

[KSUowls]

Re: Final Fantasy XVI (2023)

For those who are excited about this (or aren't excited) what is your background with the series? New to FF, played the action-rpg hybrid that was FF7 remake, or you are a Final Fantasy blue blood who dreams in Moogle? Just a purely curious as I've seen a lot of mixed reactions from different segments.

This isn't a knock on anyone who buys it or is excited about it. I've accepted that FF13 was and will the final time that this series feels like a JRPG, and while that sucks for me I know a lot of people will enjoy a DMC like experience. I just wonder is it FF fans who are buying this or people who are new to the genre or franchise (as the game director is on record as tailoring the experience to).