Final Fantasy XVI is a captivating journey set in a beautifully crafted fictional medieval world Valisthea.

The storyline is intriguing, with well-developed characters that draw you in. Personally, I find the satisfyingly fluid and fast-paced combat system to be a highlight, allowing one to effectively use and combine different skills. Even though I welcome the game's relative simplicity and linearity, some might find the combat system, skill tree and other RPG elements lacking (no real weaknesses/resistances on most enemies). Due to its simplicity, accessories/equipment crafting seems like an afterthought. Additionally, the game’s numerous side quests can feel repetitive at times.

The graphics and soundtrack are top-notch, creating an immersive experience. However, the game's stunning visuals and smooth performance come at a cost: gameplay at 4K/60 FPS requires a powerful PC and most likely the use of frame gen/DLSS (even on an RTX 4090).

Overall, it's a must-play for action RPG fans. Even if you haven’t played any Final Fantasy game before, don’t let that keep you from playing this masterpiece with its standalone story.

Before buying, I advise playing the demo (first two hours of the game) to help get the feel of the game. I recommend getting the complete edition, which includes both story DLCs (great additions to the main game, approx. 10 hours combined).

9/10

Final Fantasy XVI is a captivating journey set in a beautifully crafted fictional medieval world Valisthea. The storyline is intriguing, with well-developed characters that draw you in. Personally, I find the satisfyingly fluid and fast-paced combat system to be a highlight, allowing one to effectively use and combine different skills. Even though I welcome the game's relative simplicity and linearity, some might find the combat system, skill tree and other RPG elements lacking (no real weaknesses/resistances on most enemies). Due to its simplicity, accessories/equipment crafting seems like an afterthought. Additionally, the game’s numerous side quests can feel repetitive at times. The graphics and soundtrack are top-notch, creating an immersive experience. However, the game's stunning visuals and smooth performance come at a cost: gameplay at 4K/60 FPS requires a powerful PC and most likely the use of frame gen/DLSS (even on an RTX 4090). Overall, it's a must-play for action RPG fans. Even if you haven’t played any Final Fantasy game before, don’t let that keep you from playing this masterpiece with its standalone story. Before buying, I advise playing the demo (first two hours of the game) to help get the feel of the game. I recommend getting the complete edition, which includes both story DLCs (great additions to the main game, approx. 10 hours combined). [b] 9/10 [/b]