IGN FF16 review is almost like a critique of FF14's own issues

[Jojoya]

THERE IS NO HARD MODE UNTIL YOU BEAT THE GAME. It's Easy Mode, Easy Mode with Easy Rings, and Easiest Mode, Easiest Mode with Easy Rings.

I'm aware that completing the game on normal mode first is required to unlock hard mode. Thanks for clarifying that you haven't been able to beat the game yet even on easy mode yet. Got it. You're not in a position to judge just how hard the game can be then, are you?

You're right, I don't have a PS5 so I can't play the game. I'm limited to watching others who are playing it and sharing those playthroughs online. They have the things they like. They have things they don't like and they're honest about them. But overall, they're really enjoying the game and they are doing those side quests because they are getting rewards they feel worthwhile, even that gil you say is useless because there are things they want to buy and collect such as the orchestrion rolls. They're also looking forward to going through the content on hard mode once they've got it unlocked.

Strange how my friends who are playing the game are enjoying without complaint as well. I can't watch them as they play since they don't stream, though.

I'm not being gullible. Games are for relaxation and entertainment. They don't have to be difficult to be enjoyable. So sorry that game companies are trying to sell their games to a wide audience and so they include multiple difficulties to give everyone something to enjoy. So sorry your ego can't handle playing the same game as those who aren't looking for a difficult challenge.

Try getting back to us once you've completed the game on hard mode and then start complaining about how baby easy the game is. Or better yet, walk away from CBU3 games altogether since it's clear you've already made up your mind that you are not going to like any game it produces.

[TheDecay]

I'm aware that completing the game on normal mode first is required to unlock hard mode. Thanks for clarifying that you haven't been able to beat the game yet even on easy mode yet. Got it. You're not in a position to judge just how hard the game can be then, are you?

You're right, I don't have a PS5 so I can't play the game. I'm limited to watching others who are playing it and sharing those playthroughs online. They have the things they like. They have things they don't like and they're honest about them. But overall, they're really enjoying the game and they are doing those side quests because they are getting rewards they feel worthwhile, even that gil you say is useless because there are things they want to buy and collect such as the orchestrion rolls. They're also looking forward to going through the content on hard mode once they've got it unlocked.

Strange how my friends who are playing the game are enjoying without complaint as well. I can't watch them as they play since they don't stream, though.

I'm not being gullible. Games are for relaxation and entertainment. They don't have to be difficult to be enjoyable. So sorry that game companies are trying to sell their games to a wide audience and so they include multiple difficulties to give everyone something to enjoy. So sorry your ego can't handle playing the same game as those who aren't looking for a difficult challenge.

Try getting back to us once you've completed the game on hard mode and then start complaining about how baby easy the game is. Or better yet, walk away from CBU3 games altogether since it's clear you've already made up your mind that you are not going to like any game it produces.

In other words, you would much rather everyone dissatisfied with the game to simply leave so that any avenue for feedback to the developers becomes an echo chamber - sometimes even filled with people who never played the game defending CBU3 on their behalf. What a hateful, small-minded comment.

[Shinkuno]

You're right, I don't have a PS5 so I can't play the game.

"I didnt even play the game but let me shill for my favourite company!"

[R041]

I'm aware that completing the game on normal mode first is required to unlock hard mode. Thanks for clarifying that you haven't been able to beat the game yet even on easy mode yet. Got it. You're not in a position to judge just how hard the game can be then, are you?

You're right, I don't have a PS5 so I can't play the game. I'm limited to watching others who are playing it and sharing those playthroughs online. They have the things they like. They have things they don't like and they're honest about them. But overall, they're really enjoying the game and they are doing those side quests because they are getting rewards they feel worthwhile, even that gil you say is useless because there are things they want to buy and collect such as the orchestrion rolls. They're also looking forward to going through the content on hard mode once they've got it unlocked.

Strange how my friends who are playing the game are enjoying without complaint as well. I can't watch them as they play since they don't stream, though.

Try getting back to us once you've completed the game on hard mode and then start complaining about how baby easy the game is. Or better yet, walk away from CBU3 games altogether since it's clear you've already made up your mind that you are not going to like any game it produces.

You just want to argue with me for sake of argument - Unfortunately I don't really consider your opinions from watching Streamers valid because you don't have first hand experience with the game. After 30 hours of PLAYING, I imagine someone would have an OK understanding and can make a judgement on a game. That's about 20 hours past tutorial for FF standards. 10 hours for XIII. lol

It's not that XVI is an absolutely horrible piece of shit, if you think I'm saying that, then you're misunderstanding and aren't paying attention. It has so many cool systems that each of them just need to be pushed slightly forward to make a fucking masterpiece. It's like Variant Dungeon - It's so close to being amazing, but it's pretty clear the design is super micro managed and something or someone cut costs just to get the systems out. Story focused, but content diminished.

After 30 hours, I've killed a pretty wide variety of shit, I've done most side quests, I have most equipment. It was only AFTER I even finished story stuff that I went back to do these side-quests, because they weren't even worth doing unless you wanted more story from a mannequin shaking their hands.

You're contradicting yourself saying you watch people saying they have things they like/don't like, but also tell me how your friends have no complaints? Okay.
You have 2nd hand experience from watching someone else, and you're also assuming you know everything they're thinking about the game. I'm telling you from first hand experience how I'm finding XVI as an FF + DMC player.
You don't know the feeling of running to a glowy drop in the distance only to be met with 2gil. Over and over and over. It makes your heart sink. It teaches you to stop wanting to do that thing.

And now you need me to beat the game, in order for me to find the pacing of the game and story good? I don't understand - Are you reading what I'm saying? Most story events that occur, like 30 minutes of buildup, usually end in 2 seconds where I AoE everyone in a melted puddle.

Also all of the RPG elements, I can sit here and argue that they're bad, which they.. Kinda are, they're super sub-par, but if you just removed them from the game entirely, I probably wouldn't have been as frustrated.

"Gil is worth it because Orchestrion Rolls" bro this isn't an MMO.. Those should have been challenges, not gil sinks.

You are gullible, because you told me you watch Streamers do all the side-quests because they're apparently worth it. 90% of the time they're not. You try doing those side-quests with no rewards and tell me if you don't fall asleep. lol

These aren't uncommon complaints either. After playing a ton, I decided to start reading some player reviews. Not Journalists. Not Streamers. Players. It's pretty obvious my problems aren't niche, and that's not because Final Fantasy. It's because game design.

Anyway - I'm positive 'Final Fantasy Mode' will have better pacing, it's just unfortunate I have to beat the game first to experience a decently paced story + game combination, when they gave us an easier mode, AND easy rings, making it seem like the Normal mode would be even somewhat challenging.

I genuinely believe people are having a blast with XVI, I'm mostly being picky. So don't take my word as the game as a whole being horrible. Again I said the story is about a 9/10 for me right now. Combat is getting a little better, but I still instantly kill non-stagger enemies, which is super frustrating when you've played DMC and know how things should go. Mah Combos