CBU3 Excellence – Holistic Review

[aveyond-dreams]

It has been some time since I stepped away from the forums, but as this is generally the best place to leave feedback on CBU3 projects I have decided to return to use this as a vehicle to voice my thoughts on their latest venture, one inspired by all the elements that first drew me to and helped me find a home in FFXIV. FFXVI, which I can assuredly say has displaced all other the titles to claim for itself the position as my all-time favourite Final Fantasy game.

I am quite deep into my playthrough, and will try to keep things as spoiler free as possible to avoid having to use spoiler text drop boxes. Generally speaking, despite my apprehensions given my experience with Endwalker, I was pleasantly blown away by not only the strong start in the demo but the consistency in the storytelling of the full game. Holding back no punches, establishing and building upon strong world lore, and a cast of characters that invoke the meaning of fantasy in its truest, most beautiful forms in terms of both triumph and tragedy struck me to the core.

Whereas the scions of FFXIV were ultimately too clad in plot armor by journey’s end to even pretend to be relatable, the same so far is not true of the protagonist faction of FFXVI. This doesn’t even begin to touch on the many contrasts between well written heroines such as Jill, and ones that are utterly lacking such as Y’shtola. To express devotion rather than to demean. To move the action forward rather than be used as a tool to explain lore for 5 minutes straight. All I can say is well done to Maehiro regarding Jill – a queen of a character in all but name, and makes me wonder all that could have been for the female cast of FFXIV.

I could go on at length about the remainder of FFXVI’s cast but I firmly believe the stories of characters like Dion, Hugo, and Benedikta deserve to be experienced firsthand rather than having a 3rd party like myself make allusions to them further. Overall, I feel like most of the game’s characters so far have been handled in a mature, satisfying manner. It very much goes along with the sort of vibe we had in Heavensward where there was a level of intrigue intertwined with the magic of the world we were playing in. I am sad to say that is no longer the case for FFXIV given the obliteration of major factions such as the Garlean empire despite the value of its continued existence in potential future storylines, which as of yet makes me question where the game can go next to deliver on what has semblance of a compelling plot told in a world that makes me go, “Wow I want to see and know more about this place.”

In the end, I have my victory in seeing all my woes with present-day FFXIV rectified in the game I found in FFXVI, from world, to characters, and the strength with which themes and messages truly touch my heart. Here the full force of CBU3’s excellence has shone with pure brilliance, and I am very much looking forward to seeing new stories told both in Valisthea and ones in entirely new projects that take after the many successes FFXVI has delivered on. I would very much like for FFXIV to take after FFXVI in these regards, and bring me back to the sense of home that I’ve now found again in FFXVI.

In two words, well done. Thank you again for the Final Fantasy of my dreams.

[TheDecay]

Sorry, no, a video game is more than its story and lore.

FF16 Story - 9/10
Lore - 10/10
Combat - 8/10 (too dumbed down for an action game)
Gameplay design (like dungeons) - 6/10 or even 5/10 (it literally feels like doing expert roulette)
RPG elements (like gearing) - 4/10

Ultimately, FF16 is a project better suited to be a TV series. Not a video game. It's an enjoyable TV show but a disappointing video game.

That being said, yes, FF14 would do well to go back its roots and go back to FF16-style storytelling (which has the original ARR/HW ethos)

[Zanarkand-Ronso]

2 different games, 2 different stories, 2 different worlds.
FFXIV, is not gonna become FFXVI. Even with YoshiP as the Game Director.

All the same, Im glad you are enjoying the game, as much as you hoped for and pinned for.

[VelKallor]

Lemme get this straight.

You loudly declare that you will be gone unless 7.0 "meets your lofty standards"..then after only a short time, you log onto the FF 14 forums ( an MMO ) to sing the praises of FF 16 ( a single player game ).

This is like walking onto an Italian restaurant you declare you will never visit again, to tell the people there how much you like the Greek restaurant three doors down.

but as this is generally the best place to leave feedback on CBU3 projects

..or you could have sent them an email.

[Renalt]

Hold on...he finally says something positive and you wanna jump down his throat? I'm not a fan of the guy and yeah he came back and not a lot of people will be thrilled but if he isn't starting any trouble then leave it at that.

[Fawkes]

Sir, this is a Wendy's. Maybe you should go to a FFXVI forum.

[VelKallor]

Hold on...he finally says something positive and you wanna jump down his throat? I'm not a fan of the guy but hey yeah he came back and not a lot of people will be thrilled but if he isn't starting any trouble then leave it at that.

Renalt: this guy reminds me of the actual definition of an art critic. He wanders into an art gallery where people are enjoying the art and the artists gifts, then loudly declares how could anyone possibly like this rubbish that doesnt meet his impossible "standards". I loved his swipe at Yshtola, especially considering his past proclamation that "there have been widespread calls to get rid of her", which was little more than fiction.

He logged into a game forum he loudly stated he was never coming back to, for the sole purpose of dumping on said game.

You will forgive me if I am unimpressed.

BTW there IS a messageboard for FF 16 feedback

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards...al-fantasy-xvi

and heres the Reddit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/FinalFantasy16/

Wouldnt this post be better off in those mediums?

[Renalt]

Renalt: this guy reminds me of the actual definition of an art critic. He wanders into an art gallery where people are enjoying the art and the artists gifts, then loudly declares how could anyone possibly like this rubbish that doesnt meet his impossible "standards". I loved his swipe at Yshtola, especially considering his past proclamation that "there have been widespread calls to get rid of her", which was little more than fiction.

He logged into a game forum he loudly stated he was never coming back to, for the sole purpose of dumping on said game.

You will forgive me if I am unimpressed.

Hey I get it. Like I said I'm no fan of the guy but I'm just really in a "Don't start none; won't be none" kind of mood.

A fight is brewing and I feel it in my bones and this time THEY didn't start it.

When it does start...I won't be near and I'm taking no sides.

[kaynide]

Aveyond, I generally dislike your posts, but it’s kinda like Dixie’s recent post: if you found something fun, great. I hope you continue to seek games that make you happy, whether it is this one or not.

People, including myself, have been saying it’s healthy to stop playing this game if it’s not fun for you, and to try other games. You’ve done exactly that.

Here’s to healthy, happy gaming.

[AwesomeJr44]

I've been hearing a lot of good things about FFXVI, so I'll probably pick it up and give it a try once it gets a PC port. Glad to hear you're enjoying it though, gives me something to look forward to.

This is like walking onto an Italian restaurant you declare you will never visit again, to tell the people there how much you like the Greek restaurant three doors down.

It's more like walking into an Italian restaurant that you don't go to anymore but is owned by the same person that runs a Greek restaurant that you really like, telling the owner that you really liked his Greek restaurant after you started going there, and that you wish that certain aspects of it could be implemented into the Italian one.