I just did the event. Oddly enough, it actually exceeded my expectations. Unlike the XV collab event, this one actually got me interested in XVI. It's still not going to make me go out and buy it, though, as I would also have to dump cash into purchasing a PS5. The gaming industry, particularly Sony continue to hit the accelerator towards the iceberg with all the censorship, ESG, and DEI BS, that I just can't justify spending money on anything new. My recent purchases towards games have all been older games such as Metroid Prime Remastered, NieR: Automata, and Super Meat Boy. All for Nintendo Switch, and all having original releases prior to 2020. Even though I will be picking up the DT expansion, it is still something I consider to be a purchase towards an older game.

As for the event itself, there are some specific reasons why it was able to resonate with me. One reason was how it used Phoenix to tie the worlds together, which I thought was brilliant. The battle with Ifrit was also really good. Not as good as the fight with Garuda for the XV event, but still engaging and fun. Clive is also very handsome. It was a good thing G'raha wasn't around to see my character's reaction to his presence, lol. I can even see his thoughts, "Wait a min... I traversed time itself, sacrificed my body and soul multiple times, pledged myself to her cause, bled with her. And all this guy had to do was show up??" Sorry kitty. Two words: Friend zoned.

Most of all though was his amnesia. I am currently writing a science-fiction-ish story and my MC suffers from retrograde amnesia as well, and for similar reasons (subconscious protecting the heart from past traumatic events). I just find it really crazy all the coincidences I keep running into when it comes to writing it.