Final Fantasy XVI delivers a compelling narrative with high stakes and thrilling story segments, accompanied by the epic Eikon battles that set a new standard for spectacle in the series. These main quests are filled to the brim with adrenaline. However, the game’s pacing suffers due to the less engaging side quests – commonly fetch quests, which often feel like a slog that detracts from the excitement of the main questline. Additionally, despite being a PlayStation 5 exclusive, It struggles with optimization issues on the platform. I experienced multiple performance dips during my playthrough, but I’m relieved that the main questline is somewhat fully optimised. However, this technical shortfall is particularly noticeable given the game’s otherwise high production values and ambitious visual scale. They made the game visually gorgeous for screenshots, at the expense of slightly marring an otherwise immersive gaming experience. The combat is one of its strong points too, combining different abilities and chaining them to take down enemies was always a delight.

It’s a big shame because it’s rich in world-building and has one of the best lore in any Final Fantasy game. Valisthea is a beautifully crafted world brimming with diverse cultures, complex politics, and a history that feels both expansive and deeply interconnected with the game’s current events. It’s also complemented by a brilliant soundtrack that became one of my personal favourites after listening to it for the first time.  The soundtrack perfectly captures the spirit of Valisthea from its soaring highlands to its mysterious forests, whether in the heat of battle or during quieter, reflective moments. All in all, this is a game very worth playing despite its technical shortcomings. The story is amazing with a finale that I still dwell on weeks after finishing the game. I look forward to setting my foot back on Valisthea when I revisit the Final Fantasy XVI to complete the DLCs.