
However, despite some initial reservations, XVI's battle system is one of the most rewarding and gratifying experiences not only for a Final Fantasy game, but for action games as well. "Combat in Final Fantasy XVI is probably the biggest question mark in most people's minds, as it looks closer to a character action game like Devil May Cry than a traditional Final Fantasy.

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FINAL FANTASY XVI PS4 SERIES
That dark fantasy style does a great job of investing you in the world, before the latter half of the game takes some wild fantastical jumps that put the story squarely in the fantasy and sci-fi wheelhouse the series is built on." "An utterly soul-crushing opening paves the way for an emotional story that puts the focus squarely on a dynamic cast of characters, and it becomes clear early on that narrative is a huge focus of Final Fantasy XVI. It's packed with unforgettable characters, outstanding worldbuilding, an incredible soundtrack, and knock-your-socks-off moments of sheer spectacle the likes of which are rarely seen in any game." "It's not a perfect mixture - while the combat is phenomenal for an action RPG, it is admittedly a bit lacking when compared directly to the greats of the character action genre - but even an imperfect mix is potent enough when paired with FFXVI's epic, 50+ hour story. While its overall quality does dip outside of the main plot, this is still a must-play action RPG, and the best single-player Final Fantasy in over a decade." It's pretty much the pinnacle of cinematic spectacle in modern games, and its often gripping, emotional story is only matched by its fantastic combat system. "At its best, Final Fantasy XVI is a jaw-dropping epic of rarely seen proportions. Here's what some of the reviews have said:

Others have found the plot and characters to be one of the game's weaknesses, whilst the fetch quests that make up the side content have been more commonly panned.

The combat and visuals have been praised across the board, while plenty of critics have applauded the mature and hard-hitting storylines. Related: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth hints at major character death in new trailer
