FF16,Return to Classical.

If you’re only interested in FF16-related thoughts, you can scroll down; the previous part is just a trip down memory lane.

My first foray into the Final Fantasy series began with FF8, back when I was in junior high school, around that time. The demo was released alongside “Brave Fencer Musashi,” and it came with a vibrating controller. I can’t recall all the details of how I obtained it, but that was my first introduction to the FF series.

I remember that in the early part of the game, I was training with the beautiful Quistis on the campus training facility, fighting monsters. I encountered a T-Rexaur and got crushed, much to my dismay.

As the game progressed, I met numerous companions, learned about drawing magic, upgraded my GFs (Guardian Forces), dealt with the high-strung Rinoa, witnessed flying Gardens, admired the invincible Lionheart, and appreciated the high-pitched Quistis. The game world was filled with countless memories.

Next, I dived into FF9. Many players found the character design off-putting, but as a kid, I didn’t care about that; I just enjoyed playing. The most memorable aspect was the battle theme music, which I personally didn’t like. However, the Chocobo Hot and Cold mini-game was a lot of fun, and encountering Beatrix always meant getting wrecked. The game’s art style was enjoyable, and the battles seemed relatively straightforward. The most potent weapons and items were all on bosses, making it necessary to steal constantly, which was time-consuming. Lastly, the final boss Kuja emerged out of nowhere, singing “COCACOLA.”

It wasn’t until the end of the PlayStation era that I revisited FF7, having watched family members play it during my elementary school days. Aerith’s story made me cry, even though I didn’t fully comprehend the narrative at the time. The Gold Saucer was a blast, and the urban setting of Midgar was fantastic. The setup for materia was somewhat complicated, and Yuffie was a nuisance. Vincent was exceptionally cool, and the concept of the Northern Cave was fascinating. I also liked the lore about legendary monsters appearing on the world map (International Version only), and the Zero Bahamut summon was the highlight!

Next, I went back to play FF6. I finished it quickly, which made my memories of the game somewhat hazy. However, I remember it fondly. The Magitek Armor concept was fantastic, and Terra was a character I adored. Shadow was the embodiment of stoicism, and General Celes was quite the opposite (again). The dance of the Veldt and Gau’s strength were remarkable.

Afterwards, I explored FF3, which I played on my mobile phone in its 3D remake version. I didn’t get around to playing 1, 2, 4, and 5.

Subsequently, I skipped FFs 10 to 15; I didn’t have a PS2 at the time, and when I got a PS3, I couldn’t find a TV to play it on. Finally, with my PS5, I’m ready to dive into FF16!

The flaws in FF16, well, there are quite a few. After all, I’ve played games like Zelda and Elden Ring, but when I play them, there’s always that feeling of not wanting it to end. The strengths outweigh the weaknesses.

The FF series seems to be going through a certain kind of refinement. There are obvious drawbacks like the lack of interactable large maps, virtually useless items, and a lack of variation in side quests. But these don’t seem to be the producer’s primary concern. They have a story to tell, and everything else can be discarded.

Apart from the story, this installment appears to be what the FF series has always aimed for: a real-time battle system that retains the essence of FF. It provides a clear direction. In the past, games like Dissidia Final Fantasy, Crisis Core, FF12, and FF15 had a somewhat clunky feeling. FF7 Remake was quite good, but controlling multiple characters had its limitations. I haven’t played 13, and although it’s single-player control, it’s still turn-based.

One last thing, Mid and the pregnant woman are undoubtedly the most prominent characters in this game, but I still prefer Jill.

Why is my title written as ‘Returning to the Classics’?

I don’t know, but there’s just that feeling.

Finally, some additional notes:

1. The above content is written based on my impressions. Corrections are welcome.
2. The music throughout the series is consistently outstanding, so there’s no need to mention it again. I might write a separate piece about the music in the future.
3. Tina is so beautiful.