On June 22, 2023, Final Fantasy XVI will be released. MeinMMO editor Marie Friske was able to test the latest installment of the popular game series. She is thrilled with the breathtaking medieval adventure that finally makes up for the disappointing finale of Game of Thrones.
“Game of Thrones” was one of my favorite series until the last season came and ruined everything. The finale still leaves a bitter aftertaste, and I wish the stories of the dragon queen Daenerys or Jon Snow had ended differently.
But now Final Fantasy XVI has helped me get over the frustration of the series and delivered the perfect medieval fantasy package in the style of Game of Thrones, including dragons.
Here you can see a trailer for Final Fantasy XVI that delivers Game of Thrones vibes:
I have already written some film and series analyses during my studies, so I always particularly enjoy good cinematic implementations in games and good storytelling.
Those looking for detailed reports with more focus on gameplay aspects will find here:
- Final Fantasy 16 Review: The Role-Playing Hopeful is Great – for Action Fans (via GameStar)
- Final Fantasy 16 Review: A Top-Notch Action RPG with a Second-Class Story (via GamePro)
Epic Battles with Deities
The story of Final Fantasy revolves around the so-called Dominants. These are chosen individuals who bear the power of the mighty Eikons.
Eikons are the deities like Ifrit, Shiva, or Ramuh that you know from previous Final Fantasy games.
It is precisely in the deities that the game finds a great strength. Similar to the dragons or the epic battles in Game of Thrones, they provide breathtaking visuals.
I often sit there with my mouth open, admiring the spectacular appearances and battles of the deities against each other.
These are also the moments when I am sad that the games do not come to cinemas. The scenes simply have enormous potential for the big screen. And the great music adds to the goosebumps.
Morally Ambiguous Characters Who Are Relatable
While I play, I experience all the emotions: I laugh, I cry, I am shocked, and I feel creepy.
The game captivates me primarily through the interesting characters and their interactions.
Final Fantasy XVI manages to present the various characters convincingly and gives even the antagonists personality, so I can understand their actions just as well as those of the hero.
Moreover, the characters undergo exciting developments or must confront their inner demons to grow. My personal favorite of the story was Dion Lesage from the first moment.
The crown prince of the Holy Kingdom of Sanbreque makes an epic entrance right away and reveals more and more of his exciting character as the story progresses.
That is also a great strength of Game of Thrones. In the series, even morally ambiguous characters receive complex backstories, or characters change over the course of the story. One of the best examples is probably Jaime Lannister, who undergoes a positive transformation through Brienne of Tarth.
At first, I am still sure I know exactly where the narrative journey is heading. But time and again, ruthless actions, sudden revelations, and unforeseen twists in the plot throw me off balance.
For example, there is a small revelation that I never expected in my life, but I find very clever.
Final Fantasy has Grown Up
There is no trace of the pink, idealized world view known from some fantasy stories in Final Fantasy XVI. Instead, I dive into a dark medieval world where I must be wary of power-hungry people.
Like in Game of Thrones, there is no hesitation in spilling blood and facing cruel fates. And like in the series, you feel that no one is safe from death.
It is a completely different style than the previous Final Fantasy games. But that alone provides variety and has already been praised by the community before the release.
Final Fantasy XVI Finally Comforts Me Over Game of Thrones
With great cutscenes and animations, Final Fantasy XVI brings cinematic quality to the PS5. On the journey, you learn to love and hate various characters.
Unlike its predecessors, Final Fantasy XVI impressively portrays the cruelty of reality but also creates an exciting, magical world where you can lose yourself as a player for many hours.
For those looking for a visually stunning medieval adventure that captivates with spectacular battles and an exciting story, I can only warmly recommend the game.
Especially if, like me, you have never gotten over the ending of Game of Thrones, Final Fantasy XVI offers the perfect consolation.
With a similar setting, equally exciting characters, and breathtaking visuals, the game not only steps into the footsteps of the successful series but even surpasses it.
Through the gameplay elements, I am the main character Clive Rosfield and experience the story much more intensely than I could while watching a series. I also find the ending of the game significantly more rounded than the finale of Game of Thrones.
All of this makes Final Fantasy XVI my new medieval epic number 1, which finally offers me the complete package I wished for from the series.
