Final Fantasy XVI Has one BIG PROBLEM (Spoiler FREE)

Hopefully Final Fantasy doesn't make this same problem with future titles.
Live almost every single day - / bawkbasoup
Edited by / leyendaboy
Most unedited videos can be found here (eventually) - / @bawkbavods3930
Social media
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#finalfantasyxiv #finalfantasy #review

[@Bawkbasoup]

Its spoiler free don't worry! Also one of my spoiler alert tags is talking about how amazing SOME of the side quests are :) Judging from the comments I think most people skipped past that part 😅

[@King_Firebrand]

Thanks for clearing that up!

[@Arngrim.]

For me the game is very good im enjoying it!, Thank u bawk hope you like it too despite the bad things, there are some sidequest that are good ( not all ofc).

[@no_less03]

no u

[@Arngrim.]

@@no_less03 u

[@excaligaming2435]

The lack of RPG elements and the generic side quest spam is surely annoying, but they did focus on what FF always did best: Great soundtrack, big cinematics, insane graphics, tight gameplay, amazing world, story and characters. They delivered everything on those fronts.

[@marcosdheleno]

i genunely feel like the biggest problems with this games can be best described as "its XIV-ness", tings like absurdly boring equipment system, bland sidequests that are more snippets of story or long cooldowns.

[@MICHAELTUMANGDAY]

Now that you mentioned side quest spam reminded me of the Atelier games lol.

[@marcosdheleno]

@@SkinCareLuver i will say this, the equipment system is very barebones, and there's not really that much customization. doesnt help how limiting the cooldowns make some combats feel slugish. i dunno how they could've changed some stuff, but i do feel like there should've been more to weapons than simple damage.

[@ignaciojzam]

​@@SkinCareLuver Forward to an era that keep releasing the most easy and casual type of FF games in their franchise... What you call backwards are in fact the most challenging FF games and that is, in great part, thanks to its turn based battle systems... wich is by default the core of a genre that always deliver in therms of challenge, planing, and strategy. Classic RPG FF were the ones who made us think the most, measurig each move while keeping and eye on the move of the enemy... but nothing can stop the train of progress I guess... nothing more "forward" than mashing a button... yay.

[@The_Novu]

@@ignaciojzam Final Fantasy hasn't been hard in decades, if ever, dude. The games have been as easy as Pokemon since the 90's. You play Shin Megami Tensei if you want a hard turn based jrpg not FF.

[@ficroulaud]

Didn't finish it yet.... Best side quest was hearing a shitty noble and his son get mauled to death by a wolf they bought to kill branded with.

[@Bawkbasoup]

I watched another streamer do that one its great XD There's def some hidden gem ones in the game

[@mamoruchiba752]

I love the side quests actually bc they flesh out the story so much and add so much emotion and lore

[@Bawkbasoup]

Yeah some of them are amazing!! I absolutely loved the ones in the hideout at the end of the game

[@mamoruchiba752]

@@Bawkbasoup oh man end game side quests hit hard, absolutely agree

[@auroraboracat26]

Very good review Bawk. The most important element with a review for any game is to praise the good points while also raising the critiques. A breath of fresh air from all the doom Andy’s acting like the word is ending.

[@iplayvidya7949]

Haven't finished the game yet, just beat Bahamut, and this game is just ok, imo. I agree the gear stuff is boring. The renown rewards do sometimes give something neat like increasing potion/high potion healing, but I only used cool down accessories because cool downs are incredibly lame. Don't need to increase the amount I heal when I already get a permanent boost from a +quest and can carry more than enough to get through a fight. Stats are literally 1-1 increases to atk, def, and stagger. This makes it feel like they acknowledge the increases from ""better"" equipment are neglible and you need something to keep increasing stats. Especially since ever since I made the drakeslayer armor, I haven't seen any better ones. So it sorta feels like artificial difficulty as far as enemy damage is concerned. I also feel like there's giant gaps between getting new abilities. I was using the first three you get for several hours, got Titan, wasn't interested, and have to play the exact same way for several more hours. I only switched to Bahamut to spam Megaflare, and slap Ramuh's super onto it as well with Gigaflare to melt bosses faster. I don't even think the abilities in the game are all that interesting either. I do like that some of them do have ways to increase damage and/or lower cool downs with specific uses to reward strategic use, but I think a good amount of them are just kinda whatever. I HATE that you get only 2 ability slots per Eikon and 4 moves each, one being a super move that has really high AP cost to unlock and upgrade. Feels like we should have 3, imo. I also think just basic combat has some problems. For example, outside of Torgal and a cooldown ability, launching can only be done with a charged magic against a downed enemy, or an air blazing blade (or whatever it's called). The air blazing blade doesn't lift all that much so you should really just use charged magic. Why can't I just have DMC's high time? We already have Stinger and Helmbreaker! Having only one combo is also incredibly boring! Every fight is super repetitive as a result. No idea how to make Torgal transform. Is it based on precision sics? They just don't tell you! Allies are there to just take out normal enemies for the most part and aren't much help against bosses. You can't even coordinate with them. They can't even take damage so they really are just there because the story says so while you pretty much do everything yourself. Really mixed on Eikon fights. I thought Garuda was really bad. You fight for like two minutes and then it's three minutes of QTEs! Titan had a proper mix. Bahamut, maybe it was the arena, but my depth perception was struggling when fighting him. So far, I just think they're gimmicky. The gameplay is even more shallow than the normal gameplay. The QTEs wouldn't feel bad if it was more like Yakuza, imo. These ones feel completely free because they want to show you a cool cutscene, but need you to be "playing" because it's a video game. Yakuza at least makes it so you have to pay attention to what it is and react in a decent time. 16, tells you what to press a half second before a slow timer starts! It's boring! Side quest writing before the timeskip is extremely repetitive. Just constant "See how horrible life is for Bearers!" The story already hammers this into you! I don't care! Some decent ones finally show up after the timeskip but still generally give shit rewards. Non + quests are only worth it for the renown. Most of the renown rewards are also shit, but at least sometimes you'll fet free AP. AP rewards for main quests feels like they just spun a wheel. Did part 1 of 3 of Mid's filler feeling quests for the ship parts? 500 AP. Took out Bahamut? Eh, 400 AP. I would've hoped it was like 1,000 considering how expensive abilities and their upgrades are. Even story quests give shit rewards. Here's 1,000 gil! I have over 200K because you gave me nothing to buy! Same thing with materials. Lack of any RPG elements sucks. Everything is just pure damage. Saw someone on Twitter say they were happy elements didn't play a part because if an enemy was immune to an element, you wouldn't be able to use those moves. Who gives a shit! There's not much strategy to this game as it currently is! Nioh has much better combat and actually has RPG mechanics! Why play this when I could just play Nioh? I've seen fans think the combat is godtier and will say you're bad at the game for pointing out how shallow it is. Hell, someone accused me of not playing the demo or using the easy mode rings when I said I wasn't impressed and the combat was shallow! These fans are insane. Once I beat the game, I'm gonna S rank every arcade stage so I could point to it when anyone dares to say I'm bad at the game because I say it's shallow. It truly is. If anyone actually read this. I'm sorry for wasting your time. Also, of course it's ok if you liked the game! Just don't say it's godtier action! Great vid, Bawk! 👍

[@paulsurratt2005]

Your thoughts are pretty much how i'm feeling about the game too tbh and i'm in the same part of the game. There are quite a bit of questionable design choices I don't agree with. apart from the graphics it sometimes feels like a game with ps2 era design philosophies. not really in a good way either. It really feels like a pretty big downgrade from FF7 Remake to me in terms of gameplay. FF7R actually felt like an RPG while this one feels like a really bloated character action game with combat not deep enough to last a 40ish hour playthrough. Nothing wrong with character action games either, but I feel like trying to make one into a deep 40ish hour RPG just didn't hit the mark. I feel like even most regular character action games have a better sense of character building than this game does and they aren't even labeled RPGs. That said I don't hate the game, but it just feels off in a lot of ways. I love action combat too so before anyone tries to mention turn based etc, it has nothing to do with that.

[@slashinghades7347]

I pretty much have the same opinion as you. The side quests don't really offer much outside of narrative bits bits. You don't really get all that interesting rewards for doing them either. Compare that to say the OG FF7 which had entire side quests where you could recruit hidden party members, unlock rare materia and ultimate weapons. The combat wears put it's welcome fairly fast because of how easy most of the enemies are and how long it takes to unlock more abilities.

[@claireredfield624]

Love these little reviews, I'm about 10 hours in so far and it's honestly one of my favorite FF games already, but I love DMC-style combat so it's no surprise. The characters and story are really compelling too.

[@rm71991]

If you are being honest with yourself it's not your favourite

[@claireredfield624]

@@rm71991 I'll wait until I finish it to say for sure but no I don't like it as much as FFX whether that be nostalgia talking or not.

[@TweedyMK]

After those first several side quests, they honestly get into some of the best side quests in any rpg, and you get big rewards like being able to hold more potions, potions healing more, better weapons than you'd otherwise have just doing the main story. Sucks that them including some basic mmo quests to start turned people off, because what's there after is insane. Some of the side quests with torgal and some of the main hideout members, hit just as hard as the main quest for me.

[@gamerforlife3946]

If you say “some of the best side quests in any rpg”, that means you played none

[@rolanalcantara5430]

I don't really have a problem with the game being a PS5 exclusive, Final Fantasy 7 original was once exclusive to the PS1. My main gripe with the game is this the first FF to do away with traditional party members that stay with you all through out the journey. You get guest party members here and there but it's not quite the same, and doesn't feel like FF to me. Not saying it's a bad game, it's just not for me.

[@YodaSan2]

The thing about these whiny journalists complaining about games not having their politics in Japanese games specifically, Japanese publishers tend to take these non issue complaints seriously. FF 16 is the best FF in about a decade and it would be a nightmare for SE to do a heel turn in response to the "reviews." The story is fantastic. Jill does indeed have agency and is fantastic. Dion and Terrence relationship is believable and I rooted for them, they're fantastic. FINAL FANTASY XVI IS FANTASTIC AND THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE!!!

[@MrTyler870]

Besides the new game plus mode, are there secret bosses at the endgame or a challenge to push the combat to the limit? Like the Valkyries in GoW for example.

[@widexawake_]

Final Fantasy mode, kind of like an alternative choice to NG+, adds "new" gear, adds late game enemies to early game areas, and adds content exclusive to Final Fantasy mode. It has this on top of an increased level cap and gives enemies more health and dps

[@Sgaragarru]

beside what @chrismarkland226 said there is an extra difficulty unlocked in the arcade mode. The ultimaniac difficulty

[@origamipapercut4682]

Kupka Part 2 was INSANE. So fun and just conceptually bonkers.

[@Decrith]

Hahaha the music at the end. Had a great time watching your Vods. So happy that my favorite RE streamer also loves FF! Also glad you kept your promise with the title!

[@Shady4Dayz]

About the struggling to hear what the characters are saying I know exactly what you mean. The blacksmith is a prime example. It's like the direction they were going with him is that he kinda mumbles off by the end of his sentences and I have to turn my head to try to hear what he's saying. And it's frustrating because I got very annoyed by the subtitles halfway through because of how distracting they were from what was happening on screen and so when I didn't have that when I dealt with those characters with the low pitch it took me way out of the moment and I think it's an easy fix if you know who's doing it

[@Dagoth_Ur_1]

It's one of my favourite FF's. Pros: · The story line, characters and detail put into both were fantastic (as was the voice acting). · A lot of the side quests were fantastic too for once. They actually revealed important info about characters or the story, or gave nice upgrades, some manage to even gut p*nch you. Some were standard fare, and probably not needed unless more substance was added. · Combat was a lot of fun, and the eikon battles insane. My only criticisms are: · The standard conversations with NPCs, I'd have liked better animation/lip sync. · With combat I'd have liked some trash mobs to have a few more tricks up their sleeves rather than all being juggled to dth. Maybe ailments/status affects. But otherwise this is a narrative driven/character focused adventure game. And did it's job near perfectly.

[@dmcross91]

Great final point. I keep seeing things in my phone's , imma call it, "news feed" slamming this game. I'm forcing myself to ignore them because it seems like folks being negative for the sake of clickbait.

[@gamerforlife3946]

It actually the opposite. People who are being positive are clickbait

[@gizzad]

Square has the worst side quest choices ever. Why is it ALWAYS handing out food to patrons. And ALWAYS at the beginning. They have such a boner for lame sidequests. Omg I have no idea mastering let you move abilities, and I'm almost to the end.

[@FALCOR1220]

Hey Bawk and troopers. They patched in motion blur and other camera options. I'm stoked to finish the game with the graphics looking smoother🐔

[@SILVERONIN]

when I started the game I felt hyped and as I went on I got bored and when I finished it I felt nothing. This game disappointed me massively and see no replay value. Definitely will not break into my top 10 FFs

[@FeuervogelIra]

I think a classic elemental system would have done the game good. It would force one to respec before boss fights, it would make mixed eikon Ability sets way more important (because you want to have the phoenix dash, but the enemy is fire-resistent?) Idk, the abilities as it is feel very interchangeable in their effect.

[@ctr1502]

I haven't finished the game yet, but I feel you with the side quests. The issues I find are to do with loot rewards or lack thereof. In prior games you had lots of support items, like soft, ether etc - we don't have to balance that anymore, and it's just aimed towards health and defence. There is not enough in terms of armour and accessories I find. I don't need damage buffs, I want more variety. I think having more combos would've been good, like DMC where pausing between each swing let you access another move etc. Then there's weapon variety. You can't use a staff, or twin blades - some people would rather mix it up. Because the combat is so fun though, you don't really knock it - because its good as it is, but you kind of want more these days because of innovation from other developers (GoW giving you BoC, the axe and a spear for example to mix up all your combos/style). Great game, and absolutely worth the money, but square should build on this.

[@widexawake_]

16 is a very casual player friendly RPG, so most of the "hardcore" elements have been watered down. Final Fantasy mode adds something else to the game, but I can agree that the weapon crafting and side quests left a lot to be desired. Overall 16 is an easy 8 out of 10 with only a few minor issues that hold it back.

[@widexawake_]

@@user-zj7nh8tm8p I mean, it IS an RPG. It's an ARPG. They say if you're going to be wrong be confident, so at least you've got that going for you ✌️

[@widexawake_]

@@user-zj7nh8tm8p Again, you're wrong, but I respect your conviction.

[@punishedhek7495]

When companies cater to casuals they mess up the games, they should stop catering to casuals and focus on the fans, were the ones that own all the games and support these games from the beginning, casuals just want to play for the hype and they dont even like the games. Leaves these RPGs to the fans not new comers that come from the hype

[@widexawake_]

@@punishedhek7495 I've been playing Final Fantasy since the early 90's, so I wouldn't say I'm a newcomer, but XVI doesn't feel out of place as a Final Fantasy game. "Purists" just can't get over the fact that the game isn't what they want, when outside of the combat, its the closest thing to feeling like "Final Fantasy" since XI, so I doubt they'd be happy with anything. This game is the game Yoshi-P and CBU3 wanted to make, so people are judging it on what it isn't rather than what it is.

[@gamerforlife3946]

@@widexawake_Yet “defenders” act like it has a good story, characters and world when it is just GOT worst seasons…

[@maverickrx8]

This game suffers heavily from being more FF14 than FF16. Considering who made 14 and 16, I was already prepared for a lot of the game outside from the art, character designs, story, lore, worldbuilding and socializing/character interaction (basically the GAME portion) having a lot to be desired. Side questing. Combat. Etc. Like you mentioned. You made an amazing Final Fantasy game with no RPG aspects to it. Strangers of Paradise had more RPG than this game. An RPG with barely any RPG. It's just an action game (not even Action RPG) and one that has rather bare-bones customization and creativity in the action. (Like you mentioned with the charging ability). Yeah, it feels good to get these attacks off (when the game lets you, because of cooldowns), but that's really it. There's no creative process to the GAME portion of the game. The combat is still fucking awesome and satisfying when you can get your mini combos going. I guess what I'm trying to say is, the combat is bittersweet in a game that focuses more on that this time around. Thing is, Final Fantasy was always Characters, lore, story, art and music first. It was always the strongest part. Every Final Fantasy had a twist on their combat system and progression. Even 10 and 10-2 had different combat systems. The 13 trilogy, all had different combat systems regardless of 13 and 13-2 retaining the same concept, they still were tailored uniquely. There was always a significant difference. In combat and progression. FF1: Turn based RPG stuff with class promotion that changes how most classes play. FF2: Turn based, but with a twist. The more you used something, the greater your proficiency to use that something better becomes. FF3: Can't remember if this is generic turn based or the intro to Active Time Battle. Also introduced the Job system. FF4: ATB. Formation locking, making the player have to eventually choose team comps based on forced front row and back row formations. 3 front, 2 back or 2 front, 3 back. (Intentionally leaving out The After Years even though it had the introduction to team up attacks) FF5: ATB. Job system with more freedom of class customization for battle. Mix and matching mastered class passives and actions. FF6: ATB. Every character was straight up unique with their own play style and mechanic with a system that gave everybody some kind of magic ability if you want. Largest playable roster available and all of them obtained in unique ways that actually feel unique due to how they perform in combat according to their character. FF7: ATB. Materia system. Every unique character eventually can perform the same from each other or be built and perform the same. FF7R: Real Time Combat with ATB as an actual resource for once rather than just standing around, waiting for your action to come up. You can also build everybody to fulfill a role uniquely. Can have someone tank, can have a healer, can have a mage, can have a bruisers and everybody can mix/match. Except tanking is kind of pointless because unless you are controlling the tank, enemies are stupidly program to always fight the player. So, the tank role is entirely a waste unless you are the tank. (Personally feel this is the best implementation of the ATB system as well.) (Intentionally leaving out Crisis Core, Dirge, Before Crisis, etc. As they are not mainline.) FF8: ATB. Junction system (oof). Limit spam combat. FF9: ATB. A love letter to every game that led up to it. Takes a little bit from every game from 1-8. Every character in the game portrays a class and plays according to that class. The gear system where mastering gear and wearing specific gear during level up increasing specific stats more potently than other stats. Being able to equip mastered passives from gear that pertained to each character's class. So not everybody is going to have access to every passive. Everybody has some passives unavailable to them. Not everybody can use magic related passives or summon related passives, etc. FF10: Return to Turn Based Combat with a twist. Sphere Grid system. You have access to every character in your roster at any time in a 3 man party format. Using substitution as it's main combat system. Probably the most RPG of the mainline franchise. Everybody can either be unique from each other in build, or everybody can be built and perform the same. FF10-2: ATB, Garment Grid system (job system) and Combo system. Where if you cycle through all of your garments you can turn into an all powerful job that replaces your other 2 party members with parts of your garment. All the while, you are able to stagger lock enemies to death if you time your ATBs and combo perfectly. (Intentionally leaving out FF11 due to it being an MMORPG and is obviously entirely different from the rest of the mainline.) FF12: Automatic reactionary combat with Gambit system and ATB. The game can literally play itself with automatic reactionary combat with an ATB system where you have to "queue up" actions manually or automatically with the gambit system. If someone needs healing, the gambit system will have someone auto cast cure or throw an item or use a myriad of cleansing spells or items from status ailments. Everybody can also be built 'relatively' the same with how similar a lot of the license boards work to the Sphere Grid System. FF13: Semi-Real Time Combat with ATB? Also has a "mode system" and introduction to Break gauge system (oof). Everybody has a role to play that is bound to their character. Not every character can use every mode. You use mode combinations to inflict break damage until break and then hot swap modes to big damage mode on break, then after break recovery, mode change to set up for buffs and debuffs, mode change to build break damage while someone tanking, someone healing and someone building break. FF13-2: Same as last time but with a twist. You use monsters to fill your party that all act unique. Or other characters that are classified as monsters in the absurd amount of DLC the game had. Basically Pokemon meets Final Fantasy 13. FF13-3: ATB and Same as first game and 10-2 but with a twist. Each garment has it's own builds, gimmicks, attack options and you look damn good at all times. (Intentionally leaving out FF14 for the same reason as FF11) FF15: Introduction to Real Time Combat, a different kind of leveling system based around accruing EXP before camping and giving yourself a potential exp multiplier as high as 3x. Every character plays uniquely. Weird as hell magic system that can simultaneously be really cool. Too bad magic sucks in the game, KEK. FF16: Real Time Combat with a triple "stance" system but with an even heavier focus on the combat while still maintaining the world, characters, etc as first and foremost. Basically DMC meets Final Fantasy in terms of gameplay. Every Final Fantasy (including the side games and off series such as Type 0, CC, etc.) Has a different kind of battle system, but FF16 might be the first to go harder on combat than the other games. The story is still there. The world is still there. But I can't help but feel it's the weakest part of a Final Fantasy game in the series. Just because of how the game suffers too much from being "FF14" with side questing. But considering who made both games, I saw it coming long before the game came out. They put a lot of world building in the side quest interactions, but the actual act of doing the side quests are the most boring thing ever. It's just time wasting fodder it feels like. Similar to side questing in an MMORPG. You put an MMORPG guy on an offline single player game project and you're going to get MMORPG bleeding into it. Which was the only thing I was really worried about the most. Nevertheless, I fucking love this game. There's just a lot more I wish they could have done much better than they did. It lacks the creativity in combat regarding the skills you use. Which you explained and made great points and suggestions on how it could have improved. I'd just be parroting you.

[@HiddenAccount]

I don't think you played 14 at all, 14 is amazing and a great rpg, its nothing like 16 in the slightest, I agree that 16 has quite a few flaws and I'm not too much of a fan of it but it's definitely not like 14 Source: my 7000 hours in 14

[@gamerforlife3946]

@@HiddenAccountThe side quests are 100% mmo

[@HiddenAccount]

@@gamerforlife3946 I think your thinking of optional quests, side quest are stories like Hildibrand which by the community is deemed as good as the main story, I get what you mean now but wrong type of quest

[@gamerforlife3946]

@@HiddenAccount the community? Lol

[@HiddenAccount]

@@gamerforlife3946 Final Fantasy fans? I don’t know what else you want

[@genericofails]

The Bulk and Skull theme at the end tho 😂😂😂

[@josephrussell1916]

My biggest annoyance was getting the lowest quality materials in end game areas like STILL?! But if you want the best weapon and best equipment those side quests are 100% necessary.

[@misterscratch7]

11:45 omg the Bull n Skull music from Power Rangers 😆

[@Shady4Dayz]

It is a bit underwhelming to get new equipment. I was excited to find hunts to get materials to make things like the drakeslayer belt but then after having some difficulty fighting one I realized I could just put on the slow time and show when to dodge accessory and cheese the fight like its nothing and then just take it off again after like I didn't just cheat to get materials to make equipment that's meant to make the game easier when it's already as easy as it can be when you have stuff like that already in your inventory

[@njs-tv6565]

i havent played or watched but i imagine the game shines most with the DMC direction, that being the boss fights and combat, as DMC as a franchise has always had sick as fuck boss fights all around

[@cerulean8201]

Great review and final minutes was class. Nice one Bawk

[@recklessandstupid7650]

Ngl, I used the rings mainly when farming because I felt like they were cheating, but when I farm, I don't care. I'll cheat my way to mountains of ap if I must. I also got sick of forgetting to order my dog to attack. I cant order Jill around, so why do i have to worry about the dog? That being said, some of the enemies I struggled with the timing on dodging and evasion amulet helped me learn through practice. So they were a great tool, but I agree they probably should have been left to story mode or maybe redeeming them in the menu or something. Still, they helped me git gud and I appreciated them. I loved this game but I do hope in future installments they will bring back optional stuff and exploration. That was really my only serious complaint with this game is I wanted more side stuff.

[@Oakeybloke]

Love the background music 😊 Played the demo, wondered if the uber items (like auto dodge) would ruin things, I stayed away from them to avoid getting the taste! Will likely get the game when I have more time.

[@Extraamedium]

was that bulk and skulls theme at the end? :D

[@angax100]

Thanks for the review, Bawk. I saw a lot of people were review bombing the game because they were "hard-core ff fans", but my first ff game was 15, so I think I will like this game.

[@jappy9264]

My first was FF5 and I almost played all of FF games except for the MMO ones and aside from the monster, items, and summons, all of the mainline FF games plays and feel very different

[@gamerforlife3946]

You do know it’s getting positive review bombed by fake new accounts more than negative review bombed…

[@Nox4ever00]

As far as sidequest go, for the peeps about to play the game, if you just want to focus on more important sidequest, just make sure you do the ones with + signs, they give you upgrades, and the first one you see gives you a special something :P. And listen to bawk some of the sidequest at the end are actually pretty cool.

[@OnwardToMail]

Those accessories ARE in story mode, the only difference between story mode and action mode is that those accessories are auto equipped from the start in story mode whereas in action mode you have to manually equip them.

[@HyahMaster]

I think my only HUGE problem with the game is how expensive the skills are. It feels like you either don’t get enough AP or the skills are expensive, but like I’m loving the game otherwise

[@GhoStComm0]

i felt like this near the beginning as well. but once i remembered you can refund your points at any time for no cost really lets you experiment and this was a huge relief once i got more than 3 eikons. Also i think another part of it is to promote going through again on Final Fantasy mode in ng+

[@widexawake_]

You're supposed to play through the game multiple times, and especially on Final Fantasy Mode where XP and AP grow exponentially due to the increased difficulty and level cap But if you're not a completionist and are only after playing through it once, you can reset your AP and pick and choose which abilities you want whenever you want. I'm starting to believe most of you aren't actually playing the game, because people seem to be misinformed on the that they're complaining about

[@nealtibbs585]

did you do the side quest where you get ambrosia back the chocobo, they actually get better after the 5 yr skip

[@Bawkbasoup]

I did all the + sign ones that gave useful stuff yeah :D and all the ones in the hideout

[@nealtibbs585]

@@Bawkbasoup good to know I might do that as well, thanks. Keep up the great content Bawk.

[@immersion9880]

Did you do all the side quests??? Some of the side quests, no joke, made my jaw drop.

[@GGDAWG7]

It doesn’t matter what Final Fantasy someone is making a video of, you’re always going to hear a FFX soundtrack in the background. Love the video Bawk!

[@Shady4Dayz]

I've played all of the side quests and I don't get why people hate them so much. Yeah they're all kinda just fetch quests but when you finish them you get a very intriguing bit of story from each one. Like the kid who was playing with her slaves until they died of exhaustion and was just like 'Oh well dad will get me a new one next week."

[@relaxingkoty5333]

That last minute of this video is exactly why I've been watching Bawk for so long.

[@handono5382]

11:34 Yoshi P looking at this with a smile on his face 😊

[@ShadowXD]

To be fair tho, this game actually gives you an incentive to do the side quests, the fact they reward you for… things that make your journey easier is the best thing any developer could do.. aside from that some of them are good, in terms of quality but I’ve seen worse.

[@julianulloa4943]

Those boss fights with QTE are amazing, I feel like 2009.

[@Draco-jt9ex]

So far, my biggest problem is the pacing. The game will dial it up sky high for bosses, and then drop it dirt low immediately after. Like no, game, I'm not enjoying or even remotely care for these mandatory mundane fetch quests right after you just rocked my world. Great game besides that though imo

[@jonahjimenez7602]

Totally feel the same thing here. I’m not against the long cutscenes or amount of them but it’s the pacing that bothers me. I understand the game of thrones drama inspiration, but I wish they didn’t take it so far as to make me feel like I’m not even playing the game half the time. Also pretty often, I’ll watch a long cutscene then have control of the character to walk a few steps forward into another cutscene … just continue the cutscene at that point.

[@Bawkbasoup]

Yeah it def goes from mach 10 to a crawl sometimes.

[@gohantrinity]

I kinda disagree on the costume design for Clive, for one; very simple, very minor to some; yet, no less annoying to me; thing. His f*cking holster! He's right handed, and with a holster design like that; for a sword that big, that thing should be on his left shoulder! Bah!

[@Alessandrosaiyan]

This game is 50% crap 50% awesome. The problem is that while playing you feel the difference constantly shifting good/bad. And it ruins the inmersion.

[@random_an0n]

im getting though it and though ive been completing side quests as the game progresses,its getting a bit tedious now,i literally had to make a choice to take 1 of 2 people and i felt there was a meaning...we went to a location bought a couple of items from a market and came back to base,didnt make sense,why is the boss of the hideaway being sent out on mundane shopping trips? CRINGE its a good game but it has boring af moments,just about to go to bed cause it legit bored me near to sleep for an hour doing mundane af shit

[@blazinbad7060]

Can we get a ffxvi playlist on the vod channel please?

[@Saldinchen]

At the end you should have played the RE1 dual shock basement theme. Would have fit perfectly.

[@hortissimo613]

I completed every sidequest and honestly I found myself skipping through almost all the voice lines towards the mid-point. I really didn’t care and just wanted the exp and ability points 😅

[@gamerforlife3946]

You are the only honest person who said the truth about sidequests

[@marcusclark1339]

always good to hear criticism never feel shamed for critiquing a product, people will get mad at u no matter how much you try to sugar coat it/pacify/throw niceties at the criticism - just critique it bluntly, always better for it yeah its not a great game, definitely not a 10/10 that people over push to this product

[@MsBaseball19]

Crafting is ass, upgrading is useless, side quests are boring, I did every single one hoping I’d get a trophy. Rip

[@Str0mz0r]

love the Bulk and Skull music from Power Rangers!

[@shiningjustice7788]

It fits perfectly with the subject matter. Lmao. 😂😂

[@marcovens9440]

is that the final fantasy 10 music I here in the background. Awesome

[@MrJammers]

I'm enjoying New Game+ as well which adds more challenge to fighting and surviving. Adds more mini bosses between areas.

[@brunoadrian665]

i might be the only one thinking this, but i feel this FF took a lot from FF XV plot wise i mean, i understand that after 15 games having an original plot it's hard but for me it took so much from XV that it actually made the endgame actually predictable i mean, a prince on a dying world that has to sacrifice himself in order to save it, they changed magic form vials to gems unless you are a branded wich it's slightly different and better but it's the core of the game and it is the same core of the plot in FF XV but much better made, better characters and character development, world building, villains, everything. I strongly believe that this game is everything that FF XV could have been but never was. All this said i still think this game is really good and fun to play but that is what i felt.

[@King_Firebrand]

Is this spoiler town in here? Or safe to watch if you haven't played the game yet?

[@mattmas6628]

Spoiler free

[@BadNapalm]

Great video, thx Bawk. There seems to have been a coordinated effort to pan the game by some "journalists" for... Some reason. If you know you know.

[@chetmanly4410]

This guy gets it

[@NewVaultDweller]

Great vid as always, Bawkba 💜

[@MariusBoss11458]

I'm watching Maximilian Dood play the game. Around halfway through I think. One thing which he has a problem with and I agree is that the game is a bit too easy. Now maybe it'll get harder and maybe Final Fantasy Mode will be harder but so far. Pretty easy. I do like the concept of "If you can't defeat an enemy. That's a Skill Issue" works pretty well but I wish the enemies were harder. And yeah. Some quests can be pretty meh but I've been doing shitty quests in Gaming for years so I really don't care. Plus there are a few quests so far that I've enjoyed. That's my review so far (Just the Negatives) everything else for me is Amazing. Still laughing at SPOILERS All the scenes where the devs Blue Ball us about Clive and Jill.

[@joaopedrorodrigues6820]

Yeah, I felt the game was too easy on the main storyline too. But I think this concept of skill issue (for me) exists only because I'm a BIG fan of from soft games. Before those I wasn't like this at all. On the bright side, S tier hunts (or marks) are really good challenges. My first death in the game happened with one of those (the hunt was 10 lvls above me). It was GREAT

[@josephrussell1916]

I feel like they made it easier to enjoy the story with little stress and final fantasy mode is for if you want it challenging. I got through the FIRST 2 bosses in final fantasy mode and boy oh boy I was SWEATING cause they really really ramp it up.

[@joaopedrorodrigues6820]

@@josephrussell1916 That's great to hear! I didn't finish the game yet... Taking my sweet time with it cuz I'm loving almost every second. But now I'm really looking forward FF mode.

[@MariusBoss11458]

@@josephrussell1916 Good to know. It's just a shame that I would probably need to play on NG+ in order to have an actual challenge.

[@GerardoFirestorm]

dmc 5 has the same problem

[@snakekingblues3017]

The story made it seem like it was going to be grand with a lot of different character but they made its main Focus on clive

[@widexawake_]

You mean you're surprised that Clive was the focus of Clive's game?

[@snakekingblues3017]

@@widexawake_ Nah just that he was really the only character you play as The setup made it seem like there was a lot more going on

[@widexawake_]

@@snakekingblues3017 What are you actually trying to say? There is a lot more than just Clive's story going on, but Clive is the character we experience the events through. So I'm not sure what your problem is?

[@snakekingblues3017]

@@widexawake_ 🤔....hmmmm guess story feel rush Yeah there a lot going on but we mainly only seeing clive Everything else is just explain to us

[@kapoweyy]

Yo Bawk you get bonus points for the Bulk and Skull theme.

[@tarkovskijnoir]

Came here for this last minute. Based Bawk!! And that music choice... chef's kiss!!

[@marcosdheleno]

3:54 to me those parts reminded me more of Final Fantasy Tactics. i seriously wish they had set this game in ivalice instead, at least more people would realize it was gonna be another FF based on human conflict.

[@mistadoctorgaming]

So I'm going to start with I love the review, you hit most of the solid points. Favorite fight is probably the last honestly. The story, the tension, and everything that led to that just made for an amazing time. The story was amazing! Definitely feel like the ending could've been more descriptive? I'm not trying to throw spoilers out. Side quests were definitely monotonous besides a few that were amazing for the story. I did every side quest, every hunt all the good stuff. The could've had more added to expand them. When it comes to the gear I agree. Having those god tier accessories almost take the fun out. Especially being I played action mode. Knowing I have instant God mode available bothered me. The eikon abilities I feel were okay but I wish there were more options. Like i want to be able to cast holy or something like that. But overall I loved the game. I've played almost every Final Fantasy since I was a little boy. This one was an amazing ride, amazing story telling, very emotional. I teared up numerous times. Absolutely loved it. As for the big problem I agree, just let people play it. Games are evolving fast now a days. They have to adapt to the generations.

[@FahadGG1]

tbh side quests wasn't as bad. true the start was basic shit but some hit hard. amazing review!

[@scrapinator8910]

A wild Bulk and Skull appear?!

[@TrvisXXIII]

See, this is the reoccurring problem I’ve seen with at least a dozen videos I’ve watched so far on this game. EVERYONE complained about the side quests and the more I listened, I heard the same thing…people stopped playing them after a certain amount smh you can’t have a definitive opinion on the side quests then! There were some gut wrenching stories about slaves in Valisthea that made me so angry while playing and to hear people write them off as bad, especially if they didn’t play most of them while complaining about it is annoying

[@Druffmaul]

One of my best friends has hated FF for his entire life. And he LOVES FFXVI. Me, I've loved FF since FFVI. And all I can say is, "That figures."

[@acepilotgunpla8207]

I cant believe this game was made by the Lufrinians 😮

[@AdriBoy00]

LMAOO that ending. great review

[@ShadowTails17]

Thank you for the review, I need to play this game

[@vayneayoubi4539]

I finished the game recently, I agree most of them you said The side quests in this game are so boring and I did all side quests

[@Bawkbasoup]

Yeah it seems like people are very split on the side quests! I really enjoyed the ones in the last act

[@thegreatpoo2electricboogal318]

I played FF7, 8, 9, 10, 12 growing up. I consider myself a FF fan and I absolutely love this game. It's one of the best ff games and maybe one of the best games ever imo. Anyone who's crying the combat isn't turn based is ridiculous man babies.

[@MARSHALL20216]

Bawk you didn't even do the side quests

[@DukeOfJam7591]

It's does the Asura's Wrath boss fight thing but with good gameplay

[@Janfey]

Can't agree with what you said about the sidequests. Most of them give some character backstory or do some world building and i felt like they were only getting better going forward. Some characters would have felt really bland without them. I don't see them as a weak point in the game.

[@gamerforlife3946]

No they don’t. Just stop defending the game because of its name.

[@Janfey]

@@gamerforlife3946 yes, they are and i will play them all again in new game plus. Don't know what you mean with that name thing.

[@gamerforlife3946]

@@Janfey Cool play bad sidequests design

[@Janfey]

@@gamerforlife3946 Whats bad about them?

[@gamerforlife3946]

@@Janfey They are made with MMO mind not a single player mind. Think about it

[@mgsmak1]

Thanks for saying it, Bawk.

[@jaimeTF]

Hahahaha I love the ending of the video 😂

[@marcosdheleno]

9:00 that was my fear.

[@b130610]

Incredible clickbait lmao. Nice review as well.

[@DefagoLion]

Gosh! I love the ending of this video! BEST!

[@balmain2496]

Hello Mr. Soup I agree with most of what you said. It feels like another game which they slapped the FF name on top. There’s no RPG elements, no buffs, debuffs, no elemental weaknesses, no itemization, DMC5 combat, poor performance. The game looks great though.

[@Denu85]

people dont seem to appreciate or understand the side quests. it doesnt always have to be engaging. if u really pay attention the side quests are well written and is always connected to the main story. they are really interesting.

[@YoungMachette]

The FF14 shit was meh. The DMC6 shit was totally dope.

[@iveybullard8988]

The rewards you get from the renown from side quests are worth it. And there are some very good side quests you definitely missed. You missed out on a lot of story by only doing 10 of them.

[@DrewSpacely]

There’s no doubt that majority of those side quest were a snooze fest tho. They took my enjoyment from loving the game to becoming indifferent on whether I actually love this game or not…

[@iveybullard8988]

@@DrewSpacely Some of them are simple quests, but many more of them are good world building and character development which is crucial for an rpg imo.

[@DrewSpacely]

@@iveybullard8988 the game has far too much dialogue for a simple quest imo. There’s other ways to build a story for characters or a world without boring people to death. But if that’s what you like then that’s okay.

[@iveybullard8988]

@@DrewSpacely Not trying to sound rude, but how do you build characters and story without dialogue?

[@GerardoFirestorm]

@@iveybullard8988 with exciting and interesting sidequest, not boring or generic ones

[@servien9683]

Lol that ending of the video was fucking amazing.

[@Hadeshi.]

My favorite boss is the Dragon Ball Z battle IN SPACE!!

[@tempest3565]

Great review Mr soup, definetly gonna give the game a try

[@LegitBogus]

I wish it was the final fantasy

[@ttam320]

Lol you got me in the end haha

[@chrislee5268]

Hard disagree on the sidequests. They didn't feel generic at all and the ones in the third act close out a bunch of character arcs that I enjoyed.

[@Bawkbasoup]

I mentioned in the video that I did the act 3 side quests and they were great :)

[@viddotts44]

I gotta say, enjoyed the review except that bit at the end. Reviewers and other people disliking it shouldn't take away from your enjoyment. People openly criticizing it doesn't mean you can't like it! I think it is good, I mean you even criticized it here.

[@ethmonster]

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOL the end.... xD

[@Arcamonde]

Besides the terrible Diablo comparison, this was really well thought out and reasonable review. While I disagree to a degree about the world building in the side quests, I understand the criticisms.

[@10XSeiga]

What game has good sidequests?

[@10XSeiga]

Also some of the sidequests are actually great for world building. If you don't like then you just aren't into this world. And that's fine. But it doesn't take anything away from the games quality. I can name around 10 sidequests that I really enjoyed and I'm only halfway through the game.

[@LtCunningham]

The Witcher 3 and TES IV: Oblivion are one of the few games that have some good sidequests.

[@jesusleyva4386]

Witcher 3 and Elden Ring. Elden Ring's side dungeons and mini bosses reward you with powerful items

[@Apricator]

None. They're an inherently flawed design concept that I wish would just die already

[@mustardmule4723]

The Yakuza series

[@wiredvex99]

At least you didnt say the generic "its kingdom hearts nonsense". So tired of hearing this take for games that do anything remotely deep for story telling or gameplay or god forbid the devs do something "wrong" and its Nomura's fault for whatever reason they so choose to be mad at. As you say in the vid "just let people be happy"

[@jesusleyva4386]

The problem with KH is you gotta play like 6 other games to understand what's going on in the main story

[@wiredvex99]

@@jesusleyva4386 If you are unwilling to play all the games and pay attention to the story for details then you are the problem, not Nomura and not square. This excuse people use is tiring.

[@jesusleyva4386]

@@wiredvex99 I'm not paying for those other games. Forget that. Square just wants to milk its fan base. Good for you for buying into their BS

[@wiredvex99]

@@jesusleyva4386 You are oh a video talking about FF16 from SQUARE ENIX. Why are you here if you think buying and enjoying a SERIES is BS when you are on a video talking about FF16. Wheres the logic here. Like keep that shitty take of yours to yourself. God damn man, with your logic any series that has a sequel is considered "milking" a fanbase.

[@Zy0n7]

Im linking it but about half of the game is just 'ok' imo. The bosses and main story cutscenes are god tier. The rest you can clearly see B tier designs and effort. Gear is meh. Maps are very linear and limiting, tiny stuff like movement and coming to a halt gracing a bush or only jumping 2 inches are very fustrating just give me a run button esp in the base. Essemtially a ton of it feels like padding to complement where its best at which is just main character scenes+following fight.

[@kingleepz]

my goat