Final Fantasy XVI Review - Kinda Funny Gamescast

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp - go to betterhelp.com/... to get 10% off your first month.
Michael Higham joins Tim and Andy and Blessing as they give their review of Final Fantasy XVI.
Follow Michael at / michaelphigham
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[@belenresto6269]

Never has a demo turned me onto a game so quickly, nor has it made me so suddenly hyped for something. Just a few more hours

[@EveryTimeIDavid]

I was so mixed on this game by every preview I heard/read, and all it took was the demo to sell me fully. The music, the tone, the style. I’m excited to hear it continues to grow those things. I’m very excited for this game now.

[@AcesMaven]

Same here. Wasn't on my radar until I played the demo. And I hadn't tried the demo to see if I wanted to buy it. I just wanted to check out a free demo. I was hooked and bought it this weekend.

[@EveryTimeIDavid]

@@AcesMaven it’s real good! A few trophies left, so hopefully as I finished up the last side quests and what I think is the last mission, I’ll have the platinum soon. Love this game.

[@AcesMaven]

@@EveryTimeIDavid Glad you are enjoying it. I'm not near as far as you but I'm loving it so far. That story really pulled me in. Plus Joshua's voice actor being the same as Hugo in a Plague Tale was a perfect casting choice. And the combat is really opening up. I'm excited to do a new game plus, as I heard that's when the combat really shines.

[@EveryTimeIDavid]

@@AcesMaven hope you do as well! One of the few games I will be delving into for new game+, for sure.

[@pgdunphy]

Could not agree more that Final Fantasy needs to just keep committing hard to visions for each installment. So excited for this game!

[@hueyyang10]

But it just depends on the director and creative producers. In this case Yoshida understood the essence of what a FF game is. You can have all the ingredients but if you can't cook then yea....

[@Jylstin]

@@hueyyang10 yea all Yoshida wanted was to tell a good Emotional Rollercoaster story, Engaging and appealing fun combat aswell as a Fully fleshed out world and lore which ticked all the boxes for me. The kind of vision hasn’t been seen in the series for so Long and Yoshi-p absolutely nailed it

[@StriderZessei]

Game is mid AF, sadly. Lousy combat, bland main character, no actual RPG mechanics, and a predictable, recycled plot.

[@john_7000]

​​Lol 😂 we have a hater here, everything of what u said is completely false, there is a difference between loving a game or game is not for u and move on but what u doing is u completely hating and that just childish, if u Don't like it just move on but what u saying is just wrong cuz the game is not mid, it awesome​@@StriderZessei

[@StriderZessei]

@john_7000 "childish," you say. Ironic.

[@houstondragna7423]

Dear God. Just Tim's hype alone has me over the edge on this one. I am SOOOOOO ready to play the full thing tonight.

[@zachm2331]

11:00 PM baby! 😁

[@dougfoster445]

I’m playing it now! Definitely worth the 70 dollars. And that’s rare for me to say! Only tears of the kingdom was the other game I could say that about.

[@lionzcrown1702]

the devs said that it was a geographical historical context they went for when it came to adding color or not. they have never shyed away from adding black characters, and not all slaves were black. i think there’s nothing wrong with showcasing slavery by people that weren’t black. it existed.

[@proggz39]

@@dougfoster445lmao, tell that to the people who paid $120 in today’s money on Mario 64

[@justhaku9240]

1 month later, thoughts? I absolutely loved it

[@TheBarackAttack]

Man, Michael Higham is so good at talking about games. His impassioned mini-speeches are very moving. Shout out.

[@jameslhi]

He’s absolutely great

[@DailyFatigueBar]

Between this and FFVII Remake I desperately want a remake of Xenogears in this sort of format. Give me Fei doing full spectacle fighter combos. Give me giant Gear fights.

[@REVOLVERE]

Oh god I wish. Xenogears is my most favorite game of all time but I highly doubt they would ever give that magnificent game the chance it truly deserves.

[@JstBringIt]

Can’t wait to play it later today! That live lore Wikipedia thing was in Pentiment aswell showing the character, about them and lore of the world, cities, jobs back in the 1500’s. Was a big help in keeping up with all the characters and the story. Hope more studios start to do similar things, would really help when you have a week or two break and come back to a game.

[@fernandozavaletabustos205]

This is an incredible podcast! Thank you for your analysis.

[@fayte0618]

37:00 Having played the game I can add there are no asian ppl as well, but there are arabic looking people and brown skinned middle easterners. Also, they do a good enough job justifying the racial homogenous aspect of the game (if you read into the lore by harpocrates and did some side quests) is that Valisthea is just one continent of many in this game (like mention of implied Asiaish southern isles) and they are isolated from the rest of the world due to its violent politics and magicks. Its a creative decision and you may be right they want to avoid real world slavery mirroring but I think they found a good enough compromise

[@kdiamond12]

Shoutout to Michael's Evangelion shirt, that's dope

[@AK-so9gm]

Getting multiple Mims references in an FF16 review feels like getting hit with a flashbang at the grocery store

[@crosvale]

I've rolled credits, and I've completed all side content, and I'm so surprised at just how much I disagree with this review. I'm a huge FF fan. I've platinum'd 95% of the series, including FFXIV twice. I love this dev team, and I'm also a huge DMC fan. I went into this game expecting it to be incredible. That said, after rolling credits, I stumbled upon Skillup's review. I am not subscribed to his channel. I don't really know him as a reviewer. I saw him once on one of Alanah Pearce's podcasts. I listened to his review and realized everything he said about the game exactly mirrored what I felt while playing through it. At BEST, I give it a 7/10. I'm really happy the KF crew is enjoying it, but man, it just was not the same experience for me as someone who expected to love it. I love some things about this game, but there is just so much I didn't. It's just not as amazing as they're saying, imo. I'm looking forward to seeing others' opinions as more time passes.

[@Heimersleep]

No one can build the hype like Tim MF Gettys!

[@mojotheclown82]

Real question for Tim: is 2023 the new year of dreams?

[@mecharobots]

Wonder if the combat in FF7 will feel lacking now we have ff16 . Interested to see people's takes when they maybe compare both games .

[@chriswinchester679]

I'm finding it the other way around, actually. I'm extremely underwhelmed by 16's combat. The Remake's was way more engaging.

[@xeonaught6942]

well depends how you look at it 7 remake is a Action turnbased rpg hybrid and im still a huge fan of that but 16 is a pure 100% action hack and slash and love the depth involved

[@chriswinchester679]

@@xeonaught6942 Boy, do I disagree that 16's combat has much depth. It's almost exclusively using the same combos over and over again while waiting for cooldowns to reset.

[@elpiquetegames787]

The gamespot review was great 🔥

[@Mike_L.]

Great discussion. Always great seeing Higham on!

[@bobshigity]

As someone who loves FF14, playing the demo felt so good cuz it felt familiar in a good way. From the writing to the character moments and world building. I cant freaking wait to play this game

[@thepews1511]

The XIV players way up right now.

[@Mertle03]

I was already very excited for this game. This podcast just brought my hype to a new level!

[@Fabiankxx]

Great review! Tim is HYPED and the hype IS REAL!

[@cmadeam]

Such a great video guys! All made great points and def got me more hyped for launch tomorrow

[@cmadeam]

Came back to this video now that Ive rolled credits and the points were all accurate and valid! Totally agree with all your points amazing narrative but want to see what a sequel will look like now that the foundation is established

[@gumgumleobazooka]

Glad to hear it seems to have pulled off the characters and story. That was most of the reservations with all the various preview events.

[@corygraham-cx7yw]

Was my fear as well.

[@kevinwilliams2418]

Review brings tears to my eyes I’m so ready for this game

[@MrMidasGames]

This is why I’m a KFBF, watching a Final Fantasy Review and get a MIMs reference, this is who I am.

[@edu0100]

1:25 who let Tim cook 😭

[@MaffmanJones]

I have never played a Final Fantasy game ever...you guys got me wanting to pick 16 up...got an open summer gaming wise. Is it time I jump into this bad boy?

[@jamesvogt8441]

Yes

[@xeonaught6942]

I have finished the game and it's so refreshing to see positive talk about the game .. Jill is the best female character I have seen in gaming full stop shes powerful in her own way clives rock ... the sidequests at the end of the game was amazing most rewarding I have ever seen the tree house one had my crying tears

[@The_Claymores]

fully agree with everything you said! Honestly I think a lot of the negativity is manufactured because many gamers are angry that its an exclusive. So they go in comments claiming to have played it but they're really just lying trolls who feed on negativity.

[@R.L._Stine_88]

LoL I thought Andy said Stoned Bike Mike hahaha

[@Adam-wg9rh]

I’m trying so hard to wait for a redesign of the ps5 but I think I just gotta go ahead and get one.

[@Fabiankxx]

Great review! Tim is HYPED and the htpe IS REAL!

[@fredeblob]

Ok Bless...

[@Tamahome109]

Don't they usually have a spoilercast somewhere? I REALLY wanna see some people talking about the game WITH spoilers now that I've finished it.

[@Kmaitland89]

Andy, according to Digital Foundry, the internal resolution in performance mode can drop as low as 720p! They even recommend Quality mode as the Performance mode does not hold up, according to them.

[@TheAndyCortez]

but john linneman also loves motion blur and i definitely dont haha. motion blur at 30 fps is so tough on my eyes

[@Eureca]

​@@TheAndyCortez In terms of performance, it is interesting to see the contrast of seeing everyone lose their sh*t about hearing Starfield runs at 30FPS on console months before release. Compared to hearing FF16 runs at 30fps just hours before it releases.

[@idakev]

​​​​​​​​​​​​@@Eureca"Compared to hearing FF16 runs at 30fps" Don't be disingenuous. The game has a 60fps mode, and Starfield does not. It's like saying that Elden Ring is only 30fps on XSX/PS5. Yoshi-P has also promised patches to improve the frame-rate of the 60fps mode in heavy scenes (we saw the same thing happen with RE4). There's footage of Starfield running at what looks like 20fps in an indoor area because of some basic particle effects. I still wouldn't consider it a 20fps game. I will be playing Starfield on my Series X, btw, and assume it will be great. Doesn't change the fact that these games definitely do not have the same performance profile.

[@boochtron]

@@idakev it doesn't run 60 fps smoothly though.

[@user-cw3hw3xt5p]

Has Tim done a spoiler cast of FF16 yet? I just beat the game last night.

[@MrJoaolayne]

Game of thrones+dragon ball+God of War+Witcher+Devil May Cry Fantastic game

[@SDinfected]

I'm on media blackout for this game but definitely coming back to this once I roll credits.

[@EveryTimeIDavid]

Very top level. Embargo seems to be extremely strict 👍

[@k.vn.k]

Embargo has been lifted right? I saw many reviews are in.

[@EveryTimeIDavid]

@@k.vn.k they said they can’t say some things here, makes me think that - especially because this is story heavy - they have held stuff behind an embargo.

[@NoirOtaku]

Well I'm even more hyped! That was the best demo I've ever played!!!😊

[@KahlevN]

As far as the mini-map goes, you can set waypoints, with the Square key while on the map, then that waypoint shows up while in-game. I much prefer not having one, to have a more clean and immersive UI, in fact I'd get rid of or shrink down more UI elements if I could.

[@dreamxhollow]

Where's the spoilercast for FF16?

[@AWFarmer]

Gamespot dude was cool, and thanks for letting Tim host and review this one. This is the longest 12 hours of my life after watching this, before we can play FF16.

[@mrspaceman2764]

I've grown to hate mini maps. I never learn the terrain when there's a mini map. Without it I've got the whole map memorized now and I love it. I appreciate games that allow you to turn it off. RDR2 started feeling really good after a few hours of turning it off in that game too.

[@presidentc4]

Havent played the demo and havent followed coverage because i knew i wouldnt be playing this at launch. Already playing things but you guys and your adulation of this game makes me wanna move this up from when i currently plan on playing it

[@BusteloMaster]

Did kinda funny drop the kinda funny scale

[@Shrewdy1]

The highest compliment I can pay the demo, is that I've never played a Final Fantasy game before and so wasn't very invested in this - but after trying the demo, it's now a day 1 buy. Gotta be one of the best examples of the power of a quality demo in years

[@tomi2kewl4u]

I think Yoshi P and his team at CPU3 realized the power behind a beefy demo to promote sales. FF14's demo gives the entire base game + the first expansion for free. I won't be surprised if many studios take notice and we're gonna be getting some great demos in the next few years.

[@mrspaceman2764]

Nobody is talking about the Learning Channel style map room that gives you all the plot points in relation to the player and timeline. That part is genius.

[@MrJoaolayne]

Fidelity mode is the best one. Environments are jaw dropping

[@vexmyth0clast]

I can finally dust off my PS5. Been playing too much Diablo 4 on pc. Super excited for this Final Fantasy.

[@bluebomberjet1021]

Same here. Haven't used it since Horizon.

[@TooTallGamer]

Same. I think i will buy this, but i cannot let go of my Diablo 4.

[@MumonguGaming]

Just downloaded after watching this, even though I loved the Demo. Wanted to watch this review first. Thanks for making my mind up guys. Ben Starr is a great Human Bean

[@CuddFresh]

More hyped for Rebirth, but I will play this.

[@strawnobi]

I’m a few hours in and it’s rad already. So I can’t wait for the big moments in this game.

[@eddaggett56]

I agree with Michael after playing a lot of the game now. This would be an amazing direction for future entries to go in but there is definitely room for improvement. Having a bit more combo variety like pause combos or try to reintroduce playable party members with different weapon types next game, although that would sacrifice Eikon style switching so might be a bit tough. Expanding the gear system and map variety would be good too. It’s an excellent game but I see the areas that it can be improved in There’s also so much of FFXIV design elements in this game. Because of that it has a lot of the same positives but also the same negatives as FFXIV. Even with all that though, it might be my favorite game of the year, right up there with RE4 Remake

[@maddoggnick96]

This is KFG Vol. 2, Episode 184 (Episode 436 overall)

[@cvspergaming]

Genuinely curious how others feel about this because I have noticed it with a few different KF reviews - I feel like it's a bit unnecessary to include people on the panel who haven't finished the game or who arent close to finishing the game. I think when you already have 3 people who have completed the game you don't really need a 4th panel member who has only played 15 hours to give thoughts on the game that are very likely to change after completion. Andy is my absolute favorite so nothing personal against him, just something I felt like sharing.

[@tywoidan]

In this case, in a narrative heavy game, it was great to have someone who had only played a 3rd of the game. Trying to go spoiler free, having Andy there was a reminder not to spoil it for us, because no one wanted to spoil it for him. Also in a 50 hour game, it's good to know I'll probably be high on it long before the end. It's a different perspective, and again, kept the conversation from becoming a spoiler cast.

[@cvspergaming]

@@tywoidan Agree to disagree, even if Andy was gone it would still be a normal spoiler-free review, they would do the spoiler cast separately like any other game they have reviewed thats worthy of doing a spoiler cast.

[@BowmansWorld]

Game is incredible. Goty for me.

[@HollyDrummond]

What happened to the review scale?

[@Dr.Beetlejuice110]

Surprising that final fantasy 10 and 10 1/2 isnt talked about more.

[@martialartz161]

Its mad hearing Andy Diss the npc lack of animations when his favourite games are things like elden ring and bloodborne where its identical to this game

[@AxtionBoy-nv1uk]

Different set of expectations for a different experience. FF usually offers a more cinematic experience.

[@martialartz161]

@@AxtionBoy-nv1uk not really though I mean we're over 16 final fantasies in and the npc interactions have pretty much remained the same for years in the series they were the same in 7 remake too

[@EveryTimeIDavid]

@@martialartz161I think the biggest difference is going from the level of care put into everything else to that takes you out of the experience. Those other games it’s difference when you approach somebody and you are given a different experience.

[@martialartz161]

@@EveryTimeIDavid I guess just seems a weird thing to nitpick almost every games npcs are the same

[@TheAndyCortez]

​@@EveryTimeIDavidyup!

[@josht5248]

Im just happy to be spending my morning clickin all the links to Michael Highams reviews and giving him the engagement. Much deserved!!

[@starman69]

Tim got me hype… defs gonna check it out

[@langleymneely]

As someone that considers themselves still new to modern gaming (started in 2020 after a 18yr hiatus) I have never been a Final Fantasy fan, I dislike turn based game play and the weird chaotic nature of this series has always turned me off. It wasn’t until dabbing in the FF7 Remake and it’s optional play scheme, that I started to even contemplate playing Final Fantasy games so when I heard that 16 would be more accessible for a player like me I got excited. The demo was great but now hearing you all rave about this I seriously think this will be my first new Final Fantasy game to play on release. Cheers gentlemen!❤️👍🏾

[@Imsohighrightnow2]

Tremendous interview as always gentleman. Keep up the good work young men lol 😂

[@Jylstin]

What great review perfectly encapsulates the game!

[@k.vn.k]

Spoilers. It’s amazing.

[@dangerass1982]

I've been playing FF since 3/6 on SNES. I wasn't sold on this game, even after the demo, and felt like I might skip it. But I bought it anyway. Clive just woke up in Cid's cell and I'm going to look for Gav and get information on the fire dominant. This game keeps getting better.

[@spaceycakey1987]

action rpg is questionable its a charicter action game the jrpg elements of this game are extreamly weak compared to past entries

[@threestars2164]

Nonsense, the ys series is a jrpg series, just like this.

[@dwaynem624]

I'm shocked they never did a spoiler cast.

[@blairsnyder1067]

The closest I’ve gotten to want to play a FF game was KH, until I played 16’s demo. My god the GoT tone I’m hooked

[@Rezidentsteevil]

Had to come straight here from the hypest tik tok ya'll have ever made.

[@xRebelSpiritx]

Honestly! 🔥

[@mistergianpaulo]

Holy crap Tim got about as badly burnt snowbike mike last year

[@fascinatedjack]

Blessing with a SUPREME t-shirt

[@chillmusik0101]

Dude i felt Asura's Wrath vibes in FF16. And it is amazing.

[@toddeggleston3556]

Had to turn off. Your guest would creep too far into spoiler territory.

[@toddeggleston3556]

Blessing: I was impressed how they handled certain things. Guest: you mean this specific thing… with these specific characters… Me: 🤨

[@SuperHellhawk]

I was the biggest skeptic about this demo and game! The gameplay I wasn’t feeling and some of the lip syncing is awful! However now I’ve started properly getting into the game, it’s really excellent

[@snackpack1739]

Can't wait to play tonight!!!!

[@The_Claymores]

I took a full week off work to play FF16, I haven't done that since Bloodborne released. I'm 80 hrs in and now on a New Game+ playthrough. FF16 is my favorite final fantasy and I've played them all (except the mmos which I'll need to play soon)

[@War624]

Been an FF fan since FF7. Didn't have a snes as a child so I missed out on FF1-6 until the PSP era. 15 let me down in its og release. Story felt flat. The gameplay wasn't actiony enough for what SE had been trying to do, and only finally got right with 7R and this. Loving the return to a medieval setting. Have heard the story falls off a little in the second half, but as long as it's better than 15, X-2, and the 13 series, I'm gonna happy with it. Taking off Friday. Let's fucking go.

[@JohnKellogg]

My son was born 6 weeks ago, and I just finished ToTK. I still have Diablo 4 to get to, and then this game has my time. My gaming has been so piecemeal with a newborn.

[@marshall6113]

I feel like I’d never played more games than when I had my new born. During the day, I’d sit on a big bean bag with my son on my chest and play games while he slept. I put 120 hours in when I replayed FFXII lol. Not all kids are the same though obviously haha.

[@iamkurogane]

I don’t really hear “Let Tim host” much anymore. That’s because Tim is hosting everything!! It’s awesome! Love it ❤

[@boochtron]

does the guy even play many videogames?

[@AmitysWake]

Amazing to hear someone compare the out of this world action scenes to asura wraths. That game remains a sleeper

[@chriswelch3725]

Another W for Playstation next is spider man 2 I'm excited

[@cornpillows]

Heard them said he was red and damn that boy is red!

[@ThatGumYouLiked]

Tim I see you in that FFX shirt brother 👊❤

[@ccan_max5285]

HIgh praise! what I was hoping to hear.

[@RogersBase]

FFXVI is seriously an excellent game. Solid 9/10 and an easy Top 8 Final Fantasy. Great story and characters, killer soundtrack; I just wish there was more Benedikta & that Clive walked a little faster. 😂

[@davidreece2964]

My body is ready.

[@Ocean5ix]

Second time I hear someone mentioning overheating problems. Not a good sign.

[@Chorizo_Penguin]

Great review this, nice one

[@Cyborg_1612]

Returning to this a month later having beaten and platinum’ed. The game really is a flawed masterpiece, the best 7/10 game I’ve ever played

[@heissilo]

The pacing kills it for me.

[@acdatpb]

16 -2 is possible look at ffxiii

[@geoafe66]

Hype 😄I will be playing this all weekend

[@cambotech5556]

I played it early, it's crazy good. Ending and Jill is amazing

[@bencampos8817]

I’m so over the fog

[@samikhalifa6021]

Blessing, cmon man. The reason not a lot of ppl of color are in the game is because people of color are not nor should be synonymous with persecution or slavery. Countries around the world have had versions of history. Korea had slavery for 1,500 years for example. For African Americans including myself, i understand the immediate need to feel we need to be represented here but it honestly just might be a case of a Japanese studio making a Japanese game revolving around Japanese/Asian history = “we’re actually not thinking about America” every waking second. I could be wrong and overthinking this whole thing.

[@matthewjudge3763]

In reality, it's more of a Japanese studio making a European fantasy world. As a person mixed "South Asian decent," (can't stand that term, Its india, it has its own subcontinent) I didn't exactly feel excluded, then suddenly more included when I went to Dahlmekia in the game. I didn't even notice it, really. To be honest, it matters more that it feels genuine to a medieval technology level where most people live and die without ever traveling further than the next town over. It always takes me out of it when encountering a city that has the racial makeup of Vancouver in a setting like that.

[@MULTIPLANGOD]

ff 17 needs to be open world mmo lite

[@redsagexxv]

yea hearing the thing about the overheating is even more reason to hope for a pc release tbh. certain other ps5 exclusive titles i played were overheating on me as well even after cleaning ps5 tbh.

[@maxminy5634]

I had that in the demo. But I cleaned it and placed my ps5 horizontally which fixed the problem. Fan didn’t even spin up.

[@shamus3477]

Does he not realize ff7 remake has two more parts until that story finishes

[@Pizzadelivery24]

Stopped watching after blessings comments about the end. I consider that spoilers so fuck that

[@skdeathxlife]

Thanks for letting me know

[@lancerloco]

Tim is so red from excitement

[@graciaman]

What’s the deal with “the new face of videogames” name? Where did that originate lol

[@AmacioMartin]

Just from playing the demo i got attack on titan mixed with Game of Thrones, DBZ might be a stretch, but nonetheless real anime undertones

[@AxtionBoy-nv1uk]

Now I’m gonna be disappointed when I don’t fly to another planet and end up with gold hair.