Info about FINAL FANTASY XVI:

Official game description:
FINAL FANTASY XVI COMPLETE EDITION
==================================
The COMPLETE EDITION is a bundle containing the following:
----------------------------------------------------------
**Game Content:**  
\- FINAL FANTASY XVI Base Game  
\- "Echoes of the Fallen" DLC  
\- "The Rising Tide" DLC  
(The products included in this bundle are both available for separate purchase, as well as contained in other bundles. Please be careful to avoid making duplicate purchases.)  
**Redeemable Weapons & Items:**  
\- Buster Sword  
\- Curtana  
\- "Away (1987)" Orchestrion Roll  
\- "Torn from the Heavens" Orchestrion Roll  
\- "Through the Maelstrom" Orchestrion Roll
FINAL FANTASY XVI Expansion Pass
================================
The Expansion Pass set includes FINAL FANTASY XVI DLC “Echoes of the Fallen” and “The Rising Tide” at a discounted price.  
\*To enjoy this DLC content, you must have the FINAL FANTASY XVI base game installed. An internet connection is also required in order to update the base game to the latest version.  
\*Items included in this Expansion Pass are also sold separately. Please be sure that you do not already own either of these DLC before purchasing.
FINAL FANTASY XVI Echoes of the Fallen
======================================
As the sun sets over the land of Valisthea, strange, dark crystals begin to circulate on the black market. Could they be the sinister fruit of a long-slumbering Mothercrystal—one the world never knew existed? Setting out in search of answers, Clive and company encounter a group of suspicious traders. Their trail leads them to a long-abandoned Fallen tower known as the Sagespire and the terrible secrets that await within...  
**New Story Quest Unlock Conditions**  
The new quest will become available after unlocking Origin as a destination on the world map and completing the quests "Where There's a Will" and "Priceless."  
**Special Bonuses**  
\- Buster Sword  
Wield Cloud Strife's iconic weapon from FINAL FANTASY VII.  
\- "Away (1987)" Orchestrion Roll  
Liven up the hideaway with a new background music track.  
\*To enjoy this DLC, you must have the FINAL FANTASY XVI base game installed. An internet connection is also required in order to update the base game to the latest version.  
\*Some bundles include this DLC with the base game. Please be sure that you do not already own this DLC before purchasing.
FINAL FANTASY XVI The Rising Tide
=================================
An unmarked letter arrives at the hideaway containing a request most curious: the Dominant of Leviathan, long lost Eikon of Water, is in need of rescue. To heed this call, Clive and his companions must journey to Mysidia—a hidden land under a blue sky—where they will uncover the tragic history of a forgotten people.  
**New Story Quest Unlock Conditions**  
The new quest will become available after unlocking Origin as a destination on the world map and completing the quests "Where There's a Will" and "Priceless."  
**Special Bonuses**  
\- Curtana  
Signature weapon used by the Warrior of Light in FINAL FANTASY XIV, reimagined for FINAL FANTASY XVI.  
\- "Torn from the Heavens" Orchestrion Roll  
\- "Through the Maelstrom" Orchestrion Roll  
Liven up the hideaway with new background music tracks.  
\*To enjoy this DLC, you must have the FINAL FANTASY XVI base game installed. An internet connection is also required in order to update the base game to the latest version.  
\*Some bundles include this DLC with the base game. Please be sure that you do not already own this DLC before purchasing.
FINAL FANTASY XVI DEMO
======================
Play the opening section of FINAL FANTASY XVI. Save data can be carried over to the full version of the game.  
After completing the opening section of the story, players can enjoy FINAL FANTASY XVI’s amazing action gameplay in the “Eikonic Challenge” mode made specially for this demo.  
\*Some content in this demo may vary from the final game.  
\*It is not possible to save or load game data for the Eikonic Challenge mode. Data from this mode cannot be carried over to the release version of the game.
About the Game
==============
The first fully fledged Action RPG in the mainline Final Fantasy series.  
An epic dark fantasy world where the fate of the land is decided by the mighty Eikons and the Dominants who wield them. This is the tale of Clive Rosfield, a warrior granted the title “First Shield of Rosaria” and sworn to protect his younger brother Joshua, the dominant of the Phoenix. Before long, Clive will be caught up in a great tragedy and swear revenge on the Dark Eikon Ifrit, a mysterious entity that brings calamity in its wake.  
**Titanic Clashes** - When rival Dominants come head to head, epic battles between their Eikons ensue!  
**Eikonic Action** - Clive utilizes the powers of multiple Eikons in breakneck battle!  
From Strength to Strength
-------------------------
A plethora of powerful swordplay techniques and Eikonic abilities lie within Clive's remit—and it is up to you to decide which ones you wish to learn or upgrade. If you're having trouble choosing, upgrades can be unlocked automatically.  
Story-focused mode is recommended for those players who are less comfortable with action games and wish to focus more on the game's story elements. In this mode, Clive will automatically evade some attacks, and epic Eikonic combos can be triggered with simple button presses. Action-focused mode, where Clive's every action is controlled by the player, is available for those who are confident in their skill—or want to test it.  
■Content included with this product
-----------------------------------
\- FINAL FANTASY XVI Base Game  
\- “Onion Sword” weapon (Available for redemption from the System tab in the Main Menu upon reaching the main scenario quest "A Chance Encounter.")

Release date: 17 Sep, 2024

Categories: Action RPG, Single-player Story, Real-time Combat, Character Progression, Boss Rush, Linear Progression, Exploration


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics: No data
- Time-to-fun: No data
- Player Archetypes: No data


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Engaging, mature story and characters (weight 0.97): The game features a well-crafted, mature story with engaging characters, drawing comparisons to Game of Thrones in its themes and political intrigue. Side quests contribute meaningfully to world-building and character development, enhancing immersion. The narrative is praised for its emotional depth, twists, and satisfying conclusion.
- Stunning graphics and world design (weight 0.89): The game boasts stunning graphics, detailed environments, and impressive visual effects, creating a beautiful and immersive world. The art direction is consistently praised, with special attention given to character models, landscapes, and the overall aesthetic. The game's visuals contribute significantly to its atmosphere and cinematic presentation.
- Fluid, dynamic, satisfying combat (weight 0.88): The combat system is dynamic, fluid, and satisfying, offering a variety of abilities and customization options. Players can experiment with different Eikon powers and combos, creating a personalized playstyle. The action-oriented combat is often compared to Devil May Cry, emphasizing skill-based gameplay and rewarding mastery of mechanics.
- Compelling protagonist and cast (weight 0.88): Clive Rosfield is a well-developed and compelling protagonist, supported by a strong cast of memorable characters. The voice acting is consistently praised, with Ben Starr's performance as Clive being a particular highlight. The relationships between characters are explored in depth, adding emotional weight to the story.
- Exceptional and memorable soundtrack (weight 0.84): The game features an exceptional soundtrack composed by Masayoshi Soken, enhancing the emotional impact of key scenes and battles. The music is praised for its memorable melodies, diverse range, and seamless integration with the gameplay. Many reviewers consider it one of the best soundtracks in video games.
- Epic and visually stunning boss fights (weight 0.4): The game features visually stunning and epic boss fights, particularly the Eikon battles, which are described as cinematic spectacles. These battles showcase the game's graphical capabilities, intense music, and over-the-top action sequences. The scale and presentation of these fights are often compared to blockbuster movies and anime.
- Faithful to Final Fantasy roots (weight 0.29): The game is a love letter to the Final Fantasy series, with numerous references, Easter eggs, and familiar elements that will resonate with long-time fans. It successfully retains the essence of Final Fantasy while introducing new and innovative ideas. The game's world-building and lore are also praised for their depth and detail.
- Enjoyable and worth purchasing (weight 0.25): The game is generally enjoyable and worth purchasing, with smooth gameplay and impressive visuals when running without technical issues. The combat is responsive and spectacular, and the game is well-optimized for newer hardware. The reviewer enjoyed the game overall.
- Mature themes and cinematic action (weight 0.14): The game embraces mature themes and content, including violence, blood, and mild eroticism, setting it apart from previous entries in the series. The combat is fast-paced and visually impressive, drawing comparisons to Devil May Cry in its flashy and cinematic style. The game offers customizable difficulty options to cater to a wide range of players.
- Compelling voice acting performances (weight 0.07): The voice cast delivers compelling performances, especially where emotion was necessary to carry the weight of certain plot points. The Latin Spanish dubbing is excellent, with actors conveying the emotions and dramatic weight of the characters impeccably. The dialogues are rich and the conversations feel authentic with significant emotional weight.

Common complaints:
- Tedious, unrewarding side content (weight 0.7): Side quests and exploration feel unrewarding due to repetitive tasks, generic objectives (fetch quests, monster hunts), and meager rewards. The world feels empty and linear, lacking secrets or meaningful choices. This negatively impacts pacing and player engagement, making the game feel like a chore.
- Poor optimization, frequent crashes (weight 0.54): The game suffers from significant performance issues, including FPS drops, stuttering, and crashes, especially on PC. Reviewers report needing to implement various workarounds and tweaks to achieve a playable experience. These technical problems detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- Shallow RPG progression, customization (weight 0.33): RPG elements feel tacked on and unrewarding, with minimal impact on gameplay. Crafting and equipment systems lack depth, offering only minor stat gains and limited customization options. This makes exploration and side content feel pointless, as rewards are often useless or easily outclassed.
- Too easy, lacks challenge (weight 0.21): The game is too easy, even on higher difficulty settings, with enemies being damage sponges rather than posing a strategic challenge. Combat lacks depth and complexity, often devolving into button mashing. This diminishes the sense of accomplishment and makes the game less engaging.
- Poor cutscene quality, animation (weight 0.14): Cutscenes are locked at 30fps, creating a jarring visual experience. Character animations are stiff and lip-syncing is poor, detracting from immersion. The game relies heavily on cutscenes, which can become tedious and disrupt the flow of gameplay.
- Underdeveloped female lead (Jill) (weight 0.09): Jill is underutilized and underdeveloped, primarily serving to enhance Clive's development. The story becomes too focused on Clive's perspective, making other characters feel insignificant. The romance between Clive and Jill relies on anime cliches and lacks meaningful interaction.
- Slow movement, limited exploration (weight 0.08): The character's movement speed is slow, making exploration feel tedious. The game has a 'rails game' feel, lacking a big open world for free roaming. The world feels disconnected due to separated sections and lack of direct walking option.
- Game is too easy (weight 0.08): The game is too easy, even on the hardest difficulty setting. The game is too kind and not as dark as it wanted to be, with darkness lasting only a few hours. The game's difficulty is very forgiving; the reviewer never died during the first playthrough, even without using accessories to make the game easier.
- Lacks RPG elements, linear (weight 0.07): The game is linear compared to earlier entries in the series. There is no party system, and companions lack equipment and cannot be commanded. The game is more of an action game than an RPG.
- Repetitive enemy design (weight 0.07): The same basic enemy types are repeated throughout the open world areas, despite slight variations in design and names. The world is large but very linear, with many locations only accessible later and a predetermined path.
- Boss battles are not fun (weight 0.05): Boss battles in arcade mode are not fun due to the scoring system, which rewards low-power attacks and repetitive actions like freezing enemies. Bosses teleport around nonstop near the end of the game, making them harder to read.
- Needs DLSS and FG (weight 0.05): The game depends heavily on DLSS and FG to be able to get a solid and proper experience. The game lacks native ultrawide support and FOV adjustment options.
- DLC is too strong (weight 0.04): The difficulty of the Leviathan fight in 'The Rising Tide' DLC feels unbalanced, being too long and complex for a pre-final battle bonus. The Leviathan DLC is too strong.
- Clive is not a good character (weight 0.03): Players are limited to controlling only Clive, with a handful of flashy moves that become repetitive against health sponges. Clive's actions are misconstrued as a threat, wearing the player down.

Gameplay feedback:
- Action-based combat; DMC-like (weight 0.3): The combat system is action-oriented, drawing inspiration from games like Devil May Cry. It emphasizes fast-paced action, combos, dodging, and utilizing Eikon abilities. Some reviewers find it enjoyable but lacking depth compared to the games it imitates.
- Stagger system, customizable skills (weight 0.29): The game features a stagger system where depleting an enemy's stagger bar makes them vulnerable to increased damage.  Players can customize their skill set and utilize mechanics like parrying and dodging. Accessories can simplify combat for novice players, while New Game+ and challenge modes offer increased difficulty.
- Simplified RPG, action-focused (weight 0.26): The game leans heavily into action, with simplified RPG elements.  It focuses on combat and story, with a basic equipment system and limited character customization. Some reviewers feel it deviates too far from the traditional Final Fantasy formula.
- Linear, unrewarding exploration (weight 0.25): The game's world design is a mix of linear paths and semi-open zones, which some reviewers find limiting and unrewarding to explore.  The game is more linear than previous entries, guiding players from marker to marker. Some reviewers feel it struggles to define itself as either an RPG or an action game.
- Clive-focused; limited party control (weight 0.08): The game focuses on controlling Clive, with party members acting as uncontrollable NPCs. Some reviewers find this limiting, as party members have minimal impact on combat and cannot be customized.
- Simplistic, unrewarding gear system (weight 0.05): The equipment and crafting systems are often criticized for being simplistic and unrewarding. Gear provides only minor stat increases, and crafted items are quickly outclassed, making the systems feel insignificant.
- Side quests: fetch, lore (weight 0.04): Side quests often involve fetch quests and simple tasks, but some offer interesting lore and character development. Some reviewers find them monotonous, while others appreciate their connection to the world and relationships.
- Eikon abilities, summon battles (weight 0.03): The game features summon battles and Eikon abilities that can be combined for diverse playstyles. However, some reviewers feel that summon battles rely too heavily on visual presentation and QTE sequences.
- Cutscene-heavy; cinematic experience (weight 0.02): The game is very cutscene-heavy, with some cutscenes being excessively long. Some reviewers feel the game is more of an interactive movie than a traditional RPG.
- Multiple difficulty options (weight 0.02): The game offers multiple difficulty levels, including a New Game+ mode with increased challenge. Players can also adjust the difficulty by equipping or unequipping certain accessories.
- Arcade mode for score attack (weight 0.01): Arcade mode allows players to replay chapters and aim for high scores based on combat performance. It provides a way to experience the game's combat system without cutscenes.

Performance notes:
- Inconsistent loading times (weight 0.39): Loading times vary significantly, with some players experiencing long delays even on SSDs, while others report near-instantaneous loading.  Fast travel can also trigger crashes for some users.
- 30 FPS locked cutscenes (weight 0.06): Cutscenes are locked at 30 FPS, creating a jarring experience compared to the higher frame rates achievable during gameplay.  However, a community-created mod is available to unlock the frame rate in cutscenes, addressing this issue and sometimes adding ultrawide support.
- Relies on upscaling/frame generation (weight 0.02): The game's performance often relies heavily on upscaling technologies like DLSS and FSR, as well as frame generation, to achieve playable frame rates.  However, these technologies can introduce visual artifacts like ghosting and may not be effective when the base frame rate is already low.
- Poor level of detail (LOD) (weight 0.01): Poor level of detail (LOD) implementation causes NPCs to appear abruptly close to the player.  Additionally, blurry character faces and unfinished textures are present in the game world.
- Inconsistent PC port quality (weight 0.01): The quality of the PC port is inconsistent, with some reviewers describing it as unoptimized while others find it to be well-optimized. This suggests that the game's performance and stability may vary depending on the user's hardware and software configuration.
- No ultrawide support (weight 0.01): The game lacks native support for ultrawide resolutions, although community-created mods are available to address this limitation.
- Excessive visual effects (weight 0.01): The game features impressive visual effects, but excessive particles and effects can sometimes make the visuals appear cluttered or poorly rendered, hindering the overall experience.
- Muted, bland color palette (weight 0.01): Some reviewers found the game's color palette to be muted and bland, and the textures to feel flat, detracting from the overall visual appeal.
- Inconsistent facial animation quality (weight 0.01): The quality of facial animations varies, with some reviewers finding them to be outdated while others praise them as setting a new standard. This suggests inconsistency in character expression and emotional delivery.

Recommendations:
- Buy on sale only (weight 0.47): Many reviewers suggest purchasing the game only on sale due to various flaws, including performance issues, questionable design choices, and the game not fully delivering on its promises. Some suggest waiting for a significant discount or heavy promotion before buying. This point is mentioned very frequently.
- Enjoyable despite flaws (weight 0.43): Despite its flaws, many reviewers enjoyed the game overall, citing its engaging story, impressive graphics, and fun combat. They recommend it to players who are willing to overlook its shortcomings and focus on its strengths. This point is mentioned frequently.
- Divisive among Final Fantasy fans (weight 0.35): Reviewers are divided on whether the game is a worthy entry in the Final Fantasy series, with some considering it a fresh take and others feeling it deviates too much from the core elements. Some recommend it to newcomers or those who enjoy action-oriented gameplay, while others suggest sticking to older titles or spin-offs. This point is mentioned frequently.
- Lacks RPG depth (weight 0.15): Some reviewers feel the game prioritizes action over RPG elements, resulting in a lack of depth in character customization, equipment management, and meaningful choices. They suggest it may not appeal to those seeking a traditional RPG experience. This point is mentioned multiple times.
- Strong story and cinematics (weight 0.1): Many reviewers praise the game's story, narrative, and cinematic presentation, highlighting its emotional impact and epic scale. Some recommend focusing on the main story and skipping side quests to enhance the experience. This point is mentioned multiple times.
- Overall positive experience (weight 0.06): Despite its flaws, some reviewers confidently recommend the game as a "shining B-grade masterpiece RPG." They suggest that the positive aspects of the game are more significant and leave positive memories. This point is mentioned multiple times.
- Mods can improve experience (weight 0.03): Some reviewers recommend using mods to improve the game's performance, fix cutscenes, or adjust gameplay elements. This suggests that the base game has some shortcomings that can be addressed with community-created content. This point is mentioned multiple times.
- Different from traditional FF (weight 0.03): Some reviewers suggest that the game is a different kind of Final Fantasy game with a strong emphasis on combat, so players should not expect a traditional FF experience. They recommend it to players who enjoy action RPGs with deep stories, spectacular combat, and rich worlds.

Other player notes:
- Departure from series norms (weight 0.11): Many reviewers noted that Final Fantasy XVI is a departure from the series' norms, with some considering it the least Final Fantasy-like game in the series. While it retains some classic elements, its mechanics and tone differ significantly from previous installments, leading to mixed reactions from long-time fans.
- Extensive world-building and lore (weight 0.07): The game features extensive world-building and lore, with tools like an in-game encyclopedia, character codex, and active time lore system to help players understand the complex world of Valisthea. This allows players to delve deeper into the story and character relationships.
- Exploration of social constructs (weight 0.03): The game addresses social constructs like racism, war, and over-dependence, prompting thought without being overt. The game's plot involves a world where people with magic powers are born as slaves and treated poorly, with average citizens committing atrocities, resulting in a dark and gloomy theme.
- Reviewer context and circumstances (weight 0.02): Some reviewers mentioned their specific circumstances, such as updating their review as they progress, receiving the game as a gift, or purchasing the game on multiple platforms. This information provides context but doesn't offer substantial feedback on the game itself.
- DLC quality is inconsistent (weight 0.02): DLC content adds new territories and challenges but doesn't significantly expand the story's lore. Some DLCs are considered unqualified or abstract, while others offer above-average writing, presentation, and gameplay.
- Uninspired side quest design (weight 0.01): Side quests are a weak point, often feeling like MMO fetch quests with static NPCs and minimal rewards. While some side quests offer interesting lore, the presentation is generally soulless and unmemorable.
- Disappointment, lacks specific details (weight 0.01): Some reviewers expressed disappointment with the game, describing it as a 'mediocre game of the century' or a 'second-rate anime.' These points lack specific details and constructive feedback, indicating potential review bombing or overly negative sentiment.

Emotions:
No emotions}