5/5 ★ – asoola's review of Final Fantasy XVI.

I’ve been excited for this game ever since it was announced and I can confidently say it was worth the wait and excitement. I really enjoyed the game from start to finish, the story is really well written, characters are very likable and memorable, gameplay and the boss fights are really fun, soundtrack is so epic and fantastic (the ending songs are so good), the biggest highlight for me in this game is the protagonist Clive Rosfield. Clive’s character and his own growth in the game is very well written, his struggles, hardships, personality everything about him is amazing and unique to me he easily became my favorite Final Fantasy protagonist and character! I’d like to talk more about the game itself for example I think the UI (main menus and all) were designed well they’re visually appealing I think everything was designed with care, another thing I liked is how much care went into the world building and explaining the lore in so much detail! The side quests were all well done I found myself enjoying every side quest I did I didn’t feel bored or overwhelmed with information from the quests I liked how they focused on exploring the minor characters in the story and I found myself loving those characters more every time I did a side quest! (Of course the main quests are so well done too) and to end this what a better way than to talk about the ending it is very beautiful and emotional the ending is the reason that made Clive a very special and well written protagonist to me! I’m still processing the ending since I just experienced it today however I will say if it is left to interpretation when it comes to somethings and this is a spoiler so here’s your warning I do think Clive AND Joshua are alive! Why? Well I rewatched the ending a couple of times I do think Clive is able to revive Joshua because of Ultima’s power he absorbed (or he casted Raise on Joshua) and for Clive we didn’t see him turn to dust only his hand was affected by the crystals curse, original Cid was affected but he didn’t die until the main quest “The Crystals Curse” so that’s how I see it as for the “FINAL FANTASY” book I do think it was written by Joshua with the help of Clive! Anyways Final Fantasy XVI is a very emotional tale about people’s will, brotherhood, and love and it was written really well easily my new favorite Final Fantasy game! ❤️