Final Fantasy XVI

Play it on: PS5

My current goal: Whatever Cid wants me to do

I’m still early in Final Fantasy XVI, but between an emotionally devastating intro and my undying thirst for Cid, I’m hooked. I don’t think I’m that enthralled by the politics, but there’s a deeply human core to all the extravagant fantasy nonsense, and it feels like this is the best Final Fantasy has been able to introduce a world in the decade since the FFXIII games sequestered exposition into a codex and Final Fantasy XV put it all in a movie.

FFXVI just had a really strong start, and while I don’t know where the journey is going to take Clive, I know I’m at least willing to stay on the ride, for now. The action-based combat is stylish, but as I start leveling up and unlocking new abilities, I’m starting to see the depth underneath the flashy showmanship. I’m not even close to leaning toward either extreme of calling it one of the best or worst Final Fantasy games, but I’m at least more intrigued than I was at any point in Final Fantasy XV, so that’s why I’ll be spending my weekend playing. — Kenneth Shepard