When the game looks pretty, it really does look pretty. Some of the rendering choices are still pretty unfortunate, with bad ghosting at times, but it is pretty often that I look at some of the actual art on display here and just gawk at it.
Like hot damn, look at these characters. I have said it before and I'll probably keep saying it, but I've always loved the art style of FF games. They aim for something realistic but still video-gamey and artistic, in such a way that draws me in far more than just going for the ultra-realistic graphics. That kind of thing is a fun novelty, to see just how tech can be pushed, but when one thing is off and you're going for that look, it ruins it all. When you've got a bit more style to it, there is a lot more freedom there.
FFXVI Spoiler
Also, this was a great scene. The game has a lot of scenes in it with fantastic writing, even in the side quests. All of the voice actors did a great job and I have yet to come across something that sounds awkward or just a voice that doesn't fit. Performances are spot on. Tons of memorable lines and a lot of intrigue.
There isn't much to dislike about FFXVI. I think my only two issues are the performance being less than stellar, and that the side quests are a bit oddly placed. It isn't that the content of them is poor, because you get a lot of interesting information about the world and characters and there are some that give you some pretty nice rewards. They are just pushed to you at kind of awkward times in the story. It would be much better if they were given to you during segments where there is some downtime, but you'll randomly get 3 side quest opportunities in the middle of a chase scene or something like that and of course my completionist brain has to do them immediately. It can ruin the pacing just a little bit. Nothing to be too mad about though.
I'm about 50 hours in now, getting close to the end I'm sure. I've been trying to do everything I can and have enjoyed doing that, unlike something like Tears of the Kingdom where I dreaded my next play session. So far the game is getting a 9/10 for me. It's very good, and definitely a breath of fresh air after taking a break to play the Silent Hill 2 remake.
