FINAL FANTASY XVI hits harder in battle than it does in storytelling

FINAL FANTASY XVI hits harder in battle than it does in storytelling

Author: SIFTER July 19, 2023 Duration: 44:19

Japanese role-playing games specialise in grandeur. Epic tales of warring nations that often involve the direct intervention of godly beings, the genre usually entertains even if the execution doesn’t match its lofty ambitions. Final Fantasy XVI is one such game. Despite a grimdark fantasy setting that stumbles on multiple fronts it’s the combat and overall spectacle that truly exhilarates.

Sharing more in common at times with the Devil May Cry series and God of War reboots than its predecessors, Final Fantasy XVI is a fascinating shakeup of a long-beloved franchise. Many legacy touchstones persist, like the summons system – in addition to adorable Chocobos and Moogles – but the epic action-based combat is an unlikely highlight.

Series admirers Adam Christou (SIFTER, Triple R) and Persephone Ranson (GamesHub) join this episode of DROP RATE to discuss just how the Final Fantasy series got to this point, and why despite its problems, XVI captivates more than it grates.

We don't even mention naked chain-bound muscly protagonists, but that we were all definitely thinking of them.

You can listen to DROP RATE wherever you get your podcasts from, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

A copy of Final Fantasy XVI on PlayStation 5 was provided to SIFTER for the purpose of this review discussion.

You can support SIFTER's independent gaming journalism by:

☕ Tipping us on KoFi https://www.ko-fi.com/sifterHQ

👕 Wearing our merch https://sifter.store/

💬 Talking to us on the SIFTER Discord https://www.sifter.com.au/discord

SIFTER is produced by Kyle Pauletto, Fiona Bartholomaeus, Daniel Ang, Adam Christou , Omi Koulas and Chris Button. Mitch Loh is Senior Producer and Gianni Di Giovanni is our Executive Producer. Thanks to Audio Technica Australia for their support of SIFTER.


Ever find yourself scrolling through endless video game reviews that all seem to say the same thing? Drop Rate takes a different path. Hosted by Chris Button, this podcast digs deeper than a simple score, offering thoughtful critique and honest analysis that challenges how you see your favourite hobby. It’s not just about whether a game is good or bad, but why it matters, how it fits into the broader landscape, and what it’s actually like to play. Each episode brings together sharp voices from games journalism, dissecting the latest releases across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The conversations here feel like the kind you’d have with a knowledgeable mate after a long session-nuanced, sometimes surprising, and always grounded in a genuine passion for the medium. For listeners tired of surface-level takes, this SIFTER production provides a space where games are treated with the serious, yet joyful, discussion they deserve. Tune in for a video game podcast that prioritises insight over hype, and leaves you with more to think about long after the credits roll.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 94

Drop Rate - Video game reviews that'll make you think
Podcast Episodes
Whimsy and magic in cozy BANDLE TALE: A LEAGUE OF LEGENDS STORY [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:39
Yordles are fae-like creatures from Bandle City, a magical land where wondrous events occur. If you’re not careful, you may fall into one of the portals leading to the home of the Yordles. BANDLE TALE: A LEAGUE OF LEGEND…
LIKE A DRAGON INFINITE WEALTH is ludicrously packed with fun [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:04
Like someone made a joke then just massively committed to the bit, LIKE A DRAGON INFINITE WEALTH has just so much in it you can spend ages just chasing what you find fun. Charlie Kelly (Checkpoint Gaming) and Jam Walker…
THE LAST OF US PART II REMASTERED is worth a revisit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:13
It's hard to match the combat and minute to minute gameplay in the THE LAST OF US PART II and the new PlayStation 5 version offers more of the excellent nailbiting gameplay and deeper insights into the developer's creati…
SIFTER's 2023 Games of the Year - ALAN WAKE 2, BALDUR'S GATE 3 & more [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:15
It's been a massive year for video games, with some of the very best games ever made packed into 2023. In our annual special we've collected the entire SIFTER team like Pokémon into one massive end of year episode. We've…
Swing back into action with MARVEL'S SPIDER-MAN 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:33
Can MARVEL'S SPIDER-MAN 2 up the ante once again? Now both Spideys are back for some dual arachnid action in this PlayStation 5 exclusive. Have Insomniac been able to mix up the gameplay for this third game?Fiona Barthol…