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.

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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
Final Fantasy VII Remake & My Friend Pedro [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:46
Adam plays Final Fantasy VII remake and is transported back to 1997 and Gianni fights his way through gun puzzle in My Friend Pedro.
Doom Eternal & Animal Crossing New Horizons [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:18
Adam has been ripping and also tearing in Doom Eternal and Gianni has been chilling out in an island paradise in Animal Crossing New Horizons
Crossy Road Castle & Rainbow Six Siege [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:43
Sarah is picking the right operator for the job in Rainbow Six Siege, and Gianni is climbing higher and higher in Crossy Road Castle
Two Point Hospital & Super Smash Bros Ultimate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:33
Viv is trying to keep at least some patients alive in Two Point Hospital, and Mitch keeps missing those frames in Super Smash Bros Ultimate.
Dirty Bomb & Left 4 Dead 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:45
Sarah is pushing the generators in Dirty Bomb and Daniel has a keen ear out for witches in Left 4 Dead 2.
Temtem & Monster Hunter World: Iceborne [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:30
Gianni journeys into a new world of monster collecting in Temtem, and Adam is watching the patterns to take down giant beasts in Monster Hunter World: Iceborne
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt & Pico Tanks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:47
Scott is following the Witcher around like Jaskier, and Mitch commands a cute little tank in Pico Tanks