In what is almost an expected occurrence for new AAA game releases, Final Fantasy 16 is the latest victim of review bombing from users that contradicts the game's glowing critical reception. Despite having an impressive aggregate score of 88 and 89 on Metacritic and Open Critic, respectively, several longtime fans of the Final Fantasy franchise have taken it upon themselves to voice their dissenting opinions regarding Final Fantasy 16's mechanics and gameplay, bringing into question whether or not Final Fantasy 16 can be considered a "real" Final Fantasy. Although the practice of review bombing is a relatively recent phenomenon, the argument over whether a new Final Fantasy game is a "true" sequel has existed since the series' origins.
As is often the case with legacy video game properties, any disruption of the established status quo of a well-loved series of games is typically met with resistance from a certain portion of the community. And because each game in the Final Fantasy series intentionally switches up major elements of the series' trademark gameplay in each new entry, there have always been those that disagree with any new direction the franchise has taken since its inception. The review bombing of Final Fantasy 16 is simply the latest example of a sharply divided community of series fans.
Final Fantasy 16's Reception Confirms Yoshi P's Comments on the Series
It's possible that the negative reception of Final Fantasy 16 from some fans began during the pre-release cycle for the title as each new gameplay reveal solidified that fans could expect a very different Final Fantasy. This sentiment was only solidified by Naoki Yoshida's comments on Creative Business Unit 3's intentions with the title and the goal of moving the series forward into the future. As it turns out, Yoshi P was absolutely correct in his assessment that the franchise had become "fossilized" in the minds of players, with many longtime fans seemingly upset by the changes to the formula evident in Final Fantasy 16's mechanics and gameplay systems.
To take this idea even further, Yoshi P was even quoted as suggesting that the series do away with numbered entries altogether in order to avoid confusion from fans regarding what they could expect in each entry or avoid the unnecessary comparisons between a new Final Fantasy game and its series predecessors. The mixed reception from fans and subsequent review bombing of Final Fantasy 16 only serves to support that many fans are adverse to any change in the series' formula. For those that were around during the series' initial switch from 2D to 3D with Final Fantasy 7, the resistance from some fans to anything "new" in a Final Fantasy game is practically expected.
The Future of Final Fantasy is Trapped Between the Hammer and the Anvil
With critics almost unanimously praising Final Fantasy 16 and the fan base most certainly split regarding the title, it's safe to say that where the franchise goes from here is anyone's guess. The inherent risk in taking Final Fantasy fully into the realm of real-time combat seems to have been one of the bigger points of contention among the community, with many decrying the lack of turn-based combat as a sign that Final Fantasy 16 couldn't be considered a "real" Final Fantasy game. But in terms of what a potential Final Fantasy 17 might end up being like, the changes implemented between the most recent entry and its eventual sequel are a key component of the franchise's spirit.
Since the very beginnings of the series, Final Fantasy has been built on the foundation of each game dramatically switching up the series' formula between entries. While there were certain staples that fans expected from entry to entry (turn-based combat, an engaging story, fan-favorite monsters like Chocobos and Moogles, etc.), the mechanics that supported the returning elements have historically varied from game to game. Final Fantasy 16 represents a very polarizing moment for the series and its fans, with some aspects of the title returning the series to its roots while others signal a sea change for the legendary franchise. Regardless of where the series goes from here, it's almost guaranteed that not all fans will be happy with its direction.
Final Fantasy 16 is now available on PS5.