Mar 2015
Welcome to Orience, a land of magical nerds and crystal-powered warfare! The Final Fantasy series has spawned countless entries, but Type-0 hopes to squeeze every bit of melodrama, combat, and teenage angst into one Action RPG cocktail. With its high-definition remaster, the stakes have never looked glossier. But does it deliver the goods, or just offer a shiny cover on a slightly tattered book?
Final Fantasy Type-0 HD invites players into the lives of Class Zero - a peculiar mix of 14 students, yes, you heard right, who wield magical powers and absurdly large weapons with the same enthusiasm graphically depicted in high-def. Navigating a world map that feels like it was borrowed from an entirely different game altogether, players engage in missions peppered with side activities like chocobo breeding (because why not?) and dabbling in a few side quests. However, be prepared for a steep learning curve, since players can swap between three characters mid-battle, unleashing their own colorful combinations of spells and skills-at least until they inevitably meet an untimely demise. Don't worry; there are backup characters in the wings, just like your friends when you inevitably fall off the gaming deep end. The game also offers a tactical mode for a few missions, but let's not kid ourselves-no one plays Final Fantasy for the RTS elements! The gameplay experience is punctuated by a color and difficulty spectrum that caters to both rookie and hardcore players, even adding an 'easy' mode for those who prefer Netflix to a brutal grind. Plus, you can unlock character costumes like free DLC to show off your inner weeb. Thanks, Square Enix.
The visual upgrade from the original PSP version to PS4 is substantial, offering a vibrant wallpaper-like experience sprinkled with all the modern effects you could expect. However, amidst the glorious character models and stunning environments, there are areas that still remind us this was once a portable title. Some non-central characters look like they just stumbled off a low-budget soap opera, struggling to fit into a high-res world while the main players shine bright. It's like putting a crown on a potato and calling it a fries king! The transition to HD helps, but the inconsistencies-particularly in textures-can leave players wishing for just a bit more polish here and there. Each explosion packs a visual punch, but the landscape sometimes feels underwhelming-like a grand dinner party served on paper plates.
Final Fantasy Type-0 HD aims high, delivering a robust action RPG infused with rich lore, zany characters, and chaotic battle systems. While it offers a beautiful visual revival and engaging gameplay, it also embraces its roots with the clumsiness typical of a school setting-like forgetting your homework right before midterms. With some frustrating moments, especially in understanding the lore and handling character dynamics, it's not the perfect epic we might expect from the franchise. Yet, for fans of the series, diving into the madness of Class Zero is akin to rediscovering a beloved book-full of passionate moments and nostalgic value. So grab your controllers, summon your chocobos, and prepare for a battle of ridiculous proportions. Just don't forget to screenshot those cringe-worthy moments, they're memories waiting to be shared!
Another SquareThought Site