Mar 2022
Bringing chaos to the land of Cornelia, 'Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin' dares to say that darkness motivates. In this modern reinterpretation of a classic tale, Jack and his motley crew of wannabe Warriors of Light explore a world teetering on the brink of despair, all while wearing fashion statements that scream 'I just rolled out of bed'. If you’ve ever imagined how chaotic it would be to bring Final Fantasy into the stylishly chaotic world of Team Ninja, get your controllers ready.
In 'Stranger of Paradise', players step into the combat boots of Jack, a hero annoyingly obsessed with one thing: destroying Chaos. The combat is fluid and dynamic, mixing frantic button-mashing with some RPG-style job-switching that proudly pays homage to the original series. Players can switch jobs mid-combat, allowing for some seriously acrobatic flair when they get tired of using their sword. Enemies have a ‘break gauge’ that needs to be whittled down before you can finish them off with a jaw-dropping move that would make even the more seasoned players cry tears of joy, or many players did just cry out loud when the dark forces managed to end up victorious. The lore and storyline demands a keen eye as you uncover its layers of absurdity. What’s more chaotic than chaos? Try navigating a plot that includes confused memories, countless character deaths, and enough dark undercurrents to make your favorite emo teenager weep.
Visually, the game is a mixed bag of jaw-dropping vistas contrasted by some surprisingly dated character models. The environments do a fantastic job of blending nostalgic elements from earlier Final Fantasy titles, painting a rich scenery that whispers sweet nothings in the hearts of longtime fans. However, the character models feel like they missed the memo about 2022 graphics capabilities, leaving players confused if they have stepped foot into a time machine back to the 2010s. Expect some clipping issues too. It’s not all bad, but it sure isn’t all good either — unless you think a character with a shirt emblazoned with the words "Kill Chaos" is an untapped fashion statement!
In summary, 'Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin' is a delightfully chaotic blend of intriguing lore and slapdash execution. While some elements leave much to be desired (like character design and a plot that reads like a thesaurus explosion), the frenetic gameplay and job-switching mechanics provide thrilling moments. It's not quite the return to the cozy embrace of classic Final Fantasy you might be looking for, but if you're in the mood for mayhem wrapped in a jumbled storyline, then plug that headset in and prepare for battle! Just remember to calibrate your chaos meter before diving into this wild ride.
Another SquareThought Site