So I'm quite enjoying this game so far! It's a lot less like a typical JRPG aside from a handful of tropes (the immediate fan-service at Hammerhead and the assortment of floppy haired sword wielding angsty men you play as to say the least) but it's also a decent change of pace. Much better than XIII.

Especially enjoying the new combat system which feels very akin to Kingdom Hearts, a game which nailed that aspect some years and years before. Pleased that this is the direction they're taking it. Turn based has its place but it's refreshing to see something new.

Enjoying the open world, gorgeous aesthetics and the plot thus far. The only thing that's irking me slightly is the couple of instances of real world product placements that are slipping in. Finding a pamphlet dicussing a dress by Vivienne Westwood smacks me hard out of what was prior to that, a very immersive experience.

It's different and I wasn't expecting much since the early reviews weren't stellar but I'm pleasantly surprised. It's still not classic Final Fantasy, but I feel like trying to make it live up to a legacy is part of the problem. As a stand-alone game, independent of the predecessors it's pretty great.

I do like the little early FF soundtrack CDs that play in the car though, and the really really far flung references to FF lore that still exist (Cid, Chocobos etc.)