Syeddanishanwar

Thanks for this post. I guess Oblivion is off my to buy list now.

@Vectrex Perfectly said and this is a sentiment shared by majority gamers all over the world.

I've come to a point where I've stopped buying AAA games from big studios as they keep on raising the price bar that is increasingly making this beautiful creative hobby unaffordable for me.

"although if you’re looking for a physical copy, you may have to wait a little while."

The comment in the article is spot on. I only buy physical (PS5) games. And this was one of the few (if not the only game in my experience) whose physical disk in my country was sold out in many stores on day 1.

I still have to wait to get hands on this gem. The store customer rep told me the game disc will arrive most probably in a day or two, even though I had ordered this game online on day 1 as new stock got sold out almost instantly.

I already have 6+ games pending on PS5 that I haven't even touched. I am not buying anymore this year until I go through my present pending lineup.

A meta critic score of 78 is a big pass from me. Due to limited game time (5-8 hours a week), I never buy games with MC below 85.

@Nepp67 A physical disc of a multiplayer game is useless when the servers are shut down.
That's why I never buy games with online DRM protection. It's a total waste of money.

Microsoft - a trillion-dollar company - wants to double its value at the expense of gamers, who will most likely have to sell an arm and a leg (in addition to a kidney or two) to afford its console and games.
If there is Satan of the gaming world, Microsoft really is the top contender.

I wonder how gamers review bomb MetaCritic. Push should write an article about it. Do they get together on a forum and review bomb games like this and TLU2, etc?
Is the mass positive/negative review from a single person using some script/VPN etc.?

Personally, I always do my part individually, and post reviews about games that gross out, or delight me. I thought most reviewers did like same.

The PS5 disc game was so popular in my country that dozens of copies sold off within the first day.
I am still waiting (and hope) for my local store to restock so that I can buy and play this game.

@Kelrics90 Agreed 100 percent. Compared to Nintendo, Sony suddenly seems like the good guys of gaming. Nintendo is increasingly becoming like Ubisoft, and I don't think it will be all that good for the company if you 'ignore' gamers and pursue maximum profit.

Nintendo's days are numbered just like Ubisoft. Mark my words.

I have been gaming since 1989. And this game is by far my best game I have ever played. I have beated both the base and the DLC even beating pre-nerf Radhan in under 10 hours. Finishing bad bosses like Radhan and Malenia brought pure adrenaline fed entertainment.

FromSoft proved that we don't need realistic graphics in games. What is more important is beautiful artwork and fun gameplay.

@PuppetMaster Apart from XV none of these sold well, and were a commercial failure. 11 and 14 are multiplayer and so they have different target market than single player games.

Metacritic user score of XV is also mixed (7.4) with recent reviewers (2025) calling it the worst FF game in the series mainly due to clunky combat and lack of depth in story.

I've been a big fan of FF series and finished FF 1 to 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, and 13. But 15 and 16 were a world apart that lacked the main spirit of the original entries - party and turn based combat. That's why I wasn't compelled due to buy them.

Capcom learned from RE6 that most gamers expected survival horror puzzle elements that defined the original, and so they applied the same in 7 and 8 that resulted in stellar sales of the last two as opposed to 6. SE must learn the same that changing the identity of a game will result in negative reception from fans.

You guys here may deny all you want but most gamers expect a turn based party combat system and the latest iterations even FF7 Rebirth failed to meet target sales mainly due to deviating from the elements that defined FF games.

The executives at SE have stated in an investment meeting that FFXVI and even Rebirth failed to meet target sales figure, and so 3.5 million is more realistic figure as of Mar. 2025.

Also, just look at the polls majority over 53 percent believe FF games should revert to turn based. People who support action based are minority and SE will suffer even more going forward if it stubbornly stick to action based solo combat system.

I had stopped buying new games due to my big backlog. But I just had to buy this one due to the unique way it surprised gamers with its gorgeous graphics, great voice acting, unique story, and above all price - just $50.

I never buy indie games as I am not into games with 16-bit era 2D graphics.
But this game delighted me for sure, and I hope to see similar games from indi devs that look like AAA game and sold at a price most gamers can afford.

And just look at these latest MetaCritic and User scores showing Universal Acclaim.

92 PS5 Based on 64 Critic Reviews
90 PC Based on 45 Critic Reviews
93 Xbox Series X Based on 14 Critic Reviews

User 9.7 Based on 3,221 User Ratings

@MrPeanutbutterz Quote: "And my overriding feeling while playing FF16 was "who the hell is this supposed to appeal to?" Because it wasn't very appealing as a FF game, and it was utterly lame as an action game.."

Agreed 100 percent. FF real charm was turn-based. It's evolution to an action based alienated majority fans the same way RE6 did when it tried a new combat system as compared to the past.

Capcom learned the lesson and turned things around with 7 and 8. SE seems to be blind to what most gamers want.

@Czar_Khastik They have 5,000+ employees, and also they have to look after shareholders ROI.
So, they need to sell at least 5 million+ to break even.

FF16 was a disappointment for the company of this size, as it sold just 3.5 million (as of March 2025). In contrast, Pixel Remaster, a turn-based game, released the same year in 2023 sold 5+ million.

That goes to say that most people, including me, love turn-based combat more than action based. People commenting here about preference for action based combat are certainly in the minority.
Personally, I haven't played any FF game after FFXIII. I bought FF7 Remake and Rebirth only for the nostalgia element - characters and story. Otherwise, I prefer turn based like majority of gamers, and have bought Expedition 33 as the devs knew about the heartbeat of average gamers, not just ones commenting here.

Sekiro. I've breezed through almost all bosses in this game - Mob, Ape, Lady Butterfly, Genicguro, etc. - but stuck at St. Ishin. I won't stop playing until I beat this baddie. The four part boss is exhausting. I've beaten pre-nerf Radhan in Elden Ring DLC (in under 10 hours) but this boss seem harder than him.

Also, I've ordered Expedition 33 after rave reviews and the fact I love JPRG like combat. I'll have a go at it in between Sekiro.