For much of its length,Final Fantasy 16is pitifully easy. Some of that involves the swap to real-time hack-and-slash combat, a departure fromFinal Fantasy’s typical turn-based gameplay. However, the ease mostly comes down to the advantages that players have. Luckily, they can ameliorate this.
To do so, players who want a challenge can simply handicap themselves. That sounds counterproductive, but it could makeFF16more engaging. Getting rid of various power-ups and gimmicks makes for a more challenging and suspenseful experience. By extension, it creates a greater feeling of satisfaction if they manage to conquer it. Some players like to restrict themselves, andFF16can accommodate that masochistic desire.
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5No Items
Though players can’t cast healing magic inFF16, they can use restorative items at any point. These include potions, high potions, and elixirs. The effects are instantaneous and rejuvenate most of the user’s health, essentially providing a way out of the most desperate jams. They cost money to acquire, but players soon have more gil than they know what to do with. Not to mention, these restoratives are often lying around the environment as sparkling items. Said pickups also yield tonics which boost attack and defense.
The presence of these items acts as a constant safety net.That knowledge can fuel reckless gameplay, but taking it away could heighten the danger of every encounter. Foregoing items would force gamers to play more defensively and think on their feet, rather than just barreling through and letting potions plug the holes.
4Limit The Eikons
Throughout the story,FF16protagonist Clivesiphons power from various Eikons. He then gains mystical attacks based on familiarFinal Fantasysummons. Players can equip up to three of these guys, and each one’s moves can clear a room in seconds. They effectively trivialize most battles. Even bosses are no match for a bunch of Eikonic attacks in rapid succession. Without them, though, Clive’s damage is miniscule at best. That’s where the challenge could come from.
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Not using Eikonic abilities amplifies the game’s difficulty exponentially. Even lowly grunts and bandits can pose a threat. The same way, monster encounters would echo David and Goliath. As players slowly chip away at the creature’s HP, they test their skill, patience, and restraint. Plus, it adds a whole new weight to the heroes' goal to purge the world of magic.
3Ignore The Side Quests
Citizens often come to Clive with their personal problems, but these optional activities are usually boring and simplistic. It’s easy to excuse fans for ignoring them. Letting these quests go unfinished, however, means a more treacherous path through the main narrative.Like any RPG, the side quests here yield valuable gameplay benefits. Forgoing them can set players back several levels and countless ability points. As a result, they may be underpowered during pivotal battles.
That’s not all, though, as certain side quests hold more tangible rewards. One sees Clive reunite with his noble steed, unlockingchocobosas a means of swift travel. In addition, taking on other tasks boosts the capacity and efficacy of items. Basically, Clive can carry more potions, and each one restores a greater amount of health. It’s not hard to see how this would come in handy for the tougher fights. As such, the brawls become much more brutal if players don’t attain these upgrades.
2Do The Hunts
Returning once again is the Hunt Board. Havingbegun inFinal Fantasy 12and been carried into subsequent entries, this bulletin board lists notorious monsters across the realm. They’re all a cut above normal adversaries, and have no problem flaunting their might to any unfortunate passerby. Some are beefed-up versions of story bosses, while others are entirely new. Either way,they make for some of the most challenging encounters in the game.
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Anyone craving that challenge should seek them out. Not only do the targets boast higher stats than everyday enemies, but they’re more liable to hit the heroes with poison and other debuffs. Players can’t just power through, even if they have a ready supply of restoratives. Attempting this is a fast way to an early grave. These fights are even tougher given that, unlike story bosses, they don’t offer some flashy quick-time event for an easy win. Instead, players have to do all the work themselves. On the upside, that difficulty means it’s exceedingly satisfying when they finally bring these beasts down.
1Final Fantasy Mode
Unlocked after finishing the main story, this mode is essentially New Game Plus. It lets fans experienceFF16again — this time with all of their weapons, armor, and abilities available from the start. One might think this is a power fantasy, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
The mode is far more challenging. Enemies swarm the heroes in greater numbers, with each foe significantly stronger than before. In addition, they’re not limited by area, meaning that virtually any monster can spawn in any map. Players never know which menace will come around the next corner, so they must stay on their toes. As a final insult, they don’t progress nearly as quickly. The level cap rises to 100, and Clive needs every bit of that extra oomph. Even then, his journey is no walk in the park. Final Fantasy Mode is for hardcore devotees, and it truly tests that devotion. By the end, they feel less like a powerful prince and more like a pitiful pauper.
