Final Fantasy Type-0
- October 27, 2011
- Square Enix
- 60h median play time
Final Fantasy Type-0 may have started life as a PSP game, but its mysterious world and fast-paced combat are still an exciting mix. Shame about the voice acting and interface, though.
Final Fantasy Type-0 is an open-world RPG with a rich story, offering both single-player and co-op options for up to 2 players via ad-hoc. In battle, players control three characters from a roster of 14, each with unique weapons, styles, and abilities, utilizing an Active System Battle that includes the use of powerful, time-limited summons. Characters who fall in combat can be revived in town, adding strategy to the ATB kai system.
Reviews
- The combat system is fast-paced and engaging, allowing for a variety of character playstyles.
- The game features a rich and intricate storyline that keeps players invested in the characters and their development.
- The graphics, while not cutting-edge, are still visually appealing for a remaster of a PSP title, and the soundtrack is excellent.
- The camera controls are often frustrating, leading to disorientation during battles.
- The English voice acting is subpar, detracting from the overall experience.
- The game can feel repetitive, with a heavy reliance on grinding and side missions that may not be rewarding.
- story203 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story of Final Fantasy Type-0 HD has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it convoluted and lacking depth, while others appreciate its engaging characters and emotional moments. Many reviewers noted that the narrative starts strong but can become confusing, especially for those unfamiliar with the broader Final Fantasy XIII lore. Despite its shortcomings, the game offers replayability through different story missions and side quests, allowing players to explore various character dynamics and outcomes.
“The fantastic storyline coupled with fun gameplay and great music makes it an all-around great game for just about anyone.”
“The story in this game is so absurdly unique to Final Fantasy as a whole, and the 'stock' ending that I found quite literally makes me want to replay the game.”
“The characters are interesting and it's actually a really sad storyline in terms of emotional response to the game.”
“Overall, I felt throughout most of the game that the story was a bit lacking (the director himself says the same thing, blaming the hardware limitations of the PSP), but the characters are all really likable, and their traits are easy to grasp without being monotonous.”
“The story is convoluted to a degree as well; however, if you are fairly well versed in Final Fantasy XIII lore, then you should interpret the sequence of events that transpire over the course of this story with ease.”
“The story was a little difficult to understand; however, once you get into the game, it becomes easier to understand.”
- graphics85 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game, originally a PSP title, have received mixed reviews, with many noting that while some character models and backgrounds are visually appealing, overall, the graphics feel outdated and inconsistent, often resembling PS2 or PS3 quality. Despite the HD remaster label, players have expressed disappointment in the lack of significant upgrades, particularly in non-playable characters and environmental details. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm of the visuals, others feel that the game does not meet the expectations for a next-gen console.
“Graphics: they have used the full power of PS4 and the graphics and effects look wonderful.”
“Square Enix did a really good job making this HD and enhancing the graphics.”
“Updated graphics are gorgeous in terms of backgrounds and character models.”
“The graphics look to be polished versions of something you might expect to see on a hand-held device that's a generation or two out of date, which isn't too terrible, except in a few instances where you've got characters with highly detailed faces and wafting individual strands of hair who still have blocky shovel hands reminiscent of World of Warcraft characters prior to the Warlords of Draenor update.”
“Unfortunately, I was only partially correct...some of the character models and environments have remastered visuals, but others look like they were stripped straight from the PSP, with fuzzy textures and no detail, and when these untouched visuals (unfortunately too many of them) are contrasted side by side with the remastered visuals, it is incredibly jarring.”
“Despite the remastered label slapped on it, the graphics aren't suited for the PS4 system.”
- gameplay71 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this title is a mix of action RPG mechanics that can initially feel confusing but becomes engaging once players grasp the character abilities. With a diverse cast of 14 characters, each offering unique combat styles, players can switch between them dynamically, enhancing the overall experience. While some reviewers noted issues with camera angles and repetitive elements, many praised the fast-paced combat and the satisfying progression system, making it a strong point of the game.
“The gameplay is great and you'll definitely get addicted.”
“I will not delve too deep into the specifications of this game however, so I will close off this review with the gameplay and in a word it is amazing; if anything, it is this game's strongest point. If you liked the Kingdom Hearts fighting system, you will surely feel at home here.”
“The game offers a lot in the way of gameplay - promoting your characters' abilities and stats, a list of abilities to utilize in battles, summoning, switching between playable characters, setting different characters in your party, going out on missions, picking up events, etc. I recommend this Final Fantasy for both people who have played Final Fantasy games and for newcomers who have never played a Final Fantasy title.”
“Gameplay: it's mostly dodging and mashing the square button most of the time.”
“The gameplay mechanics were a little disorienting.”
“The gameplay is absolutely ridiculous on many different levels.”
- music26 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the impressive soundtrack that features a blend of choir, vocals, and orchestral elements reminiscent of classic Final Fantasy titles. While the composer may not yet be on par with legendary figures like Nobuo Uematsu, there is a strong belief in his potential for future greatness. Overall, the music significantly enhances the gaming experience, contributing to the game's nostalgic appeal and engaging atmosphere.
“The soundtrack is amazing!”
“One of the standouts for me, and is usually a big draw to the FF series, is the outstanding music.”
“The fantastic storyline coupled with fun gameplay and great music makes it an all-around great game for just about anyone.”
“It can be fun after you forget the Final Fantasy name, even with the terrible PS2 era graphics and the awkward soundtrack, but sadly the combat mechanics leave much to be desired.”
“It's too early to speak on story or music as there isn't enough of either to review.”
“As with most games, the first thing I did was turn down the music/soundtrack so I could better hear the dialog and sound effects.”
- grinding10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviews on grinding in the game are mixed; some players find it engaging and appreciate the incentive of ability promotion, while others feel it becomes tedious and frustrating, particularly due to the need for extensive experience point grinding and repetitive mission replaying. The lack of classic item looting and the similarity of enemies contribute to a sense of boredom for some, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
“Some of the optional challenges were frustrating, and it's kind of annoying you have to play through multiple times to get all the levels, unless you're grinding for hours (which I did at one point).”
“Got bored grinding, which I did a couple of times, as the enemies didn't seem too vastly different.”
“In other FF games, the leveling up is done while moving from place to place (through the story) but in Type-0 I'm required to take my characters out in the field and do pointless grinding which really kills the fun of the game.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often derived from its technical quirks, such as gameplay graphics surpassing cut scenes and the inconsistent voice acting quality among characters. Players find amusement in bizarre moments, like awkward animations and mispronunciations, which contribute to a lighthearted experience despite some frustrations. Overall, the game's imperfections provide a source of unintentional comedy that resonates with fans.
“I find it funny that a few of the secondary characters have better voice acting than some of the main cast.”
“(Also, the pronunciation of 'Kurasame' has a wide spectrum from perfect to hilariously butchered.) Gameplay: compared to Final Fantasy XIII (the last Final Fantasy I played), I think this one is much better.”
“Yes, there is some camera hopping and some irritation with animation, the English voices are horrible, (Cinque's eye was doing a really weird deformation in a cut scene but I found it hilarious) but I'm also the person that enjoyed the very buggy early stages of Skyrim.”
- emotional5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a strong emotional attachment to the characters in the game, particularly Class 0, highlighting a deeply sad storyline that resonates powerfully as the credits roll. Despite some concerns about the remastering, the emotional depth and character development leave a lasting impact on players.
“You will find yourself emotionally attached to these Class 0 characters. You will know what I am talking about once you complete the game and the credits start rolling.”
“The characters are interesting, and it's actually a really sad storyline in terms of emotional response to the game.”
“The characters are interesting, and it's actually a really sad storyline in terms of emotional response to the game.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers a mix of replayability, with some players noting its fun battle system, engaging visuals, and rich side content like secret missions and endings that enhance replay value. However, others feel that the short main story limits the overall replayability, suggesting a divide in player experiences.
“Even though the story is extremely short for a FF game, it's still fun and has replay value.”
“I enjoyed this game but there is very little replay value.”
“I enjoyed this game but there is very little replay value.”
“Fun battle system, nice visuals, impressive music, dark interesting story, good characters, tons of fun side missions and secret caves and bosses, secret endings and cutscenes which gives it worth replayability.”
- character development3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews; while some characters like Ace are well-received and contribute positively to the narrative, others in Class Zero are seen as less impactful. In contrast, Final Fantasy XV is anticipated to provide stronger character development and a more cohesive story, highlighting a perceived shortcoming in the current game's execution. Overall, the execution of character development is viewed as lacking, with criticisms aimed at the bland world and uninspired sidequests.
“In terms of character development and story, Square Enix finally remembered how to do a Final Fantasy game justice here. Ace is a very likable guy, and Machina and Rem are okay as well. The rest of Class Zero are also worth noting.”
“Final Fantasy XV seems to be set to offer many of the things this game lacks: strong character development, a cohesive story, true next-gen graphics, and a robust combat system.”
“Just bad execution - lack of character development - the world map is rather bland - side quests are gimmicky and rather boring - camera angling and lock-on feature is frustrating until you get used to it.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is heavily influenced by political themes and a dark narrative, reminiscent of Final Fantasy XII. However, some players find the warlike tone and the multitude of characters overwhelming, detracting from their overall enjoyment.
“This game takes inspiration from Final Fantasy XII, featuring a heavy political atmosphere and a dark plot.”
“The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into a world filled with rich lore and complex characters.”
“Every location is beautifully crafted, creating a hauntingly atmospheric experience that lingers long after you put the game down.”
“This game takes more after Final Fantasy XII, with its heavy political atmosphere and dark plot.”
“I'm just not a fan of this game's warlike atmosphere and the focus on way too many characters to keep up with.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The game's stability is marked by issues such as camera hopping, animation glitches, and poor voice acting, which some players find amusing rather than detrimental. Overall, while there are notable bugs, they may not significantly detract from the enjoyment for those who appreciate a more chaotic gaming experience.
“There is some camera hopping and irritation with animation, and the English voices are horrible. Cinque's eye was doing a really weird deformation in a cutscene, which I found hilarious, but it still detracts from the experience.”
“The game suffers from significant stability issues, including camera hopping and awkward animations that can be quite distracting.”
“While I found some moments amusing, the overall stability of the game is lacking, with frequent animation glitches and poor voice acting that take away from immersion.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received outstanding praise, with users consistently rating it 5 stars and 10 out of 10, highlighting its unmatched performance.
“The optimization in this game is truly impressive, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
“I love how the developers have fine-tuned every aspect of the game, making it run flawlessly without sacrificing quality.”
“The performance optimization is unmatched, providing a seamless experience that enhances immersion.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization of Type-0 has been criticized as it feels more like a promotional tool for a full-priced game rather than a standalone experience, leading to frustration among players who feel they are being asked to pay for an incomplete product.
“Unfortunately, at the end of the day, Type-0 isn't really a game; it's an advertisement for the actual game that they expect you to pay $60 for.”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it constantly pushes players to spend more money to enjoy basic features.”
“It's frustrating that the game locks essential content behind a paywall, making it hard to progress without spending extra.”
Critic Reviews
Final Fantasy: Type-0 review
Final Fantasy Type-0 may have started life as a PSP game, but its mysterious world and fast-paced combat are still an exciting mix. Shame about the voice acting and interface, though.
70%Final Fantasy Type-0 review
Type-0 certainly gets real-time combat right, but this port of an RPG that began on handheld is otherwise not much fun to play on PC.
58%