Final Fantasy Type-0
- October 27, 2011
- Square Enix
- 49h 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 engaging and allows for a variety of character playstyles, making battles fun and dynamic.
- The open world and graphics, despite being a port from the PSP, are visually appealing and immersive.
- The inclusion of the Final Fantasy XV demo adds significant value to the purchase, showcasing the potential of the upcoming title.
- The camera controls are often frustrating and can lead to motion sickness due to their sensitivity and blurriness.
- The story can be convoluted and difficult to follow, especially for players unfamiliar with the Fabula Nova Crystallis lore.
- Some character models and textures feel outdated, detracting from the overall experience of a next-gen game.
- story162 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story of Final Fantasy Type-0 HD has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it engaging and emotionally impactful, particularly towards the end, while others criticize it for being convoluted and lacking depth. Many appreciate the likable characters and the potential for character development, but note that the narrative can feel disjointed and confusing, especially for those unfamiliar with the broader Final Fantasy XIII lore. Overall, while the story has its strengths, it often struggles to maintain coherence and immersion throughout the gameplay experience.
“The story so far reminds me greatly of a fusion between Valkyria Chronicles II, Vampire Knight, and oddly enough, Resonance of Fate.”
“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.”
“The fantastic storyline coupled with fun gameplay and great music makes it an all-around great game for just about anyone.”
“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.”
“While the actual storyline is about as mature as a twelve-year-old writing his first piece of fan fiction, what this is really referencing is the fact that in this war-time environment, we actually see spurts of blood when someone is shot or stabbed. If some real character and story development had been married to a cohesive plotline and a modern combat interface, this could have been an amazing step for the Final Fantasy franchise.”
“The story is somewhat confusing unless you read the (in-game) backstory to it.”
- graphics67 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it is a remaster of a PSP title and thus falls short of modern PS4 standards. While some character models and backgrounds are praised for their updated visuals, others appear outdated and lack detail, leading to a jarring contrast. Overall, the graphics are considered decent for a port, but many feel they could have been significantly improved to better match current generation expectations.
“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.”
“The cinematic screen and overall graphics are amazing.”
“At first, the game took me by surprise with how the visuals looked; they didn't look too bad for a PSP port but could be a ton better.”
“Despite the remastered label slapped on it, the graphics aren't suited for the PS4 system.”
“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. When these untouched visuals (unfortunately too many of them) are contrasted side by side with the remastered visuals, it is incredibly jarring.”
- gameplay55 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay in this title is a mix of action RPG mechanics that can initially feel confusing but becomes satisfying once players grasp the character abilities and combat system. While some players appreciate the fast-paced, real-time combat reminiscent of titles like Kingdom Hearts, others find it slightly repetitive and occasionally frustrating due to camera issues and difficulty spikes. Overall, the game offers a diverse range of characters and abilities, making it engaging for both newcomers and veterans of the series.
“Once you really get the mechanics down for one character, the other 13 are maybe 10 minutes of playing around with away from really grasping themselves.”
“The fantastic storyline coupled with fun gameplay and great music makes it an all-around great game for just about anyone.”
“The reason I love this game is the mechanics of the fighting system, as well as the wealth/quality of the story and hidden things that you find through the multiple play-throughs.”
“Gameplay: it's mostly dodging and mashing the square button most of the time.”
“The gameplay is absolutely ridiculous on many different levels.”
“I found that the gameplay mechanics were a little disorienting.”
- music20 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising the strong soundtrack that features a rich blend of choir, vocals, and orchestral elements reminiscent of classic Final Fantasy scores. While the composer may not yet be on par with legendary figures like Nobuo Uematsu, there is a consensus that the music is a significant highlight of the game, enhancing the overall experience and evoking nostalgia for long-time fans of the series. Overall, the soundtrack is described as amazing and a key factor in the game's appeal.
“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.”
- grinding8 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players have mixed feelings about grinding in the game; while some appreciate the incentive of ability promotions and enjoy mini sub-quests as a break from missions, others find the grinding tedious and frustrating, particularly due to the need for extensive experience points to level up characters. The removal of classic item looting and the repetitive nature of enemy encounters contribute to a sense of boredom for some, making grinding feel like a chore rather than an engaging part of the gameplay. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a significant detractor for many players.
“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.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by the contrast between high-definition gameplay and less impressive cutscenes, as well as the amusingly varied voice acting quality among characters. Players find comedic value in glitches, such as character animations and mispronunciations, which add an unexpected charm to the experience. Overall, the humor seems to stem from both intentional and unintentional elements, contributing to a lighthearted gaming atmosphere.
“I find it funny that a few of the secondary characters have better voice acting than some of the main cast.”
“The pronunciation of 'Kurasame' has a wide spectrum, ranging from perfect to hilariously butchered.”
“Cinque's eye was doing a really weird deformation in a cutscene, but I found it hilarious.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find enjoyment in the fun battle system, visuals, and numerous side missions, others note the short story length and limited replay value. However, the presence of secret endings and additional content does provide some incentive for players to revisit the game.
“Even though the story is extremely short for a Final Fantasy game, it's still fun and has 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 great replayability.”
“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
- 100 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is generally well-received, with Ace being particularly likable and the other members of Class Zero also noted positively. However, comparisons to Final Fantasy XV highlight a perceived lack of depth and cohesion in character arcs and storytelling, suggesting that while some characters are engaging, the overall execution falls short.
“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 also interesting characters. The rest of Class Zero are worth noting as well.”
“The character arcs in this game are incredibly well-crafted, allowing players to connect deeply with each member of Class Zero. Their individual struggles and growth make the story truly engaging.”
“I was pleasantly surprised by how much depth each character has. Their backstories and interactions add layers to the narrative, making the overall experience much more immersive.”
“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.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report a strong emotional attachment to the characters in the game, highlighting a poignant and sad storyline that resonates deeply, especially as the credits roll. While the remastering has some drawbacks, the overall emotional impact remains a significant strength of the experience.
“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.”
- 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 feels alive, with detailed environments that enhance the overall mood and tone of the game.”
“This game takes more after Final Fantasy XII, with its heavy political atmosphere and dark plot.”
“Okay game, just not a fan of this one's warlike atmosphere and focus on way too many characters to keep up with.”
- 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
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of type-0 has been criticized as it feels more like an advertisement for a full-priced game rather than a standalone experience, leading to dissatisfaction among players who feel they are being pushed to pay for additional content.
“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.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Overall, users report some stability issues, including camera hopping and animation glitches, alongside poor English voice acting. However, some players find humor in these bugs, reminiscent of early game experiences like those in Skyrim.
“There is some camera hopping and irritation with animation. The English voices are horrible, and there was a really weird deformation in a cutscene that I found hilarious.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I experienced several bugs that disrupted my gameplay, including characters getting stuck and quests not progressing.”
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%