WORLD OF FINAL FANTASY
- November 21, 2017
- Tose
- 16h median play time
World of Final Fantasy embraces weirdness and silliness to further itself from its more serious counterparts, while simultaneously revisiting the franchise’s classic roots to create something special.
"World of Final Fantasy" is an adventure game with stylized visuals that appeals to all ages. Players capture, customize, and stack iconic monsters to form strategic towers. The game features online multiplayer and requires a PlayStation Plus membership, with online features subject to terms of service and applicable privacy policy.
Reviews
- Charming graphics and nostalgic references to the Final Fantasy series.
- Engaging monster-catching mechanics that add depth to the gameplay.
- Light-hearted and humorous story that appeals to both younger and older audiences.
- Technical issues with the PC port, including crashes and lack of cloud saves.
- Repetitive gameplay and linear progression can lead to boredom.
- Some characters and dialogue can be annoying and cringeworthy.
- story481 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story of *World of Final Fantasy* is a mixed bag, with many players finding it charming yet simplistic, often aimed at a younger audience. While it features nostalgic references to the Final Fantasy series and engaging character interactions, some reviewers criticize it for being convoluted, overly long, or lacking depth. Overall, the narrative evolves into a more serious tone as the game progresses, with some players appreciating its emotional moments despite its initial lightheartedness.
“Blending charming visuals with classic RPG mechanics, it offers a delightful experience with its engaging story and nostalgic nods to the Final Fantasy series.”
“World of Final Fantasy’s story can be a bit silly to start out, but as the game progressed, I found myself getting more engaged with the game’s central narrative and I actually grew quite fond of the game’s characters and the surprisingly dark lore.”
“The story is a shade grayer than a Disney film; the gameplay is one part Final Fantasy 1, one part Pokémon, and some admixture of compelling and frustrating.”
“The game tries to weave a new story of all Final Fantasy assets, but is nearly killed because of the most horrible, abysmal, and really bad translation.”
“The story was aimless until towards the end.”
“The story is not deep or complex.”
- gameplay273 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "World of Final Fantasy" is a blend of classic turn-based RPG mechanics and Pokémon-style creature collection, featuring a unique stacking system that allows players to combine characters and monsters for strategic advantages. While many players appreciate the charming visuals and nostalgic references to the Final Fantasy series, opinions are divided on the execution of certain mechanics, particularly the stacking feature, which some find cumbersome. Overall, the game offers a fun and engaging experience, especially for fans of both franchises, despite some criticisms regarding depth and pacing.
“Blending charming visuals with classic RPG mechanics, it offers a delightful experience with its engaging story and nostalgic nods to the Final Fantasy series.”
“World of Final Fantasy’s gameplay can be best described as a turn-based 'creature collector' JRPG, think something like Pokémon but with much more in-depth mechanics that more closely resemble the classic Final Fantasy games.”
“The gameplay features classic turn-based FF gameplay (you can change it to ATB if you want or let the game auto-skip your turns if you want it to be as close to a real-time battle system as you can get) with imprisoning mirages (classic FF monsters like the Chocobos, Cactuars, etc.) and leveling them up.”
“It has some interesting ideas and mechanics, but the execution is very poor.”
“Even worse, while earlier dungeons had some unique dungeon mechanics or optional paths requiring certain abilities to mix things up, the last few dungeons of the game are simply overly long hallways of fighting enemies.”
“The core gameplay loop is simply not fun.”
- graphics234 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are characterized by a charming chibi art style that appeals to younger audiences, reminiscent of titles like Kingdom Hearts and Pokémon. While many players find the visuals cute and engaging, there are notable issues with graphical bugs, particularly for AMD users, and limited options for customization, as settings must be adjusted outside the game. Overall, the graphics are generally well-received for their aesthetic appeal, though some players express frustration over performance inconsistencies and the lack of in-game configuration options.
“Blending charming visuals with classic RPG mechanics, it offers a delightful experience with its engaging story and nostalgic nods to the Final Fantasy series.”
“The graphics are beautiful even if you don't have a high-end machine.”
“The graphics are smooth and everything, from the models to the environment, looks gorgeous.”
“The graphics are something to look at and the character designs are adorable, but the environment design feels archaic and oversized, which compounds other pacing issues.”
“Zero options for graphics, stuck in windowed mode, 30 fps, buggy as hell on a new machine.”
“Unfortunately, I am one of the many, many people hit with the graphical issues involving AMD cards, so that ends up affecting the game quite a bit in the later portions.”
- music143 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its nostalgic value, featuring remixed tracks from classic Final Fantasy titles alongside original compositions. Many players appreciate the ability to customize battle music, allowing them to relive iconic themes while enjoying a modernized soundtrack. Overall, the music enhances the game's atmosphere and is considered a standout element, appealing especially to long-time fans of the series.
“The atmosphere and the music particularly are very reminiscent of the mainline games, which is not a surprise when you know that Masashi Hamauzu, the composer behind FFXIII's soundtrack, also composed the music here.”
“The music is fantastic! It's a mix of updated themes from prior games and original scores for this game.”
“The soundtrack deserves nothing but praise and makes every area feel unique and alive.”
“The music is remixed versions of FF songs from previous games, which are all obviously good, but there's nothing new to see here.”
“The atmosphere and especially the music made me so nostalgic I almost had to stop playing.”
“Speaking of the music, the game has a decent set of music that does not get annoying but is not really that exciting or original.”
- grinding85 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 95 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "World of Final Fantasy" is a mixed bag, with many players finding it tedious and time-consuming, especially in the late game and for completionist goals. While some appreciate the option to avoid excessive grinding through strategic gameplay and auto-battle features, others feel that the game forces them into repetitive battles and leveling, particularly with the need to level up newly captured monsters. Overall, while grinding is present, its necessity varies based on playstyle, with some players managing to progress without significant grinding.
“The game is certainly a challenge, but is not too grindy.”
“Story has plenty of save points, so if you're not grinding, you won't really get punished at least.”
“It can be a bit grindy at times.”
“It's extremely grindy; there's a lot of RNG. I used the disable random encounter option a lot because it was a slog going through the mazes.”
“The story is pretty decent for a Final Fantasy game, but you have to play through extra content to get to the 'true ending'; the extra content is extremely grindy.”
“The game is enjoyable and fun to play while not being so long and grindy that it outstays its welcome.”
- humor79 mentions
- 97 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mix of charming puns and light-hearted dialogue, often aimed at a younger audience but still capable of eliciting laughs from older players. While some find the humor to be overdone or cringey at times, many appreciate the clever references and comedic moments that enhance the overall experience. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its gameplay, creating a fun and engaging atmosphere, though the quality of jokes can vary significantly.
“The humor is aimed at kids but should still provide a few chuckles even if you’re older; the dungeons are linear but mercifully short, and while the story isn’t anything to write home about, in combination with the charming presentation, it’s entertaining enough to keep going.”
“The descriptions for the monsters you collect are hilarious and meant for the generation that grew up with them.”
“The dialogue in this game is well written, and as with all Final Fantasy games, there is a ton of cut scenes which adds to the beauty of this game; it has me glued and laughing throughout.”
“Some of the dialogue is funny, but also cringey at times. What do you expect from a JRPG, lol?”
“The two main characters are annoying as hell; they constantly tell unfunny jokes and can't shut up.”
- optimization17 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 24 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some players report smooth performance with no crashes or major issues, others experience frustrating frame drops, stuttering, and clunky controls that detract from the experience. Many users express disappointment with the lack of proper optimization for PC, particularly in comparison to its portable version, and call for improvements in future updates. Despite these concerns, some players still find the game enjoyable and well-optimized overall.
“On the upside, there was absolutely no graphical weirdness, performance issues, crashes, or anything of the like.”
“And the game is relatively smooth optimization-wise.”
“No performance issues, either.”
“The game is cute, but Square's policy to port portable games without optimization for PC is not.”
“It takes hours of time to get used to the slow framerate, stuttering, clunky controls, no controller dead zones, and cursor scrolling on itself through menus, making it difficult to fully concentrate on the cuteness.”
“I feel like this PC port isn't quite optimized; mouth animations and walking chug sometimes, which is something the majority of the community has complained about.”
- emotional17 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its deep and heartfelt story, which features memorable characters and impactful plot twists that resonate with players. Many reviewers noted that the narrative evokes strong feelings, often leading to tears, while balancing lighthearted moments with serious themes. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to create an emotional roller coaster experience that appeals to both JRPG fans and newcomers alike.
“The story is really deep and emotional; the gameplay is fun, and the design is really smart. The music and art are both awesome and in a perfect Final Fantasy style.”
“The characters are really wonderful, and the true ending made me cry.”
“This game is awesome! I cried at the end, and I enjoyed every single minute of it. Thank you for everything.”
- atmosphere14 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is heavily influenced by classic Final Fantasy elements, with nostalgic music and art design that evoke memories of both the mainline series and Kingdom Hearts. Players appreciate the blend of turn-based combat and a lively, comedic tone, creating an engaging and charming environment that appeals to fans of JRPGs. However, some critiques mention that while the atmosphere is vibrant, it can also feel somewhat dull at times, depending on the player's expectations.
“The atmosphere and the music particularly are very reminiscent of the mainline games, which is not a surprise when you know that Masashi Hamauzu, the composer behind FFXIII's soundtrack, also composed the music here.”
“The atmosphere is adorable, funny, and lively.”
“Other than that, the game feels pretty flat in its tone, be it in its atmosphere, story, and musical style.”
“The atmosphere and especially the music made me so nostalgic I almost had to stop playing.”
“The world and atmosphere are like the cameos; they are there, but it's dull.”
- character development10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Character development in this game is generally viewed as lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that the simplistic story progression and character designs do not contribute to meaningful growth or engagement. While some players appreciate the adorable character aesthetics, they feel that the overall writing and world-building have declined, leading to a less immersive experience. Additionally, personal preferences regarding character design significantly impact players' enjoyment, with some expressing dissatisfaction with the main characters.
“Good character development.”
“Battle system and character design and simple story progression carry this game's experience rather well.”
“The game basically has two different styles going on, with a clear detail difference between the bigger and smaller character designs.”
“I keep spending money on Square Enix, but the quality of their writing, character development, world-building, and graphics for this game keeps going down.”
“While I didn't get far before giving up, the gameplay doesn't seem all that special either. On top of it all, I hate the character design of the two main characters. I thought I could get past it, and in a better game I might be able to, but things are just more fun when you're playing as a character you like.”
“If you didn't get it already after seeing Reynn's character design, I'd say go for it on a discount!”
- stability7 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with users reporting frequent crashes, random glitches, and freezes that hinder gameplay, including issues during the tutorial. Many players have experienced significant performance problems, such as being stuck in windowed mode and encountering framerate drops, particularly when accessing certain features. Overall, the game appears to require extensive troubleshooting and adjustments just to run, leading to frustration among users.
“You have to make adjustments to the installation just to run the game, then random glitches and freezes; I couldn't even get past the tutorials.”
“Now it crashes immediately on launching, and I'm not willing to deal with troubleshooting to play this.”
“The game has some bugs, such as sudden freezes that cause it to crash.”
- replayability7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
Overall, the game offers significant replayability through its diverse character customization options and the ability to experiment with different strategies, reminiscent of Pokémon games. While some players noted a weaker post-game experience and a reluctance to restart due to the loss of progress, many found the core gameplay engaging enough to warrant multiple playthroughs.
“Hilarious, well-paced, and had plenty of replayability.”
“There is also replayability to the game in the same way Pokémon games have, as you can always try with different types or choices.”
“The leveling up and stacks mechanic I really enjoyed, as it lets you customize your characters in a huge variety of styles, making the game really replayable and fun to try different combos.”
“I've read up on it and the post-game is kind of weak, but the fact that you're extremely unlikely to raise everything in your first playthrough gives the game replayability.”
“Little replayability (at least, I wouldn't want to start over and have an empty mirage journal again).”
“It is a decent mixing of the 'got to catch them all' feeling of Pokémon and the replayability of Final Fantasy.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a poorly executed cash grab by Square Enix, with users expressing disappointment in its perceived lack of value.
“Another poorly executed cash grab by Square Enix.”
“This is a poorly executed cash grab on the part of Square Enix.”
Critic Reviews
World of Final Fantasy Review
World of Final Fantasy tries to give you the nostalgia feels, but is unable to recapture the magic of previous 'hyper-deformed' games.
55%World Of Final Fantasy Review – A Celebration Of A Great Series
Finally, a game that celebrates a storied series like Final Fantasy. They leveraged both their own classic mechanics and characters to elevate a solid core, and then made it even better by mixing in some elements from other genres. Final Fantasy fans will surely get the most out of it, but I have no problem telling anybody that World of Final Fantasy is a good time.
90%Child's Play: World of Final Fantasy review
World of Final Fantasy offers up a great tribute to the history of the franchise, but as its own game it has little to nothing of substance to say.
60%