WORLD OF FINAL FANTASY

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.

73%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

grinding, replayability

94% User Score Based on 5,530 reviews

Critic Score 70%Based on 15 reviews

Platforms

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About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,671 reviews

story292 positive mentions

grinding162 negative mentions

Charming visuals and nostalgic nods to the Final Fantasy series enhance the experience.
The unique stacking system adds depth to combat and allows for strategic gameplay.
Engaging story with humorous dialogue and endearing characters keeps players invested.

The game suffers from technical issues, including crashes and a lack of cloud save support.
Some characters and dialogue can be annoying, detracting from the overall experience.
The pacing can be slow, with lengthy cutscenes and tutorials that may frustrate players.

story
964 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
62%
7%
The story of *World of Final Fantasy* is a blend of light-hearted humor and darker themes, appealing primarily to a younger audience while incorporating nostalgic elements from the Final Fantasy series. While some players appreciate its charm and emotional depth, others criticize it for being convoluted, overly simplistic, or lacking in coherence, particularly in the latter stages. Overall, the narrative is seen as decent but not groundbreaking, with many noting that it serves more as a vehicle for gameplay and fan service than a compelling standalone story.
- “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 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 FF style.”
- “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.”
gameplay
552 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
65%
4%
The gameplay of *World of Final Fantasy* combines classic turn-based RPG mechanics with a unique monster-collecting system reminiscent of Pokémon, featuring a stacking mechanic that allows players to combine characters and creatures for strategic advantages. While many players appreciate the nostalgic elements and engaging combat, opinions are divided on the stacking mechanic, with some finding it innovative and others deeming it cumbersome. Overall, the game offers a charming experience with a mix of depth and simplicity, appealing to both fans of the Final Fantasy series and newcomers alike.
- “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 is classic FF, to a fault.”
- “The main hook of the gameplay is capturing FF monsters and using them in your party, with either each having their own turn or up to three being stacked together, sometimes unlocking new abilities.”
- “The core gameplay loop is simply not fun.”
- “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.”
- “Beyond visuals, the gameplay itself was very... meh.”
graphics
469 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
67%
3%
The graphics of "World of Final Fantasy" are characterized by a charming chibi art style that evokes nostalgia, reminiscent of both Kingdom Hearts and Pokémon aesthetics. While many players appreciate the colorful and cute visuals, some have reported graphical bugs, particularly on AMD graphics cards, and a lack of customization options, as the game is locked at 30fps and requires external configuration for settings. Overall, the visuals are generally well-received, though opinions vary on the simplistic design and its appeal to different demographics.
- “The graphics are beautiful even if you don't have a high-end machine.”
- “The visuals in this game can just be so adorable and full of soul, that even if you’re as cynical about chibi art styles as I am, they’ll eventually warm up to you.”
- “The graphics are excellent, the mechanics work fine and the voice acting is top notch.”
- “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.”
- “You literally cannot complete the game if you have an AMD graphics card, so don't even bother buying if you do.”
music
286 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
54%
1%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its nostalgic value, featuring a mix of remixed classic Final Fantasy tracks and original compositions by notable composers like Masashi Hamauzu and Nobuo Uematsu. Many players appreciate the ability to customize battle music, enhancing the overall experience, while some feel that although the music is enjoyable, it may not be as memorable as in previous titles. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, contributing significantly to the game's atmosphere and emotional depth.
- “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.”
- “I especially enjoyed the many classic Final Fantasy music remixes heard via summoning champions (aka main characters from previous Final Fantasies), and I liked that the game let you choose to replace the default battle music with any unlocked champion themes.”
- “The music is fantastic! It's a mix of updated themes from prior games and original scores for this game.”
- “The music is remixed versions of FF songs from previous games, which are all obviously good, but there's nothing new to see here.”
- “There are of course the obligatory remixes of already known soundtracks from previous games, but they are not so impressive that I would go back to enjoy the music.”
- “Characters became unlikeable, music became forgettable and plot became a second thought.”
grinding
170 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
3%
95%
The grinding aspect of "World of Final Fantasy" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming, particularly in the late game and when pursuing completionist goals. While some appreciate the option to avoid grinding through strategic gameplay and exploration, others feel that the game forces unnecessary grinding, especially for leveling up captured monsters. Overall, the experience can vary significantly depending on player preferences for grinding and engagement with the game's mechanics.
- “The story has plenty of save points, so if you're not grinding, you won't really get punished at least.”
- “Leveling: the game is certainly a challenge, but it is not too grindy.”
- “The game offers a bit of grinding, but it's manageable.”
- “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.”
- “Jrpg tends to be grindy, but this game is just annoying, especially the last few dungeons with very lame map designs and enemies popping up every 3 seconds - and no enemy avoiding item.”
humor
159 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The humor in the game is a mix of light-hearted puns and playful dialogue, often aimed at a younger audience but still capable of eliciting chuckles from older players. While some find the humor charming and well-paced, others feel it can be overdone and occasionally cringey, leading to moments where the jokes become tedious. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with nostalgic references, making it an entertaining experience for fans of the genre.
- “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, but what do you expect from a JRPG?”
- “The two main characters are annoying as hell; they are constantly telling unfunny jokes and cannot shut up.”
optimization
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
41%
24%
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some players report smooth performance with no crashes or major graphical issues, others experience frustrating stuttering, frame drops, 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 versions, and call for improvements in future updates. Despite these concerns, some players still find the game enjoyable, highlighting its artistic qualities and smooth performance on certain setups.
- “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, cursor scrolling on itself through menus, etc., and to be able to fully concentrate on cuteness.”
- “I feel like this PC port isn't quite optimized; mouth animations and walking chug sometimes (this is something the majority of the community has complained about), and initially, I did change some settings to make the game better for my experience.”
emotional
34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is praised for its deep and emotional storytelling, featuring memorable characters and well-executed plot twists that resonate with players. Many reviewers highlight the emotional roller coaster of the narrative, with moments that evoke laughter and tears, making it a heartfelt experience that appeals to both JRPG fans and newcomers. Despite some lighthearted elements, the game successfully balances humor with serious themes, leaving a lasting emotional impact.
- “The characters are really wonderful and the true ending made me cry.”
- “It's actually a heartfelt and well-crafted game that any fan of JRPGs can enjoy, not just devoted Final Fantasy fans.”
- “This game is awesome; I cried at the end, and I enjoyed every single minute of it. Thank you for everything.”
atmosphere
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
54%
11%
The atmosphere of the game is heavily influenced by the Final Fantasy series, particularly through its nostalgic music composed by Masashi Hamauzu, which evokes strong feelings of familiarity for fans. The art design and comedic elements contribute to a lively and adorable ambiance, although some players find the world to be somewhat dull. Overall, the game successfully blends its narrative and atmospheric appeal, making it a recommended experience for fans of JRPGs and the Final Fantasy lore.
- “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.”
- “The world and atmosphere are like the cameos; they are there, and it's dull.”
- “The atmosphere and especially the music made me so nostalgic I almost had to stop playing.”
- “Other than that, the game feels pretty Final Fantasy in its tone, be it in its atmosphere, story, and musical style.”
character development
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
59%
14%
Character development in this game is generally viewed as lacking, with many reviewers noting a simplistic story and minimal depth in character arcs. While the character designs are often praised for their cartoonish charm, they do not compensate for the overall weak writing and world-building. Players are advised to manage their expectations regarding character growth and narrative complexity.
- “Good character development.”
- “Now, to the character design: I'm personally in love with the cartoonish art style used in this game's character designs.”
- “Believe me, you get used to the chibi character design and 30fps in no time.”
- “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!”
replayability
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
Overall, the game offers significant replayability through its character customization, diverse gameplay choices, and the appeal of collecting, reminiscent of Pokémon. While some players noted a weak post-game and a reluctance to restart due to the empty mirage journal, many found the engaging mechanics and vibrant world to provide ample reasons to revisit the game.
- “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 to a huge amount of different styles, making the game really replayable and fun to try different combos.”
- “[Adorable world filled with chibi Final Fantasy characters and vibrant environments, recruiting foes makes party setup enjoyable, and loads of extra content adds replay value.]”
- “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.”
stability
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with users reporting frequent crashes, random glitches, and freezes that hinder gameplay, often requiring installation adjustments just to launch. Many players experience severe performance issues, including being stuck in windowed mode and limited to 30 fps, leading to frustration and a lack of willingness to troubleshoot further. Overall, the game is described as "buggy" and unreliable, detracting significantly from the gaming experience.
- “Now it crashes immediately on launching and I'm not willing to deal with troubleshooting to play this.”
- “Zero options for graphics, stuck in windowed mode, 30 fps, buggy as hell on a new machine.”
- “The game has some bugs, such as sudden freezes which cause the game to crash.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized as a poorly executed cash grab by Square Enix, with users expressing frustration over the perceived lack of value and quality in the port.
- “This is a poorly executed cash grab on the part of Square Enix.”
- “Another poorly executed cash grab on the part of Square Enix.”