YouTube Obsession

I don’t normally enjoy watching blind playthrough of games because I can play a game for the first time too. I like watching people who can play a game better than me. But sometimes, a channel has the perfect mix of elements that I can look past all that. Like Floydson.

First off, I like how edited the videos are. It’s not just 15 minutes of him trying to figure stuff out. As mentioned above, I can get stuck in a video game, I do it all the time! I also enjoy that he 100% the games he plays. That something I am very rarely willing to do. Also, he’s chill. The kind of chill I can have on in the background or as I go asleep. Lastly, he plays games I have interest in, but have no interest in playing myself. Survival games and factory games, etc. Just not my cup of tea, but I love watching him play.

Playing

I’ve been less active in this section of MM lately because I’ve been playing Final Fantasy XVI. The wild part is that I am enjoying it, immensely.

I am not a Final Fantasy fan per say. I have played a few of the games in the series and only a very few to completion¹ . Despite that there’s so much I know about the games from cultural osmosis and Chip Cheezum Let’s Plays. And if you are at all in touch with gaming culture you probably know that every Final Fantasy game though entirely different, often have similar items, spells/summons, plot beats and even characters.

This is how I went into FFXVI. A FF novice. So I know I am missing story beats that the game is practically winking at me to see as easter eggs. This also means that I had next to zero expectations when I started. It was on sale and I just wanted a game to push me through a story.
It may shock some readers to know that I really really like this game.

On the surface this may seem like a game I would not like: Long cutscenes, low player agency, low character customization and very up it’s own ass. And given my previous take on God of War: Ragnarok, it might seem hypocritical for me to praise a game that does many of the same things Ragnarok does. Yeah probably. I contain multitudes! Deal with it!

However, I came into this game wanting an “on rails’ experience with a good story and that’s exactly what FFXVI is. Most of the games I play are mechanic laden and allow the player to make wrong decisions. With FFXVI, most of the decisions are made for me, I just get to have fun combat.

Oh yeah, the combat is great! Specifically designed by Ryota Suzuki, the designer behind Devil May Cry 5, the combat is challenging but also very accessible. As someone who always loves playing action games but never feels like I have the reflexes to be good, FFXVI has found a perfect sweet spot.

It’s story is fun. I won’t say its the greatest video game story but I am enjoying the high-fantasy bullshittery. It also has the tendency to shake things up every 2 or three hours. Just when I think I know where the story is headed, it pulls the rug out and introduces something new. Is this the greatest FF story ever told? Doubtful, but it’s entertaining enough to keep me pulled along.

Also, it’s an original story with characters I’ve never met before! I know the FFVII remakes are doing different things with their stories blah blah blah but I’ve seen these characters before² . I have a history with them. Getting introduced to a completely new, broody protagonist, shy wallflower girl side-kick and vaguely anthropomorphic dog companion is exciting in these days of endless remakes, sequels and prequels.

I’m about 30 hours in and I’m really taking my time. Doing all the side quests and monster bounties, reading all the dialog and interacting with everything. This is not my perfect game but it is a very polished experience with great cutscenes, almost fully voice acted and incredibly beautiful with great music. I picked it up for $20 and I’m definitely getting my money’s worth.

Other Notables

** Interesting piece on bizarre state of movie marketing.

** Awesome Games Done Quick just wrapped up!

** A nice winter Dam video

1  FFX, X-2 and FF: Tactics Advance

2  The FFVII remake moogles are horrifying btw.