Final Fantasy 16 Is A Redemption From Asura’s Wrath
Cultured Vultures Towers’ recent activity likely mirrors that of others around the globe in that we’ve all been playing Final Fantasy 16. Square Enix’s long-running RPG franchise has changed considerably with this latest entry; instead focusing more heavily on action than actual RPG mechanics than in previous installments, but 16’s bombastic set pieces and Devil May Cry-esque combat has certainly kept us engaged for hours over these past couple weeks.
Final Fantasy 16 stands apart from its competition thanks to its massive, anime inspired Eikon battles – cinematic moments in its story featuring large monsters engaging each other with stunning visuals that showcase some of gaming’s most beautiful imagery. While these moments don’t occur often (particularly if completing side quests between main story beats), when they do arrive they are truly splendid!
Eikon fights recall Asura’s Wrath, an underrated but widely disliked PS3 and Xbox 360 title released by Capcom back in 2012. Asura’s Wrath offered players an anime experience through beat’em up gameplay, rail shooters, and quick time events- all elements that comprise Eikon battles in Final Fantasy 16. This comparison shouldn’t come as any great shock; these Eikon battles bring to mind Asura’s Wrath from 2012. Developed by Capcom for release on PS3, Xbox 360, Asura’s Wrath sought to recreate these Eikon battles from Asura’s Wrath in 2012. Asura’s Wrath offered players similar aspects as Eikon fights in Final Fantasy 16.
Reviews for Asura’s Wrath were mixed upon its initial launch, yet seeing its ideas revived by Final Fantasy seems like something of a redemption of sorts – at the time I loved Asura’s Wrath but felt we might never see another like it again; therefore seeing them take hold on such a monumental scale feels satisfyingly meaningful to me now.
Asura’s Wrath may take an approach that prioritizes style over substance in its gameplay; something which many longtime fans of Final Fantasy have taken issue with since FF16 is much simpler than previous entries in its franchise and this style of Asura’s Wrath style gameplay may appeal more strongly than other entries; something longtime players of Final Fantasy certainly noted when reviewing Asura’s Wrath upon its launch with over three million sold copies sold worldwide! We don’t agree that Asura’s Wrath should become standard going forward; rather it seems clear there may be strong demand from players wanting something like Asura’s Wrath game style gameplay similar to what there was with Asura’s Wrath when reviewing Final Fantasy 16 for being too simplistic than expected given how simplified and simplistic its predecessor compared with previous installments’s offerings such as Asura’s Wrath in general when considering that over 3 Million sold copies have sold since Asura’s Wrath released earlier.
Final Fantasy 16’s success could lead to greater investment by Capcom in Asura’s Wrath, similar to how Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio released Like A Dragon: Ishin! for western audiences. Unfortunately, Asura’s Wrath remains on PC; additionally it would be great if Capcom could finally release an updated remaster that actually includes its actual conclusion as part of its core game; As much as Asura’s Wrath holds a special place in my heart, its DLC debacle simply wasn’t.
Final Fantasy 16’s new direction may indicate something greater for its series’ future; at any rate, it’s welcome news to see its ideas and style revived once more. Perhaps we will see more “Asura’s Wrath-esque” titles soon enough – though perhaps such games should only feature longstanding RPG franchises instead?
