STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN
" Hard-core action RPG with deep combat and customization but linear levels and camera issues "
STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN Review
STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN offers a unique blend of fast-paced soulslike combat and classic Final Fantasy RPG elements. Players appreciate the extensive customization options, including diverse jobs and weapon types, allowing for creative build strategies and replayability. The story, centered around the edgy protagonist Jack on a mission to kill Chaos, is cinematic and layered, appealing especially to Final Fantasy fans. The base game runs about 25-30 hours, with DLCs adding significant content, including a roguelike mode that extends gameplay by hundreds of hours.
While the combat system is praised for its depth and responsiveness, some players find the enemy stagger mechanics inconsistent and the camera problematic during boss fights. The game is mostly linear, focusing on dungeon crawling rather than exploration. Performance is generally solid, though some visual noise and UI complexity can detract from the experience. Despite mixed opinions on story delivery and tutorials, the game is considered a cult classic in the making, highly recommended for fans of both soulslikes and Final Fantasy.
Highlights
The combat mechanics are fast, responsive, and highly customizable with multiple jobs and weapon types.
The story is cinematic and cleverly integrates references to various Final Fantasy titles without overwhelming fanservice.
DLC content significantly expands gameplay, introducing challenging difficulties and a roguelike mode with procedural stages.
Graphics and enemy designs are detailed, capturing the Final Fantasy aesthetic well.
Co-op play is supported, enhancing the experience for those who enjoy multiplayer.
Criticisms
The enemy stagger system feels inconsistent, sometimes leading to frustrating encounters.
Camera issues during boss fights, especially in small arenas, impair visibility and player control.
The game’s linear level design limits exploration, focusing heavily on corridor-style dungeon crawling.
UI and inventory management are criticized for being convoluted and time-consuming.
Tutorials and onboarding are weak, making it difficult for new players to grasp complex mechanics quickly.
Some players find the story delivery and voice acting lacking, with a narrative that can feel disjointed.
Pros
- • Deep and rewarding combat system with fast-paced action and skill-based timing.
- • Extensive job and weapon customization allowing diverse and creative builds.
- • Engaging story with cinematic presentation and strong Final Fantasy references.
- • DLCs add significant content, including new gameplay modes and increased difficulty.
- • Supports cooperative multiplayer for shared gameplay experiences.
- • Varied enemy designs inspired by classic Final Fantasy bestiary.
- • Satisfying soul burst mechanic that rewards strategic play.
Cons
- • Inconsistent enemy stagger and hyper-armor mechanics cause frustration.
- • Camera problems in tight boss arenas hinder visibility and control.
- • Linear and corridor-like level design limits exploration opportunities.
- • Complex and poorly designed UI slows down inventory management.
- • Weak tutorials make onboarding new players challenging.
- • Some voice acting and story elements feel clichéd or poorly executed.
- • Unblockable enemy attacks can be spammed, increasing difficulty unfairly.
Rating Criteria
Developed in cooperation between Square Enix and Team NINJA (Koei Tecmo Games), STRANGER OF PARADISE FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN is a hard-core action RPG that takes the FINAL FANTASY series in a new direction. Experience the boldest and most merciless battles in FINAL FANTASY history.