

This sounds like my experience. I bought a PS5 for FFXVI thinking FF had grown up. The only word I can use to describe this game is “homework.” It felt like I was doing homework the whole time. Boring, repetitive, bloated, and coasting on the FF name. I wanted FFXVI to bring those feelings I had back in my youth. It only reminded me of homework. I finished the game and have wrote off FF since.
As you point out the story was stupid despite a cool world and what seemed like interesting and deep backstory. I liked Clive, Jill, and Cid, but the others characters where one-dimensional. Some of the NPCs were more likable.
Whole heartedly agree with you that gaming journalists have zero integrity. I am all for people liking and enjoying different games/genere/etc. but a 9/10 means almost perfect. This game is far from that.



俺:俺は読めますので、入りま〜すぅぅ
店長:No! No! No! サイヌ!サイヌ!ノーべーカンシー!
俺:えっ?ちゃんと読んだんですけど。。。
店長:🙅🙅🙅
俺:Fuck your store dick head.