News Editor Giuseppe Nelva
Favorite Games of the Decade: Muv-Luv Alternative, Final Fantasy XIV, Valkyria Chronicles 3, Persona 5, Yakuza Kiwami 2, Schwarzesmarken
While the Muv-Luv series launched in Japan all the way back in 2003, its English release reached us only in 2016.It’s without a doubt the best visual novel series of all time, at least in my book, and its culmination with Muv-Luv Alternative is arguably the best video game story ever written.
The previous games make you care about its cast in a nearly visceral way. First, Muv-Luv eases you in with a sense of warmth and security enabled by the familiar romantic story, then Unlimited shocks you by putting everything you know and love at risk in a ruthless and brutal but absolutely fascinating sci-fi world where humanity is on the brink of the most merciless extinction.
Lastly, Alternative is a monumental climax that slams you with your back against a wall and punches you in the heart with absolutely no mercy, featuring an unstoppable crescendo of exhilaration and nearly physical pain and despair. No other game ever made me cry as much as Muv-Luv Alternative did.
Yet, it’s also one of the most uplifting sci-fi games I ever played, and absolutely nothing can replace it in my gamer’s heart.
Final Fantasy XIV literally represents ten years of my adult life. I’m not just talking about A Realm Reborn in 2013, but actually the original Final Fantasy XIV from 2010 as well.
Yes. I know. 1.0 launched in a terrible state of disrepair, but under the leadership of Naoki Yoshida, it improved relatively quickly especially in its storytelling
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn and the expansions that followed culminating with the absolute masterpiece that is Shadowbringers wouldn’t be the same and wouldn’t be nearly as meaningful if it wasn’t for the fall of Dalamud and the events that led to it.
If you started with A Realm Reborn or afterward, your mileage may vary. Yet, for me, who “lived” in Eorzea since the first day of 1.0, the two entities aren’t so clearly divided.
Final Fantasy XIV is Final Fantasy XIV, and it’s one of my games of the decade, arguably the best MMORPG of all time, and the best Final Fantasy story ever written.
