World of Final Fantasy Maxima (PlayStation 4) Review

For a full review of what makes WoFF such a good game in the series, be sure to check out the PS Vita review. This article will focus on the Maxima DLC.

Keeping in mind that the Switch and Xbox One releases combine the base game with the new DLC into one package, World of Final Fantasy Maxima on PS4 is simply the DLC upgrade that can be had for £12.99. With the base game now lowered to £19.99, the total price of £32.98 is a tad cheaper than the £34.99 on the Switch - but there is a slight catch. Some of the original pre-order creature DLC for WoFF on PS4, plus the Sephiroth summon, is not included in the Maxima content. On Switch and Xbox One, however, all of this is in the package by default. Not even the separate creatures DLC on PS4, which costs another £12.99, adds those pre-order monsters in, bringing the potential total for a PS4 buyer that wants everything they can get up to £45.97.

Therefore, PS4 owners are getting the shaft here, paying more for less. This isn't major content, but it is content that other versions are getting for no extra cost nonetheless, and should be pointed out for anyone deciding which version might suit them best. Keep in mind, as well, that Maxima isn't available at all for PS Vita owners, who have no choice but to buy a different platform copy if they want to experience this upgrade.

With that out of the way, the Maxima content adds a number of extras, namely in the form of a handful of new intervention missions, boss battles, a dungeon featuring an old Final Fantasy antagonist, a New Game+ feature, Nightmare difficulty, a post-credits ending that pretty much teases a sequel, an avatar change system, and various other minor bits and pieces, such as now allowing for 12 mirages to be carried, updated archives, a treasure chest locator, plus some other QOL features.

Although the majority of this is explained to the player upon loading up the game once the package is installed, not everything is crystal clear when it comes to knowing everything that has actually been added, where items or people might be located, or how to unlock or obtain certain things. The rumour radar at Nine Wood Hills gives vague hints about some of the new features available, but it is also very discreet, so you pretty much have to hop about to almost every location in the game to see what might have been added, hopefully stumbling upon one of the new bosses, dungeons or key items. For returning players that don't want to waste time running around, it really is going to be best to have a little search for info online first, since other players have been sharing the additions they've found as they've happened upon them.

Returning players will get the most mileage out of the Maxima content, giving a reason to tackle a few quests and bosses post-game. Those new to this title may be able to put one or two other features to better use, such as the heavily advertised avatar change system. This allows main characters Reynn and Lann to transform into a famous Final Fantasy champion, restricted to a female hero for Reynn and male for Lann. The likes of Celes, Terra, Tifa, Cloud, Squall, Tidus, Lightning and many more can all be turned into – in their super cute chibi forms, of course – and each comes with special moves of their own, which may allow for some new experimentation and options to tackle certain bosses.

Three new intervention quests feel almost worthless, cameoing characters like Zack, Serah, and Cecil into the mix, where they appear in five-minute events of a couple of cut-scenes and a boss fight, but do add to the available champions that can then be transformed into. It isn't like these characters play any further role in the game, and have merely been added for nostalgia's sake. Y'shtola and Firion can be unlocked just by picking up some items in various worlds, giving them no voiced dialogue at all, so they really got the short end of the stick. Noctis can be won through an incredibly lacklustre quick time event fishing mini-game, where you just press buttons that pop up when prompted. Better get good, though, if you want him.

One thing this content really could have addressed, however, is the single save file. Why on earth a Final Fantasy title is limited to having just one file for players to use is beyond anyone. Previous game data from the PS4 or PS Vita version can be transferred over to use with the Maxima DLC, but there is no going back once that is done, and the cross-save feature then prevents you from using that old file. Unless you are okay with moving data around with a USB drive, then one save file is all you get for this, and if you want to make use of the New Game+ and the extras it brings to the table, you have to give up your previous file and everything you did to that point. Be sure to back that up before committing.