Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin

 PlayStation 5
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 457 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 299 out of 457
  2. Mixed: 58 out of 457
  3. Negative: 100 out of 457
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  1. Minus_Infinity
    Mar 16, 2022
    10
    final fantasy rocks, and this game is no different. long live final fantasy
  2. ryimhof94
    Apr 7, 2022
    10
    Very good! Would love to see more Final Fantasy entries like this! Haven't enjoyed an FF title this much in years
  3. GDwyvern
    Apr 2, 2022
    10
    As a big fan of Nioh I really dig the gameplay of this game. Combat is fast and fluid, and the job system keeps everything fresh. Story is quite confusing at first but by the end of the game I loved it.
  4. SonyBroWhirrrr
    Apr 7, 2022
    9
    I cannot help but cachinnate (in my deep, basslike voice, mind you) at these FF peasants who got filtered by the first FF game that has actual gameplay. Go "play" your interactive movies and leave the slaying of Chaos to the real strangers of this beautiful paradise.
  5. Naedeslus
    Jan 23, 2023
    8
    +Great combat that is well-paced, fast-paced, fun, and challenging.
    +Dialog is ‘so bad it's good’ It’s an unintentional satirical script most of the time that surprisingly wraps up very well at the end and has a great end twist. The last act is fantastic.
    + Loads of customization and great drop-in/out co-op. + Soundtrack is very good. - Battle theme is a bit overwhelming. As stated    +Great combat that is well-paced, fast-paced, fun, and challenging.
    +Dialog is ‘so bad it's good’ It’s an unintentional satirical script most of the time that surprisingly wraps up very well at the end and has a great end twist. The last act is fantastic.
    + Loads of customization and great drop-in/out co-op.
    + Soundtrack is very good.

    - Battle theme is a bit overwhelming. As stated in the pros, the soundtrack is good but it can be problematic if you can’t really hear most of it on your first playthrough.
    - Graphics are very dated, feels like a PS3 game.
    - Some levels can be a bit confusing. Could use a map.

    Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is one of my favorite spinoffs to come out of the series. It will not be for everyone but this is one I find myself coming back to multiple times. There is a certain charm with the tone that I absolutely love, and if you can not take it seriously and shut your brain off and even embrace the non-intentional satirical tone, it gets better and the story does actually work very well by the end.

    The combat is very good and has a good loot system with plenty of customization. The game does feel very dated, but if you don’t mind its shortcomings, you’ll probably love it as much as I do. It’s not perfect, but for the current price of 30 USD, if you’ve been sleeping on it, but like Final Fantasy and Team Ninja’s other games, give it a try. You'll probably like it.    … Expand
  6. ASSASSIN_TRISTA
    Apr 4, 2022
    8
    CHAOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. I CAN SMELL CHAOS. pretty fun game the combat was really entertaining and the story was very aware which was funny at times. does get a bit weird near the end but fun all the same. 8/10 fun throwback good prequel thing. I can still smell chaossssssss
  7. saltyengineer
    May 13, 2022
    8
    Its definitely not a 1/10 like many of the reviews that were written by players that failed to watch a single gameplay trailer.

    Its not the best final fantasy out there and I would have given it a 7 normally ,but the step they took adding in elements from different game genres was a great move and if refined I think it can produce a really fun ARPG set of FF games. I don't think they    Its definitely not a 1/10 like many of the reviews that were written by players that failed to watch a single gameplay trailer.

    Its not the best final fantasy out there and I would have given it a 7 normally ,but the step they took adding in elements from different game genres was a great move and if refined I think it can produce a really fun ARPG set of FF games. I don't think they should adopt this formula for all their games but it can definitely be refined for non-canon FF games.

    Pros:
    +Job system is amazing and something I've missed dearly from FF classics.
    +Combat is fun and interactive, lots of experimenting is possible and fights feel fresh.
    +Difficulty options

    Cons:
    - Story is weak (but to be fair it is based off FF1 which did not have a great story either)
    - Character design is bland, looks like a set of boy band rejects.
    - Script is tacky and feels rushed, like they just wanted them to finish cutscenes as fast as possible.
    -No exploration, super linear and zones feel repetitive
    -Difficulty options are nice but the hard difficulty is clunky and still needs to be refined.

    I gave it an 8 because I did not treat it like a triple A release, it is a side release that was 100% rushed. However, they should have priced the product accordingly.

    If you like FF. you should play this game but not for 60$.    … Expand
  8. Remiulv
    Mar 19, 2022
    9
    Super fun! Its Nioh Final Fantasy! Super fun to level up and unlock the jobs. Very forgiving too.
  9. Lambda-Kun
    Mar 16, 2022
    9
    A fantastic romp through the history of final fantasy with the perfectly paced gameplay Team Ninja is oh so good at, not quite Nioh in a FF coat of paint, but enough of its own thing to stand on its two feet. The story is campy, at times accidentaly hilarious, yet delivers an interesting narrative, performance is a bit shoddy.
  10. Kadoz
    Mar 17, 2022
    8
    Very good Combat System, you can play with 2 classes (like a Tank&DD, Heal&DD, Etc.)

    Its really nice and makes fun, and the mobs are not to strong (playing with ACTION Mode)

    Perfomance mode is good too.

    BUT 8/10 because:

    - graphic is Not the best (Its ok)
    - idc about Story but Its no the best
  11. Davvee
    Mar 17, 2022
    8
    Stranger of Paradise is a fun action game set in the world of FF1 using locations from previous FF games as levels, fun combat, story that while akward at places is interesting enough to push you to go forward. It's rough around the edges, but it has a heart and at the centre of it is main character of the game Jack. He's funny and a chad. While he might come off as nothing more then angryStranger of Paradise is a fun action game set in the world of FF1 using locations from previous FF games as levels, fun combat, story that while akward at places is interesting enough to push you to go forward. It's rough around the edges, but it has a heart and at the centre of it is main character of the game Jack. He's funny and a chad. While he might come off as nothing more then angry dude in his 30s wanting to kill Chaos his actually heart of the game. This game knows what it is and doesn't try to be more then that. If your OK with a fun, campy, action game with multyple jobs from FF even though it's not AAA then make sure to check it out. It's not for everyone, but there is a audience for this type of games.… Expand
  12. Zenosf
    Mar 17, 2022
    8
    Terminei o jogo, gostei da história e do gameplay que é bastante divertido, a história não é muito profunda, mas é uma ótima releitura do FF clássico. Gostei bastante das DG, pela referência aos demais jogos da série, as gears (sets) estão bem bonitas. O ponto forte do jogo é o gameplay, principalmente se for jogado no modo multiplayer. Pena que o jogo não veio localizado para o português,Terminei o jogo, gostei da história e do gameplay que é bastante divertido, a história não é muito profunda, mas é uma ótima releitura do FF clássico. Gostei bastante das DG, pela referência aos demais jogos da série, as gears (sets) estão bem bonitas. O ponto forte do jogo é o gameplay, principalmente se for jogado no modo multiplayer. Pena que o jogo não veio localizado para o português, como é isso é um ponto extremamente negativo para mim.… Expand
  13. CallumB369
    Mar 17, 2022
    8
    Resolution could be polished a bit better, but overall a good and fun game, definitely recommend!
  14. kerihobo
    Mar 30, 2022
    10
    This game is tonnes of fun! Really cool battle-system, a full range of unique jobs to play as, interesting ways to approach combat, cool places to explore, cool monsters, and the story is quite nice too.
  15. Clintvindet
    Mar 20, 2022
    8
    Personally I like it, I never expected it to be a "real" Final Fantasy game, it is more of an experiment than anything, it is not perfect, it absolutely have some flaws, but it is not as bad as some people say, take it for what it is and you will moat likely have a good time
  16. GameReviewerES
    Mar 22, 2022
    8
    Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is a title with many lights and shadows, although it is so highly addictive that you can enjoy it for hours without even realizing it, becoming a game that you want to complete from start to finish in one sitting. It stands out enormously in its excellent hack n' slash combat with which each confrontation is a fun challenge with any of the classesStranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is a title with many lights and shadows, although it is so highly addictive that you can enjoy it for hours without even realizing it, becoming a game that you want to complete from start to finish in one sitting. It stands out enormously in its excellent hack n' slash combat with which each confrontation is a fun challenge with any of the classes or equipment, but it falters in a graphic section that does not quite live up to the generation. The duration of the missions is so well balanced that it always invites you to complete one more. Its entry price should be lower.… Expand
  17. Xanthos
    Mar 26, 2022
    8
    As someone who's not a huge fan of the soulslike genre, I found this game to be rather enjoyable.

    The combat and boss fights felt good, the job changing definitely added to the combat and allowed some customization and planning for how you would approach situations. The cutscenes at the beginning were a little odd but as the game went on, they grew on me and frankly, I appreciate that    As someone who's not a huge fan of the soulslike genre, I found this game to be rather enjoyable.

    The combat and boss fights felt good, the job changing definitely added to the combat and allowed some customization and planning for how you would approach situations.

    The cutscenes at the beginning were a little odd but as the game went on, they grew on me and frankly, I appreciate that Square decided to add some backstory to Final Fantasy 1.    … Expand
  18. GuitarJester
    Mar 18, 2022
    9
    Stranger of Paradise does what it was intended to do very well. Some people are unhappy that it's not a standard JRPG. It was never meant to be. The game doesn't take itself serious. The combat is a lot of fun. The job variations are fantastic. And being able to play the entire game with friends is a blast. It has some minor technical issues. But the game is simply a lot of fun.
  19. Bigguy3000
    Mar 18, 2022
    10
    It's pretty epic I gotta say, it's got the same silliness and charm that metal gear rising has and also its just final fantasy nioh which is cool
  20. Generalement
    Mar 18, 2022
    10
    Une quête Intérieure.

    Encore une fois, Team Ninja aura su démontrer l'efficacité de ses talents. Combat plus simplistes que la série Nioh et ayant moins de facteurs statistiques permettant a ceux qui n'auraient jamais connu l'opus Nioh d'y avoir une introduction. Mecanique différente mais tout autant prime. Offrant possibilité de chaque classe d'avoir des attributs spécifiques. L'histoire    Une quête Intérieure.

    Encore une fois, Team Ninja aura su démontrer l'efficacité de ses talents. Combat plus simplistes que la série Nioh et ayant moins de facteurs statistiques permettant a ceux qui n'auraient jamais connu l'opus Nioh d'y avoir une introduction. Mecanique différente mais tout autant prime. Offrant possibilité de chaque classe d'avoir des attributs spécifiques. L'histoire est une quête en soi à la recherche de l'origine du chaos, de la souffrance qui entraîne la souffrance. Dans une voie où le protangoniste cherche à s'émancipé de lui-même, d'un cycle perpétuels pris entre les ténèbres et la lumière.

    L'histoire dans la simplicité nous apporte à se recueillir intérieurement et prendre conscience de nous-mêmes. Nos pensées ainsi que nous émotions sont des facultés qui embellit ou détruit le monde. Une réinitialisation aurait été un gâchis car cela aurait amené le prontagoniste à retourner de nouveau sans souvenirs dans une dimension comme dans un autre à la recherche de ce qu'il ne peut trouver qu'en lui-même.

    Si les gens étanches leurs soif sur cette simplicité, le monde connaîtrait un meilleur sort.

    Félicitations TeamNinja pour votre implication.

    Un succès de la série qui sera mitigé entre ceux recherchent sans cesse la fantasmagorie et ceux la lumière, tel que présenté    … Expand
  21. Vincetheshadow
    Mar 27, 2022
    9
    First off I just want to say the combat in this game is really fun. The class system was a joy to mess around with. I did not have a dull moment with the combat system of this game. This is definitely not a perfect game. The story was okay definitely not its strong point. I did not run into any issue so the game performed well. The graphics is not what you would expect from "Next Gen" andFirst off I just want to say the combat in this game is really fun. The class system was a joy to mess around with. I did not have a dull moment with the combat system of this game. This is definitely not a perfect game. The story was okay definitely not its strong point. I did not run into any issue so the game performed well. The graphics is not what you would expect from "Next Gen" and the "PS5" but it is not the worst PS5 game I have seen so I will give it a pass. If this game is ever on sale in the future it is definitely worth picking it up. The dialogue in this game is a meme but it definitely made this game more enjoyable.… Expand
  22. Yetanotherone
    Mar 18, 2022
    10
    A niche cult classic PS2 game - somehow released in 2022.

    Stranger of Paradise has all the hallmarks of a cult classic that is not at all concerned with how well it is perceived by critics. It's unapologetically charismatic, with a 2000s edginess that few dare to display that openly and without several layers of irony. It's not concerned with how artsy or grown up video games are    A niche cult classic PS2 game - somehow released in 2022.

    Stranger of Paradise has all the hallmarks of a cult classic that is not at all concerned with how well it is perceived by critics. It's unapologetically charismatic, with a 2000s edginess that few dare to display that openly and without several layers of irony. It's not concerned with how artsy or grown up video games are supposed to be now, it wants to have fun and kick ass. The gameplay is slick as ceiling wax and just a blast and every scene with main character Jack will be rewatched on Youtube for years to come.

    Yes, it is fairly low budget and had a fairly short development time, but a big budget AAA game could never be as earnest as Stranger of Paradise. This is not a game for everyone. Just as there are were movie goers that complained about cult classics like the 20 minutes of fist fighting in 'They Live' and the non-existent story in 'Commando, there will be people complaining about the areas the game isn't paying much attention to - like visual fidelity or deep and introspective dialogues - but they are missing the point.    … Expand
  23. Fezinator
    Mar 18, 2022
    10
    Absolutely stunning fantastic game as another title for the final fantasy franchise , I highly recommend it great job alot like nioh
  24. metaknightmare
    Mar 17, 2022
    10
    Final Fantasy 1 + Team Ninja + David Lynch = Stranger of Paradise
    a cult classic
  25. fernandoragajel
    Mar 18, 2022
    10
    Lo juego es muy guapo e me encanta mucho causa danõ al chaos, tengo un grupo de only fans e tiene unos hateres qe eston hablando malo del juego. Márcio pereyra e Juan Carbalho son uns hateres e tiene los cojunis mui peqenitos

    CHAOS **** GODEMITÊ
  26. Retsukki
    Mar 17, 2022
    10
    Square Enix aced it with this game
    As edgy and weird as the trailer made the game seem its really amazing
    The sound track is also amazing
    What are you doing reading this review? Go kill Chaos
  27. ReallyBruh
    Mar 18, 2022
    10
    CHAOS!!! CHAOS!!! CHAOS!!! CHAOS!!! CHAOS!!! CHAOS!!! CHAOS!!! I need to kill CHAOS!!!
  28. AgooNoct
    Mar 30, 2022
    10
    Jack's story was incredible; the final 2 hours of this game made me cry a lot. The gameplay is top-notch, and while the game does have performance issues and a clunky beginning, the core concept, narrative and essence of the game really shine through.
    Jack did it his way. I'm going to remember his story for the rest of my life.
  29. Oscarin
    Mar 30, 2022
    9
    A lot of fun and a lot of heart. Not perfect, but a fun romp throughout with great combat. Wish they had built out the world and the characters more and given us more of the story and time spent with the characters. Loved them, but didn't get enough there... Had fun playing though and would definitely reccomend!
  30. Reddragon505
    Mar 16, 2022
    10
    Superb/innovative gameplay, compelling story (that gets better as it goes on, trust me), along with memorable re-inventions of locations from previous final fantasy games. Jack = best main character in FF history
  31. DoomOgre
    Mar 18, 2022
    10
    Great characters, memorable locations from the series, excellent game play, and fantastic music make this worth your time
  32. Femto90
    Mar 19, 2022
    10
    Cringekino at its finest with fun as hell combat to boot. Worth every penny.
  33. Pejman12376
    Mar 18, 2022
    10
    I think anyone that seems like this franchise, will love this game. Obviously it’s happening to me now.
  34. Mei_666
    Mar 17, 2022
    8
    Buen juego, el sistema de combate es buena
    Lo malo son sus gráficos que son algo pobres comparado con ff7 y XV
    Además de el diseño de niveles
  35. VulpesXephy
    Mar 17, 2022
    9
    STRANGER OF PARADISE: FINAL FANTASY ORIGIN está lejos de ser el spin-off perfecto, pero fácilmente puede situarse como uno de los juegos más entretenidos de este 2022. La historia de Jack y los guerreros de la luz es una llena de momentos divertidos, pero también se da tiempo para el drama y dejarnos con un pequeño vacío en el corazón tras llegar a su final.
  36. LEXGBR
    Mar 17, 2022
    8
    Parece que este spinoffs foi criado misturando tudo de ruim, com alguma coisa boa, como fan da franquia imaginava um game totalmente diferente, já que se tratava de um game "remake", mas estou gostando e espero terminá-lo!
  37. Khristian5
    Mar 19, 2022
    8
    Es cierto que técnicamente no es perfecto, pero es divertido y los protagonistas están bien diseñados en todos los aspectos. El sistema de combate es lo mejor del juego, me encanta y es espectacular. Otro punto muy bueno es la banda sonora que es genial. Sin tener la excelencia de otros Final Fantasy es buen juego que creo que se cebó la critica de forma injusta.
  38. Rufos
    Mar 17, 2022
    9
    Pretty fun game, with a surprisingly good combat, was a bit shorter than I thought.
  39. sternone
    Mar 18, 2022
    10
    I like the team ninja gameplay a lot. It is not Nioh but it has a complex build system later in the game. Love it, co-op works great too.
  40. jeffreysmiles
    Mar 18, 2022
    9
    This game (along with a committed friend) has been surprisingly entertaining. The gameplay is actually in depth with the multiple jobs and potential for variety. The story feels campy, almost reminded me of games like Bayonetta and Devil May Cry...but in the style of a Souls-like. All in all, the game can be very entertaining and worth it especially if you've got 2 more people who wannaThis game (along with a committed friend) has been surprisingly entertaining. The gameplay is actually in depth with the multiple jobs and potential for variety. The story feels campy, almost reminded me of games like Bayonetta and Devil May Cry...but in the style of a Souls-like. All in all, the game can be very entertaining and worth it especially if you've got 2 more people who wanna join in the ride. Also, its very easy to play with your friends.… Expand
  41. Robert88
    Mar 19, 2022
    8
    Great story , the gameplay mechanics is unique and differ from classes , magic and everything is very fluid and mixed . A all around solid final fantasy experience
  42. C26CLOUD
    Mar 19, 2022
    8
    Awesome game and very good story and combat is very good remind me of nioh 2
  43. Swclark777
    Mar 23, 2022
    10
    I adore this game. It’s not Nioh or Ninja Gaiden, but it is a breath of fresh air. No one does combat like Team Ninja. Many of those reviews, from critics and players alike, criticizing story elements are misguided, as the “flaws” they cite are often purposeful. I find the combat to be more varied, more responsive, and require more skill at higher levels than that of Elden Ring. ThoseI adore this game. It’s not Nioh or Ninja Gaiden, but it is a breath of fresh air. No one does combat like Team Ninja. Many of those reviews, from critics and players alike, criticizing story elements are misguided, as the “flaws” they cite are often purposeful. I find the combat to be more varied, more responsive, and require more skill at higher levels than that of Elden Ring. Those claiming this game is terrible are merely review bombing it, and either haven't played it, or had preconceived notions about it prior to playing it. Anyone telling you that this isn't a blast to play is lying to you.… Expand
  44. Manuel2628
    Mar 17, 2022
    10
    Este juego es culto solo para jugadores que vienen de nioh lo malo que le veo es su gráfico y el diseño de equipo que es repetitivo pero al final mantiene lo mejor de nioh y aún más diría que es un nioh 3
  45. CanalDoMimo
    Mar 17, 2022
    10
    Jogo tem vários elementos da serie Nioh, quem gosta de Final Fantasy e Nioh esse jogo é um prato cheio. Apesar de ser um pouco linear igual a maioria dos games de RPG, o grande forte do jogo é a jogabilidade, que de longe é uma das mais fluidas do estilo de jogo.
  46. guitarpete987
    Jun 3, 2022
    8
    This game WAY exceeded my expectations. I'm a huge fan of the From Software style of games including Dark Souls and Elden Ring. Now, I wouldn't want the entire franchise to become a copy of this style of game but I think Square Enix did a really nice job adapting that formula to the Final Fantasy story. I really enjoyed the gameplay nuances and the challenge and pace of the combat. That'sThis game WAY exceeded my expectations. I'm a huge fan of the From Software style of games including Dark Souls and Elden Ring. Now, I wouldn't want the entire franchise to become a copy of this style of game but I think Square Enix did a really nice job adapting that formula to the Final Fantasy story. I really enjoyed the gameplay nuances and the challenge and pace of the combat. That's the most important thing in a game like this, and it TOTALLY delivered. Really nice graphics, too, on PS5. I didn't love the character dialogue all the time but the story overall was well drawn up.

    Way better than I was expecting it to be and I'm glad I didn't avoid it because of some bad commentary surrounding it.    … Expand
  47. Gavrielix
    Mar 27, 2022
    9
    It is Fun! This game provides gamer who want to play a casual, stylish fast paced combat, with lot of varieties of skills and class. After finishing Elden Ring, this game provides me lot of refreshment & enjoyment, sure it has lot of mementos from Final Fantasy. Lets take example of the soundtrack. So many ost from final fantasy series are included and arranged further ib this game
  48. teamcat5
    Mar 20, 2022
    9
    Yo lo estoy disfrutando muchísimo. No se que moda hay ahora de pretender que todos los videojuegos sean a gusto exquisito del consumidor. No te gusta, muy bien, pero no digas que este juego es malo, por que el juego es justo lo que pretende ser.
  49. Jikario
    Mar 23, 2022
    9
    Recommendations out of the way first: If you're a fan of Nioh looking for more of that tight, engaging combat and toying around with RPG style loot Build-crafting, or Final Fantasy fan looking for a fresh spin on the franchise, this game is a must-have. Check the footnote at the bottom for an expanded price/play related recommendation after I explain why.

    Now for the straight dope: This    Recommendations out of the way first: If you're a fan of Nioh looking for more of that tight, engaging combat and toying around with RPG style loot Build-crafting, or Final Fantasy fan looking for a fresh spin on the franchise, this game is a must-have. Check the footnote at the bottom for an expanded price/play related recommendation after I explain why.

    Now for the straight dope: This was a brilliant crystal glowing against the backdrop of the final fantasy pedigree in nearly every respect. Staunch purist FF fans and action fans that got funneled in from the souls games or (Or more likely Nioh) will be torn, but the worlds of these two studios coming together were a match made in heaven on the whole, and this game stands rightfully and proudly as a spinoff because of it. It starts as a hilarious romp that cleanly breaks the mold of the traditional final fantasy narratives and plot beats, even poking fun at them at times, into a letter penned with a loving hand to the norms and themes of the franchise as it takes those ideas in a refreshing direction, culminating in a flooring ending that left the final fantasy fans heart in me soaring. All this is carried and bolstered by unsurprisingly top tier combat and gameplay mechanics from our boys at team ninja, serving up a feast of variety they've come to be known for glazed in that iconic final fantasy flavor. While the narrative and combat culminate to carve out this gem rather valiantly, they aren't without their individual imperfections of course. Luckily they are few and far between and don't meaningfully detract from the overall glowing experience. All my handy normal adjectives like amazing, phenomenal, and fantastic are failing to service me here to describe the experience. The best way to condense it concisely is that its a welcome breath of fresh air for FF, and another proof of quality from TN. I've ranked it a 9 in fairness of it being markedly iterative (Particularly on the gameplay front) rather than entirely innovative. Though the wheel wasn't re-invented here, it spun my soul with absolute joy, and I suspect this game will only grow in fondness in my heart as an experience, and value as a videogame as it slowly becomes more and more of a steal to those with patience to wait to get it even cheaper. This one's gonna turn into some very fond memories years from now.

    Footnote: Here I'll further my recommendation based on my playtime for how you like to spend and your level of patience. I hit credits around 30 hours with only a few side missions left. If that suits for your dollar then don't hesitate to buy this ASAP. I don't think it spoilerish to tell you there is a postgame here, and If you liked the postgame of Nioh 1 and 2 you can similarly expect to get a lot more hours out of it than that. If you're not into post-games and that doesn't seem like a good playtime/price ratio for you, or If you're tight for money and can wait, I'd wager there will be a "Complete edition" packed WITH the DLC in a year or so for the standard 60/70 USD. With that oncoming DLC, Its a safe bet that when all is said and done this can easily be a 100+ hour game. Though this shouldn't deter from getting this game if you're even SLIGHTLY interested based on what you read me put at the top. Don't let purists or CHAOS you read here distract you from that, you will NOT be disappointed if you play this, whenever or however you decide to.    … Expand
  50. FayButterfly
    Mar 21, 2022
    9
    Though the graphics and framerate are quite atrocious, the gameplay is amazing and pure fun, even on higher difficulties and the optional Chaos mode you unlock after clearing the game. The story started out as a complete miss to me until it all clicked after one of the final missions and everything suddenly made sense. I even had to pink away a tear here and there because it got quiteThough the graphics and framerate are quite atrocious, the gameplay is amazing and pure fun, even on higher difficulties and the optional Chaos mode you unlock after clearing the game. The story started out as a complete miss to me until it all clicked after one of the final missions and everything suddenly made sense. I even had to pink away a tear here and there because it got quite feelsy, something I didn't expect at all from a masculine manly men game about FIGHTING CHAOS.

    The multiplay is fun too. You take over another's party member while keeping your own singleplayer stats and it works really well. Sadly it's not super seamless as the host disconnects during their cutscenes.

    All in all, a super fun game. Worth full price to me.    … Expand
  51. MosesUnspoken
    Mar 21, 2022
    9
    It's rough around the edges and probably needed another year of dev time but Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is undeniably something special. Even though it's heavily influenced by the likes of Nioh, Dark Souls, and Devil May Cry, at it's core, it still feels like a true Final Fantasy game. It also feels like a tribute to the series as a whole. You gather a party of uniqueIt's rough around the edges and probably needed another year of dev time but Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin is undeniably something special. Even though it's heavily influenced by the likes of Nioh, Dark Souls, and Devil May Cry, at it's core, it still feels like a true Final Fantasy game. It also feels like a tribute to the series as a whole. You gather a party of unique individuals, each with their own specific jobs, and set out on an adventure, battling classic monsters and bosses in even more classic locations spanning the entire FF franchise. Add in the amazing soundtrack and intriguing story, it all culminates into chaotic mess that I can't stop playing.… Expand
  52. Fogkin
    Mar 25, 2022
    10
    Addicting and fun game play. Interesting take on the build up to the first Final Fantasy.
  53. mrroyals
    May 15, 2022
    8
    Despite the zero story, this game is a great pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting this game to be a elden ring type of game but it was really hard but i loved the combat. It's definitely smaller scale than other souls games but i honestly had so much fun playing this game.

    What you won't like is the voice acting, game dialogue, and story.
  54. Calidade
    Dec 8, 2022
    9
    No esperes un Final Fantasy normal, esto es incluso mejor de lo que la gente dice y piensa sobre el.
    No hagas caso a la prensa, no hagas caso a los usuarios, prueba y disfruta este juego como merece.
    Tras mas de 300 horas jugadas puedo decir que es un gran juego, quizá no es un juego de 9 u 8, es un juego mas bien de 7 o 6, pero sería injusto calificar este juego con esa nota tras tantas    No esperes un Final Fantasy normal, esto es incluso mejor de lo que la gente dice y piensa sobre el.
    No hagas caso a la prensa, no hagas caso a los usuarios, prueba y disfruta este juego como merece.
    Tras mas de 300 horas jugadas puedo decir que es un gran juego, quizá no es un juego de 9 u 8, es un juego mas bien de 7 o 6, pero sería injusto calificar este juego con esa nota tras tantas horas de juego, tanto disfrute que he tenido con el.
    El juego no destaca por unos gráficos, pero su música es fantastica, no destaca en historia, pero merece la pena jugar y vivir la precuela de FFI, Jack Garland se ha convertido en un gran personaje y pese a los memes, el juego en su recta final gana un ritmo tremendo.
    Tras los 2 DLC que son de una gran calidad, el juego aún se sigue disfrutando mucho mas.

    Vive, disfruta Final Fantasy.    … Expand
  55. Splinter
    Jun 25, 2022
    8
    It's a really good game. Not amazing, but really good. It has a lot of enjoyable gameplay. It's fun. There are plenty of rough aspects, but a game not being perfect is not a good reason to whine all day long about it. Disregard any review under a 5.
  56. n-swidan
    Aug 3, 2023
    8
    I had a blast playing this! Great combat, loot, and bosses! Needs more enemy variety, but it was still pretty fun and challenging.
  57. Vosgy
    Jun 7, 2022
    8
    Solid fun game, combat is really fun, difficulty is there.
    No idea about the english VAing, but the JP is good, even when you can't speak the language you can tell the localizes ruined it ha ha.
  58. Rasecnort
    Jul 24, 2022
    10
    Chaos chaos chaos chaos chaos chaos chaos chaos chaos chaos chaos chaos chaos
  59. guyza123
    Jul 21, 2022
    8
    I'm only an hour on, but so far so good
    It's very strong, and is great considering the state of 2022 (bad)
    Typical FF strengths (great music, really good graphics) I like the characters, it's just a nice game. It was worth the money, which is fair. The combat is awesome, big step forward for the series IMO. This game shows that final fantasy can keep up with the competition and still deliver.
  60. Lord_Sunday
    Jun 12, 2022
    8
    I wasn't going to buy this game because of the low review scores, but after finding out it was made by team ninja, creators of Nioh 1 and 2, I dove in. In short, I enjoyed this game. The negatives are right in that the story isn't deep, and the graphics are ps4, but the gameplay well made up for it. If you like Nioh, you'll likely enjoy this game.
  61. Campos1444
    May 2, 2022
    10
    Ok, I have to make this review to tilt the scales a bit and make sure people don't pass it up just on the bad reviews.

    While the ending from a standpoint of who Jack is is fairly predictable it gives a huge new perspective into his why. The characters are shallow at the start of the game, but as the game progresses this is explained by the story, and the same goes for Jack's    Ok, I have to make this review to tilt the scales a bit and make sure people don't pass it up just on the bad reviews.

    While the ending from a standpoint of who Jack is is fairly predictable it gives a huge new perspective into his why.

    The characters are shallow at the start of the game, but as the game progresses this is explained by the story, and the same goes for Jack's obsession with killing Chaos, he hammers it for logical reasons.

    Graphics-wise, yeah it is about a generation behind, it has a Nioh/DMC5 look to it, but a lot of work seems to have been put into customization, throughout the whole game you will be constantly changing your look, and while there are some recolors they aren't overwhelming

    On the point of gameplay, It is not a turn-based game, which has put off some FF players, it is a mix of Nioh combat and FF Jobs with some more extra, the jobs system is pretty good, each job while not unique(weapon types and move sets are shared by some classes) offers a nice variety, with the job-specific-skills and passives.

    While not a 10 out of 10 it is a pretty cool side story that fleshes out some characters from the numbers games and adds something new to the FF repertoire.    … Expand
  62. susoloy
    May 8, 2022
    9
    This game is a recommended option if you want to join the final fantasy universe and you like the hack and slack genre. The gameplay is very enjoyable, it's not very difficult to learn but is very funny. The plot at the beginning will look strange but it's an story that you can love it.
  63. CKaedhan
    Apr 11, 2023
    9
    Expected memes, got a very good game.

    Stranger of paradise has been closer to "Final Fantasy" than FF XII, XIII or XV. Gameplay loop is very fun and can be challenging, bosses are unique, jobs really matters and change the way you'll play. Game has been fun from start to finish with no interruption. Very good game for something that isn't a AAA. Just keep Nomura out of the next game,    Expected memes, got a very good game.

    Stranger of paradise has been closer to "Final Fantasy" than FF XII, XIII or XV. Gameplay loop is very fun and can be challenging, bosses are unique, jobs really matters and change the way you'll play. Game has been fun from start to finish with no interruption. Very good game for something that isn't a AAA.

    Just keep Nomura out of the next game, shake keys in front of his face or something.
    I'll gladly buy the next FF by Koei Tecmo.

    9/10, would kill Chaos again.    … Expand
  64. Duncs12345
    Sep 3, 2022
    8
    Excellent gameplay with satisfying mechanics and well thought out boss fights. The job system creates great variety and the level nostalgia for a final fantasy fan was nice. The loot system is not good and I would have enjoyed more character dialogue/ back story.
  65. yangfanhong
    Jan 17, 2023
    8
    Although this game is officially denounced as the prologue of Final Fantasy 1 , I found it quite amazing and suitable as the origin of the Final Fantasy story.
  66. psan
    Apr 27, 2022
    10
    Was entertained from start to finish and what a ride it was. The ending is so much gold too, you have to play this game now.
  67. xcylo
    Jan 25, 2023
    9
    I can say almost nothing positive about this game except that I enjoyed almost every moment I spent with it
  68. CapitanQwark
    Jul 9, 2023
    10
    Awesome game. It recieved lot of hate, but it's an incredible idea to explore another stories of the final fantasy Series.
  69. LouisJ
    Jul 31, 2022
    10
    Strangers is a very creative retelling of FF1. It is also an incrediblely for game. I unlcked and played every job. One of the game’s greatest strengths is the way it seamlessly translated both the job system and also each job's unique playstyle from the first few Final Fantasy games to a modern action rpg
  70. Phabyo
    Jul 25, 2022
    10
    I was worried about this game, first impressions make me believe it would be a disaster combat system as FF 15 was. Then I played the demo. LOVED IT. This game has EVERYTHING a final fantasy game should have: amazing story, great characters, awesome game play. It has stunning graphics and performance (PS5). The story starts confusing, but as you play and starts understanding what is goingI was worried about this game, first impressions make me believe it would be a disaster combat system as FF 15 was. Then I played the demo. LOVED IT. This game has EVERYTHING a final fantasy game should have: amazing story, great characters, awesome game play. It has stunning graphics and performance (PS5). The story starts confusing, but as you play and starts understanding what is going on, it blows your mind. The combat is very responsive and feels like a souls game, but faster. Expect about 60 hours of story and 200+ hours doing end-game content. The new DLC makes the game even better.… Expand
  71. Peanutbutler0
    May 20, 2022
    8
    This is honestly one of the most enjoyable final Fantasy games I've played since crisis core, and the combat reminds me of that one a lot, although faster paced. Cons: the story is pretty dull
    Dialogue is completely skippable (as in boring and unimportant)
    You don't care about any of the characters There is no side exploration or world map action Some art assets are poorly designed and    This is honestly one of the most enjoyable final Fantasy games I've played since crisis core, and the combat reminds me of that one a lot, although faster paced. Cons: the story is pretty dull
    Dialogue is completely skippable (as in boring and unimportant)
    You don't care about any of the characters There is no side exploration or world map action Some art assets are poorly designed and repetitive Pros:
    Combat is fast paced and extremely satisfying
    Much customization in equipment and jobs and skills Did I mention incredibly fun combat ? Great combat    … Expand
  72. Aashir52970
    Sep 16, 2022
    8
    Well, if you can keep the weird visuals aside, this is great game in my opinion.

    Pros 1. Combat is addictive and fast paced 2. Boss designs are shockingly good 3. The 'jobs' mechanic is cool 4. The game doesn't take itself too seriously....all that matters is that it is loads of fun Cons 1. Don't go looking for a story... you won't find one 2. Graphically unimpressive 3. No character    Well, if you can keep the weird visuals aside, this is great game in my opinion.

    Pros
    1. Combat is addictive and fast paced
    2. Boss designs are shockingly good
    3. The 'jobs' mechanic is cool
    4. The game doesn't take itself too seriously....all that matters is that it is loads of fun

    Cons
    1. Don't go looking for a story... you won't find one
    2. Graphically unimpressive 3. No character development whatsoever 4. Not a big fan of endgame content as it gets repetitive Let there be CHAOS....    … Expand
  73. TRgdgk
    May 26, 2022
    10
    I haven't had this much fun for a long time. After the update the game looks even better than before
  74. spartantv
    Jun 9, 2022
    9
    It's a very funny game. The plot isn't the Best but you'll have a Goodyear time playing
  75. Anactualgamer
    Jan 17, 2023
    8
    Finally got around to playing Stranger of Paradise and all I can say is wow. I always try to go into games I'm interested in without watching/reading reviews, because as you can see on this page itself, people just review bomb good games nowadays. Combat is fun and the job system is alot like ffxiv where you can play any job you want by changing the weapon. And you can have two jobsFinally got around to playing Stranger of Paradise and all I can say is wow. I always try to go into games I'm interested in without watching/reading reviews, because as you can see on this page itself, people just review bomb good games nowadays. Combat is fun and the job system is alot like ffxiv where you can play any job you want by changing the weapon. And you can have two jobs "equipped" at the same time to switch during combat. Combat has a nice flow switching between jobs and skills. A+
    Graphics are good on the Ps5. But in all honesty they could have done better. I don't think it's on the same level as say Ragnarok or Horizon but still beautiful and the level design is very "dark souls" esque. A-
    Sound is good. A little repetitive it feels like even if it's not the same song it just feels like "this sounds alot like......" B+
    Story isn't hard to follow. Some of the reviews on here say "there is no story" which is completely false. Some people obviously are skipping cutscenes or on the lower end of the IQ spectrum. In summary, Stranger of Paradise is well worth the price of 30.00 which you can get a used copy for now. It's a must play for fans of Final Fantasy and the souls like genre. Hope this review helps bring more people into the game. Cheers!    … Expand
  76. juniortiger
    May 17, 2023
    10
    You need check game out one the best game and lot open world and action game and excellent graphic and good music and good day
  77. LastResource
    Jan 14, 2023
    10
    worth it and glad to play this game again. so much memories and nostalgia within this spin off game in the series.
  78. signas
    Jan 25, 2023
    10
    it's like a mix between final fantasy xv, sekiro, ps2 era god of war, and devil may cry. It's so good that even though it borrows elements from those games it still feels like its own thing. As always Final Fantasy delivering quality games.
  79. NN010
    Jan 29, 2023
    8
    Before I get into the story, I would like to discuss this game’s biggest strength: the gameplay. Whilst I haven’t played the Nioh games, it is clear that Team Ninja did take a lot of cues from what they’d done in that series when designing this game. Subsequently, while Dark Souls & Elden Ring comparisons are inevitable, Stranger of Paradise is pretty different & much faster paced thanBefore I get into the story, I would like to discuss this game’s biggest strength: the gameplay. Whilst I haven’t played the Nioh games, it is clear that Team Ninja did take a lot of cues from what they’d done in that series when designing this game. Subsequently, while Dark Souls & Elden Ring comparisons are inevitable, Stranger of Paradise is pretty different & much faster paced than those games. Instead of mostly dodging until you can attack enemies from behind, Stranger of Paradise mostly encourages you to either block attacks or use the game’s Soul Shield ability to parry them and gain additional MP slots for using abilities (with the occasional attack you have to dodge, but those are signposted clearly). Stranger of Paradise also emphasizes running down an enemy’s stagger gauge to perform instant takedown moves. The default controls are reminiscent of other Souls-Likes, but you can switch to a more Nioh/Devil May Cry-esque control scheme in the options menu. My biggest issue with the combat really is just that the game is so generous with weapons & armour that in the late-game you have to dismantle a bunch of old gear every couple of missions. It’s a time consuming process & in my experience the auto-dismantle feature Team Ninja added in a post-release patch doesn’t work.
    Overall, unless you’re looking for a pure Souls-like experience, Stranger of Paradise offers a dynamic & fast-paced combat system that nevertheless takes inspiration from Dark Souls. And if you aren’t into the high difficulty of Souls-Likes (or are just here for the story and/or memes), the game does have lower difficulty settings to make the game more enjoyable for you.

    As for the story (co-written by Final Fantasy VII, FFVIII & Kingdom Hearts 2 writer Kazuhige Nojima), it is an… interesting experience. At first, it feels like so bad, it’s good edgy throwback to the 2000s wherein the protagonist seemingly drops more curse words than every character in the rest of the Final Fantasy series combined. But as you get closer to the end the story starts to become actually good. The edgy exterior starts to give way to an unexpectedly emotional story about the folly of anger & the importance of memory. Similarly, the dialogue also goes from meme-worthy to good as the game goes on (ex: the **** scene takes place in the first couple of hours). On a related note, the music (mainly composed by FFXIII-2 co-composer Naoshi Mizuta) is pretty good and calls back to previous Final Fantasy games in subtle, but appreciated ways.

    Speaking of references to previous Final Fantasy games, Stranger of Paradise, being the game released to mark the 35th anniversary of the Final Fantasy franchise, has numerous references & call backs to previous FF games. Most of them take the form of dungeons being inspired by (and implied in-universe to pulled from the worlds of) previous Final Fantasy games (ex: The Crystal Tower from FFIII (also a prominant location in FFXIV), Sunleth Waterscape from FFXIII, Sastasha from FFXIV & the Citadel from FFXV), but outside of that, there are plenty of classic Final Fantasy elements included (ex: Chaos, Warriors of Light & a Job system reminiscent of FFV & FFXIV). These references aren’t so all-consuming that they detract from the story being told, though.

    Moving on to the technical & visual aspects, Stranger of Paradise is a mixed bag. On one hand, the art direction is as good as should be expected from a Square Enix game. Sure Jack looks like a generic video game protagonist from the late 2000s-early 2010s, but that feels intentional given the direction the story goes in & the rest of characters do have designs that fit their characters. The only one I can really question is Neon wearing a school-girl outfit. Is it meant to signify how she’s younger than the rest of the cast? Maybe, but she’s supposed to be 18 according to the Final Fantasy Wiki (or at least her physical appearance is). Most likely explanation is that someone at Team Ninja and/or Square Enix wanted one of the characters to wear a school girl outfit and didn’t care how little sense it made.

    As for the technical side of things, this game is a mess. It’s been patched to improve performance, but the game’s visuals still aren’t up to par for a PS5 game. The anti-aliasing solution Team Ninja are using can’t keep up with this game’s environment design & causes the game to look like a shimmery, blurry mess at times (and this is with the game set to resolution mode!). And it’s not a case of Team Ninja not putting much effort into the PS5 version. The PS4, Xbox One & Series S versions are even worse in this regard & people found at launch that the PC version’s framerate tanks whenever there is fur or hair on s    … Expand
  80. benthesodaman
    Mar 27, 2023
    8
    Liked: Fast-paced action combat, a breadth and depth of build options as you progress the game, soundtrack and nods to Final Fantasy series, and three player co-op for most of the game and DLCs. The difficulty options if you just want to play story and if you invest in the RPG mechanics, even though the DLC is on a higher difficulty - you will be on even footing.

    Disliked: The 3rd DLC    Liked: Fast-paced action combat, a breadth and depth of build options as you progress the game, soundtrack and nods to Final Fantasy series, and three player co-op for most of the game and DLCs. The difficulty options if you just want to play story and if you invest in the RPG mechanics, even though the DLC is on a higher difficulty - you will be on even footing.

    Disliked: The 3rd DLC had little in the way of build expansion compared to the 1st and 2nd DLCs, UI QoL that did not get implemented, number of lingering bugs, the Rift Labyrinth's penalty system, Rift Labyrinth lacking a co-op save, story pacing, character animations during story sequences

    To address the DLC difficulty: The game is fair if you don't rush by neglecting mechanics. Which is what some players citing Souls NG+++ and Nioh Abyss 999 players do/did. The game gives you multiple ways to increase your stats, but a number of players only focus on one way. Use them all and you could be clearing bosses in under 60 seconds or face tanking even without grinding. And if do grind or grind efficiently, you could achieve faster clears or be so sturdy you can go pee, wash your hands, come back, and still be alive (not exaggerating, especially the wash hands part).

    For players that don't want to invest time learning the game, but do want to see the story first-hand, there is a lore friendly Extra Mode. You can also still practice and experience the combat in this way, but if you neglect your stats, you may have boss encounters longer than 2~3 minutes.

    And then as a Final Fantasy name, no other game in the franchise has as much build customization as this game. For players that love that kind of stuff, this is a dream. For players that want something more streamlined and simplified, the DLCs will be a mini-nightmare.    … Expand
  81. LetterboxParrot
    Apr 22, 2023
    8
    Let's be real. The game is about the combat. Flashy, satisfying combat.
    Nothing makes me want to jump off a bridge more than Master Tonberries.
  82. dreamnight
    Jun 1, 2023
    10
    I recommend pick one up lot action and also song beautiful and excellent graphic and good day
  83. swin
    Jun 25, 2023
    8
    I'm primarily a JRPG player, and I rarely play games with high difficulties or high skill ceilings. As such much of my time was getting used to the controls and actually using the block button. Having a souls-esque game for a series known for low skill ceilings is certainly a choice. That said, I loved playing as Jack as I got to see the how and why of the final villain of FF1. I playedI'm primarily a JRPG player, and I rarely play games with high difficulties or high skill ceilings. As such much of my time was getting used to the controls and actually using the block button. Having a souls-esque game for a series known for low skill ceilings is certainly a choice. That said, I loved playing as Jack as I got to see the how and why of the final villain of FF1. I played FF1 a couple of years earlier and the time-travel aspect seems like a difficult thing to write around, but I think they did a great job with the material given.

    It took me approx. ~35 hours to complete the game playing primarily in Story Mode difficulty.

    Pros:
    * Dialogue is very enjoyable (CHAOS)
    * Gameplay is very fun and challenging (even at lower difficulties)
    * Story was surprisingly enjoyable
    * Music is great, as expected for Final Fantasy
    * Characters are very likeable
    * Standalone title - doesn't require playing others in the series

    Cons
    * Equipment management: limited storage and constant drops are a noxious combo
    * Exploration isn't really incentivized because all you get is equipment from chests - something you can find literally anywhere
    * The story can be confusing, although playing FF1 beforehand helps    … Expand
  84. Marioku
    Aug 8, 2023
    10
    El juego me sorprendió que cada vez se vuelve más adictivo sin sumar sus DLC que complementan aún más esta historío
  85. Killerpummkin
    Aug 10, 2023
    8
    It's true that technically it's not perfect, but it's fun and the characters are well designed in every way. The combat system is the best part of the game, I love it and it's spectacular. Another very good point is the soundtrack, which is great. Without having the excellence of other Final Fantasies, it is a good game that I think has been unfairly criticised by the critics.

Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Best PlayStation 5 Game of 2022
20
#20 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2022

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 91 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 91
  2. Mixed: 46 out of 91
  3. Negative: 1 out of 91
  1. RPGamer
    Jul 12, 2022
    70
    Stranger of Paradise Final Fantasy Origin attempts to fuse the original’s sensibility into a fast-paced action RPG. For the most part, it is successful with intense action gameplay and beautiful music. Adjustable difficulty options and online co-op make the game accessible to a myriad of gamers without diminishing challenge or sacrificing replayability. It’s somewhat fitting that in this topsy-turvy action spin-off, the only thing that’s truly upside-down is the presentation of the original game’s story. Even as the narrative stumbles, the core gameplay is strong enough to motivate to see this story through to completion, no matter how chaotic.
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  2. Oyungezer
    Jun 26, 2022
    75
    Although the action is extremely enjoyable, game stumbles in other areas. It's a direct purchase for the fans of the series, but others can wait for discounts.
    Read full review
  3. Het Nieuwsblad
    May 17, 2022
    60
    Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin constantly balances between homage to the series and bombastic kitsch. The new gameplay - it feels more like a soulslike game than your typical action-RPG - is refreshing at times, but not spectacular enough to make the game rise above mediocrity.
    Read full review
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