If you've been avoiding the series for a good few years then Type-0 is a great place to pick up the thread once again.

It's an interesting departure in both tone and gameplay from other Final Fantasy titles, and certainly worth playing. But I really wish Square Enix had banked a bit less on the packed-in Final Fantasy XV demo to sell copies, and more on applying some additional technical prowess to the final package.

While last year's Bravely Default garnered praise for being a reprise of old-school Final Fantasy, Type 0 proves you can be progressive rather than regressive and still capture the series' spirit quite neatly.

While not the next-generation Final Fantasy game fans are anxiously waiting for, Type-0 is a fun action/adventure with a lot of compelling ideas. There's enough variety in the gameplay to keep the combat fresh for dozens of hours, and the story is surprisingly emotional for a political thriller. Sadly, Final Fantasy Type-0 HD is held back by its handheld roots, but don't let that keep you from discovering this oddity.