Final Fantasy XVI

82%
Game Brain Score Based on 8,300 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • optimization
Final Fantasy XVI Game Cover
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"Final Fantasy XVI" is a single-player Fantasy Role Playing game with an interesting plot, good graphics, and a wonderful soundtrack. The game is set in a dark fantasy world where the fate of the land is decided by the mighty Eikons and the Dominants who wield them. The player follows the story of Clive Rosfield, a warrior seeking revenge against the Dark Eikon Ifrit, after a great tragedy befalls him and his brother Joshua, the dominant of the Phoenix.

  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

82%
Audience ScoreBased on 8,300 reviews
story2,423 positive mentions
optimization479 negative mentions
  • The story is engaging and emotionally impactful, with well-developed characters.
  • The combat system is fast-paced and fun, reminiscent of Devil May Cry, allowing for a variety of playstyles.
  • The graphics and cinematics are stunning, providing a visually captivating experience.
  • The game suffers from significant performance issues, including frequent crashes and frame rate drops.
  • Many side quests are repetitive and lack depth, often feeling like busywork.
  • The game is heavily linear, limiting exploration and player agency.
  • story6,168 mentions

    The story of Final Fantasy XVI is widely praised for its engaging narrative, emotional depth, and well-developed characters, particularly the protagonist Clive Rosfield. While the main storyline is compelling and often compared to darker narratives like Game of Thrones, many players find the pacing uneven, with an overabundance of fetch quests that detract from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the game's cinematic presentation and rich lore make it a standout entry in the franchise, appealing to both long-time fans and newcomers seeking a mature, story-driven RPG.

    • “The story is engaging and the characters are relatable.”
    • “The story is great and heartwarming.”
    • “Final Fantasy XVI offers a captivating storyline and stunning visuals that will immerse you in its fantastical world.”
    • “The story becomes extremely focused on Clive's perspective, making it painful to go through as each moment is really predictable.”
    • “The side quests are mostly boring, consisting of generic fetch/bring/kill tasks with zero depth.”
    • “The pacing of the story is horrid, with significant downtime filled with tedious side quests that detract from the main narrative.”
  • gameplay1,703 mentions

    The gameplay of Final Fantasy XVI has received mixed reviews, with many praising its fluid combat mechanics and cinematic boss battles reminiscent of action games like Devil May Cry. However, critics point out the lack of depth in RPG elements, repetitive combat, and an overwhelming number of cutscenes that disrupt the gameplay flow. While some players enjoy the streamlined action-oriented approach, others lament the absence of traditional RPG mechanics and party dynamics that have defined the series in the past.

    • “The gameplay is very action-centric compared to other Final Fantasy titles, but it is very solidly done and is a very enjoyable character action game.”
    • “The combat mechanics work together really well.”
    • “The gameplay is fluid and dynamic, especially when you get into the combo and parrying mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is a complete afterthought.”
    • “The gameplay is extremely simplistic, lacking depth and strategy, making it feel repetitive.”
    • “The gameplay is very linear and lacks the RPG mechanics that fans have come to expect from the series.”
  • optimization1,691 mentions

    The optimization of Final Fantasy XVI has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering, frame drops, and inconsistent frame rates, particularly in populated areas and during cutscenes. While some users with high-end rigs have experienced smooth gameplay, others with mid-range setups struggle to maintain playable frame rates even on low settings. Overall, the game is criticized for its poor optimization, leading many to recommend waiting for patches before purchasing.

    • “Unlike many others here, I have had zero performance issues with this port.”
    • “The game is well optimized and has no issues that I've run into.”
    • “I run a mid-range PC (6750xt GPU, 5700x CPU, 16GB RAM) and I'm getting over 100fps and everything looks fantastic with optimized settings.”
    • “Horrible frame pacing and stuttering, 30 fps locked cutscenes, and even crashing and freezing during certain loading sections.”
    • “Game has notable performance issues that cannot be avoided (e.g. it uses too much VRAM and some stutters in specific areas), but it's cram-packed with content.”
    • “This game is unbelievably unoptimized, even in some closed rooms it's very very bad, I can't believe there's still no patch for this.”
  • graphics1,361 mentions

    The graphics of "Final Fantasy XVI" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and attention to detail, often described as breathtaking and cinematic, particularly during boss battles and cutscenes. However, many players have reported significant performance issues, including frame rate drops and graphical glitches, even on high-end systems, leading to frustration with the game's optimization. While the artistic direction and overall aesthetic are praised, the inconsistent performance and lack of robust graphical settings have been noted as drawbacks, making it a mixed experience for many players.

    • “From its captivating narrative to its breathtaking visuals, the game pushes the boundaries of what an RPG can achieve, setting a new gold standard for the genre.”
    • “Whether you're traversing the war-torn lands of Valisthea or battling gigantic Eikons, the game delivers jaw-dropping visuals that enhance the immersion.”
    • “The graphics showcase a meticulous attention to detail, bringing the world of Valisthea to life with breathtaking environments, intricately designed cities, and character models that exhibit a level of realism rarely seen in the series.”
    • “Weird graphical glitches/bugs, random frame drops, no native ultrawide support.”
    • “The graphics are not optimized enough to run well on PC, as I have plenty of better looking games that perform a lot better than this.”
    • “The graphics switch from 'OMG I am watching an animated movie' to talking to an NPC who escaped from a PS3 game.”
  • music1,270 mentions

    The music in *Final Fantasy XVI*, composed by Masayoshi Soken, has received widespread acclaim for its exceptional quality and emotional depth, enhancing both the gameplay and narrative experience. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack's ability to elevate key moments, particularly during epic boss battles, while some express disappointment over the repetitiveness of certain tracks. Overall, the soundtrack is celebrated as one of the standout features of the game, with many considering it among the best in the franchise.

    • “The music perfectly complements the story's tone, from sweeping orchestral pieces during epic battles to quieter, introspective themes that add depth to the narrative.”
    • “The soundtrack, composed by Masayoshi Soken, is exceptional.”
    • “The music is a straight-up contender for the best soundtrack in video games—it’s that good.”
    • “The soundtrack is underwhelming and forgettable, lacking the emotional or memorable impact that this series is known for.”
    • “The music is lackluster and doesn't feel in place with the story and especially the environment.”
    • “The music really builds tension, but in every Final Fantasy game I've ever played, some of the music really was catchy, and yet I find nothing worth listening to again.”
  • emotional266 mentions

    The emotional aspect of *Final Fantasy XVI* is widely praised for its deeply engaging and mature narrative, which explores themes of power, vengeance, and personal growth through the protagonist Clive Rosfield and his relationships. Players report experiencing a range of emotions, from joy to heartbreak, particularly during pivotal moments and character interactions, with many noting that the story's emotional weight lingers long after the game ends. However, some critiques mention that certain side quests dilute the emotional impact, and pacing issues occasionally hinder the overall experience.

    • “The complex relationships between characters, especially protagonist Clive Rosfield and his companions, are deeply explored, adding layers of emotional depth to the overall experience.”
    • “The story is dark, emotional, and utterly immersive, with Clive Rosfield delivering one of the most unforgettable journeys in gaming.”
    • “The gripping narrative, deeply emotional character arcs, and breathtaking visuals create a cinematic experience like no other.”
    • “Boring story, voice acting lacks emotion.”
    • “How did they manage to make a game that has genuinely good writing and premise, yet such a boring story?”
    • “Boring story that has been repeated over and over again in this series of man vs a superior being yet somehow the man wins.”
  • grinding148 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive, particularly in relation to side quests that often consist of fetch tasks. While some appreciate the minimization of grinding through quality-of-life features, others feel that the lengthy and drawn-out combat, along with the lack of meaningful rewards for grinding, detracts from the overall experience. Overall, while grinding is not strictly necessary for progression, it can feel like a chore, especially for completionists.

    • “No grinding for levels needed and you would constantly be going down halls with some enemies on the way.”
    • “No farming in the open world needed.”
    • “Side quests were also not too tedious and were paced well, in my opinion.”
    • “The grinding can feel like a job if you need to stay in one spot to gain materials to sell for gil, and when you level up, it doesn't feel like you get much status increase out of your hard work.”
    • “The side quests in general are mostly just go here, speak to a person, come back; it was tedious and annoying.”
    • “The overwhelming majority of the side quests are very boring and tedious fetch quests and not really worth the time, which is a bit of a shame.”
  • stability121 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent graphical glitches, frame rate drops, and crashes, particularly during cutscenes. While some users with high-end hardware experience smooth performance, others struggle with significant issues that hinder gameplay, leading to frustration and the need for extensive troubleshooting. Overall, the game appears to be poorly optimized, especially for those using lower-end systems.

    • “Game runs great, I faced no issues at all.”
    • “This game runs great, I'm glad they fixed the original performance issues the PS5 had at launch.”
    • “Looks great, runs great, satisfying combat and so far I'm loving the story!”
    • “Game freezes from time to time during cut scenes.”
    • “The problem is that I have encountered so many bugs and glitches that make the game unfun to play, most of them were visual (NPCs having no textures, surroundings disappearing, etc.) but the worst ones are performance issues (FPS drops from 120 to 0 every 5 to 10 seconds) and the game crashing from time to time (I had to play things over and over again).”
    • “Crashed every 30-60 minutes to begin with but crashing has gotten worse as the story progressed and now my game freezes and crashes every 5-10 minutes.”
  • character development109 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the depth and emotional engagement of the main character, Clive, while others criticize the lack of development for supporting characters and the overall pacing. Many players noted that side quests, although intended to enhance character backstories, often felt dull and unengaging, leading to missed opportunities for deeper connections. Overall, while there are standout moments and characters, the execution of character development varies significantly, leaving some players feeling detached from the cast.

    • “The character development is top-notch and the voice acting is otherworldly.”
    • “The atmosphere, character development, and deeply engaging story are simply masterfully crafted.”
    • “The character development is profound, with Clive’s relationships with other key figures, especially his bond with his brother Joshua and the powerful eikons, adding emotional depth to the story.”
    • “Optional side quests are used to pad the character development of side characters, but the nature of side quests makes the act of doing them very dull and hence disincentivizes people from wanting to know more about each character.”
    • “The love interest has less character development than the dog; I honestly felt I knew more about what the dog had been through in that world than I did the love interest.”
    • “The character development is terrible; the story isn't great, and gameplay is boring and repetitive.”
  • humor54 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as a mixed bag, with some players finding moments of genuine hilarity in side quests and character interactions, while others feel the overall tone is too dark for consistent comedic relief. Notable funny moments include absurd dialogue and character quirks, particularly from Cid, but many reviews also highlight a lack of witty writing and engaging humor compared to previous titles in the franchise. Overall, while there are memorable humorous instances, the game leans more towards serious storytelling, leaving some players wanting more comedic elements.

    • “The story has brought me to tears on more than one occasion, and made me laugh more times than I can count, and every character feels like a real person, and I am not even halfway done.”
    • “Cid is an amazing character with a fantastic personality; he’s funny as hell.”
    • “One of the icon fights is so long that my monitor actually turned off automatically before the cutscene finished, which was actually hilarious and the most amusing part of the whole game for me personally.”
  • atmosphere37 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and gritty tone, enhanced by a powerful soundtrack that complements the narrative's darker themes. Players appreciate the distinct environments and character development, which contribute to a living, breathing world that feels both familiar and fresh. However, some critiques mention inconsistencies in character portrayal and voice acting that detract from the overall experience.

    • “The atmosphere, character development, and deeply engaging story are simply masterfully crafted.”
    • “Each area feels distinct, and the world’s design creates a living, breathing atmosphere that invites players to get lost in it.”
    • “The music perfectly complements the game’s atmosphere, blending classic themes with fresh compositions that resonate throughout the experience.”
    • “While some parts of the map are intentionally barren and flat, this seems to be a deliberate choice that complements the game’s atmosphere.”
    • “So if you're comparing this game's plot to something like Game of Thrones, you'll be surely disappointed, as the medieval theme and dark atmosphere are only skin deep.”
    • “It bares a dark, gritty atmosphere right from the get-go; blood, gruesome death, and discrimination are apparent from the start, and you immediately know this isn't going to be your typical Final Fantasy game.”
  • replayability34 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with some players appreciating the New Game Plus (NG+) mode and additional challenges, while others find it limited due to its linear gameplay and repetitive side quests. Many reviewers note that the experience feels more like a long cinematic journey rather than a game with substantial replay value, leading to a general consensus that replayability is primarily tied to story enjoyment and NG+ rather than extensive exploration or varied gameplay.

    • “The replayability value is also through the roof with: the possibility to replay stages of the game, arcade mode, Kairos Gate, and DLCs.”
    • “Game offers great replayability with New Game Plus increasing level cap, offering new items and challenges.”
    • “I still believe this game has a lot of replayable value with the different modes they give you and the DLCs.”
    • “While I replay classics like FF6, FF7, and FF9, this game suffers from a lack of replayability for me, due to its linear gameplay and absence of a true open world.”
    • “Due to the cinematic over gameplay nature and overall length of XVI, I can't see this game having replayability for many people.”
    • “After beating the game once, you unlock 'Final Fantasy mode,' which is a NG+-exclusive challenge mode, but I've never cared for NG+ and I don't see this game having much replay value anyway.”
  • monetization9 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players feeling that it prioritizes profit over quality, labeling it a "cash grab" that detracts from the series' legacy. Users express frustration over the prevalence of microtransactions and ads in a single-player experience, which they believe undermines the value of the game despite some enjoyment of its core elements. Overall, there is a strong sentiment that the game's monetization strategy has led to a decline in trust and satisfaction among longtime fans.

    • “Microtransactions are well-balanced and don't feel intrusive.”
    • “The in-game purchases enhance the experience without being necessary to enjoy the game.”
    • “I appreciate that the monetization model allows for free play while offering optional purchases.”
    • “A waste of a saga which used to mean something to gamers abroad, but I guess investors got their hands on production claims and made all these games nothing more than a quick cash grab in the end.”
    • “This will likely be the last Final Fantasy game I will purchase, as you can't trust them to produce anything decent these days without pulling the cash grab for questionable quality.”
    • “I do not appreciate ads in my single player games.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Final Fantasy XVI

Play time

15hMedian play time
31hAverage play time
37hMain story
79hCompletionist
7-55hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 53 analyzed playthroughs

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