FINAL FANTASY XVI

About

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 15,479 reviews

story4.5k positive mentions

optimization910 negative mentions

The graphics of Final Fantasy XVI are stunning, showcasing intricate details and breathtaking visuals, especially during cinematic sequences and boss battles.
The story is engaging and emotionally resonant, with rich character development that captivates players and draws comparisons to Game of Thrones.
The music, composed by Masayoshi Soken, is memorable and enhances the game's atmosphere, contributing significantly to the overall experience.

The game suffers from significant performance issues, including frame rate drops and stuttering, even on high-end hardware, leading to a frustrating experience.
Many side quests are repetitive and feel tedious, lacking meaningful rewards and detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
The gameplay is criticized for its simplicity and lack of depth compared to traditional RPG mechanics, leaving some players disappointed.

story
11,450 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
55%
6%
The story of Final Fantasy XVI is widely praised for its engaging narrative, rich character development, and emotional depth, often drawing comparisons to Game of Thrones for its mature themes and political intrigue. While the main storyline captivates players with its twists and dramatic moments, many reviewers criticize the pacing and the repetitive nature of side quests, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite these issues, the game is recommended for those who appreciate a strong, story-driven experience, with stunning visuals and a compelling soundtrack enhancing the journey.
- “The story is beautiful, filled with amazing characters.”
- “The story is engaging, though I wish it had been more fleshed out and open to exploring its rich world.”
- “The story is captivating and gameplay is superb.”
- “The story is very bad.”
- “It's an action fighting RPG with the only RPG part being 3 main equipment slots and 3 accessory slots and a choice of 2 out of 3 abilities for each eikon you get. Tons of cinematics, lack of open-world (it's divided by areas), side quests are basically chores with no meaning or relation to the story.”
- “The side quests are the biggest thing that comes to mind which feel like they would fit better in an MMO.”
optimization
3,194 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
55%
28%
The optimization of *Final Fantasy XVI* on PC has received significant criticism, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including stuttering, frame drops, and inconsistent framerates, even on high-end hardware. While some users have managed to achieve stable performance through mods and tweaks, the general consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, particularly in densely populated areas and during cutscenes, leading to a frustrating experience for many. Players are advised to wait for patches to address these issues before purchasing the game.
- “I feel like the graphical fidelity of this game does not justify the performance that is on offer here -- and that's on a computer that while not on the bleeding edge, would even give a PS5 Pro a run for its money.”
- “While the game's production values are quite high and there's clearly a game of substance here, the constant stutter and performance woes stood in the way of my enjoyment.”
- “The game is badly optimized and it runs poorly considering how it looks.”
- “Given the prevalence of powerful gaming PCs, it’s baffling that such a high-profile title struggles with optimization.”
- “The performance on this title is absolutely atrocious, even with turning all settings low, using all manner of DLSS/FSR, with/without frame generation, the game is stuck hovering 20-30fps on a 3080 and 12700k.”
gameplay
3,159 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
35%
58%
7%
The gameplay of Final Fantasy XVI has garnered mixed reviews, with many praising its fast-paced, action-oriented combat reminiscent of titles like Devil May Cry, while others criticize its simplicity and lack of depth compared to traditional RPG mechanics. Players appreciate the engaging story and stunning visuals, but some feel that the gameplay becomes repetitive and lacks the complexity expected from a Final Fantasy title, particularly due to the absence of party mechanics and meaningful RPG elements. Overall, while the game offers a thrilling experience, it may not satisfy those seeking the depth and strategic gameplay of earlier entries in the series.
- “The gameplay emulates the feel of Devil May Cry very nicely, and I love how well-executed each different gameplay augment feels.”
- “It’s constantly evolving, throwing new mechanics and jaw-dropping moments your way.”
- “Gameplay feels tight and the bosses are all fun, and all of the boss music is insanely good.”
- “But the gameplay is disappointing.”
- “Characters were well-designed and likeable, but the gameplay is non-existent.”
- “The gameplay is a hollow, disjointed nightmare that feels like it was rushed out the door to hit a deadline, rather than something that had even a shred of care or quality put into it.”
graphics
2,537 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
46%
2%
The graphics of "Final Fantasy XVI" have received widespread acclaim for their stunning visuals and intricate detail, particularly during cinematic sequences and boss battles. However, many players have reported significant performance issues, including frame rate drops and stuttering, even on high-end hardware, which detracts from the overall experience. While the artistic direction is praised, the optimization for PC has been criticized, leading to a mixed reception regarding the game's graphical fidelity versus its performance.
- “The visuals are absolutely stunning, and the story is beautiful, filled with amazing characters.”
- “The graphics are so crisp, you can practically feel the magic in the air.”
- “The graphics are stunning, especially on high-end pcs, showcasing the power of modern hardware.”
- “Graphics are a mess and it doesn't run on regular resolution without using AI frame generation and DLSS, which results in blurry textures all over the place.”
- “The game does look good, but the graphics do not warrant this bad of performance.”
- “The framerate is horrendous no matter what kind of hardware you have; the game chugs to render PS3-level graphics.”
music
2,387 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
38%
2%
The music in *Final Fantasy XVI* has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its epic orchestral compositions and emotional depth, particularly during boss battles and key story moments. Composed by Masayoshi Soken, the soundtrack is noted for its ability to enhance the game's atmosphere and narrative, making it a standout feature that many players find memorable and engaging. However, some critiques mention a lack of variety in certain tracks, leading to moments of repetitiveness, but overall, the music is celebrated as a highlight of the game, contributing significantly to the immersive experience.
- “The music is absolutely peak as well, some of the most awe-inspiring, adrenaline-pumping epic classical music I've heard in a long time.”
- “The soundtrack, composed by Masayoshi Soken, is memorable and emotionally resonant, elevating key moments throughout the story.”
- “The music perfectly complements the game’s atmosphere, blending classic themes with fresh compositions that resonate throughout the experience.”
- “The music is lackluster and doesn't feel in place with the story and especially the environment.”
- “From the very beginning of the game, they blast that into your ear holes non-stop, which was very epic for the first 5 hours but when you are slashing away damage sponge enemy #270 while the score is on full blast all the time, eventually it sort of just fades into background music while you sit there and wonder how many more times you have to stab this random plant that bites you for some reason.”
- “Worst thing is that there is basically only one music track for each of the 5 major regions or so, so you will be hearing the same music track over and over and for me it even became annoying because of that.”
emotional
498 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
97%
3%
The emotional aspect of *Final Fantasy XVI* has resonated deeply with players, many of whom report being moved to tears by its compelling narrative and character development. The protagonist, Clive Rosfield, along with his relationships—especially with his brother Joshua—provides a rich emotional core that enhances the game's darker themes of revenge and redemption. While the story is praised for its depth and emotional weight, some players note that pacing issues and repetitive side quests can detract from the overall impact of its most poignant moments.
- “The story pulled me in so deeply that I had tears in my eyes by the end – it was that beautiful and emotional.”
- “Clive and Joshua’s bond as brothers is deeply touching and drives so much of the story’s tension and heart.”
- “This game emotionally broke me, I am in utter shambles, it is simply beautiful in every sense of the word.”
- “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.”
- “Boring story and world in mid and semi late game, fps drop everywhere in mid and late game.”
grinding
275 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
12%
86%
The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players describing it as tedious and monotonous. Side quests are primarily fetch quests that feel repetitive and often lack meaningful rewards, leading to a sense of frustration. While some players appreciate the story elements tied to these quests, the overall consensus is that the grinding experience detracts significantly from the enjoyment of the game.
- “No farming in the open world needed.”
- “Side quests were also not too tedious and were paced well, in my opinion.”
- “No grinding for levels needed, and you would constantly be going down halls with some enemies on the way.”
- “Because there's no real way to make them easier (grinding is crap in the game, monsters are too spread out, equipment sucks, no permanent stat boost items) you are stuck there in these long and I mean long fights every single time.”
- “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.”
stability
221 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
66%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent freezes, crashes, and graphical glitches, particularly during cutscenes and loading screens. While some users with high-end hardware experience smooth performance, others on lower-end systems face significant issues, including frame rate drops and unplayable conditions. Overall, while the game shows potential for stability improvements, many players find it currently frustrating due to its technical shortcomings.
- “Runs great full settings, no problems on 4080 Super.”
- “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.”
- “The random freezes and crashes are what really do this game in though.”
- “I have come to the point that every time I get to a specific cutscene the game freezes and I cannot finish the main campaign.”
- “Game freezes mid-fight and then crashes out.”
character development
200 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
52%
8%
Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the depth and emotional engagement of the protagonist Clive and his relationships, while others criticize the lack of development for supporting characters and the overall pacing. Many players appreciate the strong character designs and voice acting, but feel that certain characters, particularly Jill, are underdeveloped. Overall, while the game offers moments of compelling storytelling and character growth, it also suffers from uneven execution and missed opportunities for deeper exploration of its cast.
- “The atmosphere, character development, and deeply engaging story are simply masterfully crafted.”
- “While it has its flaws, the game's strengths shine through with a compelling story, emotional depth, and rich character development that left a lasting impact.”
- “The character development is strong, and while the pacing can be uneven at times, the deep lore and emotional engagements keep players invested in the unfolding drama.”
- “The character development is awful; I never managed to connect with Clive or feel any sadness for his situation.”
- “I have to say, I'm really struggling with this; I will keep going but it just doesn't seem to be going anywhere. The combat is okay but nothing really groundbreaking, there is nothing really fun happening to keep me in the game, there is basically zero exploration and bland character development and interaction.”
- “The ending felt rushed and the deaths of certain characters weren't really necessary because of no build up on character development.”
humor
99 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a mix of dark and absurd moments, with some players finding it genuinely funny, particularly in character interactions and unexpected scenarios. While the overall tone is serious and grim, the occasional witty dialogue and humorous character traits, especially from characters like Cid, provide memorable levity. However, some reviewers noted that the humor can feel out of place or sparse, with a few standout moments rather than a consistent comedic tone throughout the game.
- “One of the icon fights is so long that my monitor actually turned off automatically before the cutscene was finished, which was actually hilarious and the most amusing part of the whole game for me personally.”
- “Cid is an amazing character with a fucking amazing personality, he’s funny as hell.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
68 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
49%
7%
The atmosphere in Final Fantasy XVI is widely praised for its immersive and distinct world design, which effectively captures a dark, gritty medieval fantasy tone. Players appreciate the engaging character development and the seamless integration of a powerful soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. However, some critiques mention inconsistencies in character voice acting and a lack of depth in certain areas, which can detract from the otherwise captivating environment.
- “Each area feels distinct, and the world’s design creates a living, breathing atmosphere that invites players to get lost in it.”
- “The atmosphere, character development, and deeply engaging story are simply masterfully crafted.”
- “The darker and more mature art style complements the narrative tone, immersing players in a visually striking and atmospheric world.”
- “So if you're comparing this game's plot to something like Game of Thrones, like everyone's trying to make it out to be, you'll be surely disappointed, as the medieval theme and dark atmosphere are only skin deep.”
- “- zero character developments and who in the world finds all these low-budget sitcom voice actors; the random comments the characters throw out also don't fit the atmosphere; it's like pre-recorded tone and insert; so many wrongs.”
- “The high points of this game punch holes through the atmosphere and make all the tedious in-betweens almost a non-issue.”
replayability
67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
57%
18%
The game's replayability is primarily centered around the New Game Plus (NG+) mode, which offers some additional challenges and items, but many players find the overall replay value limited due to its linear gameplay and repetitive side quests. While some appreciate the potential for replaying stages and engaging with DLC content, the consensus is that the game lacks the depth and open-world exploration that typically enhances replayability in the Final Fantasy series. Overall, players rate the replayability around 5 to 7 out of 10, with a focus on story enjoyment rather than extensive gameplay variety.
- “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 cinema-over-gameplay nature and overall length of XVI, I can't see this game having replayability for many people.”
- “After learning I need to redo the entire side quest again to unlock a specific weapon, and you have to be at the far end of the game, I don't see any replay value left to be had.”
monetization
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
78%
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players feeling that it prioritizes profit over quality, labeling it a "cash grab." Users express frustration over the presence of microtransactions and ads in a single-player experience, which detracts from the overall enjoyment and immersion of the game. Overall, there is a sentiment that the franchise has lost its way, focusing more on financial gain than delivering compelling narratives and gameplay.
- “A waste of a saga which used to mean something to gamers abroad, but I guess investors got their hands on production claims and make 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.”
- “It feels like a soulless cash grab on the name, but at least it's fun.”