Final Fantasy XVI

 PlayStation 5
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 8567 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6,528 out of 8567
  2. Mixed: 693 out of 8567
  3. Negative: 1,346 out of 8567
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  1. LasseRon
    Jul 3, 2023
    7
    I loved it at first, but the more I played the more I disliked it. The combat starts off really fun, but is sadly very repetetive and easy. Story also starts really good but takes a massive nose dive near the end. The best part of the game is the Eikon battles. They are really good and fun to play.
  2. Kenmei
    Jul 3, 2023
    9
    For those people worried about how much different this game is to past games, don't worry about that. Final Fantasy is a series that's been known to make drastic changes to it's formula over the mainline entries and this is no different. It's not a turn based battle system anymore but that shouldn't matter in the long run if the gameplay that's here is good and it's great. The actionFor those people worried about how much different this game is to past games, don't worry about that. Final Fantasy is a series that's been known to make drastic changes to it's formula over the mainline entries and this is no different. It's not a turn based battle system anymore but that shouldn't matter in the long run if the gameplay that's here is good and it's great. The action styled combat is terrific. With tons of battle options and things to do, it's really fun, especially the Eikon or summon fights that serve as easily the biggest draw in my book to get people to play this game. The story is very well done, albeit with the caveat that it dives deep into a few tropes that I personally HATE towards the end of the game. But it's not afraid to have a heavy dose of a level violence that surprised me alot when compared to past games as well as depicting multiple sex scenes that, while not graphic, were here. In past games, it was a wonder if the characters even knew what that word meant but it's very clear here. The influence of Game of Thrones is so beyond obvious it might as well not even be said, but I love that they weren't afraid to go the extra mile here for a more mature experience. The characters feel realistic and most of the voice performances were outstanding, most particular the actor for the main character Clive. It really brought me in to the experience. My main gripe, outside of the tropes, is that the middle portion of the story can drag badly after one of the most climatic fights in the whole game and that the experience feels more linear then I was hoping for with a lack of side quests until the very end of the game when they stuffed it to the brim with them. Overall this is an experience that I will recommend to every RPG and Action game fan I can. Do not let the people complaining about this "Not being their Final Fantasy" dissuade you from playing one of the best FF games ever. It's probably in my top 3 FF games ever, with it being a few terrible tropes away from it getting a 10 for me.… Expand
  3. troublefete
    Jul 3, 2023
    0
    Plus un film qu'un jeu et une liberté ridicule
    Gameplay moyen
    Scénario absurde
    Bon graphismes
  4. Ghostino
    Jul 3, 2023
    6
    Overall it's a decent game, the story is good but the pacing make it less enjoyable.
    The combat is great, you can definitely say Mr. Suzuki was behind it. Unfortunately the game is not challenging at all, so the great combat system ends up being a cool showcase of combos without any sort of strategy applied to it. The RPG system is just fake, and honestly I can understand why it's like    Overall it's a decent game, the story is good but the pacing make it less enjoyable.
    The combat is great, you can definitely say Mr. Suzuki was behind it. Unfortunately the game is not challenging at all, so the great combat system ends up being a cool showcase of combos without any sort of strategy applied to it. The RPG system is just fake, and honestly I can understand why it's like this, it would have been a pain to balance this combat with a proper RPG system, but the point is why is It in the game? It does not add anything to the gameplay.
    What I don't forgive is the lack of elemental weaknesses, and the lack of a proper magic system, including status effects and spells. These would have made the game a little bit more challenging and smart.
    I also find that the world setting is bland and some areas are too generic, on top of that all of them don't feel to be alive.

    Their main objective was to have a game functional to tell a story as easy as possible.
    Ultimately, with this formula I would have preferred a shorter game, since the low complexity of the gameplay is nowhere engaging for 50+ hours.    … Expand
  5. Lawlieto55
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    Absolutely fantastic game.
    I have ever had faith in CBU3 and they did not disappoint.
    Albeit I do have some critic points towards the game, they have not prevented me from overly enjoying this Journey. I just personally wish that "Spoilers" SE and FF Devs would stop it with ambigious endings. I hate them, as much as they push my creativity, I just dont want them. Give us a clear and    Absolutely fantastic game.
    I have ever had faith in CBU3 and they did not disappoint.

    Albeit I do have some critic points towards the game, they have not prevented me from overly enjoying this Journey. I just personally wish that "Spoilers" SE and FF Devs would stop it with ambigious endings.
    I hate them, as much as they push my creativity, I just dont want them. Give us a clear and proper ending to hour long Journey we have been on with the Characters. For the love of Jill, please. Learn and accept that ambigious endings are not satisfying in the grand scheme of things.

    Other than that I have a little bit of a issue with the lack of Enemy variety. I wish that every story boss fight was a unique experience and that copies of bosses were saved for difficult A and S Rank Hunts. More Hunts would have certainly not hurt the game either. Replacing Mob hoards in side quests with actual Bosses with adds perhaps wouldve done wonders too.
    Over all I feel like the game has certainly lacked some key enemies from the FF series. And perhaps has also missed the opportunity to create new memorable enemies for future Final Fantasy Titles to pick up.

    The Leviathan plot hole is also a little bit of a headache creator. Perhaps the Eikons absence makes the ending make a little bit more sense, with Mythos or rather Logos not being a perfect vessel after all. However, if you exclude a Eikon in a story that is very much reliant on the Eikons to make sense, its absence is indeed noticeable. Perhaps all in plan for a DLC and a non ambigious ending? One can only hope.

    So to summarize:
    Love the game and everything it stands for, with some minor critic points with especially the ending having left me with a little bit disappointment.
    FF16 DLCs, whatever form they may have if being created are definitely welcome. Wether its just more side content as new enemies, hunts, a boss rush mode or something more ambitious like non ambigious ending would most definitely be appreciated.
    Other than that, let the wait for FF17 begin.    … Expand
  6. ulises1
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    Mi goty de lo que va de año. No es perfecto, es un tanto pasillero, las luchas con muchos enemigos son caóticas y hay secundarias muy simples, pero en todo lo demás es un 10. Mejor juego de ps5, sin duda.
  7. Soulhunter1313
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    The story is phenomenal, combat is fun, music is
  8. Garysanderson96
    Jul 3, 2023
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Think the last time I enjoyed Final Fantasy game was 13 trilogy back when I first started in 2020 during the lockdown.
    I played both old-school turn-base FF and newer ones, I like both but the newer hack-n-slash lessen the burden of grinding by ALOT, and for that, I like the newer ones more.
    The game plot kinda similar to Final Fantasy - Lightning Returns, but it pumped up the level and the story-telling.
    The soundtrack? No need to say more. Absolutely Perfect.
    Jill best girl.
    The casts are all great, it build up gradually.
    The only thing I can think of that I don't like is that they need more back story for Jill and Joshua.
    Granted Clive is the main character but I don't mind knowing more about Jill and Joshua. At this point, I don't even mind if they release DLCs for those two, I'll buy it.
    The graphics: Say no more.
    Play on Frame-rate mode though, mind you.
    The ending left me desire to want to know more about Jill and others.
    More items slot to wear would be nice, but then again, doesn't change that much.
    The Environments, the details design are perfect.
    Overall, a great game with great story, teared me up multiple times. The plot touches a difficult aspect of history but they did it well merging along together with Fantasy.
    Can't wait to see if there are any DLCs coming, and can't wait to buy it again on PC.    … Expand
  9. ArtifexSTF
    Jul 3, 2023
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The question to be asked to themselves in order to review this game is whether we should consider games as works of art or simply as pastime. In the latter case we should only give value to gameplay, specifically to the "play" part.
    The fact is, in academic work people stopped seeing games as such in the early 2010s, since then starting to discuss about games as works of art, giving importance to concept such as ludo-narrative harmony.

    In the context of ludonarrative harmony-driven games, Final Fantasy XVI is a masterclass on how to make them.

    Not a single gameplay element isn't thought out to be harmonic with the story, the aesthethics (what we could call "the point of the game", not to be confused with the narrative, or storytelling). The result is a chorus of elements all pushing in the same direction. The RPG elements could be left out from the game as they are near to useless from a gameplay perspective, but from a story perspective they give a sense to the community of the hideout, as you get stronger with the help of the community you built, the ties of consciousness which Ultima talks about. Not to mention every single character gets deepened in their background and personality (even the jukebox!).

    The sidequest, which are underwhelmingly simple from a gameplay perspective, are not once out of place from a narrative point of view. They help establish the point of the story, giving you a reason to change things, until you eventually get to change them. Their simplicity is needed in order to make them quick. If they were more elaborate and complex they would lose the point they want to make.
    While I agree they could have added some minigames or some more complex extra activity, I also think this sort of things could have distracted too much from the point.

    I believe this is a great game, with incredibly strong story and cultural loops in spite of a very simple gameplay loop.
    Nonetheless, if you play games just as a pastime activity, this is not the game for you and I would advise to go play some other game more focused on the gameplay part (such as Zelda TotK, which is wonderful).    … Expand
  10. Hocine95200
    Jul 3, 2023
    4
    Le jeu est assez simple, l’histoire un peu compliquée a comprendre, certaines cinématique ont des ralentissement de frames. Un peu trop de nudité et d’insulte a mon gout mais bon, beaucoup de scenes de combats répétitives. Sinon pour le positif les musique sont excellentes, les combat avec ifirt, bahamut, phoenix etc sont super, la ps5 offre de beau graphismes, on prend quand meme plaisirLe jeu est assez simple, l’histoire un peu compliquée a comprendre, certaines cinématique ont des ralentissement de frames. Un peu trop de nudité et d’insulte a mon gout mais bon, beaucoup de scenes de combats répétitives. Sinon pour le positif les musique sont excellentes, les combat avec ifirt, bahamut, phoenix etc sont super, la ps5 offre de beau graphismes, on prend quand meme plaisir a y jouer ( fini en 3 jours) le scenario donne aussi la larmichette. Au final j’avoue avoir pris un grand plaisir a jouer a ce nouveau volet surtout en tant que fan de ff depuis les annees 90 … Expand
  11. Limiting
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    Such a beautiful story driven game with a delightful combate system and memorable characters. Is a shame the 2023 GOTY will be for Zelda because this Is trully a GOTY.
  12. sidrosigma
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    This game rocks from start to finish. An absolute epic. What a ride and experience. The best FF game i have played for many years. The game play is so much and really feels good. What an epic story and unforgettable characters. A stunning story telling for the ages. Either you are an FF player or someone who is just starting to play the game, this is one of the best experience in gamingThis game rocks from start to finish. An absolute epic. What a ride and experience. The best FF game i have played for many years. The game play is so much and really feels good. What an epic story and unforgettable characters. A stunning story telling for the ages. Either you are an FF player or someone who is just starting to play the game, this is one of the best experience in gaming that you can get.… Expand
  13. ChaosPhoenix
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    This is such an epic game. Haven't feel good about a game for such a long time. The story, the characters, the gameplay and the music, all are S tier.
  14. bang0800
    Jul 3, 2023
    9
    Every thing is good. The game did a really good job in getting the player much involve into it, much like how its gonna play out rather than whats gonna play out. The only let down is that it still bears the love tradition of the FF franchise: the main character never gets a happy love-ending at the end.
  15. liamlo20220517
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    25 years playing video games and this is the greatest combat experience i ever had.

    story 9/10 combat 10/10 music 10/10 graphics 10/10 boss battles 10/10 characters 10/10 side quests 8/10 ( the final batch of side quests before the final boss are all amazing) post-game content 4/10 (aside from NG+ and hardmode, severely lacking. no uber post-game bosses, dungeons, etc) biggest    25 years playing video games and this is the greatest combat experience i ever had.

    story 9/10
    combat 10/10
    music 10/10
    graphics 10/10
    boss battles 10/10
    characters 10/10
    side quests 8/10 ( the final batch of side quests before the final boss are all amazing)
    post-game content 4/10 (aside from NG+ and hardmode, severely lacking. no uber post-game bosses, dungeons, etc)

    biggest technical issue for me was too much motion blur,    … Expand
  16. NeverCasual
    Jul 3, 2023
    7
    The game is great if you enjoy story driven games. Based on the story I would rate it 9/10 (side characters could have used slightly more depth and there are some pacing issues). Setting is much darker than previous FF-Games, which has been a welcome change for me.

    Unfortunately, as much as I liked the story, it often feels like grinding through video sequences to get to the actual    The game is great if you enjoy story driven games. Based on the story I would rate it 9/10 (side characters could have used slightly more depth and there are some pacing issues). Setting is much darker than previous FF-Games, which has been a welcome change for me.

    Unfortunately, as much as I liked the story, it often feels like grinding through video sequences to get to the actual gameplay. The story and side quests/bounties take about 60h if you are not skipping dialog/sequences. 30-35h are dialogue/sequences and about 10h running through empty corridors to the next pack of enemies. Killing these with massive AoE-Damage-Skills from Eikons is fun tho'.

    The actual gameplay is decent. Combat system is really engaging if you are not using the "cheat rings" - they should never have existed! If you are playing without the rings dodging skills can sometimes feel somewhat overwhelming because many enemies have multiple visual effects active simultaneously making it super hard to time your dodge. Still I would recommend to unequip them at the start, as they make the game way too easy (almost effortless).
    Enemy variety is quite low and you will be fighting the same enemies just in differing colours all the time . Since even on "Final Fantasy"-Difficulty most of them pretty much just exist so that the player can execute extremely satisfying AoE-Damage-Combos, skipping all enemy mechanics, they could have added a little more variety there.
    Boss fights are engaging as long as you play Clive. Being massively rewarded for landing an Eikon-Ability that has a carging time or positioning-condition feels great. Sometimes it can be frustrating to dodge tho when ground and charge attacks overlap (assuming you play without "time... rings".
    Once you play as your Eikon it gets monotonous quickly as the difficulty drops massively, the abilities at your disposal are reduced to 4 (6) and the Boss-Eikon HP feels massively inflated.

    Early side quests are horrible. Yet, since their structure is mainly "Go-Kill 5-Return-Reward" (max. 1-2 min time investment) and they do not even count toward 100% completion, I do not really understand the fuss there. It does get better tho and eventually you'll end up in side quests that almost have too much dialogue.

    I would rate the game higher based on the combat (9/10) and main story (9/10), but it forces you into so much downtime that I have spent more time without my controller in my hand than I have spent actually using it... and when I was using it, it was often to get to the next npc to put it away again.    … Expand
  17. Arnie74
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    WOW! Ein richtig schön düsteres Final Fantasy. Die Inszenierung ist klasse, tolle Grafik und Musik. Hochwertige (deutsche) Sprecher. Auch das Kampfsystem überzeugt und ist bombastisch. So muss es sein. Wer auf Herr der Ringe, Game of Thrones, Witcher usw steht, wird hier gut aufgehoben sein. Hoffentlich kommt noch ein Addon in ähnlicher Qualität! Das ist Playstation!
  18. Keln
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    Outstanding.

    The spectacle, the soundtrack, oh my god. Those alone are enough to warrant a 10. Solid cast of characters. Solid voice acting. The themes of discrimination and slavery are met with nuance and variety. Combat plays nicely, very permissive on the first playthrough (NG+ has more difficulty options) Wish RPG elements were pushed a bit further, as itemisation is just a    Outstanding.

    The spectacle, the soundtrack, oh my god. Those alone are enough to warrant a 10.

    Solid cast of characters. Solid voice acting. The themes of discrimination and slavery are met with nuance and variety.
    Combat plays nicely, very permissive on the first playthrough (NG+ has more difficulty options)
    Wish RPG elements were pushed a bit further, as itemisation is just a matter of "equipment new equipment to get marginal increase in stats".
    Accessories aren't really providing the variety I was hoping they would.

    Still a massive recommendation. Will probably get it on PC to enjoy the glorious PC performances eventually.    … Expand
  19. stjer
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    It's a really good game. Excellent plot and acting, interesting gameplay. It can be seen that this generation of games took a lot of effort from the producers, it is really good, I think you can try it if you are not a fan of Final Fantasy. This is a good work if you want to start your final fantasy journey.
  20. LaernuTairo
    Jul 3, 2023
    1
    This game puts me to actual sleep past the 50% mark. This is the first FF ever that I could NOT finish. And Ive been playing and loving FF since 6. Including 11, 14, TA and TA2!!!

    Like this is next level horrible. Not to mention over 50% of the 20 reviewers failed to pass a “Did an AI write that” check. Yoshi clearly paid a 3rd party to review bomb 10s, patrol reddit, and even gamefaqs    This game puts me to actual sleep past the 50% mark. This is the first FF ever that I could NOT finish. And Ive been playing and loving FF since 6. Including 11, 14, TA and TA2!!!

    Like this is next level horrible. Not to mention over 50% of the 20 reviewers failed to pass a “Did an AI write that” check. Yoshi clearly paid a 3rd party to review bomb 10s, patrol reddit, and even gamefaqs to control this game’s reception. He even “bought” the critic reviews by paying for a week long trip and fancy glasses of wine and a handshake (look it up, its legit and true).

    This game is an even bigger scam than cp2077.
    I even liked 13/15, while theyre at the bottom of my list I finished and liked them ok “ish”.
    But 16? It is uninstalled. This game is absolutely trash and besides the paid 3rd parties is full of SIMPS    … Expand
  21. MarenaBlack
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    It is spectacular, pure fun in every way! Some side-quests are routine, crafting and gear-system is not what you expect it to be (in order to keep the pace of the story telling, which, I think, is the best in decades) but all of these are pale in comparison to all of the rest. THIS GAME IS FUN! It brings you back the feeling of excitement of playing games. Loved it!
  22. Mclovin69
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    This game was awesome The developers certainly did a great job to introduce the characters in a more intimate level, so the audience can actually understand the viewpoint of the characters.
  23. Vanitasdeadpool
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    Greatest game of all time, hands down. Nothing else to say,
    other than that any negative reviews are simply from people who can't stand a game to be so legendary.
  24. Goddessasy
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    This is the best video game, I’ve ever played. It should come with a warning label that says, "Every game after this you play will feel like a utter disappointment."

    Gameplay 10/10 Storytelling 10/10 Original Sound Track OST 10/10 Bosses / Eikon Fights 10/10 Open World we love the medieval uk setting 10/10 Character Development / NPCS 10/10 British / Around UK accents voice acting 10/10    This is the best video game, I’ve ever played. It should come with a warning label that says, "Every game after this you play will feel like a utter disappointment."

    Gameplay 10/10
    Storytelling 10/10
    Original Sound Track OST 10/10
    Bosses / Eikon Fights 10/10
    Open World we love the medieval uk setting 10/10
    Character Development / NPCS 10/10
    British / Around UK accents voice acting 10/10
    Side Quest 10/10
    Hunts 10/10
    So on so on this is best game of all time    … Expand
  25. Kvpokvpo
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    Final Fantasy 16 said “levels to this **** I gotta elevator” while rest gaming remains in scrap yard that’s tough! god damn!

    Personally the best game ever made and will never be beaten.
    Nothing will ever touch this game's greatness. no matter how great the games/graphic get, no matter what happens in the future, this game will still destroy them all.
  26. DionNoid
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    This is the single handily greatest game of all time perfect game......just flawless, great story line, great gameplay, perfect interactivity, really sucks you into a world with no limitations , the scale of the world / eikon fights it’s peak of gaming this set new boundaries in gaming period best looking and best game of all time no issues with the game the only issue here is the NintendoThis is the single handily greatest game of all time perfect game......just flawless, great story line, great gameplay, perfect interactivity, really sucks you into a world with no limitations , the scale of the world / eikon fights it’s peak of gaming this set new boundaries in gaming period best looking and best game of all time no issues with the game the only issue here is the Nintendo and Xbox fan boys spamming 0/10 score cause they have nothing better to do with their dead depressing life clowns… Expand
  27. Josh9999
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    this game is probably amazing .
    Story: 9
    Gameplay: 9
    Music: 10
    UI: 10
  28. FlintEastwood
    Jun 25, 2023
    6
    An extremely uneven game, that starts off with so much promise only to rapidly go downhill.
    The fun combat beomes stale, repetitive and unchallenging. The story, full of intrigue, goes nowhere. The characters became less and less interesting. The dialogue goes from being quite well written to full of cliché. Everything great about the game disappears at the 15 hour mark.
    At its best, in    An extremely uneven game, that starts off with so much promise only to rapidly go downhill.
    The fun combat beomes stale, repetitive and unchallenging. The story, full of intrigue, goes nowhere. The characters became less and less interesting. The dialogue goes from being quite well written to full of cliché. Everything great about the game disappears at the 15 hour mark.
    At its best, in the first act, the game is as good as it gets. But it deteriorated so fast to the point I couldn't wait for it to end.
    The game has many other glaring faults (bad technical performance, terrible lip sync, a crafting mechanic that you may as well just ignore, an empty feeling world that doesn't much incentivise exploration, other areas that are just corridors, the worst and most uninspired sidequests I've ever seen, and an extremely mediocre soundtrack). These can be forgiven when the story and characters and engaging enough, but become more annoying when you lose interest in main body of the game.
    One of the most disappointing gaming experiences I can remember, made all the worse because it started off so well. Don't base your purchase decision on the outstanding demo, it isn't representative of the rest of the game.    … Expand
  29. Timsen375
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    Nachdem ich das Spiel beendet habe, fehlen mir echt die Worte. Final Fantasy 16 ist ein Ausnahme Titel, den wir so schnell nicht wieder bekommen werden. Der Einstieg, für jemanden der viele Action Spiele gespielt hat, ist vielleicht etwas zu langsam und die Nebenmissionen sind vom Ablauf etwas zu rudimentär, da hört allerdings auch schon die Kritik auf. Ein richtiges Party System und mehrNachdem ich das Spiel beendet habe, fehlen mir echt die Worte. Final Fantasy 16 ist ein Ausnahme Titel, den wir so schnell nicht wieder bekommen werden. Der Einstieg, für jemanden der viele Action Spiele gespielt hat, ist vielleicht etwas zu langsam und die Nebenmissionen sind vom Ablauf etwas zu rudimentär, da hört allerdings auch schon die Kritik auf. Ein richtiges Party System und mehr RPG Elemente wären noch schön gewesen, aber der Bombast der das Spiel bietet ist nicht von dieser Welt. Selbst ein God of War wird in manchen Fällen noch übertroffen, so gewaltig und episch sind manche Szenen. Stellenweise war ich echt sprachlos, weil ich nicht glauben konnte was auf dem Bildschirm passiert. Untermalt wird alles von einem fantastischen Soundtrack. Die Story ist der Wahnsinn, zwar muss man sich erst ein wenig in der Welt zurecht finden, wenn man aber mal den Durchblick hat ist es einfach nur noch genial. Das Kampfsystem selbst zählt zu einem der besten überhaupt und muss sich überhaupt nicht vor anderen Großen Namen verstecken. Final Fantasy 16 hat eine klare Vision, die konsequent durchgezogen wird. Sowas kann nur mit einer 10/10 belohnt werden! Neben God of War Ragnarök ist dass DAS Spiel dieser Generation bisher. Auch kann ich sagen, dass ist GOTY. Einzig Spiderman 2 könnte das noch ändern, aber das müsste gewaltig gut sein. Respekt an Naokida Yoshia und sein Team, für diese fantastische Arbeit!!… Expand
  30. SilentDoc
    Jul 2, 2023
    5
    Great game, just not a final fantasy. A missed oportunity in my opinion. Technically excellent, interesting story, but 0 reward for exploration, 0 motivation to get items for equipment, non challenging combats...
  31. Tearmelo
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is absolute amazing!! I am love this so much !!
    Bahamut fight is the most epic fight in a long time by the way    … Expand
  32. thefanofgames
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    Absolute art of a game, its my GOTY and its even better then zelda.
    Amzaing music, eikon battles are epic.
    GOTY 2023!
  33. Muzzy86
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    Marvellous stuff, finally a final fantasy that beats the ps1 era games even though there completely different games.
  34. Dalmata
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    One of the best games I've ever played. Great story, visuals and awesome sound track! 10/10
  35. Guskate21
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    FF 16 definitivamente es un muy buen juegos visualmente tiene muchos aciertos y algunos no muy buenos en lo positivo hay muy buen gameplay, mecánicas, combinaciones, combos etc, e. Cuestión narrativa el storytelling es alucinante combina de buena forma lo qué pasa en pantalla, un muy buen desarrollo de personajes principales, secundarios e incluso terciarios en definitiva no es un RPG esFF 16 definitivamente es un muy buen juegos visualmente tiene muchos aciertos y algunos no muy buenos en lo positivo hay muy buen gameplay, mecánicas, combinaciones, combos etc, e. Cuestión narrativa el storytelling es alucinante combina de buena forma lo qué pasa en pantalla, un muy buen desarrollo de personajes principales, secundarios e incluso terciarios en definitiva no es un RPG es un Hack n’ Slash pero no por eso deja de ser un final fantasy eh de decir que muchísimas otras franquicias han experimentado cambios de género y eso ha servido bastantes a pesar de darle un 10 porque considero personalmente que compensa sus defectos la trama a tal punto de sacarme varias lagrimas en algunos momentos y dejarme con la boca abierta por sus partes épicas en combates principales, el aspecto negativo que le veo es únicamente de rendimiento y caída de fps que en lo personal no me importa si el juego es bueno eso sale sobrando pero en definitiva el acierto y se lleva las palmas es la banda sonora del juego en definitiva es épica y nada olvidable hace ya mucho tiempo que no escuchaba música tan buena en un juego como en este Mi opinión personal y conclusión es que lo jueguen y tengan un criterio propio para mi se lleva un 10 ❤️… Expand
  36. chrisak10
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    One of the best action/adventure games I’ve ever played. People are upset they almost completely abandoned the RPG elements and I get that. I’ve only played 3 final fantasy games before this and loved that element about them. But this, like the few I’ve played has a great story and wonderful characters. What square enix has created is fantastic. If you can forgive the change, and enjoyOne of the best action/adventure games I’ve ever played. People are upset they almost completely abandoned the RPG elements and I get that. I’ve only played 3 final fantasy games before this and loved that element about them. But this, like the few I’ve played has a great story and wonderful characters. What square enix has created is fantastic. If you can forgive the change, and enjoy action games at all, this is a must play.… Expand
  37. PrImevibrations
    Jul 2, 2023
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is actually really bad. I made a longer review, but it deleted it, so **** it. Game sucks, crafting is pointless, the story is drawn out more than the DBZ cell saga, items are useless and pointless, you walk 10 feet from cutscene to cutscene, about the most random useless **** Bad game, bad story, fun boss fights, great visuals.

    I forced myself to finish the game because I paid $70 for it. Don't make the same mistake as me.    … Expand
  38. Vantasia
    Jul 2, 2023
    6
    Final Fantasy is no longer Final Fantasy. However, it is still enjoyable for what it is, a mediocre action game. This is coming from a man who played who the FFs in the mainline. They really need to up the story telling to make the characters fall more alive, I felt no attachment to anyone in the game (maybe a small one to Cid), but the story telling was trash compared to what FF fansFinal Fantasy is no longer Final Fantasy. However, it is still enjoyable for what it is, a mediocre action game. This is coming from a man who played who the FFs in the mainline. They really need to up the story telling to make the characters fall more alive, I felt no attachment to anyone in the game (maybe a small one to Cid), but the story telling was trash compared to what FF fans expect. I can see why this game is receiving raving reviews. To non die-hard FF fans, this game is an epic action game with a cool story. Unfortunately, the FFs of old set a bar with storytelling that cannot be explained, only experienced at the time, to really understand how high story telling can go in video games.… Expand
  39. castleofmagic
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    This game is arguably one of the best I've ever played. Goty? It's a strong candidate.
  40. mega124
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    Hace poco lo compré (fue difícil evitar spoilers para ese tiempo), llevo +25 horas jugando y me ha fascinado. Merece una gran nota; la ambientación, la historia, el soundtrack, la mecánica de combate y la interacción con los personajes lo hace un gran contendiente para ser uno de los mejores juegos del año.

    Simplemente increíble. Salvo ciertas cositas: como los side quests. En su    Hace poco lo compré (fue difícil evitar spoilers para ese tiempo), llevo +25 horas jugando y me ha fascinado. Merece una gran nota; la ambientación, la historia, el soundtrack, la mecánica de combate y la interacción con los personajes lo hace un gran contendiente para ser uno de los mejores juegos del año.

    Simplemente increíble. Salvo ciertas cositas: como los side quests. En su mayoría me resultan simples, pero eso no le quita mérito al gran trabajo que han realizado.

    He leído tantas críticas negativas, pero lo que vale es tener un criterio propio y ser objetivo.    … Expand
  41. arthuralpha
    Jul 2, 2023
    9
    this game is probably gonna be GOTY 2023.
    Story: 9
    Gameplay: 9
    Music: 10
    UI: 10
    Performance: 8

    Pros: Great story and gameplay. Music both during and off battle is awesome. Eikon showdown is otherworldly good.

    Cons: panning the camera the image becomes blurry. camera auto correction while moving could cause dizziness.
  42. Benderthefourth
    Jul 2, 2023
    6
    Long time fan of Final Fantasy. I was excited for this one. I was ok about the shift to action JRPG. But I gotta say, I'm disappointed. The game graphics look really good, the story is interesting and the concepts are good too so it's a shame that it didn't delivered in many aspects.
    Many of the aspects it disappoints are actually very surprising. Lets dig them out:
    - Corridor levels.    Long time fan of Final Fantasy. I was excited for this one. I was ok about the shift to action JRPG. But I gotta say, I'm disappointed. The game graphics look really good, the story is interesting and the concepts are good too so it's a shame that it didn't delivered in many aspects.
    Many of the aspects it disappoints are actually very surprising. Lets dig them out:
    - Corridor levels. How can you do this in 2023? After FFXIII... After all these years of game design and plenty of examples/Inspiration ( also from old FFs)? Didn't they took inspiration from God of War too... I was totally fine with the news it was not an Open World game... but man level design!!!
    - Combat system... It doesn't fell right. It really feels like they weren't totally sure about going full action and then decided to go full at a certain point in the development. There's no strategy, There's no good feeling of anticipating the enemy's moves and worst of all it's too easy. Didn't SquareEnix received the memo that easy games are over? It was sent years ago! We need a challenge. It could have less enemies, but more challenging ones... But of course if you don't have any exploration you gotta have hordes of easy bait that can be overcome by mashing square.
    - UI... Damn people. Again, this is 2023 and there's so many good examples and yet we receive a game where you can't toggle of UI elements like: goal arrow, text that tells you exactly what to do. Like, you end up in the hideout, you have a map of the place and there's a text telling you all the time what to do and also a pointer!!! Why some games treat gamers like handicapped monkeys? It's not enough that the NPC tells you what to do??? So frustrating, what's the point of playing if you can just watch it... like a movie or something. By the way: the arrows you see around the "corridor levels" that supposed to indicate a jump or a crouch?? Why? The character jumps, crouches automatically, no need to press a button... why are you putting them? And why such evident designs?
    - Active Time Lore. Just a fancy name for that which every other JRPG has been doing since forever. But what's the best thing here? Well you can't access the lore through the menu... No! You need to go talk to an NPC at the Hideout... So no revisiting some info while you're outside. This is nuts, but wait:
    - No Bestiary. A JRPG without a bestiary! Even Action games have them these days...
    - Loot is mostly a cone of light in the corridor... and no button pressing to obtain it, it just come to you while you're passing by. You can spot the loot in a distance... This is mad. Walk simulator, corridors, little button pressing to interact with the environment and mashing buttons. Ah right that's why loot is automatic they knew you'd be mashing button in the fights... or?
    - Yet again: 2023 and there's this Motion Blur that makes you sick. No option to turn it off. It feels like there's no gained experience from the past (Like decades of making games SE!) in the team on this game. Which takes me to my next point:
    - EXP and the usual stats we so much love about JRPGs... Useless.

    There's more. But let's stop here. With FFXV was clear that they had (the team, the game, the company) a lot of existential crisis. This one feels a bit the same. Other than that the games is fine! Eheh.
    It's still interesting but it raises questions about the future of Final Fantasy. Where do they go from here? Embrace action ok fine, but you can do it and have JRPG DNA intact and, you know, make exploration appealing. Just look at Jedi Survivor did with exploration! Even God of War, a super linear game, they found a formula that works. The new era of Final Fantasy it's not here yet. The formula needs a lot of tweaks still. I sense fear of failure conditioning innovation. Somehow a game like YSVIII had a 10 times better exploration and that's a low budget JRPG!
    Godspeed SE.    … Expand
  43. BelmontX
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    First of, this game is like a 9 to me but since some people give ridiculous low scores just because they dont like the direction the franchise has taken ignoring completely that its actually a quality product i feel theres a need to balance things out.

    Technically, both graphics and sound are top tier and the art-style really matchs with the vibe the story and world of the game, more on    First of, this game is like a 9 to me but since some people give ridiculous low scores just because they dont like the direction the franchise has taken ignoring completely that its actually a quality product i feel theres a need to balance things out.

    Technically, both graphics and sound are top tier and the art-style really matchs with the vibe the story and world of the game, more on the darker side for sure.

    Combat is super fun and engaging, is not a hard game by any means but you still enjoy very much using the eikons skills and is super satisfying. I never went into a fight and felt bored, even deleting trash mobs is FUN.
    They really nailed the customization and build, not making a sphere grid of hundreds of useless nodes just a few and very significant, game-changing choices.

    Side content, specially quests start really bad but they got a lot better adding a lot the context and message the mains story tries to send. I never felt like i was doing it just for completionist sake, instead it was interesting to learn more about the game and characters.

    Really solid game and my personal goty pick so far.    … Expand
  44. VccFilho
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    FFXVI é uma obra prima. Não tem tantos elementos de RPG quanto os outros, porém a história é maravilhosa, cada detalhe faz parte de um universo bem entrelaçado. Jogabilidade e gráficos ótimos.
  45. Calamityuni
    Jul 2, 2023
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Story wise this is a game to play. I can't say it more blunt enough. This is a very gritty and bloody game. I love that. It's not too far fetched. It sticks to its "medieval roots". Definitely see this being a game of the year contender. I want it to be.

    Clive and Jill bring back so many memories of Yuna and Tidus

    Yes there is a few issues with combat coming from a core FF fan I do see it being similar to other action titles but it is trying to progress into something greater.

    The Eikon fights alone are a subject to that being a fantastic thing. Jaw drops every time.    … Expand
  46. raigon25
    Jul 2, 2023
    9
    Spent 62 hours playing through the whole game main story, side quests and thoroughly enjoyed it. time to wait for the Final Fantasy
  47. potus83
    Jul 2, 2023
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Would have gotten higher if it wasn't for the ending. I didn't want another Notcis but that's what it is. Stop killing the protagonist. Watching Joshua and Dion die was hard enough but then Clive dies alone on some stupid beach instead of old age with Jill. F that!

    Otherwise, the story and game play were great.    … Expand
  48. N00neman666
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    Absolutely awesome. As a fan of the series for over 20 years I think this is the best Final Fantasy game in a long time. If this a glimpse at what the future of this series could be then count me in. Long live Final Fantasy.
  49. rafaeljbi
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    Although you need like 30 minutes to get used to the 30fps and the art style, once you pass this barrier, the game becomes a masterpiece. Great story deep characters and it is medieval. I recommend for any fan and even for non-fans of the series. It is very modern and cimatographic. Worth every minute.
  50. retai3580
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. THE BEST GAME I HAVE PLAYED FOR A WHILE All the boss fight and especially Titan and Bahamut was amazing.
    The dialogue is amazing I really liked the conversations with the mom and Benedikta.

    If you ever get the chance play it!    … Expand
  51. RavenDM
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    I was never a fan of the Final Fantasy franchise, but when I first saw the combat style of this game it caught my attention, and decided to give it a chance - I'm glad I gave it a try... The cinematics of this game are just beautiful! The game is not perfect obviously (sidequests are somewhat boring) but besides that, 10/10 FOR ME!!
  52. Aves89
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    Awesome expirience.
    + combat
    + cutscenes
    + story
    + characters
    - no RPG
    - no party
  53. MoistMelon
    Jul 2, 2023
    8
    Hours Played: 50
    The story, dialogue, voice acting and the characters are absolutely fantastic. The combat is also fantastic. It is easy to grasp but hard to master. The open zone design is beautifully implemented, but unfortunately, the game does not give you a lot of incentive to explore these open zones. Enemy variety is also unfortunately lacking, which is disappointing considering    Hours Played: 50
    The story, dialogue, voice acting and the characters are absolutely fantastic. The combat is also fantastic. It is easy to grasp but hard to master. The open zone design is beautifully implemented, but unfortunately, the game does not give you a lot of incentive to explore these open zones. Enemy variety is also unfortunately lacking, which is disappointing considering the Final Fantasy series has a massive range of monsters in the series. Between the main scenario plot points, the game gets you to carry out tasks for your team mates and associates in the game which just feels like padding which can make the pacing of the game feel very off at certain parts of the story. Performance is unfortunately not great. The boss fights and Eikon battles are some of the most draw dropping scenarios I have seen in a video game and are extremely fun to play and visually gorgeous. I wish I could score FF16 higher, but despite it's amazing highs, it has quite a few lows which takes from the experience.    … Expand
  54. xEDUx
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    The last fantasy, sin duda alguna después de jugar bastantes horas, al principio tenia mis dudas pero poco a poco te va enganchando de cada vez mas, los combates, el sistema de lucha, gráficos y una buena narrativa, a pesar que no ofrece tanta libertad de exploración como otras entregas lo que si ofrece es que no tengas momento de aburrirte, en cada combate siempre hay algo que hace que unThe last fantasy, sin duda alguna después de jugar bastantes horas, al principio tenia mis dudas pero poco a poco te va enganchando de cada vez mas, los combates, el sistema de lucha, gráficos y una buena narrativa, a pesar que no ofrece tanta libertad de exploración como otras entregas lo que si ofrece es que no tengas momento de aburrirte, en cada combate siempre hay algo que hace que un combate no sea igual que otro, si tuviera que enumerar diferentes entregas de final Fantasy y con cual me quedaría.. me resultaría dificii.. pero FFXVI estaría entre los 5 mejores. Mi nota después de jugarlo siendo coherente es de un 93 sobre 100, los puntos restantes para no ser un juego perfecto son sus misiones secundarias básicas y que el único fin es conocer más sobre las historia y la falta de exploración. Por lo demás.. me a dejado con ganas de más y te deja claro que acabas de jugar a un juegazo.… Expand
  55. LeafAdam
    Jul 2, 2023
    5
    A flashy fighting system where you can't see anything from the amount of effects and b
    and damage numbers.
    Everything else is the bare minimum --> in the game there is no reason to do side(fetch)quests or "explore", collect items or anything. Beautiful though, but that doesn't redeem it. It was hard to finish, halfway through I realised I'm bored... I'm playing A Final Fantasy and I'm    A flashy fighting system where you can't see anything from the amount of effects and b
    and damage numbers.
    Everything else is the bare minimum --> in the game there is no reason to do side(fetch)quests or "explore", collect items or anything. Beautiful though, but that doesn't redeem it. It was hard to finish, halfway through I realised I'm bored... I'm playing A Final Fantasy and I'm bored and waiting for it to end.    … Expand
  56. ajdavey
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    An amazing game. Love every moment! Epic story and insane Eikon battles!

    A true Final Fantasy game!
  57. NoGameshahaha
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    FF16 has been perfect so far. Characters are possibly the best I've ever seen in a FF game since FF15. It's dark, fun, and looks fantastic. Cannot be anymore happy with it.
  58. SaltyChips
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    Incredibly fun sequences, a beautiful world, and a solid final fantasy type story, this game has it all. Personally, I think the characters are well built although I wish side quests would focus more on the characters rather than helping with menial tasks. Certain parts of the game may drag on but there's always something around the corner to make up for it. Plus the combat is great and isIncredibly fun sequences, a beautiful world, and a solid final fantasy type story, this game has it all. Personally, I think the characters are well built although I wish side quests would focus more on the characters rather than helping with menial tasks. Certain parts of the game may drag on but there's always something around the corner to make up for it. Plus the combat is great and is fun as long as you switch up your attack patterns.… Expand
  59. cringeOpinion
    Jul 2, 2023
    8
    This is a very average Final Fantasy game that lacks polish.
    Pros:
    - Clive is a great protagonist, one of the best in the series. Jill is a good love interest and Cid is one of the best characters in the series. - Graphics are incredible. - Eikon fights are an awe inspiring spectacle. - Real time action combat is an improvement over some of the hybrid approaches attempted in the past.    This is a very average Final Fantasy game that lacks polish.
    Pros:
    - Clive is a great protagonist, one of the best in the series. Jill is a good love interest and Cid is one of the best characters in the series.
    - Graphics are incredible.
    - Eikon fights are an awe inspiring spectacle.
    - Real time action combat is an improvement over some of the hybrid approaches attempted in the past.
    - The game is a finished product. Its not obvious that some parts were released in an incomplete state.
    - Active time lore is a nice system and implemented well. The text is very brief and digestible and adds to game.

    Cons:
    - The lack of a party that you can switch between in combat makes it not feel like a FF title. Characters not commenting, talking or doing skits while exploring ruin immersion.
    - The ability system is stupid. You can at level 40 unlock everything and respec at will to have whatever loadout you want. Any additional leveling is just for stats.
    - Sidequest & Journal UI ruin suspension of disbelief. Older titles had quests but they where given that taxonomy by their nature. Making a distinction between types of quests in the UI ruin the suspension of disbelief and distract from the roleplaying in the game.
    - Sidequest pacing is just bad. Having a bunch of busywork to do right before an interesting story point ruins the fun.
    - The small mob variety ruins immersion. There's like 10 types of enemies that get re-used throughout the game. It gets boring relly quickly.
    - Treasure in the game tends to be crafting materials you will never use.
    - The story is really not that memorable and the ending is not satisfying.

    Overall I would not recommend someone purchase a PS5 to play the game like I did. It might be nice to get if you have nothing to play, but watching someone else play it will probably be just as satisfying if you only care about the plot. Then you can atleast skip the annoying sidequests.    … Expand
  60. BreatFR
    Jul 2, 2023
    3
    after 2 days of intensive play, here is my feeling:

    - graphics / ost: 10/10 - outfits: 4/10 - story: 7/10 - secondary quests: 1/10 - combat system: 2/10 25/50 -> 5/10 to this I will add: - fights based on one thing: yes, dodging -> -1 - world map: not visitable, only teleportations -> -1 - slow, soft, repetitive game: yes -> -1 - if we remove the primordials and put    after 2 days of intensive play, here is my feeling:

    - graphics / ost: 10/10
    - outfits: 4/10
    - story: 7/10
    - secondary quests: 1/10
    - combat system: 2/10

    25/50 -> 5/10

    to this I will add:

    - fights based on one thing: yes, dodging -> -1
    - world map: not visitable, only teleportations -> -1
    - slow, soft, repetitive game: yes -> -1
    - if we remove the primordials and put lambda monsters instead we have the same result, I haven't currently felt the "magic" of final fantasy -> -1
    - ff10, ff15, ff16: same face hero design, square-enix can't make new one?

    25/50 - 5 = 20/50 -> 4/10

    please square-enix come back to good rpg and not action/rpg to create next good final fantasy.

    after 3 days:
    too much thing to remember ff14

    after 2 weeks:
    story: 6/10
    lenth: 1/10

    25/60 - 5 = 20/60 -> 3/10    … Expand
  61. cordelialear
    Jul 2, 2023
    9
    I was initially going to give this game an 8, but it's stayed with me so much that I bumped it up to a 9. This is a great game with a number of flaws that I think could have been easily fixed for a better experience.

    I didn't love the side quests. The majority of them seemed nothing more than fetch quests that added little to the story and often didn't even add to the lore or setting.    I was initially going to give this game an 8, but it's stayed with me so much that I bumped it up to a 9. This is a great game with a number of flaws that I think could have been easily fixed for a better experience.

    I didn't love the side quests. The majority of them seemed nothing more than fetch quests that added little to the story and often didn't even add to the lore or setting. Most of them seemed tedious with little payoff when I've played other games with side quests that are legendary. I wish they'd put more work in those quests. There *are* some interesting side quests, but often they should have been in the MSQ! I like bonuses and easter eggs, but quests that are absolutely crucial to character development and even fully understanding the ending should be in the MSQ. Fortunately, there aren't too many quests like this, but it further reveals the weakest part of the game.

    I wish there'd been more character development with some of the secondary characters, though that's probably a preference rather than a weakness. I can imagine some people saying they like the mystery.

    The pros, though I can't list them all:

    Soken's score. Holy everything that's holy. Once again, he does not disappoint!!

    The eikon fights. I think these fights will be this game's legacy and be what people most remember in ten years in the most positive of ways.

    Clive's quest--his quest and motivation are quickly revealed and they are as natural and sympathetic as anything in the series, making him a character you almost immediate cheer on.

    Clive's relationships with the people closest to him--fantastic. They seemed more real and more human than almost anything from any of the previous games in the series. Helps you relate with him and the others more.

    The plot--slow in some places, but overall great and I especially like how the endgame plays out.

    The ending (non-spoilery)--I would have liked more details, but it has stayed with me a lot. I think that's the mark of a good ending and a good story.

    If they announce DLC or a sequel, I'll pre-order immediately. There's far more about it I liked than I disliked and I may play through it again and see what I missed the first time around.    … Expand
  62. Cmota
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    I love this game. I love to play RPG-style games, and I'm not locked into specific genres. A big pain point for me is my play style is casual. I just want to have fun and be immersed, and this game delivers. I love the cutscenes, the cool fight scenes, when executed correctly, feel like a reward, and the combat has a lot of depth and strategy by trying to take the least amount of damage. II love this game. I love to play RPG-style games, and I'm not locked into specific genres. A big pain point for me is my play style is casual. I just want to have fun and be immersed, and this game delivers. I love the cutscenes, the cool fight scenes, when executed correctly, feel like a reward, and the combat has a lot of depth and strategy by trying to take the least amount of damage. I really like how it doesn't start complex with a hundred menus and eases you into things, and doesn't make itself to be the same old systems, just re-skinned. As well as it doesn't make me feel tired like other games with bad story and just tons of missions like Assassins Creed or Diablo they are good games in their on rights but I just feel tired after playing them. I recommend this 5/5 it's one of the top games for me… Expand
  63. All_Lucky_7s
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    Die-hard Final Fantasy fan here. I might be biased but to be honest, I did not like 8,9,12, and 13. That being said, I realize my bias and can honestly review this game as being really good. It hits like XIV but that is to be expected coming from Yoshi P. All I can say is without giving any spoilers up, this game has an excellent story, good pacing, the best boss fights I've ever played inDie-hard Final Fantasy fan here. I might be biased but to be honest, I did not like 8,9,12, and 13. That being said, I realize my bias and can honestly review this game as being really good. It hits like XIV but that is to be expected coming from Yoshi P. All I can say is without giving any spoilers up, this game has an excellent story, good pacing, the best boss fights I've ever played in a game, and great graphics (There are some frame rate issues here and there). It's nice to see a Final Fantasy mainline entry that is for mature audiences too. Playing FFXVI is such a relief after being let down a bit by FFXV. GREAT GAME!… Expand
  64. TsuiroRankami
    Jul 2, 2023
    9
    Not a perfect game, needs some improving in Level Design, Gear and Exploration. However all the “bad stuff” I found, were things that can easily be fixed through patches or future DLC. The strengths here greatly outshine every weakness. The story, worldbuilding, setting, character development and design, tone, art direction, boss battles, voice acting, HUDs, music and graphics. All theseNot a perfect game, needs some improving in Level Design, Gear and Exploration. However all the “bad stuff” I found, were things that can easily be fixed through patches or future DLC. The strengths here greatly outshine every weakness. The story, worldbuilding, setting, character development and design, tone, art direction, boss battles, voice acting, HUDs, music and graphics. All these are all full 10/10, with the boss battles and music peaking at 11/10. Combat could do with one more Eikon and one more ability for each Eikon, but aside these, it’s incredible good and deep. Boss battles are the peak here. Definitely the best action iteration they made so far with Final Fantasy, leagues above FFXV. 9/10 for the combat. Exceptionally good, I just want a few more abilities to make things even more varied. A great addition to this system would Eikonic load-outs, even better if switchable during fights but I understand that would make us too OP perhaps. I had no problem with the performance or motion blur to be fair. I have motion sickness, but it wasn’t too much once I got used to it. Would love an option to turn it off though for comparison. I played graphics mode but I barely realised I was in 30 fps during combat. It felt perhaps a bit noticeable only during exploration and cutscenes. No bugs for me. My ps5 never turned off. All smooth. Side-quests have two faces. While the outdated fetch-quest formula generally drags down the whole side-content experience, fortunately they at least provide incredible world-building, and some quests revealed to be full characters arc. These characters arc are only unlocked doing their quest-chain, and they all have surprisingly good cutscenes that are vital in order to fully appreciate the world, the game’s ending and all the characters. This approach to the side-quest made me feel like the world was truly alive, even after the last boss when I re-visited some places to finish some hunts, I felt like every place became sort of familiar, alive. Another nice details is how the places changes based on your action between the main story and side-quests. The main story tends to change all Valisthea, and you can notice everytime something important changes, the same happens with the weather or day/night cycle. Meanwhile completion of certain side-quest may drastically change an open zone. Example: what is a lost village full of bandits, upon doing the right quest-chain, may become again civilised and people may return to live there. And then some nice people will forever thank you. And if you don’t do those specific side-quests, it just remains like it was before. And you can go there everyday and kill some frenzy bandit. It feels very alive. The world reacts to your actions.

    I didn’t realise at all big cities very missing. Perhaps cause the main story dungeons are smartly designed, although they’re linear, they will make you feel inserted in a bigger location than what you will actually explore. You will in fact take a closer look to Capitals through those dungeons rather than it being an open-zones. I appreciated this approach, the game doesn’t necessarily make you feel like you need more open spaces or cities. Perhaps in a DLC. What could have been improved about this spaces is definitely what you could find in it. Exploration doesn’t feel rewarding if not for doing hunts and side-quests completion. A simple fix here would be very appreciated. In general though, addressing the side-quests again: they all have this very mmo fetch quest-formula, and there are also many. It can feel very dragging at times as it breaks the pacing of the game quite a lot. Especially Mid’s main quests (and this is a main quest) after the Crystalline Dominion events, were very out of place imo and it felt bad. That’s the only part of the game I genuinely didn’t like. Especially when I had to redo it in NG+. Why is it even a main quest? Many other side-quests were better than that. In general “quest formula” I’d say overall side-quests all considered, good and bad, are a 7/10 average. Some side-quests (and that bad main quest) were 5s/4s and others straight out 8s/9s. I’m leaving a 9 score to the whole game, but it could easily become a 10 if they polish the “not exciting enough things” up a bit, rework the RPG elements like gear a tiny more. Waiting for such patch, and hopefully a DLC in which we can play as the other Dominants too.    … Expand
  65. PNXP
    Jun 26, 2023
    10
    It's a good game I like its combat system a lot You should check it out. Ps5 is the best platform to play it.
  66. AlishaApril
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    I've not been emotionally invested in a Final Fantasy game since X and XVI brought all those feelings back, it's truly a masterpiece!
  67. Matthew0340
    Jun 25, 2023
    0
    This is not a "review bomb", user reviews are a rating of how much they enjoyed the game.
    Of you want technical review scores pay attention to Profesional reviews. I was a huge ff fan, a fan of turn based and pause and play.
    These types of action games just turn into button masters and get really old really quick. Can't control other party members. Hated this game. Half way through and    This is not a "review bomb", user reviews are a rating of how much they enjoyed the game.
    Of you want technical review scores pay attention to Profesional reviews. I was a huge ff fan, a fan of turn based and pause and play.
    These types of action games just turn into button masters and get really old really quick.
    Can't control other party members.
    Hated this game. Half way through and too annoyed by combat to continue. If you like devil may cry and god of war type games that's great you probably will love this game. But am sad they changed my favorite series into something I can't even play anymore, aren't there enough triple A game like this out there already?    … Expand
  68. siegdubhy
    Jul 2, 2023
    7
    This is a very good game... but from mainline FF titles I expect no less than greatness.

    Audio and video (10/10) - I don't think further comment is needed. Combat gameplay (10/10) is great. It is fun, fast, fluid, challenging (at least in NG+) and it simply works. RPG elements (5/10) - here lies my first issue. It is both too simple and too complex. FF games work with relatively    This is a very good game... but from mainline FF titles I expect no less than greatness.

    Audio and video (10/10) - I don't think further comment is needed.

    Combat gameplay (10/10) is great.
    It is fun, fast, fluid, challenging (at least in NG+) and it simply works.

    RPG elements (5/10) - here lies my first issue.
    It is both too simple and too complex. FF games work with relatively complex RPG elements (FF8, FF10 and FF12) or with simple ones (all the others). This is somewhere in between.
    Crafting (and looting material) before NG+ feels pointless. It does pick up later on, but still, not that much fun.
    The skills themselves could use more customization (upgrades).

    Side quests (4/10) - probably my biggest issue.
    Some side quests are great in building up the world, most of them feel just like generic fillers and some (the big quest chains) in the end feel pointless.
    FF never really was about all those long winded side-stories and stretched out world building through long dialogues.
    Honestly, 90% of side quests simply bored me. The other 10% I consider great.

    Open world (4/10) - bad move.
    Open world games are usually bloated with content of varying quality/repetitiveness, that's pretty much the point of having an open world.
    Here we simply have a web of linear narrow paths (FF XIII anyone?) with a bunch of backtracking and barely any point in exploring unless you are told to by quests or marks.
    Lack of typical FF endgame content is also a big problem.

    Main story (8/10) - well it is epic, but...
    In all honesty - there's not much of it at all. Lots of character building, lots of world building, but the crisis story itself - not only it doesn't feel like it's in the spotlight, but also it is incomplete.
    We were promised a "complete experience", yet I feel we didn't get it at all.
    The questions it left unanswered will probably require FF XVI-2 to resolve - not a terrible thing, but I would rather they said it's not a fully closed composition from the start.

    All in all I give it 7/10 .
    I am slightly disappointed.
    I don't feel the pull to replay the story or try to shove it down someone's throat as a must-see.
    I'm not sure there were any really memorable moments there. Sure, the Eikon battles were epic, but that's not enough.
    The game feels like it tries to be a few things, but stops halfway through (especially the open world RPG bit), as if being scared that going all the way would be a bad thing (who knows, it could have been worse like that).
    For me FF games were always about the story, about finishing a game and feeling content with the conclusion and everything leading up to it. This one didn't scratch that itch at all.
    Hoping for FF XVI-2 to redeem this.    … Expand
  69. alexxxta
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    Just finished!!! I wish have the DLC!!! cant wait!!!!
    This story line has mindblows to me.
  70. Shinryu98
    Jul 2, 2023
    8
    Okay, let's be clear.
    The game is certainly awesome but far from being perfect and it pains me because i'm a huge FF fan.
    The quests are just horrendous, despite the stories behind them being interesting (sometimes). The gameplay is very responsive, flashy and satisfactory however, it can get old pretty quickly. Nevertheless, i would call it a must play. The game could be a GOTY contender    Okay, let's be clear.
    The game is certainly awesome but far from being perfect and it pains me because i'm a huge FF fan.
    The quests are just horrendous, despite the stories behind them being interesting (sometimes). The gameplay is very responsive, flashy and satisfactory however, it can get old pretty quickly.
    Nevertheless, i would call it a must play.
    The game could be a GOTY contender but the flaws doesn't help it.    … Expand
  71. Guitboxgeek
    Jul 2, 2023
    9
    A masterpiece action game. There's really no rpg or strategy involved and most of the side quests are boring yet well voiced, but the story and characters make the main campaign an absolute joy to play through. The combat is addictive and fun with difficulty that never frustrates.
  72. Dardi9203
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    Ottimo final fantasy. Sono al 60% con una 30ina di ore di game. Lo consiglio a tutti, anche a chi non si è mai approcciato a un gioco di final fantasy
  73. Star_G19
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    Final Fantasy XVI is truly a masterpiece of a game, not just as a Final Fantasy title. Naoki Yoshida assembled a dream team from Masayoshi Soken as the composer of FFXVI, to Ryota Suzuki as the Combat designer among other series Veterans.

    The game is a excellent example of telling a compelling story with believable and well written Characters, a beautiful and dark plot that will capture    Final Fantasy XVI is truly a masterpiece of a game, not just as a Final Fantasy title. Naoki Yoshida assembled a dream team from Masayoshi Soken as the composer of FFXVI, to Ryota Suzuki as the Combat designer among other series Veterans.

    The game is a excellent example of telling a compelling story with believable and well written Characters, a beautiful and dark plot that will capture your imagination and attention and never let up until the end. The Story is very dark and mature for a Final Fantasy title. The Story, Music, Combat and World Building are all master-class, it is so refreshing to play a game in 2023 with a original story and not just another remaster or remake of an existing IP, and have it be an incredible example of what modern games can still be and aspire towards.

    I will also say the main villain was one of the most interesting and original of the entire series, in my opinion. It was definitely something I wasn't expecting and the way the Developers handled this villain was very interesting. It felt different, but also the game tells some really great lessons from the themes but also the Characters motivations and how they grow and redeem themselves throughout the plot. I liked Clive and Jill as the main Characters and they were both relatable, likeable and felt like believable Characters who I could relate to and sympathize with. I also felt the romance between Clive and Jill felt natural and not forced, and they had a great Chemistry as well. The Voice acting throughout the game is master class, and some of the very best in the Industry.

    If there is any game you should definitely buy this year it is Final Fantasy XVI. Play it with the intention of playing through to the end, and you will be greatly rewarded to see a Story of love, war, loss and redemption that is truly one of the series most beautiful and haunting stories.

    It will be a game that will stay with me for many years to come and I am grateful I played it.    … Expand
  74. EightEyes
    Jul 2, 2023
    5
    I'm new to the Final Fantasy series, and this game was fun in some parts. I liked the combat and story okay, but I felt like it could be better. So, I got excited knowing there's at least 15 other entries. Maybe they did the combat/story in a way I'd like better. I did some research, and whoa, seriously, the people saying this entry is "not Final Fantasy" weren't kidding. None of the gamesI'm new to the Final Fantasy series, and this game was fun in some parts. I liked the combat and story okay, but I felt like it could be better. So, I got excited knowing there's at least 15 other entries. Maybe they did the combat/story in a way I'd like better. I did some research, and whoa, seriously, the people saying this entry is "not Final Fantasy" weren't kidding. None of the games are like this one. I'd hate it if my favorite series changed that much. I guess 15(?) is kind of like this one, faster and stuff, but from the videos I saw, 16 definitely doesn't match the others. Keep that in mind if you want to give this series (and this game) a chance.… Expand
  75. thayde7
    Jul 2, 2023
    9
    NEVER A PLAYED FF BEFORE XVI - strong story, great combat, some light performance issues but overall, strongly recommend for those who enjoy the fantasy genre.

    Criticisms: *heavy* amount of cut scenes that should have been translated to gameplay, we also need a higher difficulty for the first play through.
  76. lorent
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    The NPCs in the game are depicted in a profound manner, and their living environments feel very realistic. Each character is beautifully rendered, which is a valuable aspect in today's games. Although the explorable areas are not extensive and there aren't many surprises, every moment in the game is filled with visually captivating scenes. The environmental art is meticulously crafted, andThe NPCs in the game are depicted in a profound manner, and their living environments feel very realistic. Each character is beautifully rendered, which is a valuable aspect in today's games. Although the explorable areas are not extensive and there aren't many surprises, every moment in the game is filled with visually captivating scenes. The environmental art is meticulously crafted, and the characters' ways of life, movements, and actions are unlike anything seen before.

    However, it is regrettable that the storyline lacks profound philosophical elements, and it is also a shame that the characters deliberately avoid nudity. Would moderate nudity be considered vulgar? I am currently 39 years old, and I believe that adults have the right to experience various profound experiences in games, including the possibility of more realistic violence or nudity.    … Expand
  77. Lencho
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    El videojuego está increíble, tiene sus cosas como todo pero en general está excelente... su historia, banda sonora y como luce el juego en general... tiene unos gráficos increíbles, el diseño y desarrollo de personajes es sublime!
  78. ihearthawthats
    Jul 2, 2023
    8
    Hours Played: 35 Hours
    Trophy Completion: 26/50 (44%)
    Worth My Time: Definitely, even though it's a bit on the long side Worth My Money: Yes, but wouldn't hurt to wait for a sale. What I Like: The story is really good, comparable to more traditional medium like movies and television. It's very emotional and pulls you in right from the start. What I Dislike: Lots of filler for a    Hours Played: 35 Hours
    Trophy Completion: 26/50 (44%)

    Worth My Time: Definitely, even though it's a bit on the long side
    Worth My Money: Yes, but wouldn't hurt to wait for a sale.

    What I Like: The story is really good, comparable to more traditional medium like movies and television. It's very emotional and pulls you in right from the start.

    What I Dislike: Lots of filler for a 30 hour game. Most of the optional content is pretty boring. Not much gameplay to be had to be honest.

    How It Stacks Up: It's a Final Fantasy in name only. Better to be compared to God of War. But as an action game, it does it pretty well. It's more story focused than gameplay focused though with a ton of cutscenes and quick time events. It's also very streamlined to the point of being very casual. But the story more than makes up for any flaws the game has.    … Expand
  79. GuitarJester
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    Final Fantasy XVI is an absolutely phenomenal game. The action combat is very fun and engaging. And with many different Eikon options. People will certainly be playing in different ways. But the combat flows very smoothly even when mixing any and all Eikon Abilities seamlessly. However, The combat as fun as it is. The story is without a doubt XVIs strongest attribute. Its genuinelyFinal Fantasy XVI is an absolutely phenomenal game. The action combat is very fun and engaging. And with many different Eikon options. People will certainly be playing in different ways. But the combat flows very smoothly even when mixing any and all Eikon Abilities seamlessly. However, The combat as fun as it is. The story is without a doubt XVIs strongest attribute. Its genuinely interesting and exciting. And you'll always be hungry for the next big event. Side quests arnt to crazy, But can be finished very quickly and that's all I really ask for. 99% of the time in RPGs, Side quests tend to be dull moments anyway. But with them being so quick and efficient here. It's not a hassle to knock them all out. The Eikon battles are an absolute spectacle to behold. And not like something I've really experienced in other games. Some people are unhappy the game isn't turn based. However, Final Fantasy hasn't been turn based since FFX-2. Which I believe was in like 2003? So, Idk why that still comes up so much. But since then, FF has been constantly trying to innovate and evolve itself with each new title. Which honestly started with FF7 to a degree. And the change of direction here will not be a surprise to most who have still been enjoying the franchise. The more mature rating and tone to the game is actually a very nice change of pace. We will still get the FF goofiness in Rebirth I'm sure. But having a more mature title with 16 really adds to the story being told here. The world and areas arnt small. But they arnt huge either. It feels very fitting and the amount of detail and the draw distance with the detail makes the maps look incredible. Now, The performance mode is inconsistent when exploring. Which I question if the draw distance is partially to blame here. But the framerate on performance mode stabilizes in combat. Which I preferred performance mode. But for those who want a more locked FPS. Quality mode has you covered. The game may be different. But still feels incredibly Final Fantasy to me. And is a nice breath of fresh air for the series. Even if you are unsure. Or want to wait till it's cheaper. It is not an experience you should miss. *Have played all the main FF games except 3. Though can admit I have not 100% finished them all. I have experience with the franchise since I was a child. But everyone's experience with this franchise seems to differ. But you don't have to take my word for it. Even if for the story. Just don't sleep on this game.*… Expand
  80. Kyrus2504
    Jul 2, 2023
    9
    The release of FFXVI has been hyped up for well over a year now. And I'm happy to say it delivers on most fronts. The game overall is phenomenal, and the devs at Square Enix really delivered on the 'rollercoaster' experience. The visuals are breathtakingly gorgeous, the combat is fun if you are a fan of action-based gameplay, and there's enough variety within builds for you to not getThe release of FFXVI has been hyped up for well over a year now. And I'm happy to say it delivers on most fronts. The game overall is phenomenal, and the devs at Square Enix really delivered on the 'rollercoaster' experience. The visuals are breathtakingly gorgeous, the combat is fun if you are a fan of action-based gameplay, and there's enough variety within builds for you to not get bored. Tack this on with a story that leaves you always itching for that next high, then proceeding to exceed your expectations and you could quite literally call this a masterpiece. The game is not perfect however. The pacing of the story can feel a bit slow during the middle sections, and some of the earlier sidequests are a bit boring and unnecessary. The lore of the game is also not always presented to your face, and to get a full understanding, you may sometimes have to speak to the loremaster for extra info. But if you can get past that, its very easy to see this game becoming many people GOTY for 2023.… Expand
  81. Lionhart
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    This was a masterpiece in the making, started out with FFXV, then Ff7 upgraded the faults of FFXV's battle system... FFXVI is definitely a contender for ONE of the best Final Fantasy Installments!!!
  82. LordBarco
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    FINAL FANTASY 16 REVIEW

    Final Fantasy 16 will be remembered in the years to come as a fantastic entry on a loved franchise, because of its incredible musical score, spectacular cinematic encounters, an addictive combat system that never grows old, and an emblematic ensemble of characters which provide a rich story. SETTING Valisthea, a medieval setting I was longing for. Throughout    FINAL FANTASY 16 REVIEW

    Final Fantasy 16 will be remembered in the years to come as a fantastic entry on a loved franchise, because of its incredible musical score, spectacular cinematic encounters, an addictive combat system that never grows old, and an emblematic ensemble of characters which provide a rich story.

    SETTING
    Valisthea, a medieval setting I was longing for. Throughout the years, Final Fantasy has introduced steam punnk, SciFi, and medieval themes on their games; some of the games rely more heavily on specific genres, but of late (and not taking into consideration the online games) they have become more SciFi and I had become tired of it. People like to compare to things, and many folks out there are saying this game is like a “Game of Thrones”, but as I have never seen that show nor read those books, I will tell you that Final Fantasy 16 and the realm of Valisthea give a serious “The Silmarillion” vibes, because of the Eikons, and the characters. Yes, this game gives me a heavy vibe into Tolkien’s age of the sun first era.

    MECHANICS
    • Exploration:
    No open world game, and you know what? It is GOOD! I am getting tired of open world games as they can be overwhelming due to their massive scale. This game has big areas that connect themselves. If you have played MMORPG games, think of the areas as HUB areas where you do a lot of stuff, but if you need to go to another HUB area, you need to transport there, and even if it’s not a seamless transition, it does not matter. The game has plenty of areas to explore.

    • Combat:
    Action packed, no button smashing. This combat system is addictive, you will never get tired, as there are multiple approaches to slay your foes. You can use Eikonic abilities or “magic”, you can perform combos with your sword, you can unleash a flurry of slashed with your limit break, and you can summon specific Eikon abilities in battle. Combat is hard, but it is not unfair. If you are familiar with FromSoftware’s Dark Souls games, you will feel that the enemies are that hard, but you are a total badass that can move around. Tactically avoiding enemies’ attacks to counterattack has never been so cool, you will feel that you have power, something I never felt from the Dark Souls games. you will want to combat more enemies, and every time you face a new foe, you feel that you can take them down, as yes, you are a total kick ass.

    • Questing
    After the many cinematic clashes you will have to encounter, it is always refreshing to see some minor quests being added. Yes, you have to fetch herbs to cure someone, yes, you need to find items for others. Not sure why people complain about this, side content is not for you to engage, and I do not find it boring at all. Actually, side content provides some very nice perks for your journey, and to me, it is a refreshing change from the vivid battles.

    VISUALS
    In the cutscenes, everything looks gorgeous and incredible. When you are not in cutscenes characters may feel a bit weird if you compare them to other games like God of War or Horizon Zero series, but it is never a bother to me, as the game is spectacular. The Eikon battles, the boss battles. This is Square-Enix as its best.

    To me, this is the best final fantasy to date, and I hope that final fantasy XVII continues this trend. Thank you Square-Enix to bring back the love I had for this franchise, and now I’m going to dive into Final Fantasy XIV as I want more medieval content =)
    don't wait, go and buy this game, you won't regret it!    … Expand
  83. kenduck
    Jul 2, 2023
    5
    Combat is fun and graphics is amazing.
    Wrong game design directions. Why would a fast-paced act game have so many cut scenes?
    Some of them should be replaced by simple dialogues. I though RPG player are more into these amount of cut scenes. The core gaming system is bad which is lack of RPG elements. Gear system feels like it's designed by someone without experience in about one month?    Combat is fun and graphics is amazing.
    Wrong game design directions. Why would a fast-paced act game have so many cut scenes?
    Some of them should be replaced by simple dialogues.
    I though RPG player are more into these amount of cut scenes.
    The core gaming system is bad which is lack of RPG elements.
    Gear system feels like it's designed by someone without experience in about one month?
    Quest system is bad . Maybe who just played a 2010 online game designed some of the boring quest.
    You can only control a dog and the party member is like a stupid NPC.
    No hidden dungeons or cave to explore. No hidden weapons and mini games.
    Most the budget are spent on cut scenes and Eikon fight and skills.
    It just feel unbalanced.    … Expand
  84. thatswhatuget
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    People have to understand that THIS IS a Final Fantasy game. Accept it and move on.
  85. Vadoss66
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    Ніколи не думав, що скажу таке про гру Final Fantasy, але стрімкі бої XVI, мабуть, є її найсильнішою стороною і, безумовно, однією з найкращих у серії. Ви також будете час від часу брати участь у битвах Ейкона, де стикаються масивні міфологічні істоти. Спрощене управління не представляє особливої складності, але епічні протистояння демонструють захоплюючу, кінематографічну анімацію у всійНіколи не думав, що скажу таке про гру Final Fantasy, але стрімкі бої XVI, мабуть, є її найсильнішою стороною і, безумовно, однією з найкращих у серії. Ви також будете час від часу брати участь у битвах Ейкона, де стикаються масивні міфологічні істоти. Спрощене управління не представляє особливої складності, але епічні протистояння демонструють захоплюючу, кінематографічну анімацію у всій красі. Моє перше проходження Final Fantasy XVI тривало близько 45 годин. Я виконав усі побічні квести, створив усі види зброї, переміг у кожному полюванні, перевершив усі випробування, а потім одразу ж взявся за New Game+ у режимі Final Fantasy - еквівалент хардкорного режиму в цій грі. Я хотів заново пережити історію, щоб краще зрозуміти її нюанси розвитку персонажів. Хотілося почути вражаючий саундтрек від початку до кінця, і ще раз оцінити його віртуозний діапазон, міць і красу. Я хотів підняти ворогів у повітря, жонглювати ними, а потім вдарити їх об землю, перш ніж прикінчити їх ідеально розрахованим заклинанням. Це все просто так, так добре. А фінал гри змусить навіть дорослого чоловіка заплакати… Expand
  86. Vvm92
    Jul 2, 2023
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is the weakest Final Fantasy I've ever played. I'll break down my gripes with the game in sections:

    Graphics: Frame rate dips and motion blur are terrible. And the skybox in some areas looks like something straight out of PS2 era games. See, for instance, Shiva vs. Titan segment.

    Story: The beginning of the game is amazing, but later on, the story becomes horribly paced, with periods of lull that do not feel good. Mithril engine quest, I'm looking at you as one of many examples. Clive is a leader of a rebellion and possesses the most powerful eikon. Sure, let's have him run chores and do menial tasks. That's what leaders do, right? Oh, and let's use FF14's like cutscenes for those segments, with long fade to black moments and characters reaching out behind their backs to pull out bowls of soup, lumber, weapons, etc and etc. Oh, and a lot of back and forth between points A and points B in the base, filling Otto on every sneeze our character makes, and repeating same points again and again. It kills all momentum and turns the game into an outright slog.

    Game has two timeskips, one that lasts 13 years, and another lasts 5. We do not see Clive grow up at all during those 13 years of enslavement, his struggles, his adaptations, his pain. It's all just black screened away. Similar for the other 5 years.

    Ultima's involvement in the plot brings an unnecessary degree of convolution. Instead, why not spend more time fleshing out the Dominants and Anabelle (who ends up as naught but a moustache twirling shallow villain)? Benedikta had so much potential, as did Cid, but both got killed very early in the game.

    Some plot points are quite terrible as well. If Cid cared so much about Benedikta, why did he not give her a proper burial and just left her laying in the field? Why does no monarch in Valisthea concern themselves with a very prominent rebel group that is destroying the crystals across the world, and their actions remain unhindered for years? Why does a scar in the exact shape of a Bearer tattoo not raise any suspicion from observers whatsoever? I could go on and on.

    The world: The world of Valisthea as described in the lore is rich and magnificent. Valisthea we get to see is naught more than a linear corridor, that does not reward exploration, and is not fun to navigate. You get to ride a chocobo after a very touching sidequest. But the game will dismount you automatically in settlements and you can hardly traverse the world vertically. On that note, Clive's jump animation is atrocious. He performs incredible feats of agility in the cutscenes. Why not give him a double jump, or a flip of some kind at least? Also, where are the iconic Final Fantasy monsters such as cactuars and tonberries?

    Characters: Clive feels flat as a protagonist, especially without characters like Cid to balance Clive's stoicism. After confronting Ifrit, Clive also becomes a regular goody two-shoes character, without much depth. Jill is poorly voiced and her development arc is rather flat. Two saving graces are Cid (best FF Cid, imo) and Byron, but there's too little of their overall involvement in the game.

    Gameplay: Eikon abilities look and feel great, respeccing for free is also a welcome feature. But the gameplay is otherwise shallow. Enemies are low in variety, do not allow for much strategy, and often become nothing but damage sponges. Gear system is bad, with nothing but flat stat increases that do not alter the gameplay in want way. Weapons look uninspired and are replaced at very confusing intervals. Some of Clive's animations do not change with eikon change, like blade infusion. Also, the basic spell still remains just a recoloured fireball. Some variety there would have helped.

    Most Eikon battles are great, but some fall flat, such as the Barnabas fight. We hardly see Odin himself, while the eikon was previously shown to split the ocean in half. Why couldn't we get a similar spectacle in the actual fight? Mmo-style sidequests are also terrible. Some of them do build up the world, but the majority simply draw out the game time for no good reason. And what rewards do you get for doing them? In majority of cases, those will be crafting materials, employed in a shallow crafting system.

    Sound: Sound design is good. There are some memorable tracks, and high-octane themes such as Titan Lost (which I wish there was more of). Voice acting is good, with Clive, Cid and Byron giving outstanding performances. But with some characters, the voice acting did not hit the mark, as with Jill, for instance.

    I could go on and on, but listing the game's flaws would require much more space than Metacritic allows. Overall, the game is extremely mediocre. 6/10    … Expand
  87. Stich12
    Jul 2, 2023
    9
    I don't know what to say, it's just wonderful. From start to finish, it's epic. The eikons battles, the music, the story, the characters, so much effort was put into it all. It's a polished game made with soul, not without problems, but still.
    P.S. BUT still a 6/10 if you're brain dead, whatever...
  88. LilacZ
    Jul 2, 2023
    8
    I'm writing the review as a long time FF fan including FF14. In summary I think the game delivers an amazing experience and the most of the major gameplay elements are satisfying. However as many others, I feel the pains from lack of missing FF elements that we've come to expect from the series.
    I have finished the game, done everything the first playthrough can offer.
    Pros: -    I'm writing the review as a long time FF fan including FF14. In summary I think the game delivers an amazing experience and the most of the major gameplay elements are satisfying. However as many others, I feel the pains from lack of missing FF elements that we've come to expect from the series.
    I have finished the game, done everything the first playthrough can offer.

    Pros:
    - Visually stunning, worlds, setpieces, spells during fights, everything really
    - Amazing sound and music, even the minor NPCs are voiced and sound good
    - Combo system is great, the way MC fights feels amazing
    - Characters, the cast is filled with likeable characters and are mostly well written

    Mixed:
    - Fully fleshed out lore sections, would have preferred other aspects to be as fleshed out
    - Cutscenes and QTEs, great but there's simply too much
    - Heavily influenced by FF14, this carries both good and bad

    Cons:
    - Missing FF mechanics, stats, element affinities, party customization, job changing, limit break moves. These things being missing actually influences a lot of the cons
    - Gearing and looting system very muted, limited effects and small value changes makes most gear boring.
    - Overarching fight strategy revolves around only stagger bars and dodging(or parry) with moveset of your choice, and the amazing combat cannot carry it the entire way
    - Sidequests are bottom tier and do not belong in an action game like this. It ruined pacing and enemy diversity    … Expand
  89. Matorif
    Jul 2, 2023
    7
    ce jeu ne mérite clairement pas un 10.c est un jeu au-dessus de la moyenne Les graphismes sont bien et la musique est très belles.le scénario est correct. Par contre le combat est sympas les 5 premières heures puis c est toujours pareil rien de transcendant. Le rythme du jeu est catastrophique et il faut éviter les longues cessions de jeu sinon le jeu devient ennuyant.
    Les quetes annexes    ce jeu ne mérite clairement pas un 10.c est un jeu au-dessus de la moyenne Les graphismes sont bien et la musique est très belles.le scénario est correct. Par contre le combat est sympas les 5 premières heures puis c est toujours pareil rien de transcendant. Le rythme du jeu est catastrophique et il faut éviter les longues cessions de jeu sinon le jeu devient ennuyant.
    Les quetes annexes sont nullissime mais il faut les faire pour débloquer des améliorations. Ce jeu à trop de défaut pour être le jeu de l année je comprends pas tous ces 10.
    Encore les journalistes on peut comprendre ils ont peur de plus recevoir les jeux en avance des éditeurs.    … Expand
  90. IconicEikon
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    The greatest video game of all time best game I have ever played in my life, everything about this game is flawless cant say anything negative about it.

    one of the best games ever created if not the best. The story, gameplay, bosses/eikon summon fights, and soundtrack all god tier the peak of gaming this made everything that came out look awful thankful being able to play this masterpiece
  91. BahamutvsOdin
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    This is without a doubt the best game ever made and for its time the best looking game of all time period I want play this in a cinema god damn!

    This game here is the best game ever made. Sure you may have your opinions but it's pretty much agreed worldwide that this game is perfect and deserves the praise it gets. The story, the gameplay, the fights, the bosses, eikon (summon) fights,    This is without a doubt the best game ever made and for its time the best looking game of all time period I want play this in a cinema god damn!

    This game here is the best game ever made. Sure you may have your opinions but it's pretty much agreed worldwide that this game is perfect and deserves the praise it gets. The story, the gameplay, the fights, the bosses, eikon (summon) fights, the soundtrack, and pretty much everything else is perfect, Everyone should get the chance to experience this masterpiece.     … Expand
  92. Sin_
    Jul 1, 2023
    10
    As far as I'm concerned this is one of the best, if not the best games ever made. Even when i defeated the game i just started new game + and started over.
    A beautiful game with heavenly combat, a mesmerising story, best video game soundtrack of all time, godly scaled eikon fight highest peak we have ever seen in gaming period and top-notch voice acting.
  93. phlow
    Jul 1, 2023
    4
    TL;DR: Your enjoyment of the game heavily depends on the question whether or not you like the battle system. If you don't like and you are only interested in the story, than skip this game and watch a "game movie" on youtube. Nonetheless I would wait for a sale, 40€ sounds about right for this.

    Fair warning ahead, I do not like the more action oriented approach of FF16, initially it was    TL;DR: Your enjoyment of the game heavily depends on the question whether or not you like the battle system. If you don't like and you are only interested in the story, than skip this game and watch a "game movie" on youtube. Nonetheless I would wait for a sale, 40€ sounds about right for this.

    Fair warning ahead, I do not like the more action oriented approach of FF16, initially it was quite fun but the more I played I found it less and less satisfying. To their credit, there are certain items you can equip which make it some aspects of the battle system easier (combos / evasion) but they can also turn the game into a quasi auto battler. The main reason I finished the game is the story and because I payed 80€ for it.

    Much has been said about the story and the world. Yes, it is darker and grittier than usual and it starts out good, but later on it feels stretched and a bit bloated. The story is linear and your choices do not affect the world. The ending of the game is ... well ... the first thing I did was to type "ff16 ending" into google to find out if there is more. It is not, which is quite disappointing. The game continues a trend in which you spend dozens of hours in a game, a world and characters and once the main objective is achieved the game just end. No need to show how your actions influenced the world and characters in it. There is a small after credits scene but that does not replace a proper epilogue, especially not this one (you could interpret the scene in a way, that the entire story is just a fictional story in the world of Valisthea).

    The side quests are mostly your usual kill and / or fetch quests. There are some really good side quests, which tell an interesting story. Some reminded me of the character quests from Mass Effect 2, but unlike in Mass Effect 2, they do not affect the story in any way.

    The voice acting is a hit and miss. Overall it's ok, there is no outstanding good performance (but there are outstandingly bad ones for some minor side characters). In general the voice acting feels a bit flat, and some casting choices are questionable. The performance of the main cast is mostly ok. One thing I feel, I have to point out is the game is completely voiced until it is not. In the Hub areas, you can go to characters and talk to them. Some of them have some dialogue options and those are not voiced, even if the character is voiced otherwise. You get a wall of text and sometimes the character says the first words of a sentence. This is not a bug, this is intentionally and I don't understand why they did. It is nothing major but I find it strange and it kills the immersion.

    The graphics are good, I played in "graphics" mode because I am ok with the 30 frames (60 would be nice, but stable 30 are ok). Framerate is mostly stable with some drops here and there. The depth of field and motion blur is a bit much and leads to some artifacts like ghosting and some issues with the depth of field around the hair, which is most notable during close-ups. During battles there are a lot of particles effects, to much if you ask me. There are so many that is it hard sometimes to distinguish what is actually happening, e.g. aerial blast creates a huge particle effect and you are unable to see what is happening inside, which is bad, because some enemies are not lifted in the air and can still attack you and the effect persists for a ~20s or so.

    Regarding the level design, I actually like the smaller scale level design. Yes sometimes it is very linear but that is not necessarily a bad thing. I am tired of those huge but empty and overbearing Ubisoft Open-Worlds. On the other side, the levels are quite small and they still do feel empty and not alive. The hubs are actually quite nice.

    For me the game has zero replayability, but for those who enjoyed the battle system, there is a New Game+ and the arcade mode.    … Expand
  94. ManyLattice
    Jul 1, 2023
    9
    Final Fantasy 16 it's: amazing story, interesting characters, awesome boss battles and beautiful locations. I always love FF for their characters.

    Yes, FF16 have bad side quests, where you need just go on location, kill enemy, back to NPC who gave you quest. And yes, there are sometimes some interesting stories in side quests, but there are very few of them
  95. Giuliano-FR
    Jul 1, 2023
    10
    Épico, Fantástico.
    Jogabilidade, gráficos, enredo marcante e cutscene que enriquecem a história do jogo.
    Ficando um gosto de "quero mais", fico no aguardo das DLCs.
  96. phrosnite_
    Jul 1, 2023
    6
    I don't care that this doesn't feel like a Final Fantasy game. I'm judging it on its own merits.

    It's "all flash, no substance". Many undercooked elements. Terrible level design with annoying traversal mechanics. Boring MMO style quests. It's not an RPG, it's an Action Adventure with very light RPG elements. No spoilers but you could guess what the final boss would be like... Very    I don't care that this doesn't feel like a Final Fantasy game. I'm judging it on its own merits.

    It's "all flash, no substance". Many undercooked elements. Terrible level design with annoying traversal mechanics. Boring MMO style quests. It's not an RPG, it's an Action Adventure with very light RPG elements.

    No spoilers but you could guess what the final boss would be like... Very played out at this point. Stop it.

    The only redeeming quality of this game is the combat but only during some 1v1 fights.    … Expand
  97. Madness01
    Jul 1, 2023
    10
    Might be this year's best game yet
    Addictive combat
    Awesome cutscenes Very compelling story
    Beautiful world
    Loveable characters
    And fabulous boss fights
  98. Frostyyyyyyy
    Jul 1, 2023
    10
    Just finished the game and I can safely say this I the best final fantasy bar none I’ve been playing this series since 13 I remember one day seeing the game on YouTube and instantly felt like I had to play it all be it 2 years after its release but back then I thought it was one of the best stories ever (granted I was only like 10 when I first played) then I played 13-2 then 7 to 8,9,10 soJust finished the game and I can safely say this I the best final fantasy bar none I’ve been playing this series since 13 I remember one day seeing the game on YouTube and instantly felt like I had to play it all be it 2 years after its release but back then I thought it was one of the best stories ever (granted I was only like 10 when I first played) then I played 13-2 then 7 to 8,9,10 so on so forth back I thought they were all peak every single one but as I got older I started to be a bit more critical in games not all the time bugame’s main focus is it’s story that’s where i rea… Expand
  99. Amidatelion
    Jul 1, 2023
    3
    I came in hoping the action combat would be the only thing they changed, but it just isn't a game that reminds me of Final Fantasy. No party, very little management, linear pathways, etc. Some say the story is what makes FF, but that would mean any game with a good story is FF. There has to me more to the equation. Fans of tactical RPGs, do your research before you play this. Make sureI came in hoping the action combat would be the only thing they changed, but it just isn't a game that reminds me of Final Fantasy. No party, very little management, linear pathways, etc. Some say the story is what makes FF, but that would mean any game with a good story is FF. There has to me more to the equation. Fans of tactical RPGs, do your research before you play this. Make sure it's for you, before spending that large sum.… Expand
  100. TavorX95
    Jul 1, 2023
    9
    Full disclosure I've never been into FF games. Not for lack of trying. I tried 7 when it came out at a friend's house. I've tried the 2D games. I've tried 10. I just never could get into them. FF7 remake was ok, but when I finished the game I was ready to be done.

    I love this game. The story is actually engaging, it has mystery but not so much that you have to study for 40 hours after the    Full disclosure I've never been into FF games. Not for lack of trying. I tried 7 when it came out at a friend's house. I've tried the 2D games. I've tried 10. I just never could get into them. FF7 remake was ok, but when I finished the game I was ready to be done.

    I love this game. The story is actually engaging, it has mystery but not so much that you have to study for 40 hours after the game to figure out what the heck is going on.

    The only other negative is the language, it feels like they tried to hard to be edgy and it actually comes across comical more often than not.

    The combat is fun. It's not my favorite combat system but it's better than ff7r or turn based. There's not much to hate here for me, some of the dialogue is harder to sit through than others, but maybe that's just my ADHD. I really like the characters I'm supposed to like. I really hate the characters I'm supposed to hate. The VA is great, the writing is decent for a video game.

    The performance could be better, as well as a day one PC would be ideal. The first big twist stinks but it does make an impact.

    Overall I'm glad they went in this direction, I'm sorry classic FF fans they changed it on you but I'm glad they did. The stories of these games have always been decently compelling but the game play dragged. They really did well in this. If you get proficient in the combat the trash battles are extremely quick and the boss battles are amazing.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Best PlayStation 5 Game of 2023
1
#1 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2023

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
87

Generally favorable reviews - based on 146 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 134 out of 146
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 146
  3. Negative: 0 out of 146
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Jan 22, 2024
    100
    Final Fantasy XVI is an excellent game in every way. If you're a fan of the series for the stories and characters, you won't go wrong here, and if you've avoided the series for, say, turn-based combat, the sixteenth installment offers the perfect opportunity to get started with this legend of the gaming industry. [Issue#329]
  2. Riot Pixels
    Oct 30, 2023
    73
    This is a solid RPG/action game. Some elements of the game are unusual and fresh for single-player parts of the Final Fantasy series, but some are too dull and rudimentary.
    Read full review
  3. PLAY
    Sep 17, 2023
    90
    New numbered FFs are good again. Stunning to look at, with new, punchy combat, and a great yarn, it is, if anything, too focussed, lacking a bit of the weird. [Issue#30, p.78]
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