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. Kaseladen
    Jun 29, 2023
    6
    As a very quick breakdown:
    Pros:
    Voice acting is solid Gameplay works great for bosses Eikon fights after the first two start getting super fun Cid and Byron are great characters Good music Cons: Inconsistent writing (We have no proof on crystals being an issue, but we're gonna nuke them all even though nothing's improving as we do so. Why does only one eikon summon egi's or offer    As a very quick breakdown:
    Pros:
    Voice acting is solid
    Gameplay works great for bosses
    Eikon fights after the first two start getting super fun
    Cid and Byron are great characters
    Good music
    Cons:
    Inconsistent writing (We have no proof on crystals being an issue, but we're gonna nuke them all even though nothing's improving as we do so. Why does only one eikon summon egi's or offer blessings. Where the **** is Leviathan)
    Pacing is garbage, you'll get cool scenes and plot rolling then you're suddenly set to go do MMO fetch quests for the next 2-3 hours
    Non-bosses are literally nothing
    Clive somehow manages to be super passive despite spending the first part of the game on a revenge quest. Even later he's just kind of swept along
    Side quests suck, I've found 4(?) well written ones. The rest are throw away and rewards suck. Post timeskip you start getting 'renown' for them which is a promise that maybe someday you'll get a good reward if you do enough
    Crafting sucks, all items are super boring and thats all you find with explorign
    As mentioned above, exploration, even for more linear structured areas, is non-existeint
    Characters that are interesting like Benedickta don't get enough screentime
    Characters that DO get screentime like Jill are nothing characters
    Eikon unlocks are very drip fed throughout the story (with only 4 options per Eikon)
    Lack of customizable controls    … Expand
  2. LudosInStercore
    Jun 29, 2023
    9
    A fantastic cinematic game! Every character is fleshed out and there is character development for every character. This game made me feel so many emotions. The gameplay is phenomenal and is fresh. There is a bit of a learning curve at the beginning but by the end I had a flow for all my abilities. The eikon battles are particularly spectacular. The side quests can be a bit repetitive butA fantastic cinematic game! Every character is fleshed out and there is character development for every character. This game made me feel so many emotions. The gameplay is phenomenal and is fresh. There is a bit of a learning curve at the beginning but by the end I had a flow for all my abilities. The eikon battles are particularly spectacular. The side quests can be a bit repetitive but there were still some really nice character moments that happened during side missions. The story is mature and questions the morals of the society that is Valisthea. The time skips also really help you feel how much had happened in Clive's (main characters) life and allows full character development. The relationships he builds also feel natural and genuine because of these time jumps. The story climax had me crying. On a note for those who are wary because of the review bombing I don't feel these are worthy. Yes there is less diversity in terms of skin colour in this game then perhaps in others however I don't feel this is deserved. The story and themes are what are important and those are very mature and raise social issues in their own way. Don't let review bombing stop you from playing what is a very well thought out game that has clearly been a labour of love!… Expand
  3. Madremia
    Jun 29, 2023
    10
    The game is great.
    From an story perspective not sure what game are the haters playing, this is the most complex and mature themed final fantasy in years.
    The gameplay is very hack slashy, think devil may cry, and that is a good thing. The whining about the system is missing the point on whay you should focus on this game, if you want a more rpg turn based experience go play persona,    The game is great.
    From an story perspective not sure what game are the haters playing, this is the most complex and mature themed final fantasy in years.
    The gameplay is very hack slashy, think devil may cry, and that is a good thing.
    The whining about the system is missing the point on whay you should focus on this game,
    if you want a more rpg turn based experience go play persona, this is not for you.
    it is a solid 8, but giving a 10 to annoy the trolls.    … Expand
  4. SoManySaltySJWS
    Jun 29, 2023
    10
    A great game, very stylish and a refreshing take on the final fantasy lore. Instant classic.
  5. Pazmeta
    Jun 29, 2023
    1
    Wow I came in with high expectations after ff15. Everyone saying it's better than ff15. Omg it's probably one of the most boring action rpgs I've come across. I enjoy the combat. Even the action set pieces. But the story puts me to sleep. Not a fan of the medieval either. 15 is way better than this boring slog and yet was hated.
  6. dilliamson
    Jun 29, 2023
    10
    Final Fantasy XVI is a remarkable addition to the franchise, delivering an unforgettable experience that combines captivating storytelling, thrilling combat, and breathtaking Eikon battles. This game feels like a return to form for the single player FF's.

    The storytelling in Final Fantasy XVI is masterfully executed, taking the time to explain lore and characters to create the rich and    Final Fantasy XVI is a remarkable addition to the franchise, delivering an unforgettable experience that combines captivating storytelling, thrilling combat, and breathtaking Eikon battles. This game feels like a return to form for the single player FF's.

    The storytelling in Final Fantasy XVI is masterfully executed, taking the time to explain lore and characters to create the rich and immersive world of Valisthea. Characters relationships are deeply developed, making them relatable and memorable. Clive's story keeps players emotionally invested, resulting in a captivating journey from start to finish.

    The combat system sets a new bar for other action games. Each battle is a spectacle, filled with fast-paced movements, strategic decision-making, and skillful combos. The result is a dynamic and thrilling experience that keeps players engaged throughout their adventures. For those not familiar with action games, the accessibility options make the combat easy to pick up, especially if you're more interested in story.

    The Eikon battles in Final Fantasy XVI are awe-inspiring showcases of power and scale. These massive encounters with Final Fantasy's summons leave a lasting impression with stunning visuals, mesmerizing animations, and changing set pieces. Each clash with an Eikon tops the last, I found myself at the edge of my seat the whole ride.

    Visually, the graphics are a feast for the eyes. The detailed environments and towns create a world that feels more grounded than other AAA games, while still keeping the fantastical theme we'd expect in a Final Fantasy game.

    The musical score of Final Fantasy XVI is a masterpiece in its own right. Enchanting melodies and stirring orchestrations perfectly complement the game's atmosphere, enhancing the emotional impact of every moment. Soken's soundtrack leaves a lasting impression and will surely be regarded as some of his greatest work.

    FFXVI is a remarkable addition to the franchise, earning its place among the greats. With its engrossing story, thrilling combat, and awe-inspiring Eikon battles, Yoshi-P and the team at CBU3 delivered a gaming experience that is nothing short of epic.    … Expand
  7. Bobert381
    Jun 24, 2023
    10
    If you enjoyed what they did with Final Fantasy 7 remake you'll enjoy this one. Story is a big part of the game which is okay since it's done right. Combat is great as well, graphics are out of this world good and no one should stop you from picking this game up.
  8. Davelorino
    Jun 29, 2023
    10
    Incredible. The narrative, combat and visual style is all perfect. Really cool how they let you scale up or down the difficulty of combat so you can choose a more involved experience for when you're feeling like a challenge but also there's an option for an easier setting if you feel like more of a narrative focused experience.
  9. justasandfox
    Jun 29, 2023
    9
    *MINOR SPOILERS*

    Definitely not a perfect game, I would say quite far from one, the flaws others have mentioned with I also agree with, however my rating is not a mistake - details below. Pros: - Battles: man, some of these were way over the top, in a very good way. I found myself experiencing new emotions during some of them - not knowing whether to laugh at the ridiculousness of    *MINOR SPOILERS*

    Definitely not a perfect game, I would say quite far from one, the flaws others have mentioned with I also agree with, however my rating is not a mistake - details below.

    Pros:
    - Battles: man, some of these were way over the top, in a very good way. I found myself experiencing new emotions during some of them - not knowing whether to laugh at the ridiculousness of what I'm seeing on-screen, cry at the music, or be awestruck. Definitely had more than a couple "what the hell is this game?" moments, and needing to take a break before playing again.
    - Sound: there were absolutely some bangers and orchestral masterpieces in here. Soken has really taken up Uematsu's mantle well. Some of my now all-time favorite battle/boss themes are in this game. There was a "music producer" in the reviews talking about how combat is louder than idle music... Yes... This was by design... And the cool thing about this is that regular enemy combat music is just another louder rendition of the zone/area music that doesn't break a single beat in transitioning in/out - felt that this was really cool and added to the immersive experience.
    - Combat: don't agree with others saying that this is just hack and slash. The combat can go as deep as you want, or as shallow. Once you unlock the final Eikon, there is literally a button that allows you to do all sorts of crazy combos and another one that makes parrying slightly easier but much more rewarding. Parrying in this game is not an easy feat when you're trying to do it intentionally but it is VERY FUN and the dopamine reward is well worth the risk for players like me. But yes, you can beat the game by pressing one button, if you're into that. You can equip accessories that play the game for you too, if you're into that. Or you could actually learn the combat system and take a deep dive and find out why Suzuki says that the combat in this game is his magnum opus.
    - World building/lore: side quests could have been done better, but the good ones did really well to immerse you in the world. I was afraid of the Active Time Lore breaking immersion, but it didn't, and I appreciated the in-game lore book, which definitely ADDED to the story but is not required at all to understand what's going on.
    - VA: mostly amazing.

    Cons:
    - Story: started off strong, but ended a bit weak in my opinion, and we all know what CBU3 is capable of story-wise, so this was disappointing. Not sure if they ran out of time or what, but the latter parts of the story feel rushed and not well fleshed-out.
    - Difficulty: first playthrough is on the easier side - NG+ addresses this but I wish some of the features were in the base game, e.g. no button prompt for QTEs. A big disappointment from me is that the no-damage challenge medals are still awarded even if the player puts on all Timeless Accessories or plays on story-mode. This completely invalidates the reward for it being a supposed challenge.
    - RPG elements: they've taken the XIV approach to systems like dungeons (mobs -> boss -> mobs -> boss -> mobs -> big boss, which works in an MMO but was monotonous here), elemental weaknesses (none, though I can understand this would have been weird to balance and also for lore reasons), status ailments (none), equipment upgrades (none, this was such an EASY thing to flesh out, but they didn't), exploration almost none. I wouldn't say the game is linear - some have compared this to XIII and I would heavily disagree. However, exploration is rarely rewarded meaningfully, except to find hunts I suppose. Would have loved to see better rewards or secrets.
    - Side quests: they went with the XIV flavor for this which meant a lot of them were fetch or go here kill this type quests. Rewards were basically meaningless, but as mentioned above, some did bring more story and world/character building which was good, others... well I think about half of them could have easily been culled and some other ones could have been made less tedious. Definitely needed some work here.

    I feel like they didn't have enough time to make the story better, and wish they delayed the game and forced the original plan of having it on 2 discs instead of trying to fit everything on 1. HOWEVER, all-in-all, I am still giving this game a 9/10 purely due to how ridiculously spectacular and epic some of these fights were. Along with the music, they had me tearing up - did not know that it was possible to feel such emotion from shear epic-ness. This is, in some ways, the most FF game of all FF games, and I'm not talking about the combat or RPG elements. Some of the experiences really brought out the little kid glee in me, and would have been something my younger self might have imagined inside his head and would have LOVED to play. Definitely a must-play for any FF fan, if you can look past the flaws and see XVI for what it is - it is more (and yes sometimes, less) than a game, but it is still an EXPERIENCE that you don't want to miss.    … Expand
  10. Fristie
    Jun 29, 2023
    9
    Loving the game's new direction so far. Nice storytelling and combat.
    Performance and gfx are sometimes a bit off though.
    I sincerely hope to see more FF games like this.
  11. InsaneWB91
    Jun 29, 2023
    9
    Was hesitant bc I’ve never really played final fantasy well since ff10 but I gotta say it’s an amazing game and worth every penny if you like gow or any other action adventure game with rpg elements or are just a final fantasy fan then you’re going to absolutely love this game. Must buy 9 outta 10 for me
  12. 1000needles
    Jun 29, 2023
    8
    10/10 Story
    10/10 Characters
    10/10 Voice Acting
    Combat 8/10 ( gets stale at times)
    Music 10/10
    Graphics 9/10
    If i had a major criticism it would be the side quest. The game bombards the player with them and they are boring . Previous Final Fantasy games the side quests were subtle and enjoyable.
    All in All its a very enjoyable game and deserves a place in the Game Awards
  13. RainbowPhoenix
    Jun 29, 2023
    10
    Just simply a masterpiece. Don't know how they did it, the 1 year of polishing the game after already finishing the game but they beat my highest expectations and delivered the impossible. Was an incredible and compelling thrill ride to the very end one the best games of all time. I mean the passion that is on display throughout the hours of playtime... wow! 10/10! Sony/Square enix neverJust simply a masterpiece. Don't know how they did it, the 1 year of polishing the game after already finishing the game but they beat my highest expectations and delivered the impossible. Was an incredible and compelling thrill ride to the very end one the best games of all time. I mean the passion that is on display throughout the hours of playtime... wow! 10/10! Sony/Square enix never fails to deliver
    The Eikons fights the **** Eikon fights no game has ever delivered this level portion of depth out this world the pun intended just play the game !    … Expand
  14. JessieShivah_
    Jun 29, 2023
    10
    This game is just perfect in my eyes everyone else I know agrees, an emotional narrative, amazing side characters, everything I hoped for, game of the year for sure, the best game I’ve ever played no load times playing for 80 hours.
  15. Darkknight1980
    Jun 29, 2023
    10
    This is the best final fantasy game I have ever played. I love the easiness this game provides you to get along with the story. I love its epic boss battles which is example for many games to come.
  16. fuerstrainier
    Jun 29, 2023
    4
    Looking at these positive ratings here I am really surprised. I played around ten hours now and think I will abandon the game entirely, although I love the franchise, even the latest entries. This "game" is in my mind not only not an RPG but not a game at all in my mind. I am not sure why I as a player am here for. The game constantly interrupt me after a single button click.
    The world has    Looking at these positive ratings here I am really surprised. I played around ten hours now and think I will abandon the game entirely, although I love the franchise, even the latest entries. This "game" is in my mind not only not an RPG but not a game at all in my mind. I am not sure why I as a player am here for. The game constantly interrupt me after a single button click.
    The world has nothing in it to explore, which is a slap in the face after coming from Elden Ring. The combat system is rudimentary at best and the leveling system is none existing.
    I really wanted to like this game, but after I fell asleep while playing, this entry in my beloved franchise clearly doesn'value my time enough to go on.    … Expand
  17. LeonEvans
    Jun 29, 2023
    1
    First, I want to address peoples comment on how people can give 0 to this game. The question is how can someone give 10, which is an absolute perfect when there is no perfect in this world. 0 and 10 are the exact same rating except it’s the polar opposite. The only difference is people actually had to PAY for this game. So it is more likely 0 would exist if they didn’t like the game.First, I want to address peoples comment on how people can give 0 to this game. The question is how can someone give 10, which is an absolute perfect when there is no perfect in this world. 0 and 10 are the exact same rating except it’s the polar opposite. The only difference is people actually had to PAY for this game. So it is more likely 0 would exist if they didn’t like the game. Whereas, fanboys or people with low expectations and the inability to review would give it a 10 for satisfying a couple of category or for just not being bad. If perfect existed in your world, then it is clear that you don’t know what you are talking about. Ever think your spouse or job or anything else in life is perfect?

    Now that’s out of the way.

    The game clearly has a great artistic feel from music to graphics. I would even say it’s one of the best for environment / feel they are trying to portray like every Final Fantasy. However, that has become the base for a very long time. Over 20-years. It’s like voice acting is expected in games today, so it doesn’t get a 10 for having great music or graphics which it’s already known for as a Final Fantasy title.

    That being said, what makes the game suffer is really the creative direction & gameplay of the series. The title is one of first MAIN titles given a rating of M, which says something. That something being their target market is no longer towards the light-hearted adventurous players. You can tell that they are totally targeting the Western audiences with the Brute character designs, blood, gore, and sexual themes etc.

    This in of itself makes it a Western RPG not. Japanese RPG.

    It’s medieval Europe and I will praise they did not bow to the Woke crowd and adjust to include Blacks. It’s not like they included Asians. No gaming company should bow to the Woke on creativity, that’s why Disney is failing so horribly. At any rate, being set in medieval Europe I would have enjoyed the series a lot more if it had a different Art Direction.

    It seems like the Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin was just the beginning of the Dark Gore style art. XVI reminds me a lot of it. It really started with XV but these type of art direction is only captivating to Western players. Previously, even during the PS1 era, a lot of people hated JRPGs or video games in general. They only started climbing aboard gaming during Xbox 360’s release. That has caused the FPS genre to take off. These players are often polar opposites.

    This game basically threw away what final elements it had as an JRPG (started at FF13) in attempt to capture the Western audiences. Notice the art-style changes vs Tales of, Persona, Xenoblade etc.

    One of the most important and greatest things about JRPG is its enormous world, and ability to travel around the world. I’m not talking about travelling around an island or a country but an airship with the ability to dive in water or into the air to roam the world. That has completely disappeared.

    The second, is the light-hearted main characters, elements that appeal to teenagers or younger audiences. It is clear to me from the art direction, that they no longer want to appeal to younger audiences except probably the older Western generation from the PS1 and 360 eras. Look at the difference between popular games like Minecraft, Roblox, Fortnite etc vs the New Final Fantasy Art styles. This has bothered me, because I prefer light-hearted characters opposed to brutes of the Western games.

    I remember someone made a video talking about Cloud, how he looks like a girl and they can’t take him to a bar for a beer like Thor. Brutes are the character designs of the Western society. It’s like how woman look like crap in video games for West vs Japanese designs. So I don’t like their art and creative direction. This game atmosphere reminds me of Vagrant Story from the 90s or the Stranger of Paradise closer to the 2020s. The atmosphere is one of the same, dark, gloomy, etc not magical like Final Fantasy games should be. It is a very Westernized Design for western audiences. Reminds me of another art style Elden Ring.

    Other JRPGs like Tales of, Xenoblade, Persona, etc all is taking a very light-hearted approach but Final Fantasy games are becoming what you call Western RPG not JRPG.

    Battle system
    I always like new battle systems and learning about them. I don’t really care if it’s button smashing or strategic like Marvel Midnight Suns, it’s all fine to me. However, this is more button smashing.

    I would write more but I don’t have time to waste on this review. It’s a hype, and fanboy game. Maybe it will appeal to Western players more, who knows? I guarantee you that a lot of the 10/10 reviews are also fake as I stated nothing in this world is perfect, especially if you paid $$$ for it.

    To me, it wasn’t worth the $150. I don’t think it was a life changing game. There was nothing revolutionary about the game.    … Expand
  18. WarrickAngel
    Jun 29, 2023
    10
    This game is a masterpiece!!! The story, combat, everything about this game is a masterpiece. Thank you Square Enix for making this wonderful game. Looking forward to future main line games this is a huge leap visually best game of all time point blank period
  19. rtoale
    Jun 29, 2023
    10
    Peak gaming. The demo had me sold but damn, what a masterpiece. Been gaming for 40 years and the last game that really pulled my heart strings like this was Ocarina of Time. Buy it.
  20. Caitin_
    Jun 29, 2023
    10
    No spoiler review. This game is a must play, firstly this is best looking next generation game of all time,The way the story is told and the character development that exists is insane, from all characters, it is a game that makes you feel all type of emotions and is very enjoyable to complete. Personally, it's GOTY.
  21. TorgalFanGirl
    Jun 29, 2023
    10
    this game is the game I've been waiting for. it includes everything! perfect story, best graphics of all time stunningly polished to perfection, soundtrack out this world sokkan the greatest of all time, even emotionally heart feeling, and much more!!!. thank you Square Enix for this divine masterpiece! # FFXVI GOTY
  22. RedEyesLulu
    Jun 29, 2023
    10
    An absolutely fantastic mediaeval story that gripped me from start to finish with emotional fulfilling moments, the characters are unique, and their sidequests are great too.
    Hands down best game of all time we will never see game this beautifully crafted and polished the level of detail is levels above everything can’t wait to buy this again on PC
  23. AcateFr
    Jun 29, 2023
    9
    Jeu exceptionnel sur beaucoup d'aspects, quelques défauts et quelques manque pour un FF, mais l'aventure est extraordinaire et elle vaut le coup.
  24. Obisaro
    Jun 29, 2023
    10
    I don't know what anyone else could want from a Final Fantasy game? Smooth and exciting combat, an impactful story, nuanced characters, and massive Eikon battles.
  25. bodohxboxfan
    Jun 29, 2023
    10
    diam lah xboxfan dah lah bodoh brain issue babi ko ingat bagus ko pun game babi xbone fan
  26. mokamo
    Jun 29, 2023
    9
    Great story and combat tho I didn’t like some of the dialogue and the outfit of Clive
  27. MoguMg
    Jun 29, 2023
    10
    A beautiful debut for the former Heavensward staff at CBU3. The story is heartwrenching, exciting, romantic, tragic and hopeful throughout. The main cast is wonderful with each voice actor doing an incredible job, elevating the story countless times. Combat is incredibly satisfying with lots of combo potential in each and every eikon's kit. Above everything else, the music and the bossA beautiful debut for the former Heavensward staff at CBU3. The story is heartwrenching, exciting, romantic, tragic and hopeful throughout. The main cast is wonderful with each voice actor doing an incredible job, elevating the story countless times. Combat is incredibly satisfying with lots of combo potential in each and every eikon's kit. Above everything else, the music and the boss encounters elevate this game to a level I never thought was possible. By the end of the game, I felt like I had beaten 6 different final boss fights over my 40 hours. I love FF16 and hope this studio can go on to make many more incredible games.… Expand
  28. Opiekun
    Jun 29, 2023
    9
    FF XVI is amazing piece of art,

    it's not perfect by any means but I don't think there is something like a "perfect game" because a lot of opinions comes from personal preferences. We like and dislike different things. And the things that I PERSONALLY like about the game were so good that I didn't mind few flaws that the game have. After finishing the game I'm so invested in it that I    FF XVI is amazing piece of art,

    it's not perfect by any means but I don't think there is something like a "perfect game" because a lot of opinions comes from personal preferences. We like and dislike different things. And the things that I PERSONALLY like about the game were so good that I didn't mind few flaws that the game have. After finishing the game I'm so invested in it that I want more of this world and its characters.

    It's FINAL FANTASY game and feels like one. If you like good looking and sounding game, fun combat, rich world, excellent story and interesting characters then I think you will enjoy FINAL FANTASY XVI.    … Expand
  29. Wizar
    Jun 29, 2023
    10
    Excellent action rpg, whilst it may not appeal to all classic turn-based Final Fantasy fans it does absolutely have a FF story, it's full of the same charm you'll see from the heavier bits of FFXIV.
  30. Chavamp
    Jun 23, 2023
    10
    Es increíble volver a sentir la esencia de Final Fantasy de nuevo en esta entrega llena de buena historia, excelente combate y gameplay, llevo 20 horas y estoy contento, cuento el tiempo para volver a jugarlo.

    Algo importante es que la nueva partida plus será atractiva para volver a jugarlo, cosa que haré sin duda
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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]
See all critic reviews »