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. qosimo
    Jun 24, 2023
    6
    25 hours in - probably 2/3 done. Once again I think media site reviews have been paid for. This game is a 6. It strays so far from what Final Fantasy is... the gameplay is not an RPG. Crafting is a waste of time, gear is extremely simple, you can beat all action by just spamming square button. The graphics are good - BUT - it is a game on rails/corridors. Which really kills the RPG25 hours in - probably 2/3 done. Once again I think media site reviews have been paid for. This game is a 6. It strays so far from what Final Fantasy is... the gameplay is not an RPG. Crafting is a waste of time, gear is extremely simple, you can beat all action by just spamming square button. The graphics are good - BUT - it is a game on rails/corridors. Which really kills the RPG part for me - no exploration, no surprises. Going to trade this one in - I honestly dont care about the story going forward would rather play Witcher 3 or RDR2 - real RPGs.… Expand
  2. GhostXZ117
    Jun 23, 2023
    6
    They game could be something great, but unfortunately isn’t, is more like an Action game than a real RPG, also the developers lied to us and this game doesn’t run at 60 fps like they said. They didn’t improve too much in the design of the game and it does not look like a new generation game and is sadly true. The music is a little repetitive and at first is pretty good but after a while itThey game could be something great, but unfortunately isn’t, is more like an Action game than a real RPG, also the developers lied to us and this game doesn’t run at 60 fps like they said. They didn’t improve too much in the design of the game and it does not look like a new generation game and is sadly true. The music is a little repetitive and at first is pretty good but after a while it gets boring, and most importantly the problems that this game has with the PS5 and what I mean with that is… the PS5 overheating when you try to run this game in it. The second half of the game is very boring until you reach the ending of the game.

    The game is not trash like a lot of people say, the game got some good stuff like the combat mechanics, also the combats are very immersive and fun, and the story is pretty good (is not the best videogame story but is good enough), the cinematics are pretty awesome and the maps are also good, the quick time events are great, and the first half of the game is fun in general, Final Fantasy 16 is a good game and it could have been one of the best Square Enix games but unfortunately it wasn’t. 6/10 final review    … Expand
  3. PCMasterRice
    Jun 23, 2023
    6
    A fall from grace for Square Enix. I know we've had some pretty mediocre FF in the past but this is something else.

    SQ wanted to 'evolve the series' by turning it into an action game. Instead of really investing in creative action experiences, we get dumbed down systems, less customization than other actions games, and generic battles (with the exception of the cinematic ones). In    A fall from grace for Square Enix. I know we've had some pretty mediocre FF in the past but this is something else.

    SQ wanted to 'evolve the series' by turning it into an action game. Instead of really investing in creative action experiences, we get dumbed down systems, less customization than other actions games, and generic battles (with the exception of the cinematic ones).

    In addition to that, the game looks very mediocre. There are times when it really looks good, but through 90% of your gameplay, it looks bland. Its almost as if the level designers behind Forspoken worked on this in their free time.

    The story is good, and what is keeping me playing it. But after 10+ hours its a drag. Everything is on rails, no point in doing side quests, equipment you won't have to work towards. Its all just there for you when its supposed to be.

    You'd probably have a better experience simply watching a playthrough on youtube.    … Expand
  4. LEXGBR
    Jul 4, 2023
    6
    Acredito que a Squarenix querendo popularizar a franquia, removeu muitos elementos de RPG, game muito fácil, semelhante ao que aconteceu com o FFXV, lamentável o rumo que a franquia tomou!
  5. remilink
    Jun 27, 2023
    6
    Jeu globalement moyen à certains égards
    et certains passage de l'histoire semblent un peu beaucoup plagiés de la serie Game of thrones.
    histoire comme une montagne russe entre ont s'ennuie et puis c'est épique mais trop rempli de cinématique et de qte/animation qui tirent inutilement les combats de primordiaux en longueur et qui deviennent au final lassant, c'est dommage le jeu avait du    Jeu globalement moyen à certains égards
    et certains passage de l'histoire semblent un peu beaucoup plagiés de la serie Game of thrones.
    histoire comme une montagne russe entre ont s'ennuie et puis c'est épique mais trop rempli de cinématique et de qte/animation qui tirent inutilement les combats de primordiaux en longueur
    et qui deviennent au final lassant, c'est dommage le jeu avait du potentiel mais il à été totalement gâchés à pas mal d'égards ce jeu est plus une série ou ça explose de partout qu'un JV.

    et l'aspect secondaire du jeu est totalement passé à la trappe et peu intéressant vraiment dommage    … Expand
  6. Slimester
    Jun 23, 2023
    6
    The great:

    It’s a lot better than FFXIII and XV There are epic action set-pieces and memorable boss fights galore, some of which are up there with the best in the entire series. The lore is comprehensive and expressed in meticulous detail. The real-time look-up feature during cutscenes is an ingenious mechanic, certainly one of those concepts which will have left other developers    The great:

    It’s a lot better than FFXIII and XV

    There are epic action set-pieces and memorable boss fights galore, some of which are up there with the best in the entire series.

    The lore is comprehensive and expressed in meticulous detail. The real-time look-up feature during cutscenes is an ingenious mechanic, certainly one of those concepts which will have left other developers wishing they had thought of it.

    The soundtrack is an immediate all-time great, one of if not the game’s strongest aspect.

    Feels very polished overall, no bugs for me thus far and consistent and smooth performance is maintained throughout.

    The good:

    The story is rich and compelling, if not overly original.

    Enjoyable combat system; nothing groundbreaking but it is fast, refined and responsive.

    Grand in scale and scope, visually arresting at times but the art direction can also appear bland and outdated.

    Voice acting is decent.

    The not-so-good:

    Generic characters spouting their usual corny dialogue, this one really has a medieval soap opera-feel about it. Perhaps they sound better when speaking in Japanese but something tells me otherwise.

    The game in general feels somewhat bloated; progression is less dynamic than in some previous instalments, which is especially concerning considering that it’s not even open world in nature.

    An overly westernised tone; feels too reminiscent of series such as The Witcher or Game of Thrones for example. Final Fantasy at the peak of its powers was the influencer, but it appears as though the opposite is in fact now the case.

    The bad:

    Mindless and banal fetch quests, and by mindless I do mean FFVII remake levels of mundaneness.

    Far too easy, with what felt like a virtually non-existent difficulty increase as things progressed.

    Visually the game is overly dark, so dark in fact that it regularly becomes a distraction if not a detriment - especially when inside.

    This is not FFVII. Has done absolutely nothing to revolutionise the series, let alone the genre, and its legacy come the end of the 9th generation won’t be anything significant in my opinion.    … Expand
  7. frostblooded
    Aug 26, 2023
    6
    A mix between a 9/10 game and 3/10 game. Wish it was shorter and the filler missions were cut out.
  8. DarkwingSchmuck
    Jul 7, 2023
    6
    Final Fantasy XVI is a big, bloated, inconsistent, but memorable and often times beautiful mess that is in desperate need of trimming the fat. There is a really good 15-20-hour action game hiding within this 40-50-hour slog.

    FF16 is a game at constant odds with itself -- not wanting to disappoint long-time fans by ditching its RPG elements altogether, but it has no interest in those    Final Fantasy XVI is a big, bloated, inconsistent, but memorable and often times beautiful mess that is in desperate need of trimming the fat. There is a really good 15-20-hour action game hiding within this 40-50-hour slog.

    FF16 is a game at constant odds with itself -- not wanting to disappoint long-time fans by ditching its RPG elements altogether, but it has no interest in those same elements either. They're tacked on and woefully under cooked, while the game's combat, boss fights, and giant set-pieces are superb. Every sensational Kaiju battle is followed by hours and hours of tediously boring side quests and pretentious melodrama. The side quests in particular are so dull that they stop any momentum the game builds up dead in its tracks, and make you question whether or not your time could be served better elsewhere. It is not the Blight, but "pacing" that is Final Fantasy XVI's greatest foe.

    Though, it is the narrative that is mayhaps FF16's biggest disappointment. A complete Game of Thrones ripoff, taking both ideas and characters wholesale from HBO's successful series, yet executed much, *much* worse. It's surface-level and shallow, bleak and dour, self-important, yet lacking in any self-awareness -- FF16's story simply isn't any *fun,* and it's about as nuanced and subtle as a sledgehammer. A darker, more "serious" story is all well and good, but FF16 makes no effort in crafting a world you want to spend time in.

    FF16 has things that work well in isolation -- the core gameplay mechanics itself are actually *very* good -- but as a cohesive whole it falls apart. If you want to watch Game of Thrones, you'd be better served watching Game of Thrones (or, better yet, reading A Song of Ice and Fire), if you want to play Devil May Cry, you'd get a tighter, more challenging and rewarding experience just playing Devil May Cry. If you want a high quality RPG experience, you're left with a slew of better options.

    I respect the attempt -- despite its various flaws, there was real effort put in here -- but this is not what I want to see Final Fantasy become.    … Expand
  9. Risolu
    Jun 26, 2023
    6
    Gameplay is good but misses alot of tactic. No debuffs nor buffs which made FF games interesting. The Story is good but I hoped for a different conclusion especially with villians motivation. The game is sadly build like a single player MMO. The Sidequest are really boring and just fetch quests. The crafting system is horribly lacking. The hunt system shouldn't be in a single player game,Gameplay is good but misses alot of tactic. No debuffs nor buffs which made FF games interesting. The Story is good but I hoped for a different conclusion especially with villians motivation. The game is sadly build like a single player MMO. The Sidequest are really boring and just fetch quests. The crafting system is horribly lacking. The hunt system shouldn't be in a single player game, not to mention how every hunt is just a resin of mobs from the story. The game is baby easy, there is not the slightest challenge and that there is an easy mode option too is really funny. I think 6/10 is really justified.… Expand
  10. on3st4b
    Sep 9, 2023
    6
    The game is beautiful graphically, combat is flashy and looks nice at the start at least.
    The main story is boring and cliche, you can see everything coming from miles away.
    Side quests are a joke to say the least. Pick items, deliver them to an npc an the camp, go back for the reward. Combat system or the luck of it, just pick 3 eikon abilities and spam them, makes no difference, you    The game is beautiful graphically, combat is flashy and looks nice at the start at least.
    The main story is boring and cliche, you can see everything coming from miles away.
    Side quests are a joke to say the least. Pick items, deliver them to an npc an the camp, go back for the reward.
    Combat system or the luck of it, just pick 3 eikon abilities and spam them, makes no difference, you will win every fight with that tactic. You just need to spam your buttons and you win.
    Eikon battles are boring and use the same spam the 2 abilities and do a combo every now and then. The battles are way too long, its like watching a bad anime and hitting/spaming the buttons every now and then.
    There are no RPG elements in it, crafting system is useless and not required, leveling system is non existing.
    You just gain a level and attributes are automatically assigned.
    To sum up my thoughts, the game is very linear, lacks RPG elements/mechanics, the story is cliche..
    I'm ~20 hours in and every time i run it i start wondering "why am i doing this ?"

    6/10    … Expand
  11. JankMedia
    Jul 6, 2023
    6
    It's not a bad game by any means but it's also not very good for what it is. FFXVI is a really shallow cinematic action game at it's core. There's lot of cut scenes, combat is fun but repetitive. The game is incredibly easy, not necessarily a bad thing but for those expecting something like actual DMC or Souls, it isn't happening. The game is incredibly easy/forgiving.

    XVI was clearly    It's not a bad game by any means but it's also not very good for what it is. FFXVI is a really shallow cinematic action game at it's core. There's lot of cut scenes, combat is fun but repetitive. The game is incredibly easy, not necessarily a bad thing but for those expecting something like actual DMC or Souls, it isn't happening. The game is incredibly easy/forgiving.

    XVI was clearly designed with a mass audience in mind. Some people are going to love it, some aren't. The thing that surprises me most is just how shallow it is, it really is just running from A to B while killing low level enemies followed by a relatively easy boss and then an even easier Eikon fight. It's lowest common denominator style gameplay in 2023. This game would even be considered basic in terms of gameplay if it released on the PS3 back in 2008.

    I can't even comment on any RPG mechanics because they are non-existent. Yes, you go up levels and you can craft gear. However, the gear you craft is locked to game progression, meaning that there is usually one 1 item to choose from and it's a +1 of whatever you can buy in the store. The upgrade system is a standard skill tree but for combat only. Don't expect to cast buffs/debuffs/libra. None of that is in XVI. It's purely hack and slash gameplay with cool down timers for special attacks.

    It has the stagger system as seen in other FF games but it does not utilize it well, very uninspired compared to FFXIII and FF7R. Enemies also feel like damage sponges. I'm enjoying the game but honestly have no idea what the hype is about. It genuinely feels like playing a remastered PS3 title.    … Expand
  12. Solidsnake69
    Jun 28, 2023
    6
    I think this game is a bit overrated. The good: cool combat, story.

    The bad: exploration is pointless, the combat is ludicrously easy, side quests are horrible and meaningless.
  13. BertKA88
    Aug 27, 2023
    6
    A fun game held back by boring, uninspired exploration and level design, as well as terrible, repetitive fetch quests. The fetch quests in the main story nearly broke me. A lot of potential, though, and some great combat and fight sequences.
  14. 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
  15. Crimson9
    Jun 28, 2023
    6
    Best Final Fantasy game to come since FF12. The story is great, the characters are great, the world building is fantastic. Square has taken a big step forward in these areas. On the other hand, everything regarding gameplay here (the combat, the sidequests, the level design, the customization, the progression, etc.) is extremely subpar. FF fans as usual are happily living in a bubble whereBest Final Fantasy game to come since FF12. The story is great, the characters are great, the world building is fantastic. Square has taken a big step forward in these areas. On the other hand, everything regarding gameplay here (the combat, the sidequests, the level design, the customization, the progression, etc.) is extremely subpar. FF fans as usual are happily living in a bubble where they aren't even able to grasp the steep decline of this series.… Expand
  16. Fission_Mailed
    Jun 29, 2023
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The game tried to revolutionize its gameplay by adding hack and slash mechanics and RPG elements together but failed. The main reasons are the lack of the so called RPG elements: the party system, the elemental damage from the power of the eikons that you get, the alternate statuses, weaknesses and resistances from the monsters and bosses, secret dungeons and secret bosses. All of this aspects lacked from the RPG side of the game. As for the hack and slash side It was decent, doing combos was funny but It turned out monotonous since the enemies were easily destroyed with the ability ignition, except for the minibosses and bosses that allowed at least some variety by using for example Garuda and Shiva abilities for staggering, Bahamut and Phoenix for damage.
    The worse part of the game are the subquests and sadly only a few were good, the rest were fetch quests and defeat this and that.
    The main story was fine but a bit generic. It tried to be mature but It fell like an apple after the revelation of the evil god that wants to rebuild the world without humans because they're disposable tools. I played this game on performance mode and It was really disappointing to see soo many frame drops even during cutscenes, as for the graphics mode It wasn't that great between pixelated clouds and graphical errors on the desert I decided to remain on performance mode. In conclusion It was a disappointing experience that had a lot of downs than ups.    … Expand
  17. CorruptShaolin
    Jul 18, 2023
    6
    Final Fantasy 16 has been a bit of a roller coaster ride with absolutely incredible ups and absolutely incredibly boring put you to sleep downs. I haven't completed the entire game yet but have played a lot of the game and feel I've played enough to know what this game is.

    PROS Combat - The thing that stands out the most in this game is the combat and the boss fights. I give the    Final Fantasy 16 has been a bit of a roller coaster ride with absolutely incredible ups and absolutely incredibly boring put you to sleep downs. I haven't completed the entire game yet but have played a lot of the game and feel I've played enough to know what this game is.

    PROS

    Combat - The thing that stands out the most in this game is the combat and the boss fights. I give the combat a solid 10/10. The combat resembles Devil May Cry style combat but it's much easier to pull off crazy combos in this game than it is in DMC which I think is great. The boss fights are absolutely epic and very fun!

    Visuals/Art style - The visuals are incredible and are actually pretty breathtaking, which has been the norm for FF games for the longest time but this game just adds new elements visually that I don't think have ever been in FF games.

    Music - GODLIKE!! Nothing left to be said.

    CONS

    Performance Issues - This game hurts my eyes just playing it and walking around. There seems to always be this constant jittery vibration on the screen that just ruins the experience of just walking around in non-combat gameplay. Sometimes in games that look amazing and have cool sceneries to look at, I enjoy just walking around and looking at how far video games have come. I did it with RDR2, Ghost of Tsushima, Demon Souls and others but in this game the constant nonstop performance issues are so distracting and takes away from the immersive experience in a huge way. The performance is great in combat but most of this game is spent not fighting which I also think is a problem.

    Pacing - The game has incredibly bad pacing. There will be moments where I think HOLY GOD this is the greatest game of all time while I'm fighting some crazy boss battle and then immediately after I find myself about to fall asleep from having to do some fetch quest where I go and pick berries or listen to some common folk talk about something that adds absolutely no value to the engagement of the story or anything for that matter. The prizes for doing side quests are useless and there is no motivation or incentive to do them at all.

    Upgrade Systems/RPG elements - This game has new items you can buy or forge but it's all based on the game's progression. When you get to the next part of the story there usually is a new item for each weapon or accessory and nothing else. You can't even see what the item looks like. I absolutely despise this type of upgrade system, it gives no incentive to work towards something, it's a scaling effect and the stat system is absolutely terrible and meaningless. As you get stronger, NPCs also get stronger and there doesn't seem to be any point where you feel like you're progressing in terms of how strong your character is.

    Dialogue/Cutscenes - This game is plagued with HEAVY amounts of cutscenes and constant snooze inducing dialogue that for one, is incredibly uninteresting and two, super awkward in the way body movements and the angles in which people interact with each other play out. It's like they're AI robots trying to be humans but are malfunctioning at times and the interactions just seem so unnatural in those moments and there are ALOT OF THESE MOMENTS and it makes me want to shut off the console and put the game away in storage and is a big part of why I haven't finished the game yet.

    No run mechanic - This game doesn't allow you to run on command, it only allows you to run in very specific moments. I am absolutely confident that the game doesn't allow to run because of how bad performance issues are. It makes no sense why they won't allow you to run. Adding the run mechanic would've made combat even better and the long distance traveling you have to do in this game would be more bearable.

    I am disappointed with this game and I really was looking forward to it more than any other game this year. Hopefully FF7 makes up for that.    … Expand
  18. debiru_ita
    Jun 24, 2023
    6
    FFXVI is definitely a good action game, with a good story and just as much does not reflect what one would expect from a Final Fantasy. the strengths of the game revolve totally around the narrative plot that makes you want to keep going to see how the story evolves.
    On the gameplay level I find the cutscenes far too invasive, totally unnecessary side quests, and a total lack of the gdr    FFXVI is definitely a good action game, with a good story and just as much does not reflect what one would expect from a Final Fantasy. the strengths of the game revolve totally around the narrative plot that makes you want to keep going to see how the story evolves.
    On the gameplay level I find the cutscenes far too invasive, totally unnecessary side quests, and a total lack of the gdr aspects.
    The combat system resolves itself with a continuous rotation between eikons to spam the moves having coldowns with no need for tactics or reasoning, all for the purpose of staggering the opponent over and over again to do some damage.

    They probably had not named it Final Fantasy would not have received so much criticism sometimes even gratuitous    … Expand
  19. Thrftshopper
    Jun 25, 2023
    6
    I wanted to like it, being a long time Final Fantasy fan, but hardly anything about the game feels like a FF title. It's a decent game on its own but would have been better served being its own IP.
  20. SpikeVexid
    Jul 11, 2023
    6
    Final Fantasy XVI é épico, a história, as batalhas com chefes... e só isso mesmo, o jogo oscila demais entre o épico e o trivial, uma hora você está tendo batalhas de proporções megalomaníacas, e em seguida, esta pegando uma erva pra um subordinado no esconderijo em que você é o chefe. As side Quests, apesar de algumas até te situarem de como está o mundo e outras melhorarem algumFinal Fantasy XVI é épico, a história, as batalhas com chefes... e só isso mesmo, o jogo oscila demais entre o épico e o trivial, uma hora você está tendo batalhas de proporções megalomaníacas, e em seguida, esta pegando uma erva pra um subordinado no esconderijo em que você é o chefe. As side Quests, apesar de algumas até te situarem de como está o mundo e outras melhorarem algum equipamento do personagem, eles tem personagens pouco interessantes e sempre envoltos em um drama que permeia toda a história de uma forma que nada te surpreende mais, o sofrimento é o mesmo pro mundo todo então tem uma hora que vc só quer que eles parem de chorar e que você avance logo pra finalizar o jogo e acabar com o sofrimento mundial. A exploração e a descoberta nos mundos incríveis de Final Fantasy também não existem mais. não existem raças ou culturas variadas, quando tem, não te surpreendem. Voltar pra um esconderijo depois de uma missão e sempre ver aquele mesmo ambiente durante toda a jornada que parece mais vc saindo de casa e voltando depois de ir no shopping,, padaria, mercado e afins, torna massante a avenura em momentos onde as batalhas épicas não estão acontecendo. Upar o Clive também se tornou uma tarefa chata, você não sente a evolução do Clive se ele não pegar um novo Eikon, e quando você tem seus preferidos e upa suas habilidades, eles tem um limite e os pontos ganhos vc pode upar habilidades que não quer usar, ou só deixar lá acumulando pra na, tentando melhorar seu dano com level que vc demora pra ganhar e nem sente diferença.
    A escolha por gráficos ao invés de expandir o jogo com um mundo maior e mais rico, armaduras diferentes, armas novas, culturas variadas e problemas diferentes, tornou este final fantasy, uma versão desidratada onde deixaram só aquilo que o povo sempre aclamou como aspectos importantes de um todo muito maior que deixaram de lado mas que fazia muita diferença olhando agora só história e gráficos isolado de ótimas mecânicas    … Expand
  21. deceased_goat
    Aug 16, 2023
    6
    Really disappointed with this entry. I was originally going to hold off as I wasn't overly excited by what I was reading during development, but I pre-ordered last minute. There are some great moments within the game, but unfortunately these are a scarcity amongst the monotony of lackluster side content and a world that doesn't engender the desire to really explore. The world also doesn'tReally disappointed with this entry. I was originally going to hold off as I wasn't overly excited by what I was reading during development, but I pre-ordered last minute. There are some great moments within the game, but unfortunately these are a scarcity amongst the monotony of lackluster side content and a world that doesn't engender the desire to really explore. The world also doesn't feel lived in for me - it feels hollow and devoid of interesting characteristics. The new direction on with the action is not one I favoured. I liked the turn based systems of old, the gambit system from XII, and the hybrid system of FFVII remake, but the full on action didn't peak my interest here. Interestingly I enjoyed FFXV's action orientated approach, but XVI just isn't landing. Overall it's another FF ticked off, but I'll hold fire on getting XVII if it takes the same path.… Expand
  22. BigKidPlays
    Sep 9, 2023
    6
    The demo was the best part of the game in hindsight. The rest of the game is so slow, with so many cut scenes, dialogues, long mission completed screens, slow traversal, etc, and it's all made worse by so much filler and useless side quests. Somewhere in here is a decent story (but with a lacklustre ending) with some fun, mindless combat but it's just bogged down in a slog of content thatThe demo was the best part of the game in hindsight. The rest of the game is so slow, with so many cut scenes, dialogues, long mission completed screens, slow traversal, etc, and it's all made worse by so much filler and useless side quests. Somewhere in here is a decent story (but with a lacklustre ending) with some fun, mindless combat but it's just bogged down in a slog of content that doesn't matter. And yes the side quests are that bad... some of the worst I've ever seen. The positives of the game just can't outdo the negatives.… Expand
  23. Bestx
    Jul 14, 2023
    6
    Pros:
    - One of the best Narrative i've ever seen in a Videogame.
    - Particle effect implementation and graphics overall are astonishing - Great Character and Maybe one of the best Main characters of the Whole franchise Cons: -Too linear -Shallow side quests -RPG features that are reduced to bones, and it is not negative because FF must be an RPG saga. It is negative because These    Pros:
    - One of the best Narrative i've ever seen in a Videogame.
    - Particle effect implementation and graphics overall are astonishing
    - Great Character and Maybe one of the best Main characters of the Whole franchise
    Cons:
    -Too linear
    -Shallow side quests
    -RPG features that are reduced to bones, and it is not negative because FF must be an RPG saga. It is negative because These elements are an obstacle to the true gameplay.
    -Gameplay with a decent amount of battle option but at the end a bit "Button Smashing"
    -Creatures sometimes unispired, some of them are spongy enough and overall FF XV did a lot better on the Creature part.
    - Big Beautiful bosses but with zero to little interactivity on the gameplay side
    -Zero interaction with the world
    Ultra Cons (Horrible)
    - There are some of the worst invisible walls ever made in a videogame. Even DB: Budokai Tenkaichi 3 did a lot better.    … Expand
  24. Renny90
    Jun 24, 2023
    6
    Game is a one of this year’s biggest disappointments, but it got some perks:

    Pros: + Loved the main characters design, especially Cid, they are more mature and relatable than previous FF titles + Scenery is beautiful, there is alot of cinematic moments when you’re just strolling around or fighting + Combat is flashy and beautiful + Eikon fights are really well done and never get boring    Game is a one of this year’s biggest disappointments, but it got some perks:

    Pros:
    + Loved the main characters design, especially Cid, they are more mature and relatable than previous FF titles
    + Scenery is beautiful, there is alot of cinematic moments when you’re just strolling around or fighting
    + Combat is flashy and beautiful
    + Eikon fights are really well done and never get boring

    Cons:
    - The game is too easy and not challenging at all even if you play on action-focused and without timely accessories, you never feel you’re going to die and you’ll never see the game over screen and even if you do you’ll get go back to where you left the Boss HP and with more pots than you had before. This is my main gripe with the game and it’s such a shame when the combat system is fun.

    - World is empty and side characters/content/npcs/quests are soulless , I don’t mind a semi linear world when it’s done well (God of War), but this game had no excuse for half-a**ing this when it’s not an open world.

    - Story starts slow,then picks up again and you’d think it’s going to be great but falls off again    … Expand
  25. Loreandgames
    Jun 23, 2023
    6
    The tempo of the game is horrible. The side quests are a shame. The arc of some characters (especially female: Benedikta, Jill and Anabella) is incredibly bad (I don't want to make spoilers... but they don't matter at all in the story).
    Combat is fun and technically it's nice... But it has ZERO, NADA, NIENTE RPG in it... NOTHING...
    The history it leaves a lot to be desired. It doesn't    The tempo of the game is horrible. The side quests are a shame. The arc of some characters (especially female: Benedikta, Jill and Anabella) is incredibly bad (I don't want to make spoilers... but they don't matter at all in the story).
    Combat is fun and technically it's nice... But it has ZERO, NADA, NIENTE RPG in it... NOTHING...
    The history it leaves a lot to be desired. It doesn't feel like a final fantasy at all.    … Expand
  26. 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
  27. JennBee
    Jun 23, 2023
    6
    Yeah, the music, story and graphic are pretty good. But there's maybe five minutes of gameplay between every 20 mins of cutscenes. It's more like an interactive anime with Quick Time Events (in 2023?). Fights are kinda boring and are easy and accomplishable by 1 button spam. Story is ok but it tends to drift from itself and gets dragged on at times. Side quests are weak and boring. With soYeah, the music, story and graphic are pretty good. But there's maybe five minutes of gameplay between every 20 mins of cutscenes. It's more like an interactive anime with Quick Time Events (in 2023?). Fights are kinda boring and are easy and accomplishable by 1 button spam. Story is ok but it tends to drift from itself and gets dragged on at times. Side quests are weak and boring. With so little actual gameplay, I'm not convinced it's much of a game l. Nice to look at, but probably not 70 dollars worth.

    And def not game of the year.    … Expand
  28. Mezzrim
    Jun 23, 2023
    6
    This game is on auto mode and plays itself. The game is beautiful when they turn on lighting, lots of particles. There are inconsistencies with the framerate in some areas, and sometimes the story forgets what it established 10min before. Don't worry about failing, you'll be revived with full health and potions, which drags the experience even more. The action resumes itself to buttonThis game is on auto mode and plays itself. The game is beautiful when they turn on lighting, lots of particles. There are inconsistencies with the framerate in some areas, and sometimes the story forgets what it established 10min before. Don't worry about failing, you'll be revived with full health and potions, which drags the experience even more. The action resumes itself to button mashing and some really uninspired quick time events. The enemies are damages sponges and the level ups mean nothing. I suggest watching lets plays if you want the story. The action is broken by level up windows and no music switches when it's time to fight.


    Graphics great
    Audio good Presentation average +
    Gameplay poor/inexistant
    Experience poor    … Expand
  29. Guiyerod444
    Jul 8, 2023
    6
    The game is a movie game let's make it clear. Everything relating to this is good: plot, cutscenes, characters, etc...

    Everything else is mediocre getting closer to bad. The world (as in exploration) is very boring, you cannot interact with anything but monsters and chests, the chests rarely give you anything valuable. The combat is cool however is very restricted, you can only use 2    The game is a movie game let's make it clear. Everything relating to this is good: plot, cutscenes, characters, etc...

    Everything else is mediocre getting closer to bad. The world (as in exploration) is very boring, you cannot interact with anything but monsters and chests, the chests rarely give you anything valuable.

    The combat is cool however is very restricted, you can only use 2 abilities per Eikon (elemental power) and the earlier you are into the game the less fun the combat is because you have less choices of powers. I never felt any scaling compared to enemies, all the enemies felt like hit sponges at any level and the game is easy for a person who plays games on a regular basis, I am 50 percent done and still have not died.

    Side quests are horrible fetch quests from MMO's made by MMO developers there's no way to cope this just accept they are bad. Animations during side quests are also very mediocre compared to the main story cutscenes. What's the point of making bad side quests? They are pointless just don't put them in your game, they serve no purpose at all.

    The dungeons are very badly designed, they are just basically MMO dungeons with no variety at all, hallway, room, fight hit sponge monsters and repeat. One on One boss battle and hunts are fun and I feel the combat was designed around this because it really doesn't work with mobs.

    Very average game dressed as a ''GOTY candidate'', it makes a great movie because everything that is not gameplay is very very good however if you look to the gaming aspect it's utter **** and very lazy coming from such a huge AAA company.    … Expand
  30. Hontoo
    Jun 24, 2023
    6
    I cleared this video game, but I couldn’t find its uniqueness. The sub-quests were boring and the story wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t very good either. I enjoyed the combat system, but there were many scenes where I couldn’t see the enemy’s attack due to excessive effects, which hindered the fun. I think this game is an ordinary game.
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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

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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.
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  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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