Final Fantasy XVI Reviews
Final Fantasy XVI, which follows a different path from the series' usual path, has been properly ported to the PC platform and made available to more players, and we recommend it with peace of mind.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Putting the side quests aside, Final Fantasy XVI can be considered a truly great game with its new theme and epic gameplay.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
Though Final Fantasy XVI departs from the franchise formula, it still maintains so much of what makes Final Fantasy such a beloved franchise. It has easily become one of my new favorite entries in the series. The game does its own thing, and while I do miss some classic Final Fantasy RPG elements, I certainly enjoy the cinematic action Final Fantasy XVI has to offer.
Final Fantasy XVI feels absolutely at home on PC. With excellent optimisation that’s bolstered by impressive Frame Generation technology, it’s a relatively smooth sailing experience if you have the hardware to handle it.
To sum up, I’ll quote myself from a tweet I posted when I happily traded the game in after finishing it. “Bloated beyond any resemblance of fun, unlikeable characters and incoherent pish for a story.”
Final Fantasy XVI is the pinnacle of the franchise, the fantasy genre, and gaming overall.
At its core, Final Fantasy 16 is a glorified amalgam of the best action-RPG games of the past decade. It’s a stunning work of art which thanks to its enthralling narrative, phenomenal orchestra, stupefying boss fights, and amazeballs combat, shines amongst its lineage as a worthy, yet different addition. Final Fantasy 16 is an Eikonic adventure, and while it has severely lackluster RPG elements, it’s still the best mainline Final Fantasy game we’ve had in a long, long time.
Final Fantasy XVI is the JRPG of the year, and maybe even of the next five years. It's hard to imagine any game in the genre that could measure up to it.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
Final Fantasy 16 is as good as it is not because it strays from what has come before it, but because it embraces its roots. Everything the series has done, gameplay-wise, over the last few mainline releases, has all set up for what FF16 pulls off with its fantastic-feeling combat. For all the focus on its maturity and shocking narrative, the things that FF16 does with its impactful story have been present in games all throughout the series. And by letting a team like Creative Business Unit 3 take the reins, the best aspects of Final Fantasy 16 feel like pieces of one of the most beloved games in all of the franchise: Final Fantasy 14. I won't deny the series is heading in a new direction, but have no fear, the ways in which Final Fantasy 16 succeeds are deeply rooted in the series' greatest traditions.
Final Fantasy XVI is a page-turner. Better still, it's the beginning of a new book. Although there are some things that still bring to mind the weight that the name carries, Square Enix takes a completely different path in almost everything this experience gives us. It's a good story, with its exceptional peaks, but the climb up there is quite boring and difficult to digest. It feels that, somewhere in middle of the story there are repetitive moments of sloppiness that greatly undermined everything good that this Final Fantasy could provide us. I accept that the changes had to happen, but it leaves a bittersweet taste in the end.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Final Fantasy XVI is a spectacular, exciting and fun journey that you will not want to leave until the end.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Final Fantasy XVI is very unique both within the series and in the field of hack'n'slash titles. If you are looking for an RPG that is more focused on the individual aspects of the fight and the story as such, then you will definitely enjoy the game. The story is on par with the best not only in the series, but in the games as a whole, which, with pompous moments, brings an incredibly fresh and unique experience that can satisfy both old fans and complete newcomers. This is a candidate for game of the year.
Review in Czech | Read full review
Final Fantasy 16 works on many levels, with a fantastic story and addictive combat system that keeps you coming back for me, along with incredible visuals that bring the world of Valisthea to life like no entry in the series before it, and I’m including Midgar from FF7 Remake in that comparison. On the other hand, you also have some of the MMO traits that hold it back from being a true classic, with a lot of pointless side quests and a few underwhelming game systems that feel as if they’re designed to waste time, in a game that doesn’t need its runtime extended.
Final Fantasy XVI is a monumental step forward for the franchise. Its grim and grounded narrative boasting some of the franchise’s best characters, music, and voice acting, is only outclassed by the masterful boss battles and addictive action combat system. The latest entry in the Final Fantasy series is one of the best comprehensive offerings Square Enix has released in the last decade and a must-buy title for RPG fans.
Final Fantasy XVI admittedly isn’t what I’m accustomed to when it comes to mainline Final Fantasy games, but it’s still strong. Though it can get in its own way from time to time with overly long and interruptive cutscenes, the gameplay, story, and characters ensure this is an overall enjoyable entry to the Final Fantasy series.
One of the best new Final Fantasy’s since Final Fantasy X. With gameplay that will be appealing to both old and new players of Final Fantasy, 16 is a step in the right direction for the long-running franchise. With a great story and likable characters, you are instantly drawn in. With exciting action sequences and music to match, this new iteration will not disappoint
Final Fantasy XVI manages to wash away the foul aftertaste of Final Fantasy XV without any problems. It has become a much better game on all fronts. The story may start slowly and in the beginning does not feel very much like we are used to from the series, but once the brakes are off it does not stop. Many fans will immediately drop out because of the combat, because it should be turn-based. That does not alter the fact that the end product has become very good. I warmly welcome new fans who have become interested in the setting and combat. Don't let yourself be chased away.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
Perfection is not of this world, and even Final Fantasy XVI is not without blemishes. They however vanish in front of the excellent narrative, epic world, and technical marvels.
Review in Italian | Read full review
At the end of the day, Final Fantasy XVI is an ambitious attempt to iterate on the series’ combat and story formulas, and for the most part is largely successful. Battles are frenetic and fun, with a combo system that feels simple to use but offers plenty of customization through Eikonic abilities. The world is unique and interesting, with varied character motivations and complex political landscapes. While darker than most of its predecessors, XVI‘s themes of acceptance, self-actualization and friendship resonate just as strongly as anything the series has offered thus far, and this is one of the strongest casts in recent memory. There’s a lot to love here, despite some of the game’s shortcomings and rushed ending. If nothing else, it’s given me a lot to think about, and for me, that’s well worth the price of admission.
Whether you’re a newcomer to the series or a Final Fantasy veteran, there is a ton to love with Final Fantasy 16. Its darker tone really helps portray the grim nature of the story and the series’ return to high fantasy. I fell in love with the characters throughout the lengthy journey and am looking forward to jumping back in to test my skills in the game’s more difficult new game+ mode. Magic may be disappearing from Valisthea but its truly returned to the mainline Final Fantasy series.