Final Fantasy XVI Reviews
With an incredible score, an enthralling story, and an eccentric and electric gameplay approach, Final Fantasy 16 is, quite simply, a modern masterpiece.
With a cast of characters that are easy to invest in, a story that pays off the promise of its impossible scale, and one of the best action combat systems ever committed to disk, Final Fantasy XVI is a game that you owe it to yourself to indulge in.
At its best, Final Fantasy 16 is a jaw-dropping epic of rarely seen proportions. It's pretty much the pinnacle of cinematic spectacle in modern games, and its often gripping, emotional story is only matched by its fantastic combat system. While its overall quality does dip outside of the main plot, this is still a must-play action RPG, and the best single-player Final Fantasy in over a decade.
Very little gets in the way of the success that Final Fantasy XVI creates. The strength of combat on top of a compelling, deep narrative steal the show. Despite little need for world exploration and the occasional lower resolution texture, Final Fantasy XVI stats true to the namesake while forging its own path forward.
Final Fantasy XVI decided it wanted to be different. Gone is any element of turn-based combat. But not all typical Final Fantasy elements have been left by the curb. An excellent musical score, great cast of characters, and a story that will be hard to top are all here. There are a few hiccups with this new style. I missed a minimap more than I thought I would, cutscenes back to back after taking ten steps was a common annoyance, and side-quests feel like an afterthought. But those are small potato issues. This is a Final Fantasy game for both newcomers and those who loved the old-school fantasy settings of previous entries. Final Fantasy XVI isn't perfect, but it's close.
What it all amounts to is one of the most detailed and beautifully made games in the series. Final Fantasy XVI is a masterpiece. From its stellar writing, music, world-building and incredible cast, this has easily taken the mantle as my favorite Final Fantasy in the series to date.
In conclusion, Final Fantasy XVI is a game that has proven to be a return to form for the series. The quality of the graphics and sound is impressive, the gameplay is very entertaining, as well as a combat system that hooks as well as its sufficient duration. However, it is important to note that the game requires a relatively high hardware configuration to function properly.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Final Fantasy 16 ticks plenty of boxes – fluid combat, epic boss battles and an engaging story – but for every win, there’s a spectacular fail, be it the bland semi-open world devoid of much to do or the uninspired fetch quest-style side quests. It’s a game at its best when its focus is narrowed, but that doesn’t happen often enough.
The most fundamental flaw of Final Fantasy XVI is its inability or unwillingness to delve too deeply into the machinations of inequality, but its greatest strength is how the story details the way that people march forward toward freedom. There’s absolutely no doubt that Clive believes in his home, and while he may be one of only a few to swing a sword, bringing houses and bridges and feeding those with empty stomachs is the work of many. Watching Clive’s work come to fruition and build the world for future generations may be the most powerful summoning spell ever cast in the entirety of Final Fantasy.
Final Fantasy XVI represents a major change in the Final Fantasy formula, thanks to a switch to full-bore action as well as the focus on a single playable character. It’s a switch that can be polarizing for sure but it also opens up all sorts of new possibilities for the franchise. Admittedly, the narrative, while compelling, can lose focus at times. The action, though, is quite good and the music remains top notch Final Fantasy. If you’ve never tried a Final Fantasy game before, Final Fantasy XVI is arguably the most accessible Final Fantasy game to date for newcomers.
Final Fantasy XVI for the PlayStation 5 marries iconic series elements with brutal political intrigue and intense action to create a gripping entry unlike any other in the franchise.
Final Fantasy XVI is the most ambitious entry in the saga. Luckily, the developers at Square Enix have been able to meet that challenge head-on, crafting a stellar RPG that will stand the test of time.
Final Fantasy 16 is more an evolution than a revolution. It's an ode to the license, a reinterpretation of the myth as rarely seen, and a spectacular game. It's an accomplished modern vision, an assertive turn to action with a near perfect gameplay but which has almost nothing left of an RPG. A remarkable game full of sincerity.
Review in French | Read full review
Despite not being perfect, the way Final Fantasy XVI presents a new combat sistema and an epic story, elevates it to being one of the best Final Fantasy games and also, one of the greatest games of the year.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Final Fantasy 16 does a great job modernizing its gameplay with its combat system, but the story has weaknesses.
Review in German | Read full review
Final Fantasy XVI is an excellent continuation point for the Square Enix saga, which, after several missteps, seems to have found the right balance between the tradition of the franchise and a new unabashedly more mature ethic.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Final Fantasy XVI is a bold and ambitious new vision for the franchise, that succeeds on almost every level.
A complete package, with all DLC packed in, Final Fantasy XVI Complete Edition lives up to its name. The performance on a wide variety of hardware speaks to a lot of optimization work, and mods make the skies the limit. This is the ultimate way to experience this fantastic entry to the series.
Final Fantasy XVI is a stone-cold masterpiece, and the new high-water mark for the series.