Final Fantasy XVI

Introduction

Final Fantasy has always been a series defined by reinvention. With each numbered entry, Square Enix has pushed boundaries and redefined what a JRPG can be. Final Fantasy XVI continues this tradition with perhaps the most dramatic shift yet—a mature, politically charged dark fantasy that draws more inspiration from Game of Thrones than traditional JRPG tropes.

Developed by Creative Business Unit III, the team behind the critically acclaimed Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn and its expansions, FFXVI represents a significant departure from recent entries. Gone are the turn-based battles and open worlds of previous games, replaced by a character-action combat system and a more focused, narrative-driven experience. The question is: does this new direction succeed in creating a worthy addition to the storied franchise?

Story & Setting

Final Fantasy XVI takes place in Valisthea, a medieval fantasy world dominated by six nations that have built their power and influence around magical crystals called Mothercrystals. These crystals provide aether, the source of magic that powers civilization. The world is plagued by a mysterious Blight that slowly consumes the land, creating tension between nations as resources dwindle.

You play as Clive Rosfield, the firstborn son of the Archduke of Rosaria, whose life is shattered by a tragic event involving his younger brother Joshua, a Dominant—a person who can transform into a powerful being called an Eikon (this game's version of summons like Ifrit and Phoenix). What follows is a revenge-driven tale that spans decades, as Clive navigates a complex political landscape filled with betrayal, war, and existential threats.

The narrative is undoubtedly one of FFXVI's strongest elements. The writing is sharp, the characters are well-developed, and the political intrigue is genuinely engaging. Unlike many JRPGs that take dozens of hours to get going, FFXVI hooks you from the opening hours with high stakes and emotional impact. The game isn't afraid to tackle mature themes like slavery, classism, religious fanaticism, and the corrupting influence of power—all while maintaining the series' trademark exploration of identity and purpose.

The cast of characters deserves special mention. From Clive's stoic determination to the mysterious Dominant Jill Warrick, each major character feels fully realized with clear motivations and personal growth throughout the story. The antagonists are equally compelling, with understandable (if not always sympathetic) reasons for their actions. Voice acting is exceptional across the board, with performances that bring genuine emotion to even the most fantastical scenarios.

Gameplay & Combat

Final Fantasy XVI represents the series' most dramatic shift toward action gameplay yet. Directed by Ryota Suzuki, whose credits include Devil May Cry 5 and Dragon's Dogma, the combat system is a far cry from the turn-based or ATB systems of classic Final Fantasy. Instead, it's a full-fledged character action game with combos, dodges, parries, and spectacular special moves.

As Clive, you'll wield a variety of Eikonic abilities absorbed from defeated Dominants. These powers—derived from series staples like Ifrit, Garuda, Titan, and others—can be seamlessly switched during combat, allowing for creative combos and strategic adaptations to different enemy types. The system is impressively fluid, with attacks chaining together in satisfying ways that make you feel genuinely powerful.

The progression system is equally well-implemented. As you defeat enemies and complete quests, you'll earn ability points to unlock new skills on various skill trees. Each Eikon has its own progression path, encouraging experimentation with different playstyles. The crafting and upgrade systems are streamlined but effective, allowing you to enhance your weapons and accessories without getting bogged down in excessive menu management.

Where the gameplay falters somewhat is in its level design. While visually stunning, most areas are relatively linear, with limited exploration and few meaningful secrets to discover. Side quests, while narratively interesting, often boil down to standard fetch quests or monster hunts. This more focused approach allows the game to maintain its narrative momentum but may disappoint players hoping for the vast open worlds of recent entries like Final Fantasy XV.

Eikon Battles

One of Final Fantasy XVI's most impressive features is its Eikon battles—massive, cinematic confrontations between godlike beings that serve as the game's most memorable set pieces. These encounters shift gameplay styles dramatically, sometimes resembling kaiju battles, other times feeling like mecha combat or even fighting games.

Each Eikon battle is uniquely designed with different mechanics and visual spectacle. One moment you might be engaged in a fast-paced duel across a burning cityscape, the next you could be in a Power Rangers-style giant monster battle complete with devastating special moves and environmental destruction. The scale and creativity of these encounters is breathtaking, often pushing the PS5 hardware to its limits with particle effects, detailed models, and seamless transitions between gameplay and cutscenes.

What makes these battles particularly effective is how they're integrated into the narrative. Unlike many JRPGs where summons feel like flashy but disconnected special attacks, Eikons are central to FFXVI's story and world. Each confrontation has significant stakes and emotional weight, making them feel like natural climaxes to major story arcs rather than arbitrary boss fights.

Visuals & Sound

Visually, Final Fantasy XVI is nothing short of spectacular. Running on a modified version of the Luminous Engine, the game showcases what the PlayStation 5 is capable of with stunning environmental detail, realistic character models, and jaw-dropping special effects. The art direction successfully blends the series' fantastical elements with a more grounded medieval European aesthetic, creating a world that feels both familiar and magical.

Particular attention has been paid to character animations, both in combat and cutscenes. Facial expressions are remarkably nuanced, conveying subtle emotions that enhance the storytelling. The seamless transitions between gameplay and in-engine cutscenes maintain immersion throughout the experience.

The soundtrack, composed by Masayoshi Soken (known for his work on Final Fantasy XIV), is a masterpiece that deserves recognition alongside Nobuo Uematsu's classic scores. The music shifts effortlessly between epic orchestral pieces for battle sequences, haunting vocal tracks for emotional moments, and subtle ambient themes that enhance the atmosphere of different regions. Several reimagined classic Final Fantasy themes make appearances at perfect moments, evoking nostalgia while fitting seamlessly into the new setting.

Voice acting deserves special praise, with performances that bring genuine emotion and nuance to the characters. The game offers both English and Japanese voice options, with the English cast delivering particularly strong performances that capture the medieval European-inspired setting. The sound design is equally impressive, from the satisfying impact of combat moves to the ambient sounds that bring Valisthea's various environments to life.

Technical Performance

Final Fantasy XVI runs impressively well on the PlayStation 5, maintaining a stable framerate even during the most chaotic combat encounters and spectacular Eikon battles. Players can choose between Performance Mode (targeting 60fps with slightly reduced visual fidelity) and Graphics Mode (emphasizing visual quality at a lower framerate), though Performance Mode is recommended for the action-heavy gameplay.

Load times are nearly non-existent thanks to the PS5's SSD, with fast travel being almost instantaneous and transitions between areas seamless. The game makes good use of the DualSense controller's haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, adding tactile sensations that enhance combat and exploration.

During our review period, we encountered very few bugs or technical issues—a refreshing change from many modern AAA releases. The occasional camera issue during intense combat sequences and rare instances of texture pop-in were the only notable technical shortcomings, neither of which significantly detracted from the experience.