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Final Fantasy XVI
Critics Consensus (Play It)
Final Fantasy XVI is different from its predecessors, but at the same time, it also seems very familiar. FFXVI features breathtaking visuals, narrative maturity, and a layered combat system. This is a new benchmark in action-RPGs.
Game Info
The land of Valisthea is studded with Mothercrystals—glittering mountains of crystal that tower over the realms around them, blessing them with aether. For generations, people have flocked to these beacons to take advantage of their blessing, using the aether to conjure magicks that let them live lives of comfort and plenty. Great powers have grown up around each Mothercrystal, and an uneasy peace has long reigned between them. Yet now the peace falters as the spread of the Blight threatens to destroy their dominions.
0%
Recommended
0%
Average Score
Total Reviews: 123
Nom: Best RPG (2023), Editors' Choice
Gold TIER
31% of scored reviews fell within the range of 86 to 92 / 100
RELEASE DATES:
GENRES:
- Action, RPG
DEVELOPER(S):
- Square Enix Creative Business Unit III
PUBLISHER(S):
- Square Enix
SERIES/FRANCHISE:
- Final Fantasy
GAME MODES:
- Single player
Where to Play
WHERE TO PLAY
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RATING & REVIEWS
Ratings & Reviews
123
Critic Reviews
89
Average Critic Score
Where to Play
CRITIC REVIEWS
All reviews are from professional critics. Learn more about the critics VSG aggregates.
High Score
100%
Median Score
90%
Low Score
60%
What did you think of Final Fantasy XVI?
Player Reviews0 Votes
0
Michael Higham (GameSpot)
June 21, 2023
9/10
FFXVI is a bold shift in both gameplay and narrative, yet captures the Final Fantasy magic in stunning fashion, earning a place within the pantheon of incredible entries in the beloved franchise.
Wesley LeBlanc (Game Informer)
June 21, 2023
8.5/10
When I look back at my time with Clive, his friends, his enemies, and Valisthea, it’s those highs that I vividly remember. FFXVI is very different from its predecessors, but in many ways, very familiar; And it’s still a Final Fantasy, through and through, reminding me why I love this series so much.
Iain Harris (GamesRadar+)
June 21, 2023
4.5/5 stars
It’s the kind of gamble that Final Fantasy has happily made in the past so that the series may reinvent itself to execute the type of story its creatives want to tell. Time will tell if Final Fantasy 16 pays off, but history certainly supports it.
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Score Ranges
Read the Reviews (123 total)
| Outlet | Author | Score | Date | Quote | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACG | Jeremy Penter | Recommended | 06-21-2023 | A game in a series known for massive changes, easily changes the most, focusing on a tighter story, very specific combat type and arts like DMC, and delivers a beautiful, if truncated world. Well worth getting” | Read review |
| Areajugones | Juan Linares | 9.6 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is a gift to the fans, it’s a gift to the world of video games. Friends, enjoy it, enjoy it very much. | Read review |
| Atomix | Alberto Desfassiaux | 95 / 100 | 06-21-2023 | 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. | Read review |
| Attack of the Fanboy | Diego Perez | 5 / 5 stars | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is an outstanding achievement. Every part of it, from its characters to its combat, was put there with a purpose. Not only does it deliver satisfyingly slick action RPG combat in between masterfully directed cutscenes, but also a story with real heart. Most importantly, it’s incredibly clear that a team of creative individuals was behind every decision. There’s a human element that permeates every aspect of Final Fantasy XVI, and it’ll end up becoming a lot of people’s favorite Final Fantasy because of that. | Read review |
| BaziCenter | Mohammad Zamani | 9.5 / 10 | 07-09-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI may not be perfect, and surely some changes may not be welcomed by the fans of the older games, but these changes are necessary to push the series forward, and one day, all these new changes will be the ones that we know and love the Final Fantasy series for. | Read review |
| Bazimag | Vahid Zohrabi Nejad | 9 / 10 | 07-02-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is definitely not a perfect title, but it is exactly what it should be and of course what the fans of this series have been waiting for for a long time. A Game that is not afraid of innovations and big decisions in the overall structure of the series. In addition to injecting a new soul into the series, it has its own special and unique charm and those who made it really love it. Although the game has seen new and varied changes in its general and detailed structure, it is definitely one of the most FF games of the last few years, and maybe we can finally say that after number 12, we have a single-player title from the main series that deserves to carry this legendary title. | Read review |
| But Why Tho? | Kyle Foley | 10 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | In a world full of games trying to stand out, Final Fantasy XVI has no problem rising above the rest. Wonderfully fun combat and beautiful presentation help make the excellent story even more impactful in an adventure well worth the price of admission. | Read review |
| Capsule Computers | Travis Bruno | 8.5 / 10 | 06-22-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is an incredible action game that offers an epic tale with gorgeous visuals and an amazing soundtrack but lacking content will be noticeable to fans of the series. | Read review |
| Cerealkillerz | Nick Erlenhof | 9.3 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI offers epicness in its story, massively fun action in its battles, and a magnificently crafted world with an enormous amount of variety and seriousness. If you’re looking for a gritty role-playing game of the highest order and you own a PS5, this is a must-have. | Read review |
| CGMagazine | Chris De Hoog | 10 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI melds the best of the series’ themes with a modern, malleable take on combat—creating a heartrending, generation-defining tale of revenge, fate, and freedom. | Read review |
| Checkpoint Gaming | Charlie Kelly | 9 / 10 | 06-20-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is a weirdo black-sheep entry for the series. It won’t be for all nor what all fans necessarily want for the franchise, but I also love it for that boldness. It’s a gripping and harrowing page-turner of an epic high-fantasy story with plenty of heart the series is known for. Complex too are the characters, even if not all see their justice by the end. Valisthea is an eerily gorgeous setting, providing some of the most memorable vistas you’ll have seen in a Final Fantasy game yet. Accessibility might not be at the forefront of the combat in-game but on offer is some of the most stylistic, and satisfying gameplay we’ve ever seen in an Action RPG. Even if you take further umbrage with its small flaws, there’s no denying that Final Fantasy XVI is a special and memorable event. Through thick and thin, that franchise magic is captured once again. Frankly, you can’t ask for anything better than that. | Read review |
| Chicas Gamers | Estela Villa | Recommended | 06-29-2023 | Final Fantasy 16 is back with a game that recovers a good story, some epic battles between eikons and some visually spectacular combats. In addition, Clive is a very well built character and one that will surely remain in the retina of those of you who play the game. But the game also has its shadows and I’m not saying ir this because there are parts where you have to increase the brightness to the maximum, but because the RPG section is very poor, the level design is quite simple and the secondary missions are passable, in addition to the loss of pace from the second half. With its pros and cons, it is a very enjoyable game and that locals and strangers will like during its more than 30 hours that its main campaign lasts, expandable up to almost 70 hours if we want to complete it 100%. | Read review |
| COGconnected | James Paley | 100 / 100 | 06-21-2023 | In many ways, XVI hardly resembles the usual FF experience. There’s no massive party of adventurers, no MP-based magic system, and no open world map traversal, among other things. And yet, I got the quintessential Final Fantasy experience. There’s a sweeping, epic story. The stakes are incredibly high. Clive is beset by tragedy and hardship. He experiences character growth, moments of joy, companionship, and love. The battles go from mundane to impossibly epic. Clive is given all the power, special moves, and responsibilities of a capital ‘P’ Protagonist. The game is gorgeous, the music is incredible, and the story got its hooks deep into my flesh. Despite my initial misgivings, I’ve come to love this game completely. Long-time fans, series newcomers, RPG enthusiasts, hear me now: Final Fantasy XVI is the platonic ideal of FF games. They don’t get better than this. | Read review |
| Cubed3 | Sandy Kirchner-Wilson | 8 / 10 | 07-02-2023 | While it would be easy to look at Final Fantasy XVI from certain angles and proclaim something looks rough when looked at as a single package and a sum of its whole, this is a fantastic game. The cinematic flair, crazy action combat and extremely involved story with a nice side dish of world building make this a game worth playing. This is likely to appeal to fans of most character action games but also to those who just want another cool Final Fantasy to get lost in. Absolutely get this game. | Read review |
| Daily Star | Tom Hutchison | 5 / 5 stars | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI isn’t perfect. Its smaller battles can get a bit monotonous. The world arguably isn’t open enough for today’s standards. And the game takes far too long to reveal itself. But when you do hit those mega battles after hours of plugging away, the win tastes that much sweeter. And the combat, visuals and audio all work so well together in delivering a frantic action role-player that’ll give you tons of fun. | Read review |
| DASHGAMER.com | Dan Rizzo | 10 / 10 | 06-22-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI proposes a new foundation for finding a masterclass of perfection in action role-playing, and cements a prime legacy founded on past iterations, capitalising on a formula that’s seen inarguable successes throughout its years in this medium, and has promulgated an establishment of extravagance that will indeed be hard to surpass. | Read review |
| Destructoid | Eric Van Allen | 9 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | A hallmark of excellence. There may be flaws, but they are negligible and won’t cause massive damage. | Read review |
| Dexerto | Patrick Dane | 5 / 5 stars | 06-21-2023 | 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. | Read review |
| Digital Chumps | Will Silberman | 10 / 10 | 04-23-2022 | In short, Final Fantasy XVI is a breath of fresh air for the Final Fantasy franchise despite its first steps into its grittiest, darkest, and most mature space yet. Its combat showcases action-forward combat held together by a backbone of RPG-similar ability management. Its highs truly showcase phenomenal displays of power in many forms, while its lows effectively strike emotional chords in the hearts of players. This might not be a Final Fantasy fans expect, but boy, it’s what Final Fantasy games SHOULD be going forward. FFXVI doesn’t have a strongest asset, per se, because its entire presentation is a gripping and fun compilation of the best parts of gaming without the filler and frivolity. PS5 owners, I implore you, don’t miss out on what is currently my favorite game of the PS5 generation thus far. | Read review |
| Digital Trends | Giovanni Colantonio | 3 / 5 stars | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI delivers on the “action” side of its action-RPG formula. A fierce and fast-paced combat system makes for the series’ most exciting stab at real-time swordplay yet, while its blockbuster Eikon fights rank among some of gaming’s most awe-inspiring battles. But there’s a general flatness surrounding those exhilarating highs, as shallow RPG hooks and dated design leave a promising evolution for the series stuck in the past. | Read review |
| Digitally Downloaded | Matt Sainsbury | 5 / 5 stars | 06-22-2023 | It’s far too early to determine where Final Fantasy XVI sits in the ranks of Square Enix’s venerable series. However, this is an engrossing, entertaining and, most importantly, fiercely intelligent game. The developers have taken the AAA-blockbuster budget they had to work with, and used it to craft an experience with a strong, provocative and timely message, and then backed it up with some of the most entertaining action combat we’ve ever seen. Not a second of the game’s runtime is wasted, there’s not a single dud character, moment, or scene, and the plot is a riveting epic “page-turner.” If only more blockbuster games were like this, game development would be a far more mature art form. | Read review |
| DualShockers | Matthew O’Dwyer | 9 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy 16 is an excellent entry in the series, with a gripping story, thrilling combat, nuanced characters, and an ever-charming protagonist in Clive. DualShockers was provided with a copy of the game for review purposes. | Read review |
| Easy Allies | Michael Damiani | 4.5 / 5 stars | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI boldly dares to defy series norms and forge a new path forward, resulting in the most satisfying single-player Final Fantasy in nearly two decades. | Read review |
| Echo Boomer | David Fialho | Recommended | 06-30-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is definitely a Final Fantasy, an RPG, and a great action game, with incredible moments scattered throughout a game that suffers from pacing issues and inconsistent presentation. | Read review |
| Eurogamer | Edwin Evans-Thirlwell | Not Recommended | 06-21-2023 | FF16 is on some level a playable deconstruction of the traditional hero yarn – its plot painstakingly explores how the urge to fight everyone’s battles for them may disintegrate into egotism and even callousness, bred of thinking the world is yours to save. But the game’s insistence on playing out the hero fable regardless is having your cake and eating it – certainly, it doesn’t take 50 hours to grasp this morale. And while Final Fantasy 16 is perhaps the state of the art for real-time Final Fantasy combat, its dreary sidequests and slight excess of worldbuilding leave me reluctant to fire up New Game+. All told, I still prefer the older Final Fantasies, which also trade in stories of heroes averting the apocalypse, but always place those heroes second to the party. | Read review |
| Eurogamer.pt | Bruno Galvão | 4 / 5 stars | 06-29-2023 | Final Fantasy 16 has become one of my favorite games in the series and despite the problems of inconsistency in pace and quality (those fetch quests are really banal), the good is really good and that’s what prevails. I confess that the linear design with larger areas is a breath of fresh air in the middle of the huge open worlds and I loved the action combat that pulls for your talent. The Game of Thrones-style storytelling and the use of Final Fantasy lore in such a bold way are worthy of applause. | Read review |
| Everyeye.it | Antonello Bello | 8.8 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | 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. | Read review |
| Expansive | Laurie Jones | 8 / 10 | 07-03-2023 | Final Fantasy 16 is sure to split fans down the middle as it pushes toward a more mainstream audience, watering down some franchise staples, while removing others entirely. It is, however, a great entry point if you’ve never played the series before and one of the most spectacular-looking games so far this generation, accompanied by an enjoyable core loop that kept me invested for over 80 hours and some of the most memorable characters the series has produced in years. The localization is the best I’ve seen in FF history, with some incredible performances, and its breakdown of world history and character development is sure to be emulated and studied for years to come. | Read review |
| Fextralife | Castielle | 9.3 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is a marvelous game and successfully makes the element of ARPG work for a Final Fantasy game while maintaining its roots. With the absence of an open-world setting, the game makes up for it through storytelling, gameplay, and overall sound & design that fully immerses the player into the world of fantasy that we know by heart. | Read review |
| Game Informer | Wesley LeBlanc | 8.5 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | When I look back at my time with Clive, his friends, his enemies, and Valisthea, it’s those highs that I vividly remember. FFXVI is very different from its predecessors, but in many ways, very familiar; And it’s still a Final Fantasy, through and through, reminding me why I love this series so much. | Read review |
| Game Rant | Anthony Taormina | 5 / 5 stars | 06-21-2023 | The game is by no means perfect – its pacing is inconsistent and side quests can be hit or miss – but the combination of the combat and the story at large are strong enough to reduce any complaints to minor quibbles. Recently, Square Enix has come out to say that Final Fantasy can take on many different forms depending on the team behind it, and the folks at Creative Business Unit III have found a way to make this latest game their own. There is so much joy and care put into making sure that this experience feels epic and rewards its fan base, even though it’s doing a lot of new things. Final Fantasy 16 is proof that the unexpected can be just as enjoyable as the tried and true. | Read review |
| Game Revolution | Jason Faulkner | 4 / 5 stars | 07-06-2023 | Final Fantasy 16 goes too far in trying to be the anti-Final Fantasy 15. For me, this series has always been about the journey, and FF16 makes a beeline for the destination from the very beginning. Valisthea is an intriguing world with rich lore, and the game’s cast is great, from Clive down to the minor NPCs. That’s why I’m so confused by the devs not giving you more opportunities to take it all in. Sure, there are a ton of bombastic moments like the Eikon fights and shocking twists, but it’s missing the quiet and silly moments that capture fans’ adoration. | Read review |
| Gameblog | Tiny_Ellie | 8 / 10 | 06-22-2023 | 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. | Read review |
| Gamefa | Mostafa Zahedi | 8.5 / 10 | 06-26-2023 | Final Fantasy 16 is without a doubt one of the most epic video game experiences in recent years. From Great story to loveable characters and amazing combat, Final Fantasy 16 gives us ample reasons to adore it. That being said, disappointing side quests and performance issues are noticable issues that no one can ignore. Nonetheless, Final Fantasy 16 delivers one of the most enjoyable experiences of recent years. | Read review |
| GameGrin | Bex Prouse | 9.5 / 10 | 07-29-2023 | Overall, Final Fantasy XVI is a phenomenal gaming experience that I enjoyed from start to finish. With dynamic gameplay, amazing characters, and an emotional storyline, new and old fans alike will love the latest entry in the franchise. | Read review |
| GameMAG | Unknown | 9 / 10 | 07-04-2023 | The team at Creative Business Unit III has found their spark, and managed to use it to turn Final Fantasy XVI into unyielding flame. One that shines more than many others. | Read review |
| GamePro | Eleen Reinke, Markus Schwerdtel | 84 / 100 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy 16 does a great job modernizing its gameplay with its combat system, but the story has weaknesses. | Read review |
| Gamer Escape | Josh McGrath | 9 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Stellar and surprisingly customizable combat, a masterfully written and engaging storyline, and a beautiful audio visual presentation. It’s nearly a complete package, but with a few annoyances that keep it from being a perfect game. That said, even with those frustrations in mind, Final Fantasy XVI is an absolute return to form for the mainline franchise, and easily a reason to get yourself a PlayStation 5 if you’ve yet to. | Read review |
| Gamersky | 心灵奇兵 | 9.3 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI creates an unforgettable experience and continues the legacy of Final Fantasy. | Read review |
| GAMES.CH | Benjamin Braun | 90 / 100 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is a great RPG in nearly any aspect, concerning atmosphere, graphics including spectacular effects, twistful story or the fantastic soundtrack and voiceover. But the real star of this epic adventure is the combat system with its fast, fluid and diverse action, inspired by Hack-and-Slash dye games. Any fight is fun peaking in overwhelming bosses and mind-blowing Esper battles. | Read review |
| GameSkinny | Jason Rodriguez | 8 / 10 | 06-27-2023 | My tastes have changed over the years, and I neglected certain franchise titles in that time. However, despite its missteps, I can wholeheartedly say Final Fantasy 16 managed to bring together in one title the things I loved about the earlier series’ entries, all while making most of the experience fresh and entertaining. The grim-dark tone, spectacular “kaiju battles,” and grandiose transformations with over-the-top action kept me entertained. | Read review |
| GameSpew | Richard Seagrave | 9 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is a brave new direction for the long-running RPG series, and one that pays off. We haven’t been this engaged by a Final Fantasy title in quite some time, and we absolutely love the new action-focused combat system. Sometimes elements of the new and old Final Fantasy clash, and the story has some elements that left us scratching our heads, but overall this will be remembered as one of the greats. With stunning visuals, a rousing soundtrack, a fun combat system and an engaging politically-driven story, Final Fantasy XVI is quite simply a triumph. | Read review |
| GameSpot | Michael Higham | 9 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | FFXVI is a bold shift in both gameplay and narrative, yet captures the Final Fantasy magic in stunning fashion, earning a place within the pantheon of incredible entries in the beloved franchise. | Read review |
| GamesRadar+ | Iain Harris | 4.5 / 5 stars | 06-21-2023 | It’s the kind of gamble that Final Fantasy has happily made in the past so that the series may reinvent itself to execute the type of story its creatives want to tell. Time will tell if Final Fantasy 16 pays off, but history certainly supports it. | Read review |
| GameWatcher | Neil Bolt | 7.5 / 10 | 07-11-2023 | A bold change of direction for the Final Fantasy series that almost manages to pull it off. Grandiose combat and great performances are the highlights, but a largely funneled story and underdeveloped environments sour the spectacle. | Read review |
| Gaming Nexus | Elliot Hilderbrand | 9 / 10 | 06-30-2023 | 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. | Read review |
| GamingBolt | Ravi Sinha | 10 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy 16 isn’t just a stellar video game with gorgeous graphics and incredible combat. It’s also an emotionally engaging experience and the absolute peak of everything the series stands for. | Read review |
| GamingTrend | David Flynn | 100 / 100 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI features excellent action combat and an intricate story, both with incredible depth. It combines gameplay, story, sound, and music together into one form all inextricably linked. It sets a new standard for action RPGs, and is quite possibly the pinnacle of the series. | Read review |
| GBAtemp | Krista Noren | 9.2 / 10 | 07-31-2023 | PlatinumGames’ influence on Final Fantasy’s action combat is a massive step in the right direction. That, combined with a thrilling war epic narrative and interesting characters makes for one fantastic game. | Read review |
| Geek Culture | Wong Si Jia | 9.3 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is a lot of things. It’s ambitious, gritty, and beautiful, but more importantly, it dares to dream. A sobering tale disguised as a dazzling visual spectacle, the almost-masterpiece presents a nuanced, clever take on all-too-familiar elements, and turns them into fresh experiences that devastate as much as they delight, before delivering the biggest reward – a well-executed emotional payoff. | Read review |
| Geeks Under Grace | David Koury | 10 / 10 | 07-28-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is the pinnacle of the franchise, the fantasy genre, and gaming overall. | Read review |
| God is a Geek | Chris White | 10 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy 16 sets a new benchmark in action-RPGs, featuring a rich and fascinating story, and a layered and enjoyable combat system. | Read review |
| GRYOnline.pl | Sebastian Kasparek | 9.5 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | I still can’t escape Final Fantasy XVI’s world. I still think about all the events and the ending, and can’t play any other game for now. Those are the kinds of feelings that emerge after watching the greatest of movies, reading the best of books and playing the perfect games. Just wow. | Read review |
| Guardian | Malindy Hetfeld | 4 / 5 stars | 06-21-2023 | A more mature and realistic tone, stunning performances, a rounded likeable hero and a fully realised world make up for moments when this epic 40-hour game becomes a chore | Read review |
| Hardcore Gamer | Adam Beck | 5 / 5 stars | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI will change what we think of the franchise moving forward. | Read review |
| Hey Poor Player | Kenny McKee | 5 / 5 stars | 07-01-2023 | I may be a diehard classic Final Fantasy fan at heart, but there’s no getting past the fact that this game, with all of its high-octane, DMC-inspired action, is an absolutely phenomenal example of RPG craftsmanship. Setting out in a new direction once again, the oft-bitter, yet irresistibly engaging story and addictive, action-focused gameplay allow Final Fantasy XVI to stand tall as a phenomenal example of contemporary video game craftsmanship. | Read review |
| Hobby Consolas | Álvaro Alonso | 92 / 100 | 06-21-2023 | Like the Phoenix, Final Fantasy XVI rises from the ashes to regain its throne among the best RPGs. It is a game that exudes a confidence and firmness when it comes to carrying out everything that is proposed that we had not seen in the saga for years, proving that Final Fantasy does not need to wait its turn to shine like a star. | Read review |
| IGN | Mitchell Saltzman | 9 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Featuring fast, reflex driven, action heavy combat, Final Fantasy 16 is certainly a departure from what fans may expect out of a Final Fantasy game, but its excellent story, characters, and world building are right up there with the best the series has to offer, and the innovative Active Time Lore feature should set a new standard for how lengthy, story-heavy games keep players invested in its world. | Read review |
| IGN Italy | Alessandra Borgonovo | 9.5 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | An amazing proof of narrative maturity, as well as cohesion between worldbuilding and gameplay. | Read review |
| IGN Spain | Adrián Suárez | 9 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is one of those games that you can not stop playing until you finish it. | Read review |
| Impulsegamer | Gareth Newnham | 4.6 / 5 stars | 06-22-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is one of this year’s best games that flawlessly marries the design and narrative sensibilities of Japanese and Western RPGs in a manner that is simply spell-binding. | Read review |
| INDIANTVCZ | Petr Duppal | 9 / 10 | 07-10-2023 | 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. | Read review |
| KeenGamer | Javier Bonilla | 9.7 / 10 | 07-17-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is the definitive real-time combat experience of the series. It expands the horizons of the franchise and mixes the concepts of RPG and Hack & Slash into one masterpiece. Being by far the most epic installment of the franchise yet, it delivers an astonishing soundtrack, a dark-themed story with deep characters and relationships, and an unmatched feeling in combat that even the most experienced will be in awe with. | Read review |
| Kotaku | Corey Plante | Recommended | 06-21-2023 | A bold shift to action and a stirring fantasy tale make this the best Final Fantasy in ages | Read review |
| LevelUp | Pedro Pérez Cesari | 9 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is magical. Final Fantasy XVI is raw, Final Fantasy XVI is hopeful. Final Fantasy XVI is everything I expected and much more. Creative Unit Business III created a game capable of lighting a flame in your heart and stay there forever. | Read review |
| Lords Of Gaming | Daniel Amoroso | 8 / 10 | 07-11-2023 | Square Enix deserves kudos for not being afraid to make such big changes. That being said, for all of its grand spectacle and bombastic Eikon battles, Final Fantasy XVI turns its back on many of the themes and mechanics that brought it to the table in the first place. Whether this decision was right or wrong is debatable. Fans who have grown up with the series are entitled to feel more than a little disappointed though. Ultimately, much of what many love about this series has been mercilessly swept aside in Square Enix’s attempt to attract a bigger audience. | Read review |
| Marooners’ Rock | Steve Esposito | 9.6 / 10 | 07-06-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI brings the heat with a roller coaster ride if a story and a top-tier combat system. | Read review |
| Merlin’in Kazanı | Ersin Kılıç | 75 / 100 | 06-23-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI has epic scenes with combat system, story, Eikon battles. The fact that it is almost completely disconnected from RPG dynamics and important mistakes puts the game in a good game mold rather than a classic. | Read review |
| Metro GameCentral | GameCentral | 6 / 10 | 06-22-2023 | An excellent battle system shackled to a dispiritingly dull and long-winded fantasy adventure, that takes an inordinate amount of time to say nothing of value. | Read review |
| MMORPG.com | Joseph Bradford | 10 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | 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. | Read review |
| MonsterVine | Spencer Legacy | 4 / 5 stars | 08-09-2023 | 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. | Read review |
| New Game Network | Alex Varankou | 72 / 100 | 07-04-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI continues to push the series into a new direction. While it has a well-realized setting, good characters, satisfying combat, and excellent cinematic large scale battles, the slow pacing, lackluster RPG elements and barebones optional content grind the excitement to a halt too often. | Read review |
| Niche Gamer | Fingal Belmont | 6 / 10 | 07-25-2023 | If you like Game of Thrones-style intrigue and drama, you will like Final Fantasy XVI. It takes itself very seriously and lacks any fun diversions to mix up the experience. Final Fantasy XVI delivers a truly Westernized take on Final Fantasy with simplistic hack-and-slash combat that will appease average gamers. | Read review |
| Noisy Pixel | Bailey Seemangal | 9 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is an action JRPG polished to an iridescent sheen. Its well-designed combat system and enemies, outstanding character writing and worldbuilding, and consistently stellar side content make it a standout entry in this legendary franchise. Even when accounting for the weak villains and a lukewarm conclusion, this was a journey that truly gripped me from beginning to end. This is a must-play game of the year and a Final Fantasy adventure you won’t forget. | Read review |
| NoobFeed | Azfar Rayan | 90 / 100 | 06-30-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI has been a fantastic experience for me overall. The narrative is mesmerizing, the gameplay is entertaining, and there are many things to do in the game, all of which appeal to new players and veterans alike. This game is excellent in every facet, from its story and pacing to its gameplay and depth, graphic quality, sound design, soundtrack, and the voice acting it features. If you are still on the fence about something, you should check out the demo. | Read review |
| Oyungezer Online | Eren Eryürekli | 9 / 10 | 06-22-2023 | Darker, bolder and faster than ever Final Fantasy XVI is a fantastic return to form for the series. After years of trial and error this would be the absolute outcome but some light RPG elements and bland level designs puts it a little farther from perfection. Yet mind-blowing spectacles and a memorable story makes this entry one of the best of the series in the end. | Read review |
| PCMag | Gabriel Zamora | 4 / 5 stars | 06-29-2023 | 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. | Read review |
| PlayStation Universe | Timothy Nunes | 9.5 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | 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. | Read review |
| Polygon | Gita Jackson | Recommended | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy 16 is incredible when it doesn’t try to say anything meaningful | Read review |
| Post Arcade (National Post) | Chad Sapieha | 9 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Square Enix’s latest Final Fantasy borrows liberally from Western fantasy, including Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings. Read more. | Read review |
| PowerUp! | Adam Mathew | 9 / 10 | 06-22-2023 | I could barely put my controller down during my 57 hours with Final Fantasy XVI. It represents a huge milestone for this franchise, thanks to its bold shift to more adult story-telling (and language), addictive real-time combat, and gargantuan VFX spectacles that are best in class. Marry all that with what the series is already known for — epic orchestral OSTs and phenomenal world-building — and Final Fantasy XVI is nothing short of a must-own. | Read review |
| Press Start | Harry Kalogirou | 9 / 10 | 06-22-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is an epic in every sense of the word. Consistently sharp writing, a captivating cast of characters, exhilarating combat, and a timeless soundtrack coalesce into an experience that showcases what the PlayStation 5 is capable of at the highest level. It constantly finds ways to top its own scale in remarkable fashion, but never loses sight of the intimate journey its built around. | Read review |
| Prima Games | Jesse Vitelli | 9 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI’s grander narrative takes wild turns, evokes plenty of heartfelt emotions, and has given me a new cast of characters to fall in love with all over again. It’s a bold direction that Creative Business Unit 3 has taken the franchise, but one well worth the journey. | Read review |
| PSX Brasil | Thiago de Alencar Moura | 100 / 100 | 06-21-2023 | Inspired by the past but modern at every turn, Final Fantasy XVI is the overhaul the series needed with unparalleled quality. Driven by a fantastic story and charismatic characters, built on accessible, exciting gameplay and impressive graphics on the PS5, it consolidates itself as one of the best games in the franchise history. | Read review |
| Push Square | Robert Ramsey | 9 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | 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. | Read review |
| Rectify Gaming | Unknown | 9.5 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is a triumph that firmly moves Final Fantasy forward for a new generation. | Read review |
| Reno Gazette-Journal | Jason Hidalgo | 9 / 10 | 07-04-2023 | 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. | Read review |
| Rice Digital | Pete Davison | Recommended | 06-26-2023 | This is how big-budget games should be. They should feel like they’ve had time, effort and money thrown behind them, but they should never feel like the “business” side of things is more important than the “creative” side of things. So many modern triple-A games get that completely wrong, and Final Fantasy XVI puts those titles to shame. It’s an absolutely magnificent video game, and one I hope is looked back on as a major milestone in the series. | Read review |
| RPGamer | Luis Mauricio | 4.5 / 5 stars | 07-12-2023 | Its spellbinding story, emotive soundtrack, spectacular visuals, and fast-paced action combat make Final Fantasy XVI a must-play action RPG. | Read review |
| Saudi Gamer | عصام الشهوان | 8 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Great worldbuilding and a peerless battle system, albeit one that rarely gets challenged, set in a static world with competent storytelling but of a cliched story. Still great fun but it could’ve been oh so much more. | Read review |
| Screen Rant | Cody Gravelle | 5 / 5 stars | 06-21-2023 | With an incredible score, an enthralling story, and an eccentric and electric gameplay approach, Final Fantasy 16 is, quite simply, a modern masterpiece. | Read review |
| SECTOR.sk | Michal Korec | 9 / 10 | 07-21-2023 | FFXVI fulfills basic elements of the series. This is total visual feast and beatifully crafted game. If you are willing to open your mind and don’t require all the stuff from the past, you are here for a treat in terms of story, characters, the world, wild action game fights and astonishing soundtrack. | Read review |
| Shacknews | Lucas White | 8 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | The latest marquee RPG from Square Enix goes for broke at every opportunity and then some. | Read review |
| Siliconera | Jenni Lada | 8 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is technically impressive and an amazing action game, though the Game of Throne elements do hinder it a bit. However when the team does get to be original, the story can be absolutely engrossing. | Read review |
| Sirus Gaming | Noel Lontoc | 9 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI may offer daring adjustments, but it is in this spirit of creativity that the genre flourishes. The game is not perfect, yet Naoki Yoshida, the game’s director, held faithful to his promise to deliver a compelling experience and bring Final Fantasy back to the must-have games again. | Read review |
| Skill Up | Ralph Panebianco | Recommended | 06-23-2023 | Video Review | Read review |
| Slant Magazine | Justin Clark | 4 / 5 stars | 07-11-2023 | 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. | Read review |
| Softpedia | Cosmin Vasile | 9.5 / 10 | 06-29-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is one of those very rare masterpieces with issues. Developed by a stellar team, the game shines when it comes to story and combat, but fails in other aspects like narrative structure, itemization and RPG elements. | Read review |
| SomHráč.sk | Róbert Herda | 90 / 100 | 08-16-2023 | 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. | Read review |
| SpazioGames | Domenico Musicò | 8 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Spectacular, with an epic story and astonishing graphics: and yet, Final Fantasy XVI forgets what is really important for the series. It’s impossibile to create a build and there’s nothing important left for you to manage through the menus. Proper RPG options are gone, dungeons are just banal corridors, players are forced to play the entire game in easy mode and you can beat the game with literally no effort. There’s a decent base for the future, but it’s not enough to see a real rebirth for the saga. | Read review |
| TechRaptor | Andrew Stretch | 9.5 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is everything I could have hoped for and more. Combat is fast paced and rewarding as you master combos and abilities. Eikon fights, while not as interesting to play, are gorgeous to witness. All of this is wrapped up into a deep story and fully fleshed out world that you’ll want to be protecting. | Read review |
| The Game Crater | Milo Stown | 8 / 10 | 06-25-2023 | Final Fantasy 16 is a tremendously disappointing JRPG with a clunky, shallow narrative, unengaging characters, lifeless environments and overly simplified combat. It’s few redeeming qualities, namely its visuals and occasional intriguing story moment, are overshadowed by its plethora of flaws. Final Fantasy 16 is a hard game to recommend, even to diehard fans of the franchise. | Read review |
| The Games Machine | Danilo Dellafrana | 8 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is a hard-to-judge beast, a divisive experiment that would have been more comfortable as a spin-off, rather than in the uncomfortable shoes of the last official chapter of a much-loved series. A passionate plot and a successful combat system keep the attention high for the approximately 30 hours necessary to finish the game, but unfortunately they are forced to divide the scene with rosewater “role-playing” mechanics and a sadly arid and artificial world, net of a commendable artistic direction. On the JRPG front we are facing a very controversial result, but overall a more than decent game. | Read review |
| The Jimquisition | James Stephanie Sterling | 7.5 / 10 | 07-05-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is all over the place. It’s a game of incredible highs and distasteful lows, boasting such a narrative trainwreck of disarranged ideas it’s borderline incompatible with itself. Endeavoring to tackle themes of fascism and slavery would be laudable if the result wasn’t inelegant at best and offensive at worst. The frustrating, exhausting nature of XVI’s miserable narrative is countered by notably enjoyable combat, impressive setpieces, and truly stunning boss encounters. When it’s not boring, it’s exhilarating. When it’s not exhilarating, it’s insulting. When it’s not insulting, it’s delightful. | Read review |
| The Outerhaven Productions | Scott Adams | 4.5 / 5 stars | 07-05-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is a new change to the highs of the Final Fantasy series with fleshed-out characters and fantastic set pieces. It can get bogged down due to its linearity and being unable to go back to certain locations but overall it is a masterpiece. | Read review |
| TheGamer | Jade King | 4 / 5 stars | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy 16 is a bold new benchmark for the series that puts emotional complexity and courageous world building at the forefront. Clive Rosfield’s epic journey is defined by constant bouts of hurt and tragedy, but it’s also lined with an inescapable aura of hope in how our heroes are fighting for a world worth saving. Every person you meet and village saved from ruin are worth protecting, with heartfelt dialogue and ferocious combat mixing together in service of an RPG that, while flawed and glacial in some spots, I’d struggle to label as anything other than a triumph. | Read review |
| TheSixthAxis | Nic Bunce | 9 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | If you’re a fan of strong narrative experiences, Final Fantasy lore, breath-taking graphics and a particularly sassy Moogle, and you don’t mind a sprinkling of The Witcher, The Handmaids Tale and the many accents of Old Blighty, then Final Fantasy XVI is the game for you. Heck, it might just be the best Final Fantasy yet! | Read review |
| Too Much Gaming | Carlos Hernandez | 10 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | I was worried about the series shedding more of its JRPG roots when this title was first introduced, as recent entries have been straying away from more traditional forms for years. But my fears faded in the first five chapters of FFXIV; the essence of what makes Final Fantasy so great shines brightly here, and as such, this is one of my favorite high fantasy adventures this generation. | Read review |
| TrustedReviews | Lewis Painter | 3.5 / 5 stars | 08-21-2023 | 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. | Read review |
| Twinfinite | Hayes Madsen | 5 / 5 stars | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is a bold and ambitious new vision for the franchise, that succeeds on almost every level. | Read review |
| Unboxholics | Γιώργος Πρίτσκας | Recommended | 07-05-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is, in my opinion, an uneven title, with both its strengths and weaknesses. Its excellent combat system, its gorgeous, diverse world and the outrageous epic-scale spectacle it offers are undermined by a confusing style and a narrative that doesn’t live up to the very nice introduction. Even so, the thrills it delivers are a given and its journey, despite its ups and downs, is full of memorable images, battles and set pieces. Another diverse and worthwhile chapter in the series’ long history. | Read review |
| Use a Potion | Unknown | 10 / 10 | 06-30-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI doesn’t feel like a traditional Final Fantasy experience, but that doesn’t stop it from being a masterpiece. There has been a big leap in the evolution of the gameplay as the series moves into action RPG territory, but the results are astounding, with the game offering some of the best combat I’ve seen in any action title. Add to that the gripping narrative, the astounding visuals, the wonderful soundtrack, and the sheer scale of the epic adventure, and it’ll be hard not to be wowed by just how magnificent it feels to play. | Read review |
| VG247 | Alex Donaldson | Recommended | 06-21-2023 | But it’s not that simple. It never is. In FF16, Clive, Cid, and the others ultimately derive their power from the same mysterious origins as the crystals themselves. To complete their objective, they need the very thing they seek to destroy. And so too does FF16 need that history, those traditions, leveraging some even as it drives a dagger through others. That is the duality of the game. A dichotomy at the heart of its structure, its triumphs, and its failures alike. It’s a fascinating piece of work, a wholly imperfect but nevertheless enthralling experience. | Read review |
| VGC | Jordan Middler | 4 / 5 stars | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy has never played better, and 16’s cast is destined to be fan favourites. We just wish that when they are outside of the Hollywood blockbuster-tier adventures of the main quest, they were given some more interesting adventures to pursue. | Read review |
| VGChartz | Miles Gregory | 8 / 10 | 07-28-2023 | An action packed Final Fantasy with incredible set pieces and over the top fight scenes that would make the God of War games blush. | Read review |
| VideoGamer | Tom Bardwell | 7 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy 16 is a rich, visually arresting spectacle with engrossing set pieces let down by a bloated story and stifled combat. | Read review |
| Washington Post | Gene Park | Recommended | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI remains an eloquent, sturdy work that achieves almost everything its creators hoped. It is not the most innovative Final Fantasy ever made. It’s just one of the best. | Read review |
| WayTooManyGames | Leonardo Faria | 9 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Purists might feel this game is way too different from anything that had come before it, be it for its vastly darker tone or emphasis on hack and slash action. Others might not enjoy how long it takes for the game to stop being Final Fantasy XIII levels of linear before finally opening up for exploration. My position on it is simple: I loved it. I loved its gameplay loop, and I fell in utter love with its setting and story. | Read review |
| Wccftech | Kai Powell | 9 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI heralds in a new standard for Japanese role-playing games and while the RPG components themselves are limited by Square-Enix standards, it’s the narrative and gameplay that exceed all expectations. | Read review |
| We Got This Covered | Jonathan Wright | 4.5 / 5 stars | 06-23-2023 | 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. | Read review |
| WellPlayed | Nathan Hennessy | 7 / 10 | 06-22-2023 | While Final Fantasy XVI didn’t meet this fan’s expectations for a new series entry, newcomers to epic fantasy and action games will be swept away by the eye-melting combat and enormous-yet-approachable scale. | Read review |
| Worth Playing | Chris “Atom” DeAngelus | 9.3 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is by no means a perfect game, but it is an exceptionally good one. The engaging plot, beautiful visuals, and enjoyable gameplay all combine to create something that feels special. It can occasionally be a little long for its own good, and the combat system is slow to get going, but once it hits all the right marks, it knocks them out of the park. I left Final Fantasy XV disappointed by how unfinished it felt, but Final Fantasy XVI is a true rarity these days: a fully finished game that is satisfying from start to finish. | Read review |
| XGN.nl | Chris Boers | 9.3 / 10 | 06-21-2023 | Final Fantasy XVI is a complete package with a refreshingly mature storyline, full of surprises that keeps raising the stakes. The switch to real-time fights is daring step, but works most of the time, as long as the graphical effects don’t blur what’s going on. The game can be greatily adapted to facilitate those that mostly play for the story, but also those that are looking for a real challenge. The most epic fights, those between the Eikons, are visually impressive, but a bit too hands-off. | Read review |
Awards & Recognition
RECOGNITION
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