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Final Fantasy XVI

8.7
Developer: Square Enix Creative Business Unit III
Publisher: Square Enix
Released: 2023
Metacritic: 87
35-80h
Avg. Playtime
2 DLC
Expansions
Solo Only
Multiplayer
$39.99
Best Price
PS5PC
⭐ Read Review 📖 Beginner Guide 💸 Best Price

About Final Fantasy XVI

Final Fantasy XVI is Square Enix's dramatic reimagining of the franchise — an action RPG that abandons turn-based combat entirely in favor of real-time combat designed by Ryota Suzuki (Devil May Cry 5's combat director) and tells one of the series' darkest, most politically complex stories. Set in the war-torn world of Valisthea, you play as Clive Rosfield, the shield of the Dominant of the Phoenix, whose personal tragedy becomes entangled with the fate of his world across a decades-spanning epic.

Combat revolves around Eikonic Abilities — magical powers from six Eikons (summons) that Clive can equip and hotkey. Phoenix's Flames, Shiva's Frost, Titan's earth attacks, Garuda's wind, Ramuh's lightning, and Bahamut's light beams can be mixed and matched across two loadout slots, creating build diversity. The Limit Break system and Torgal (Clive's wolf companion) add additional layers to the action system.

The Eikon battles — massive kaiju-scale confrontations between summoned gods — are gaming's most spectacular set-pieces since God of War 2. The narrative, dark and deliberately adult, explores themes of slavery, empire, and sacrifice with a maturity uncommon in the franchise.

Why Players Love It

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Eikonic Abilities

Equip abilities from six Eikons — Phoenix, Shiva, Titan, Garuda, Ramuh, and Bahamut — and mix them across two loadout slots for diverse combat builds.

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Eikon Battles

Massive kaiju-scale battles between Eikons are gaming's most spectacular set-pieces — each one a unique genre-switching spectacle.

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Torgal

Clive's wolf companion fights alongside him, executing commands for additional damage and enemy stagger. His moves combo seamlessly with Clive's attacks.

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Dark Narrative

An adult political story of empire, slavery, and sacrifice told with a maturity and seriousness rare in the Final Fantasy franchise.

Overview Video

8.7Excellent

Our Verdict

Final Fantasy XVI is a bold reinvention that delivers exceptional action combat, spectacular Eikon battles, and one of the series' most ambitious and mature narratives.

Gameplay
8.5
Combat
9.0
Story
9.0
Graphics
9.5
Performance
8.5
Value
8.5
Read Full Review (1,500+ words)
Complete Beginner's Guide
⏱ 15 min · 📊 Medium · ✅ Progress tracking
Start Guide
Best Builds & Character Tips
⏱ 10 min · 📊 Easy · 🔧 Build Guide
View Guide
First Boss Guide & Strategies
⏱ 8 min · 📊 Hard · ⚔️ Boss Guide
View Guide
Tips & Tricks for New Players
⏱ 6 min · 📊 Easy · 💡 Tips
View Guide
PC Update 1.0.2
Sep 2024
  • DLSS 3.5 and FSR 3.1 support
  • Fixed several quest state bugs in The Crystalline Dominion area
  • Improved shadow quality settings on PC
  • Ultrawide monitor support added
The Rising Tide DLC — Patch 1.31
Apr 2024
  • New Eikon Leviathan added with water abilities
  • Mysidia region opens with new story chapter
  • New highest-difficulty missions added
  • Clive's ability to Limit Break while performing Eikon abilities

Community Tips

“Don't neglect Torgal. His Ravage command (hold L2 + circle) deals massive stagger damage when enemies are in the air — it's one of the highest DPS tools in the game.”
— FF16Vet · 1765 upvotes
“The Precision Dodge (just before impact) creates an extended slow-motion window significantly longer than a regular dodge. Learning it makes every fight much more manageable.”
— EikonicMaster · 1432 upvotes
“For the highest damage output: equip Phoenix Shift (gap close) + Garuda Deadly Embrace (pull) + Bahamut Flare Breath (burst). This combo works on virtually every enemy.”
— CliveMain · 1123 upvotes
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