Final Fantasy XVI was finally released on PC after a long wait of over a year. We thoroughly enjoyed the original PS5 release, along with its expansions that enriched the world and story. However, the PC version promises improved image quality and performance compared to the PS5, which unfortunately faced some technical issues. That said, to fully benefit from the enhancements, you will need a powerful PC.
Earlier this month, we reviewed the game’s demo running on handheld devices like the Steam Deck. It was surprising to see the game manage to run on such a small device, though it came with significant drawbacks, such as reduced image quality. Since the demo’s release, several updates have been implemented, addressing some of the performance issues and further optimizing the game. The final PC version runs more smoothly, but achieving a better experience than the PS5 version comes at a cost, requiring higher-end hardware.
Final Fantasy XVI takes a much more mature approach to the franchise, featuring darker themes, graphic violence, and sexual content, which are rarely seen in previous Final Fantasy games. The game feels heavily influenced by Western shows like Game of Thrones, delivering a globe-spanning adventure set against the backdrop of a war between rival nations. Central to the story are the Eikons—powerful beings controlled by humans known as Dominants. Each nation has its own Dominant, all of whom are connected to the Mothercrystal, fragments of which are scattered throughout the world. The main plot follows Clive, the firstborn son of the ruling family of Rosaria. When Clive fails to gain Dominant powers, his younger brother Joshua is chosen as the successor. However, not everything is as it seems. Without revealing spoilers, the game’s opening sequence evokes strong “Red Wedding” vibes from Game of Thrones, setting the stage for Clive Rosfield’s journey after the tragic loss of his entire family, including his brother.
At first, Final Fantasy XVI might seem like a classic revenge tale, but it soon explores deeper themes, including social and societal issues. Clive eventually meets Cid and joins his group, whose mission is to create a haven for bearers of magic—people who are essentially treated as slaves in this world. The game subtly touches on themes of racism, reflecting issues in our society. While the story starts with an explosive and gripping opening, it loses momentum as the game progresses. If the pacing had remained consistent with its strong beginning, Final Fantasy XVI could easily have been considered one of the best entries in the franchise. Unfortunately, this is not the case as the narrative falters later on.
Final Fantasy XVI is an action RPG with limited customization options. My disappointment with the game comes from the fact that there is little we can do beyond changing gear. Even then, the gear upgrades follow a very linear path, offering minimal customization. While it is possible to upgrade equipment using materials collected from defeating enemies, these upgrades provide only minor improvements. In addition to changing gear, Clive can use a variety of Eikon abilities, such as those from Titan, Ifrit, Ramuh, and Shiva, which are gradually unlocked as the story progresses. However, the core gameplay revolves around executing button combos and mixing them with Eikon’s abilities, which are constrained by cooldown timers.
While the combat system in Final Fantasy XVI is enjoyable at first, the repetitive nature of its gameplay loop can cause it to feel tiresome over time. For me, the pacing is a particular issue, as it sometimes takes too long for important events to unfold. Although long dialogue sequences are necessary for story exposition, here they tend to drag on longer than necessary. Having already completed the game once, I noticed these pacing issues even more during my second playthrough.
Speaking strictly about the PC port, it is excellent, especially compared to some of Square Enix’s recent releases. However, there are still a few minor issues. Cutscenes are locked to 30 FPS, even on PC, and there is no widescreen support. Additionally, the game experiences occasional minor stutters, which can feel disruptive, especially when combined with the cutscene limitations. While the PC modding community has addressed these problems with unofficial fixes, an official patch would be a more reliable solution.
For fans of the franchise, Final Fantasy XVI is worth the investment. It is a solid game with a darker narrative and likable characters, though its pacing could have been improved by cutting down on filler content. The sidequests are a mixed experience, with some standing out as series highs, while others fall short. The game easily takes 30 to 40 hours to complete, and even more, if you choose to explore its side content.
Final Fantasy XVI Game Information
- Price: $49.99
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Developer: Square Enix
- Platform: PC (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was given by the publisher
