What are the pros of FINAL FANTASY XVI?

Spectacular, high-scale boss encounters that provide some of the game's most memorable moments.. Compelling main story and strong character performances, particularly Ben Starr's portrayal of Clive.. Exceptional soundtrack that effectively enhances the cinematic and emotional weight of the game.. High-quality cinematics and visual presentation that create a movie-like experience..

What are the cons of FINAL FANTASY XVI?

Poor PC optimization and technical performance issues that hinder the gameplay experience.. Tedious, 'MMO-style' fetch quests that frequently stall the narrative momentum.. Shallow RPG systems and repetitive, button-mashy combat that lacks depth for some players.. Highly linear level design often described as a series of narrow corridors.. A divisive departure from traditional Final Fantasy elements, leading to a loss of series 'charm'..

FINAL FANTASY XVI

An epic dark fantasy where fates are decided by mighty Eikons and the Dominants who wield them. This is the tale of Clive Rosfield, a tragic warrior who swears revenge on the Dark Eikon Ifrit, a mysterious entity that leaves naught but calamity in its wake.

78%

Mostly Positive

DeveloperSquare Enix

PublisherSquare Enix

Release DateSep 17, 2024

$49.99

Peak Players27.3K

Controllerfull

PlatformsWindows

Action

RPG

AI Review Summary

FINAL FANTASY XVI is a cinematic action-heavy departure for the series, featuring high-spectacle boss fights and a compelling narrative led by strong voice performances. However, the experience is significantly marred by poor PC optimization, shallow RPG mechanics, and tedious fetch quests that disrupt the story's pacing.

Pros

Spectacular, high-scale boss encounters that provide some of the game's most memorable moments.90%
Compelling main story and strong character performances, particularly Ben Starr's portrayal of Clive.90%
Exceptional soundtrack that effectively enhances the cinematic and emotional weight of the game.80%
High-quality cinematics and visual presentation that create a movie-like experience.70%

Cons

Poor PC optimization and technical performance issues that hinder the gameplay experience.90%
Tedious, 'MMO-style' fetch quests that frequently stall the narrative momentum.90%
Shallow RPG systems and repetitive, button-mashy combat that lacks depth for some players.80%
Highly linear level design often described as a series of narrow corridors.70%
A divisive departure from traditional Final Fantasy elements, leading to a loss of series 'charm'.60%

Notable Mentions

Many reviewers suggest the game is better suited for purchase during a sale rather than at full price.
The game features extremely long cinematics, some exceeding ten minutes in length.
The transition from traditional RPG to a 'Devil May Cry' style action game is a major point of contention among long-time fans.

Confidence: 95%

Based on the 164 most relevant reviewsGenerated on Aug 22, 2026

Game Vitals

Live snapshot

Player Activity

Current peak

1.1K

Peak · last 90 days

3.1K

All-time peak

27.3K

Price

Current price

$49.99

Lowest tracked

$19.99since Nov 24, 2025

Review Sentiment

Launch week

—

Last 30 days

76%

All-time positive

78%

Review Statistics

Total Reviews33.3K

Positive: 26.1K (78%)Negative: 7.2K (22%)

Reviews from Steam Deck

Dev Response Rate

51h

Avg Playtime at Review

84%

Credible Reviews