Final Fantasy XVI PC Review

Final Fantasy XVI is the definition of a divisive entry in the renowned series. Continuing the direction that Final Fantasy XV started and going full-on with gameplay that emphasized action and fast-paced sequences, it was a bold move that was sure to hit differently depending on whether you embraced change or not.

Final Fantasy XVI is the embodiment of change, turning the series over on its head and evolving beyond turn-based mechanics, relying on that change to forge a new path forward. It introduced significant adjustments to the series’ formula, but at its core, it is still a spectacle-filled affair that will leave you in awe after all is said and done.

Related – Read our Final Fantasy XVI PS5 Review

Accept the Truth

Final Fantasy XVI presents a sophisticated and mature story that shies away from the typical themes and settings we’ve become used to from the series and replaces it with something right out of a Game of Thrones season, filled with politics, sorcery, and darker/heavier themes like betrayal. Valisthea is a massive and awe-inspiring setting, with visuals and vistas that can compete with the best of them.

Character performances are top-notch, and with such powerful interpretations from Ben Starr, Ralph Ineson, Nina Yndis, and more, the experience is elevated exponentially. Cutscenes are plenty, and some might say one too many, but the overall game direction and animations are what you can expect from a big-budget offering from Yoshi-P’s team, as they’ve successfully shown time and time again with the massive success of Final Fantasy XIV.

Tying the whole package together is Soken’s masterful score. Classic themes are revived once again, adding a new dimension thanks to the new arrangements that offer a more serious tone fitting of the setting. There’s a power and seriousness to Final Fantasy XVI’s soundtrack that makes it stand out from previous offerings and is a testament to the creative genius of Soken that has captivated players throughout the years.

The game is now an action-packed affair, implementing a fast-paced battle system that’s reminiscent of combo-heavy Devil May Cry. It is a stark departure, and purists will find this a very divisive approach, but given a chance, the battle system is very competent should players choose to engage with its deep systems. It’s a shame you only really control Clive, but our hero is more than enough to give players their action fix.

Final Fantasy XVI excels in its boss battles, which are exhilarating visual spectacles that leave you breathless. These larger-than-life battles employ various mechanics that vary from one boss to another, giving each encounter a unique feel. One boss battle in particular takes the proverbial cake, and piles on the wow factor from start to finish.

Given Yoshi-P’s pedigree, it is heavily apparent that Final Fantasy XVI is influenced by Final Fantasy XIV. From the sleek user interface to the plentiful side quests, players will find parallels between both titles. Frustratingly, the side quests in Final Fantasy XVI are some of its weakest points, offering some mundane and repetitive tasks that feel like padding.

Thankfully, the PC version of Final Fantasy XVI offers a reduced price from the get-go, with its two expansions ready to play for players looking for additional content to add more context to the world. Echoes of the Fallen is a pretty short offering but features a superb boss battle that adds to the already impressive list of encounters in the game. The Rising Tide has more sidequests but also offers new Eikons and a new area featuring more content in the form of the Kairos Gate, a roguelike affair that can provide more hours of content.

Unlimited Power

Based on the Steam Page of the game, here are the minimum and recommended system requirements for Final Fantasy XVI:

The PC version of Final Fantasy XVI is a pretty impressive port provided you have the hardware to work with. The main drawback of the PS5 version was having the players choose between quality and performance mode, and given this is an action-heavy title, a higher frame rate is king. Powerful PC hardware offers players the capability to achieve both improved visual fidelity and higher frame rates, which automatically makes the PC version the definitive version of the game, especially with the existence of mods.

Playing on a 4070 Super with DLSS on, we’re able to achieve anywhere from 60-70 FPS or even higher consistently, which is not bad given we were playing on high settings. While frame rates dipped here and there, there was nothing drastic enough to sway our experience. Our playthrough was generally smooth, with some negligible bugs and an irritating 30 FPS lock to cutscenes, which was jarring, to say the least. Settings and sliders are also plentiful but fail to compete with the likes of the PC ports that Nixxes regularly offers.

Sadly, for those wanting to take your Final Fantasy XVI experience on the go, do note that significant sacrifices have to be made. Like Black Myth Wukong, you’ll need to dial down the graphics settings to low and rely on FSR to get “decent” frame rates. Cutscenes suffer the biggest quality drops, but given the hardware capabilities, I’m surprised that the game can even be played on the go. It’s a minor miracle, and a good way to play should you have no other choice.

Verdict: Buy it!

Final Fantasy XVI on the PC is the definitive version of the game provided you have the hardware that can stand toe-to-toe with it. The game is gorgeous, and with the obvious benefits that the breadth of PC hardware can provide over the PS5 version, there’s almost no question about how awesome it would play, especially during the stellar Eikon battles.

This entry is divisive for a reason, and purists of the series who cannot accept (the truth) the action-centric gameplay and the minimal RPG elements may want to look the other way. That said, if given a chance, Final Fantasy XVI is a must-play experience for those looking for a different take on the long-running series.

*Final Fantasy XVI was reviewed on a PC with a review code provided by the publisher.