Final Fantasy XVI: A Bold New Direction for the Franchise

A New Era for Final Fantasy

Final Fantasy XVI represents the most dramatic reinvention the franchise has seen since its inception. Gone are the turn-based battles and party-based exploration that defined the series for decades. In their place, director Hiroshi Takai and creative director Kazutoyo Maehiro have crafted a visceral, character-action game wrapped in a dark political fantasy that owes more to Game of Thrones than to the whimsical adventures of previous entries.

The result is a game of extraordinary highs and frustrating lows. When Final Fantasy XVI fires on all cylinders — during its breathtaking Eikon battles, its emotionally charged story beats, or its most challenging combat encounters — it stands among the finest experiences in the franchise's storied history. When it stumbles — through repetitive side quests, bland open zones, or oversimplified RPG progression — it reminds you of the depth that was sacrificed for this new direction.

Clive Rosfield is one of the strongest protagonists in Final Fantasy history. His journey from privileged prince to branded slave to reluctant revolutionary is compellingly told through excellent voice acting by Ben Starr, whose performance brings remarkable nuance to a character navigating trauma, duty, and the weight of power. The supporting cast, including the tragic Jill Warrick and the scene-stealing Cid, elevate every dramatic moment.

Eikon Battles: A Visual Spectacle

The Eikon battles are, without exaggeration, some of the most visually spectacular sequences in gaming history. These kaiju-scale confrontations pit massive summon creatures against each other in encounters that shift genres from action RPG to fighting game to on-rails shooter with breathtaking fluidity. The Titan fight, which spans multiple phases and environments, had our jaws on the floor for its entire 30-minute duration.

Combat designer Ryota Suzuki, who previously worked on Devil May Cry 5, brings that same sense of stylish, responsive action to FFXVI. Clive's basic combat is satisfying from the start, but as you unlock new Eikon abilities — each tied to a different summon — the depth expands dramatically. Mixing and matching abilities from different Eikons creates a staggering variety of combat styles, and the skill ceiling is genuinely high for those who want to master the system.

Where It Falls Short

The RPG elements are where Final Fantasy XVI most disappoints veterans. Equipment is minimal and rarely exciting, with most upgrades being simple stat increases. There's no party management — your AI companions are competent but uncontrollable. The crafting system is functional but lacks depth. Side quests, particularly in the first half, are often uninspired fetch quests that pad the runtime without adding meaningful content.

The open world zones, while beautiful, feel largely empty compared to the dense, handcrafted environments of the story missions. There's a disconnect between the thrilling linearity of the main path and the bland openness of the exploration segments. It's clear that the development team's strengths lie in spectacle and narrative, not in open-world design.

The Verdict

Final Fantasy XVI is a bold, beautiful game that succeeds more often than it stumbles. Its combat is exhilarating, its story is emotionally powerful, and its Eikon battles are nothing short of breathtaking. While RPG purists may mourn the loss of traditional systems, what replaces them is a focused, cinematic experience that pushes the franchise into thrilling new territory.

"FFXVI trades depth for spectacle and emerges with a game that is both thrilling and slightly hollow — a beautiful contradiction that reflects the franchise itself."