Final Fantasy XVI

Final Fantasy XVI pushed the long-running series furthest from its turn-based roots, turning it into a dark action RPG with the ambitions of political drama. The story follows Clive Rosfield, a duke's son whose life is upended by betrayal and whose fate becomes entangled with the Eikons, enormous beings who, in this world, also serve as weapons of mass destruction. The continent of Valisthea is divided among several warring houses, and the struggle over dwindling magical resources forms the backdrop of a story that doesn't shy away from cruelty, questions of slavery, or heavy losses among its main cast.

Battles are fully action-based, built around combining light and heavy attacks, last-moment dodges, and above all abilities borrowed from individual Eikons, which can be switched on the fly. Players who mainly want the story can equip ring accessories that simplify both dodging and combos. The highlight is the fights against the Eikons themselves, which alternate ordinary action with grand sequences bordering on interactive film. Classic RPG elements like party management or extensive skill trees have taken a back seat here, something part of the series' fanbase received with mixed feelings. The pacing, moreover, regularly alternates large-scale battles with calmer sections at the home base, where relationships within the group develop and equipment gets upgraded.

The game was created under producer Naoki Yoshida and on PS5 offers a choice between image quality and performance, which you'll especially appreciate during major clashes. Technically, it's a striking spectacle with massive city locations and thoughtful lighting, and the music, alternating chamber motifs with choir, is among the strongest aspects of the whole production. Reviews praised the production values, the storytelling, and the combat, while criticism was aimed at the more linear structure and at how side quests often just fill in the world's background. Today, Final Fantasy XVI is a clear choice for players seeking mature fantasy with an emphasis on action, who are willing to part ways with the series' classic form.