Final Fantasy 16 Review Roundup

Final Fantasy 7 (Remake) is universially believed to be the best in the series. FF14 is a joy, 12 was fun and 15....was interesting, but FF7 was the pinnacle. That's over two decades worth of entries failing to live up to 7's stellar debut, but Final Fantasy fans finally have hope with the arrival of Final Fantasy 16. Can FF16 finally dethrone 7? Here's the review roundup:

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IGN  (SCORE 9/10)
'Final Fantasy 16 will very likely be looked back upon as a turning point for mainline Final Fantasy games, taking its combat fully in the direction of an action game, but I hope that conversation doesn’t overshadow its dark and captivating tale, memorable characters, and the innovative ways in which it helps you keep track of it all. The Active Time Lore feature is incredible, and should be standard for all story-driven games going forward, and while the combat may not live up to the sky high standards as some of the best games in the character action genre, among other action RPGs, it’s near the top of the heap. Pair all of that with one of the best soundtracks of the year, incredible performances from top to bottom, and drop dead gorgeous visuals, and you’ve got a game worthy of an orchestral Final Fantasy victory fanfare. '

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GAME SPOT (SCORE 9/10)
'Having seen FFXVI all the way through, I'm happy to include it alongside some of my all-time favorites in the series. It's heartening to see that this bold approach to both story and gameplay is now part of that legacy, expanding the definition of what a mainline entry could be. It may fall short in some respects, but it should be celebrated for its most stunning moments and the characters who embody them. FFXVI succeeds and earns its place within the Final Fantasy pantheon as one of the great entries, and does so on its own terms.'

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GAMES RADAR (SCORE 4.5/5)
'Despite the time and polish, Final Fantasy 16 remains a gamble. The medieval fantasy is sure to be recognisable to long-term fans keen to see the series return to its roots, though a stripping of RPG elements goes against what plenty desire. You get swifter, more action-focused gameplay that makes the series more approachable to those who haven't played, though whether they do is far from certain.'

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DESTRUCTOID (SCORE 9/10)
'It’s difficult to judge a Final Fantasy against the crystalline legacy of its predecessors. But Final Fantasy XVI takes a confident step into new territory and doesn’t slip. And for those who want an impressive, electrifying, enjoyable action RPG to sink hours upon hours into, you’d be very hard pressed to find a better option than Final Fantasy XVI.

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GAMESINFORMER (SCORE 8.5/10)
'With more than 65 hours of FFXVI behind me, I still have a lot to do beyond the story, and I’m glad my time with Creative Business Unit III’s latest isn’t at its end yet. FFXVI has some of my favorite moments in modern Final Fantasy, but its lows threaten the pace at which they arrive. I wish FFXVI’s various elements were intertwined more seamlessly. Still, when I look back at my time with Clive, his friends, his enemies, and Valisthea, it’s those highs that I vividly remember. FFXVI is very different from its predecessors, but in many ways, very familiar; And it’s still a Final Fantasy, through and through, reminding me why I love this series so much.'

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EASY ALLIES (VIDEO REVIEW)

Overall, after 104 critic reviews, Final Fantasy 16  averages an excellent 87% score on Metacritic (PS5). Not quite the dizzy heights of 'Best Final Fantasy game ever!' territory, but a clear must play nonetheless.