Final Fantasy 16 has been released in the UK and developer Square Enix is hoping it can get the roleplay video game franchise back on track after a muted reaction to its predecessor.
It is the first instalment in the long-running series since 15 was released in 2016 and this latest edition has been exclusively released on Playstation 5.
Game producer Naoki Yoshida told the BBC: “Because the Final Fantasy 15 story wasn’t as well received as past titles, we needed to focus on regaining players’ trust and show them again that this series is all about the story.”
Fans stayed up for the release of the game on Thursday morning and, from the very early reviews, have not been disappointed.
This is what we know about Final Fantasy 16 so far.
Happy Final Fantasy 16 release day gamers !! :) enjoy the game 🎮💜 #FINALFANTASYXVI pic.twitter.com/d9DxSKmKBW
— Dlocknload (@dlocknload) June 22, 2023
What is the game about?
Final Fantasy XVI is said to be a radical departure, which has changed as much as it could have while staying in the role play fantasy genre.
Evening Standard reviewer Stuart Andrews wrote: “The party-based combat and complex progression systems of previous Final Fantasies have been ditched for something that plays more like a hack-and-slash action game, complete with combos, special attacks, and last-minute dodge moves and counter-attacks.”
The game picks up with protagonist Clive over several decades as he picks up the pieces of a catastrophe in his home world. And he goes on a personal journey from lone-wolf warrior to freedom fighter.
Final Fantasy 16 Reviews #PS5:
— GermanStrands (@GermanStrands) June 21, 2023
Attack of the Fanboy 10/10
GamingTrend 10/10
Twinfinite 10/10
Hardcore Gamer 10/10
CGMagazine 10/10
PSX Brasil 10/10
Dashgamer 10/10
Dexerto 10/10
Sreen Rant 10/10
PSU 9.5/10
TechRaptor 10/10
IGN 9/10
Push Square 9/10
GameSpot 9/10
Easy Allies 9/10 pic.twitter.com/UQfkEBtJPJ
What have the critics said?
The release has been met with a flood of four and five star reviews, save perhaps for the Evening Standard which has given it 3.5.
Our reviewer Stuart Andrews wrote: “I’m not sure this bold adventure will go down as a classic like Final Fantasy VII or XII, but it has the guts to take a real gamble and the wit to make it pay off. Sword and sorcery adventure doesn’t get any more epic than this.”
Elsewhere, IGN wrote: “With fast, reflex-driven, action-heavy combat, Final Fantasy 16 is certainly a departure from what fans may expect out of a Final Fantasy game, but its excellent story, characters and world are right up there with the best of the series.”
Metacritic has given it a score of 88 per cent. The previous game ranked in the low 80s depending on the console but was not such a hit with fans.
Final Fantasy 16 is absolutely stunning pic.twitter.com/TSZW6ggMlT
— OmegaPro (@OmegaProYT) June 22, 2023
What have fans said?
Reports on Twitter are that gamers are quite happy to sacrifice sleep to get stuck in.
“Final Fantasy 16 is absolutely stunning,” OmegaPro wrote on Twitter.
Kurrie said: “It has been a pleasure knowing everyone, but the moment I get home, Final Fantasy 16 will take me.”
“Pretty princess magical garden and final fantasy 16 release today … What am I supposed to do with myself?!” wrote Sunny.
How much does the game cost and where can I get it?
Final Fantasy 16 was released on Thursday. It can already be downloaded from the PlayStation Store but is a weighty 90GB and could take a while to install.
The game can also be bought in physical form for £69.99 from shops or Amazon. There is also an Amazon edition of the game with exclusive content.
A demo for the game is available on the PlayStation Store.
