Final Fantasy 16 Review Roundup – JRPG Franchise Back In Form

Final Fantasy 16 is arriving on the PS5 tomorrow. Releasing nearly seven years after the last mainline title, the upcoming Final Fantasy promises an epic tale with the first real-time action game from the franchise.

With the game releasing very soon, the reviews for Final Fantasy 16 have arrived. The critics have spoken, and the latest Final Fantasy appears to have hit a home run in nearly every aspect.

Why it matters: Final Fantasy 16 has been highly anticipated for nearly three years, and it is also one of PlayStation’s biggest exclusives in 2023.

A few review scores can be seen below

• Gamerant 10/10
• IGN 9/10
• Gamespot 9/10
• Famitsu 39/40

Newcomers will immediately find Final Fantasy 16 familiar. The game drops the traditional turn-based combat from JRPG games in favor of real-time combat. This change means the game takes the franchise in a new direction.

The combat is also very well done. With Ryota Suzuki from Devil May Cry 5 leading the combat, Final Fantasy 16 does not disappoint in its core gameplay. Critics have enjoyed various enemy encounters, but the game goes a step further with its epic bosses.

All of this is done without sacrificing the charm of Final Fantasy. Players can still find chocobos, a charming soundtrack, and an engaging narrative that will leave a lasting impression on audiences.

While there is much to like about Final Fantasy 16, it can disappoint when it comes to performance. 60FPS mode on the PS5 often exhibits drops below the target frame rate which can lead to a less-than-ideal experience.

A few reviewers have also claimed that the PS5 can overheat and shut down during certain parts of the game. Still, Final Fantasy 16 stands at an impressive 88/100 on Metacritic.

This incredible reception means Final Fantasy 16 is a strong contender for Game of The Year in 2023.

This year has already received various quality games like Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom, Diablo 4, and more. With upcoming games like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and Starfield, 2023 could deliver the most exciting competition for the Game of The Year award yet.