Customer Ratings & Reviews

This is some of the most fun I have had playing a game in 2023. The action focused gameplay is a blast from start to finish. That said gameplay doesn't super feel like a Final Fantasy to me so if that's what you're looking for maybe temper your expectations. The characters, story, and music all were wonderful. Make sure to do the side quests. The first couple sides are kinda meh, but I'd say most of the late game sides are integral to the story.

While this feels more like a spin off than a fully fledged Final Fantasy, it still has some strong aspects. The combat is diverse, the story is interesting, and the music is very good. On the other side, focusing the entire story on one character is a bit of a miss, and the world can feel empty and devoid of exploration. Its also pretty short, especially for a role playing game. Overall, a strong title that could have benefited from changing perspectives. Giant monster combat is fun but it feels like you have very little control during those segments. Still, there is more good than bad to be found here.

Apprehensive at first, since it went the route of the action RPG. About 25 hours in though and it's grown on me quite a bit. The visuals are great, controls are good and easy to pick up. So far i like the story but the opening beats were very predictable, hopefully it sticks the landing. Wasn't a big fan of the ways they allowed you to make it easy, thankfully they're all optional so you can unequip them or change difficulty settings as you wish. Im looking forward to finishing it up and starting up again with a different play style.

This game genuinely moves the series in a new direction. For some this may not be the direction they want the series to move in. But for me it felt just fine. There is some room for improvement in the combat. But for a second outing into the more action oriented JRPG format this game did a lot to improve on what fans took issue with in XV. As far as story, art direction, and soundtrack go: this game is what many JRPG’s wish they could be. It is a beautiful world with superb acting. And a story that takes advantage of that acting. And Soken absolutely NAILS the feeling of every moment with the soundtrack.

Game delivered earlier than expected, happy about that. The game itself is fantastic, first Final Fantasy game I've ever played, so can't speak about how it compares to the previous iterations. However, if you're looking for an action packed game similar to DmC, you will love this game. Soundtrack's amazing, gameplay is refined, boss fights are intense, with great cinematics to boot.

Game of the year for me. I love the franchise and this is the best ff game since 12 for me. The story, combat, soundtrack are all top notch as are the characters. My only grip would be map exploration is not quite as robust as 12/9/7/6/4, though with the story told it is exactly what makes the franchise special to me. It is a complete game unlike 15.

Final Fantasy XVI is simultaneously the 16th (or 19th, if you count 10 and 13's sequels) mainline entry, and the first in a new era. It retains series mainstays like chocobos, crystals, and Cid, but does away with the older turn based and ATB battle systems entirely. The more action focused combat of the FF7 remake has become more fully fleshed out here. While I wish there was a bit more depth to your basic attack and magic combos, mastering what it does give you is a satisfying (and very flashy!) experience. The story, too, is a vast departure from previous entries. I'll avoid spoilers here, but it weaves a much darker tale than series vets have come to expect. Even Lightning Returns, a literal end of the world story, had a fairly cheerful atmosphere. That cheer is rare here, replaced instead with butchery, enslavement, and a healthy dose of men angrily dropping F-bombs. The story has largely taken its queue from the darker Game of Thrones type of storytelling that has been popular lately, but it mostly pays off. It does often reel back with more personal and heartwarming stories though. Even in the gloom there are still good people trying to do right in a world not built to allow it.

If you're a fan of stories like Game of Thrones and fun action-adventure gameplay, I highly recommend this game. The Deluxe Edition is primarily for collectors of memorabilia. The cloth map and steelbook case are high quality, and I'm happy with my purchase.

This game is totally amazing. The combat is wonderful to playthrough as a fan of action games like DMC, the best story in a game that I’ve played in 2023, and the best soundtrack I’ve heard in a LONG while. This is an easy recommend and is definiatly a game to look at for GOTY this year

For the overall evaluation of the game, I think it indeed justifies the 88-point media average score. This game is fun and complete, but there’s still some distance from what everyone expects as a masterpiece. For those who love story-driven games, this game is highly recommended. For JRPG enthusiasts, it’s also worth playing. However, it doesn’t hold value for in-depth study or replaying. One could say that this game has the potential to become a masterpiece, but the development team seems quite restrained in areas that could be deepened. It’s hard to believe that this restraint is due to a lack of ability, especially from a star-studded development team and a director like Takashi Higai who brought us classics like “FF5” and “The Last Remnant”. From various interviews, it appears that the rather superficial RPG design of this game was intentional. “FF16” is an attempt, and regardless of the outcome, it can promote the development of JRPGs.

This game was awesome on so many levels. The boss fights were some of the best I've seen in any video game ever and the music was unbelievably good. The story was also very intriguing and reminded me of game of thrones.

The combat is great but repetitive, the story keeps your interest, and the world and political setting is interesting. The side quests are forgettable though, and the RPG mechanics are pretty much nonexistent. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

20 hours in, it's like every hour after another is like opening a birthday present bigger than the one before. Yes, it's not the same as previous Final Fantasy but Final Fantasy has always been about trying something new, Also turn based game hasn't been part of Final Fantasy for almost 2 decades now. People might be mad about not having inclusion but there's a reason why it isn't in there. Once you are approximately 15 hours into the game, you will understand why. With the side quest, it takes time to build up. It may seem the typical fetch quest, but it does build upon it to a much bigger side story. Did I say, you can pet Torgal? Yes, you can pet Torgal. Story 9.8/10 Gameplay 9.7/10

This game is AMAZING! The story so far hasn't let me down. Its better than what i expected. The action and visuals are ahead of everything else! This is a great entry for the series, and a good place for people who haven't played a FF game to jump in!

My first entry to a final fantasy and loved it from beginning to end if you like dragon ball fights , a great story cinematic fights you will love this game

This is the first Final Fantasy game I’ve played and I have to say I’m blowed away with the story, gameplay, soundtrack and everything. I highly recommend anyone with a PS5 give this game a shot you’ll be glad you did. Game of the year contender

This game is so much fun and the graphics are amazing ! Very engrossing story and engaging gameplay, it's one of those games where you know it's gonna be good but aren't sure how good. It's actually Great! Don't walk run to your local store or even order online this title right away!! It's a must own title for any ps5 owner, can't wait to play the expansions when i can get to them...

Great story, characters, gameplay and visuals! Deluxe edition bonuses are great. Steelbook is embossed with main character artwork and map is high quality. Great entry point for the series for newcomers and lifetime fans alike

A Darker, More Mature Final Fantasy with a Stunning Presentation The Final Fantasy XVI Deluxe Edition on PlayStation 5 is one of the most ambitious and cinematic entries in the franchise to date. From the moment you boot up, it’s clear Square Enix aimed to create something darker, grittier, and more story-driven than past titles. Story & Characters The game leans heavily into mature storytelling, with political intrigue, betrayal, and morally complex characters. Clive Rosfield, the protagonist, carries the narrative with weight and emotion. The writing feels more like a prestige TV series than a traditional JRPG, which may divide longtime fans, but it absolutely hooked me. Gameplay & Combat This is not your typical turn-based Final Fantasy. Combat is fully action-oriented, more akin to Devil May Cry than Final Fantasy XV. It’s fast, fluid, and flashy, with giant Eikon battles that feel larger-than-life. Some may miss the strategic depth of older entries, but the combat system is accessible and thrilling, especially with the ability to chain abilities from multiple Eikons. Music & Atmosphere Masayoshi Soken’s soundtrack is phenomenal—epic orchestral themes that heighten both the intensity of boss fights and the emotion of quieter story beats. Paired with the game’s stunning visuals and cinematic presentation, every scene feels grand and immersive. Deluxe Edition Extras The Deluxe Edition is beautifully packaged. It includes: A gorgeous SteelBook case with exclusive artwork A cloth world map of Valisthea (perfect for collectors) The game’s digital mini artbook and soundtrack for fans who want to dive deeper into the world. It feels premium and worthwhile if you’re a fan of collecting physical memorabilia. Pros & Cons Pros Dark, gripping story with strong performances Fast-paced, stylish combat Jaw-dropping visuals and soundtrack Deluxe Edition packaging feels premium Cons Less RPG depth compared to older entries Some side quests feel repetitive Pacing can be uneven in the middle sections Final Verdict If you’re looking for a Final Fantasy that reinvents itself with bold storytelling and action-heavy gameplay, Final Fantasy XVI Deluxe Edition is absolutely worth it—especially for collectors who want the SteelBook and map. It’s not the Final Fantasy of old, but it’s a confident step forward into something new.

My personal game of the year. It has the best soundtrack, combat, and writing in a game I've experienced in a long time. The Deluxe edition steelbook is also great and has a sort of sculpted design around the character.