Final Fantasy XVI Review

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Fast Facts

After what feels like forever, Final Fantasy XVI has finally arrived on Xbox! Not only is there a standard edition, but also a “complete” edition. This edition bundles the base game with its expansions, Echoes of the Fallen and The Rising Tide, offering the full experience in one place. For many Xbox players, this is their first step into Clive Rosfield’s journey. A darker, more mature Final Fantasy than what came before. But how does it play on Microsoft’s hardware, and does this port do enough to make the wait worthwhile?

The Tale Of Clive Rosfield

At the heart of Final Fantasy XVI is, as expected really, a tale that touches on so many different emotions. You follow Clive Rosfield through a story filled with betrayal, loss, and the acceptance of a destined fate. The tone is heavier than that found in past entries, touching a lot more on political issues and moral dilemmas.  Although this is a shift, it works to keep the story gripping and full of intrigue.

The expansions extend this story in natural ways. Echoes of the Fallen is tougher but it expands the lore of Final Fantasy XVI. On the other side, The Rising Tide offers a fresh perspective and new emotional takes that make Valisthea feel even richer. They don’t overshadow the main plot, but they round out the world, letting the Complete Edition live up to its name and delivery a sense of closure that wasn’t there before.

The Way Of The Dominant

Final Fantasy XVI does more of what recent entries have done, and opts for more real-time combat as it abandons the turn-based combat that made people fans of Final Fantasy in the first place. Controlling Clive feels fast and fluid, your combos string together smoothly, and his growing arsenal of Eikon powers keeps the combat fresh. Each new ability pushes you to experiment and adjust your style, so battles rarely feel static.  It can get hectic, but that’s part of the fun.

Boss encounters are an obvious highlight, as in any Final Fantasy game. Whether it’s duels against towering enemies or the massive (and very cinematic) Eikon clashes, these fights are just incredible to behold. They blend cinematic flair you’d expect to find in this franchise with combat mechanics that bring out the best sensations. 

That said, not everything shines. Side quests, especially towards the beginning, can feel like filler and the pacing sometimes dips during longer sections. This isn’t uncommon to find in JRPGs, but it does break some of the immersion. However, when the game gets it right it can really deliver some of the most memorable action moments the series has seen.

Spectacle And Sacrifice

Visually, Final Fantasy XVI is stunning in direction. Valisthea is a world of contrast, scorched battlefields, imposing castles, and gorgeous landscapes. But on Xbox, there are obvious compromises.

Performance Mode targets 60 FPS, but resolution drops down to 720p on Series X. Graphics Mode pushes resolution higher, though at the cost of stable frame rates. Compared to PlayStation 5, the Xbox version simply isn’t as sharp or detailed, even if the spectacle holds together well enough whilst playing. 

The audio effects in this game are as expected, and those who are familiar with the PS5 version will not be disappointed here.

A Kingdom Worth Fighting For

Final Fantasy XVI Complete Edition on Xbox is the same great game that took PlayStation fans by storm. While the visual compromises on Xbox are hard to ignore, the game itself still shines through.

The inclusion of Echoes of the Fallen and The Rising Tide in the Complete Edition ensures that Xbox players can get the full journey in one package. It may not be the definitive version of Final Fantasy XVI, but for Xbox players who’ve been waiting to step into Valisthea this is definitely the way to do it.

Rapid Reviews Rating

4 out of 5

Final Fantasy XVI is available to purchase on the Xbox Store here.