Final Fantasy XVI[b] is an action role-playing game developed and published by Square Enix. The sixteenth main installment in the Final Fantasy series, it released on June 22, 2023 for the PlayStation 5 as a timed exclusive. The game features segmen…
Final Fantasy XVI[b] is an action role-playing game developed and published by Square Enix. The sixteenth main installment in the Final Fantasy series, it released on June 22, 2023 for the PlayStation 5 as a timed exclusive. The game features segmented open environments and an action-based combat system involving both melee and magic-based attacks. There are also recurring series features including Chocobos, and summoned monsters called Eikons, which are both fought as bosses and used through channelling their power in combat.
Final Fantasy XVI is set in the fictional world of Valisthea, a world divided between six nations who hold power through access to magical Crystals and Dominants, humans who act as hosts for each nation's Eikon. Tensions between the nations escalate as a malady dubbed the Blight begins consuming the land. Clive Rosfield, guardian to his younger brother Joshua, witnesses his kingdom destroyed and goes on a revenge quest in pursuit of the dark Eikon Ifrit.
Beginning concept development in 2015, the staff included Naoki Yoshida as producer, Hiroshi Takai as main director, artists Hiroshi Minagawa and Kazuya Takahashi, Kazutoyo Maehiro as creative director and lead writer, Masayoshi Soken as composer, and Capcom veteran Ryota Suzuki as battle designer. Yoshida's aim was for a dark fantasy storyline that would have broad appeal and reinvigorate the series. Its production and promotion was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and later by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The game has been well received by journalists. Praise was given to its story, characters, music and combat system. Criticism focused on its lack of deeper RPG elements, framerate issues and side quest design.
