Final Fantasy 16: Everything We Know

There's no doubt about it: Final Fantasy 16 is, and understandably so, one of the most anticipated games of the year, and also one of the only RPGs we're forever checking up on for the sake of unearthing new clues to weave together its final portrait. Needless to say, we've already found plenty of content to help tide us over while we wait for its eventual 2023 release date. And so, if you're interested to know more about Square Enix's long overdue sixteenth major instalment in the highly acclaimed saga, then read on. Here's everything you need to know about it.

What Is Final Fantasy 16?

Final Fantasy 16 is an upcoming action role-playing game by Square Enix. From a bird's-eye view, the latest entry stands as not only the sixteenth major instalment in the series, but the 95th game overall in the Final Fantasy catalog, an ever-evolving archive that has been going strong since its 1987 debut.

Final Fantasy 16, much like its predecessors, will feature an enormous variety of characters, idyllic locations, and real-time combat similar to the series' later instalments. According to producer Naoki Yoshida, this decision was made in a bid to appeal to a younger audience. The game will also feature two main modes: Action Focus Mode, a version that allows players to spend more time sharpening their skill trees; and Story Focus Mode, which favors the narrative over the combat, thereby giving players a more balanced story-driven experience with fewer challenges.

Story

Final Fantasy 16 centers its tale around the realm of Valisthea, an idyllic world in which citizens rely on towering mountains known as Mothercrystals. “For generations, people have flocked to these beacons to take advantage of their blessing, using the aether to conjure magicks that let them live lives of comfort and plenty,” the official blurb reads. “Great powers have grown up around each Mothercrystal, and an uneasy peace has long reigned between them. Yet now the peace falters as the spread of the Blight threatens to destroy their dominions.”

In the realm of Valisthea, there are five distinct factions, each of which are called to arms after a Blight cloaks the land and causes the Mothercrystals to lose their power. It is here, at the beginning of a great war, where you will assume the role of Clive Rosfield—an elite swordsman and mentor to younger brother Joshua Rosfield—and begin your epic journey to not only guide your fresh and blood, but survive the chaos that looms on the other end of the Mothercrystals.

Gameplay

If you've played your fair share of Final Fantasy 15, then you'll no doubt already know what to expect from the upcoming instalment. If not, then one can only describe it as being a drawn-out action role-playing game that divvies up its time between exploration, fast-paced real-time combat, and hearty character progression. All of this comes enveloped in a lengthy story-driven experience that's both jam-packed full of side quests, favors, and activities, all of which amount to a sturdy thirty-plus hour campaign, give or take.

The good news is, the combat is actually being directed by Ryota Suzuki, who, as it turns out, was behind Devil May Cry 5. So, expect plenty of big combos, power-infused special abilities, and a solid number of QTEs and executions. If it's anything even remotely like DmC, then we're in for a real treat.

Development

Square Enix started development on Final Fantasy 16 back in 2016, roughly months after the 3.4 patch launched in Final Fantasy 14's Heavensward expansion. According to Yoshida, the plan was to make an action game that accommodated neither children or adults, but more “players of all generations,” hence its choice to opt for a real-time combat schematic as opposed to the older turn-based one.

After signing its rights away to Sony, it was confirmed that Final Fantasy 16 would be a timed exclusive on the PlayStation 5, and would therefore not arrive on Xbox or Switch on launch. It's unclear whether or not this will change towards the end of the year, though at present, it appears PlayStation holds the keys to the newly established kingdom, and will continue to until at least the beginning of 2024.

Trailer

The good new is, Square Enix hasn't kept the whole project under wraps since its initial announcement. To elaborate, it actually has a number of sneak previews outside of its original reveal trailer, most notably the ‘Revenge' and ‘Ambition' trailers, both of which aired in the last six months. You can catch the first of many trailers in the embedded video above.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Final Fantasy 16 will be launching exclusively on PlayStation 5 on June 22, 2023. According to Sony, this timed exclusive will only be available for six months following its 2023 release. And so, going by that, there is a good chance that the sixteenth instalment will be coming to other platforms towards the end of the year. But as it stands, there have been no talks about it coming to Xbox Series X|S, Switch, or PC. There has also been no word on it coming to Game Pass, Xbox Game Pass, or PlayStation Plus.

As far as editions go, Final Fantasy 16 will come in four: Standard Edition, Deluxe Edition, Digital Deluxe Edition, and Collector's Edition. Curious? Here's what you can expect to see in each of the available versions:

Standard Edition

• Final Fantasy 16
  • Gil Boost Accessory: Cait Sith Charm (Pre-order)
  • Bonus Weapon: Braveheart (Pre-order)

Deluxe Edition

• Final Fantasy 16
• Steelbook case
• Cloth map of Valisthea
  • Gil Boost Accessory: Cait Sith Charm (Pre-order)
  • Bonus Weapon: Braveheart (Pre-order)

Digital Deluxe Edition

• Final Fantasy 16
• Digital art book
• Digital soundtrack
  • Gil Boost Accessory: Cait Sith Charm (Pre-order)
  • Bonus Weapon: Braveheart (Pre-order)

Collector's Edition

• Final Fantasy 16
• Ifrit resin statue
• Set of 8 pins
• Cloth map of Valisthea
• Steelbook case
• Blood Sword (digital item)

For more information on Final Fantasy 16, you can check in with the official social handle here. We'll be sure to share any details on its launch should they come to light.

So, what's your take? Will you be picking up a copy of Final Fantasy 16 when it releases later this year? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.