Final Fantasy XVI
Square Enix real-time action-RPG (Jun 22, 2023 PS5; Sep 17, 2024 PC; Mar 27, 2025 Xbox) directed by Hiroshi Takai + produced by Naoki Yoshida — dark-fantasy Valisthea setting with Eikon (summon) combat. First fully action-oriented mainline FF; ~35-45hr story; 3M+ units first week.
What is Final Fantasy XVI?
Final Fantasy XVI is a real-time action-RPG developed by Square Enix's Creative Business Unit III (led by Naoki Yoshida of FFXIV fame) — 16th mainline Final Fantasy entry. Released June 22, 2023 exclusively for PS5 (PC/Steam Sep 17, 2024; Xbox Series X/S Mar 27, 2025). Directed by Hiroshi Takai, produced by Naoki Yoshida, combat design by Ryota Suzuki (Devil May Cry 5 combat director). Story: player controls Clive Rosfield, sworn shield of Rosaria's crown prince Joshua, on decades-spanning revenge + political-fantasy arc in Valisthea — twin continents where warring nations vie for Mothercrystals. Six Dominants each host a summonable Eikon (Ifrit, Phoenix, Titan, Ramuh, Shiva, Odin, Bahamut, Garuda, Leviathan). Fully action combat — no ATB, no random encounters, no party control. Eikonic Abilities let Clive swap in different Eikon powers on the fly. Two major DLC: 'Echoes of the Fallen' + 'The Rising Tide'. Departs from JRPG turn-based tradition + received praise for cinematic spectacle, criticism for linear pacing + light RPG mechanics. 3M+ units shipped in first week; 3.5M+ within a month.
Quick facts
Category
Video Games
Type
Individual
Players
1–1
Duration
~60 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇯🇵 Japan
Estimated origin
Released Jun 22, 2023 PS5; PC Sep 17, 2024; Xbox Mar 27, 2025
Olympic
No
Popularity
major
How it works
Objective
Follow Clive Rosfield's revenge + political-liberation arc across Valisthea; defeat Ultima; liberate mankind from Mothercrystal dependence.
Match structure
Single-player linear action-RPG with hub-and-spoke area progression; two paid DLC add zones + Eikons.
Rules
Basic rules
Real-time action combat
Combos, dodges, parries, Eikonic Abilities — no ATB/turn-based system.
Eikonic Abilities swap on the fly
Equip up to 3 Eikons; each provides 3 unique Abilities on cooldown.
Torgal companion controls
Only party member; commanded via directional inputs (Sic, Ravage, Heal).
Advanced rules
Story Focused vs Action Focused mode
Assist Rings (Ring of Timely Assistance, Timely Evasion, etc.) reduce difficulty for story-first players.
Final Fantasy Mode NG+
New Game+ unlocks higher-level enemies, harder bosses, extra gear tier.
Hunt Board + Chronoliths + Notorious Marks
Optional endgame content — hunts, arcade time-attack combat trials, unique bosses.
Scoring
Story completion + optional side content + Ultimaniac trials.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Story progression | Main quest chapter completion |
Win condition · Complete main story (defeat Ultima); 100% = all hunts + all side quests + all Chronoliths + Arcade Mode.
Equipment
PS5 / PC / Xbox Series X/S
Multi-platform; PS5 was launch-exclusive for 15 months.
Standard controller (DualSense recommended)
Uses adaptive triggers + haptics on PS5.
Positions & roles
Clive Rosfield (protagonist)
×1Dominant of Ifrit + former shield of Rosaria; player character throughout.
Officiating
Single-player only.
- Speedrun.com moderators
Penalties & fouls
Penalties
Combat death
Reload latest autosave; no permadeath.
Failed dodge/parry
Take damage; boss punish combos reduce Will Gauge slower.
Strategies
Stagger management
Attack enemy Will Gauge to Stagger — Stagger window is 1.5x damage; save biggest Eikonic Abilities for Stagger.
Eikonic Ability loadout building
Mix + match 9 abilities from 3 equipped Eikons; craft complementary combos (e.g., Titanic Block + Gigaflare + Diamond Dust).
Torgal command combos
Time Torgal 'Ravage' with your launcher for extended aerial juggle.
Terminology
- Eikon
- Massive summoned creature bound to a Dominant
- Dominant
- Human who can channel + become an Eikon
- Bearer
- Human who can use magic without a crystal
- Mothercrystal
- Massive continental crystal fueling civilisation
- Will Gauge
- Enemy stagger meter — drain to Stagger
Major competitions
Speedrun.com FFXVI leaderboards
ongoing · global (community) · since 2023
Where it is played
Governing bodies
Square Enix Holdings
Founded 2003 · Tokyo, Japan
Creative Business Unit III (Yoshi-P/Yoshida)
Founded 2012 · Tokyo, Japan
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Naoki Yoshida (producer)
- Hiroshi Takai (director)
- Ryota Suzuki (combat director)
- Masayoshi Soken (composer)
Records
3M+ units first week
Square Enix — 3 million+ units shipped + digitally sold in first week (2023)
Multi-platform release
Square Enix — PS5-exclusive 15 months then PC (2024) + Xbox Series (2025) (2025)
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Prologue + Rosaria arc
Learn combat basics + Ifrit/Phoenix Eikonic Abilities.
intermediate
- 1
Mid-game (Titan → Bahamut)
Unlock more Eikons; experiment with ability loadouts.
advanced
- 1
Final Fantasy Mode + Ultimaniac Arcade
NG+ higher difficulty; time-attack Arcade Mode S+ ranks.
Frequently asked
Is FFXVI turn-based like older Final Fantasy games?+
No — FFXVI is fully real-time action combat, closer to Devil May Cry than classic Final Fantasy. No ATB, no random encounters, no party control.
How does FFXVI relate to FFXIV?+
No direct story connection. FFXVI is developed by Naoki Yoshida's CBU III team (also responsible for FFXIV). Standalone entry with its own world (Valisthea) + characters.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Final Fantasy XVI— Wikipedia