Final Fantasy 16 PC Review: Hidden Gem in Gaming

2024/09/23

Final Fantasy 16 on PC is arguably the best way to immerse yourself in Clive Rossfield’s story, albeit with some significant caveats. When FF16 was initially released on the PlayStation 5, it astonishingly wowed players not only with its stunning graphics but also with its engaging gameplay. With the PC launch, it delivered a similar impact, albeit for somewhat different reasons.

Indeed, Final Fantasy 16 looks remarkably impressive on PC, especially at higher resolutions, settings, and with DLAA. However, achieving the game’s best visuals is much easier said than done, even with high-end PC hardware. This scenario shouldn’t come as a surprise to those who played it on the PS5.

On the PS5, Final Fantasy 16 struggled to find a balance between visuals and performance, even with the “Performance Mode.”The same holds true for the PC version, though to a lesser extent. Beyond the technical jargon, FF16 firmly establishes itself as one of the best action RPGs available, truly deserving the title of a gaming gem.

Final Fantasy 16 PC: A stellar action RPG marred by performance issues and various technical shortcomings

What does Final Fantasy 16’s PC port offer?

The PC version of Final Fantasy 16 is essentially a carbon copy of the PS5 edition, with little surprise there. You can choose between the Standard Edition, which exclusively includes the base game, or for just $20 more, the Complete Edition, which features the base game along with the “Expansion Pass”that includes two major story expansions.

Final Fantasy 16 is a graphical powerhouse on PC (Image via Square Enix)

The primary difference between the PC and PS5 versions lies in the flexibility to adjust graphics settings. However, the available options are not groundbreaking or particularly extensive. You’ll find basic display options along with upscalers and a few graphics settings.

Don’t get me wrong; while these options significantly improve upon the Final Fantasy 7 Remake‘s PC port, they still feel somewhat barebones compared to titles like Ghost of Tsushima or even Square Enix’s Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition. That said, the PC port of Final Fantasy 16 addressed one of my major grievances with the PS5 version.

While I cherished the stunning visuals on the PS5’s Quality preset, the image quality, particularly during combat, left much to be desired. Playing on Performance Mode resulted in a drastic drop in image clarity, reminiscent of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 era—leading to choppy 720p visuals.

Fortunately, the PC release eliminates these concerns, provided you have the appropriate hardware. I tested the game on my RTX 4070 equipped with DLAA and was genuinely impressed by the enhanced visuals compared to the PS5 variant. Even the TAA option gave a sharper image than what I experienced on the PS5.

The game looks crisp even in action, which is a massive improvement over the PS5 version (Image via Square Enix)

Moreover, the PC version features better sound quality, which becomes particularly evident when using a 5.1 or 7.1 speaker setup. I usually opt for a surround sound experience for my single-player games. In my initial trials with the PS5 version, the audio felt grainy and lackluster.

On PC, however, the sound is pristine, which is especially rewarding considering the game’s epic soundtrack, even during standard gameplay. Additionally, the PC version supports both Nvidia’s DLSS3 and AMD’s FSR3, including Frame Generation.

Port report: The good, the bad, and the ugly

The PC port of Final Fantasy 16 isn’t flawless—far from it. Yet, it stands in better stead than some notorious PC port failures in recent years, such as The Last of Us Part 1, Star Wars Jedi Survivor, and even Square Enix’s own Forspoken. In comparison, Final Fantasy 16 performs significantly better on PC.

The frame rate stability is the biggest issue with the game, even on an RTX 4070 (Image via Square Enix)

Testing the game on my reasonable RTX 4070 and Ryzen 5 5600X configuration, I encountered mostly solid performance. I played on the High preset at 1440p, utilizing DLAA and Frame Generation. By locking my frame rate to 82fps, I operated well within my 165Hz monitor’s VRR range.

With a few exceptions, the game consistently delivered an average of 75-80fps. Having spent no less than 200 hours playing Final Fantasy 16 on the PS5 at a mere 30fps, this was a remarkable enhancement. Furthermore, enabling DLAA provided exceptional clarity, even during intense action sequences filled with particle effects.

However, my experience was not universal; some colleagues faced frame rate and slowdown issues with Final Fantasy 16 despite using higher-end setups like an RTX 3070. For instance, one colleague struggled with performance on an RX6600.

I also observed frame rates dipping into the upper 50s in certain game areas, even when CPU and GPU metrics showed no signs of strain. This drop occurred with Frame Generation enabled, making me curious about the performance with native frame rates in those regions.

While the addition of DLSS and Frame Generation is great, it shouldn't be mandatory to get a stable performance (Image via Square Enix) — While the addition of DLSS and Frame Generation is great, it shouldn’t be mandatory to get a stable performance (Image via Square Enix)

It appears that Final Fantasy 16 on PC also heavily relies on upscaling and similar technologies for playable performance. Although I appreciate the inclusion of DLSS and Frame Generation, such technologies should be enhancements—not necessities. Another concern is the 30fps lock during cutscenes.

No matter how powerful your settings are, Final Fantasy 16 always locks cutscenes at 30fps for no tangible reason. Only a community-made mod allows players to bypass this frame rate lock, which isn’t a feasible option for everyone.

A Final Fantasy experience like no other

For those unfamiliar, Final Fantasy 16 is an action role-playing game, similar to earlier series titles. However, unlike previous entries, it leans heavily into action gameplay while RPG elements are notably limited. Its progression system bears more similarity to games like Stellar Blade or Black Myth Wukong.

A Final Fantasy game, through and through (Image via Square Enix)

This design choice is certainly controversial among long-term series fans, with some casting doubt on its legitimacy as a “true Final Fantasy”title. However, as someone who has played most of the series, I argue that Final Fantasy 16 embodies the essence of a Final Fantasy game.

While it may lack the intricate RPG mechanics typical of earlier titles, and the absence of party dynamics and strategic elements may feel disenchanting, it remains true at its core. To me, Final Fantasy 16 doesn’t have to adhere to a rigid set of rules to fit the franchise’s identity.

Each new mainline game contributes something unique while ensuring it stays true to what defines a Final Fantasy experience. Ultimately, Final Fantasy 16 feels like any other installment in the series, albeit with a more streamlined progression structure.

In a gaming landscape flooded with complex RPGs, there’s surely merit in delivering a more straightforward and approachable experience. Final Fantasy 16 achieves just that—offering a direct RPG experience that is undoubtedly a part of the Final Fantasy family.

A fun story, engaging gameplay, and stunning visuals, what more can anyone ask for in a Final Fantasy game? (Image via Square Enix)

While side quests can occasionally feel mundane, the compelling main narrative and well-developed characters more than compensate for this minor flaw. Unsurprisingly, this holds true for the PC version as well.

In Conclusion

Final Fantasy 16 is a diamond in the rough (Image via Square Enix)

Final Fantasy 16 has firmly established itself as one of the standout entries in the enduring RPG franchise. Regrettably, the PC version experiences its share of technical issues that may hinder gameplay enjoyment. Nevertheless, if your PC is sufficiently robust to handle the game, and you’re willing to overlook its flaws, you’re poised for one of the most rewarding RPG experiences of your lifetime.