Final Fantasy XVI was one of the PS5’s best exclusives when it launched in 2023. Now, two years later, it arrives on PC — and Square Enix has done more than just port it. The PC version is the definitive edition of a game that was already spectacular.
Performance: Smooth as Silt
The PC port is remarkably well-optimized. On a mid-range system (RTX 4070, Ryzen 5 7600X, 32GB RAM), the game holds a locked 60fps at 1440p with high settings, and pushes 90-120fps with DLSS Quality mode. At 4K with DLSS Performance, it rarely drops below 80fps.
Key graphics options include:
- DLSS 3.5 Frame Generation (RTX 40-series) and FSR 3 support
- Ray-traced shadows and reflections (toggleable)
- Uncapped frame rate and borderless windowed mode
- Controller and keyboard/mouse support with full remapping
- Ultrawide monitor support (21:9 and 32:9)
The Combat Shines on PC
FF16’s action-combat system — designed by Ryota Suzuki (Devil May Cry 5 combat director) — was already excellent on PS5. On PC with a keyboard and mouse, it feels even more precise. Eikon abilities are mapped to intuitive key bindings, and the dodge timing feels snappier with mouse aiming for ranged abilities.
That said, the game is best played with a controller. The dualsense-style haptic feedback is missed on PC, but the visual clarity at 1440p+ makes up for it. Enemy tells are easier to read at higher resolutions, making Bahamut and Odin fights more manageable.
Story: Clive’s Journey, Unchanged
The PC version includes the base game plus both DLC expansions — Rising Tide and Echoes of the Fallen. The story follows Clive Rosfield, the First Shield of Rosaria, through a world where massive Eikons (summons) wage war. It’s a darker, more mature Final Fantasy — heavy themes of slavery, revenge, and sacrifice, with less of the series’ trademark whimsy.
The DLC expansions add Leviathan as a new Eikon ability set and a challenging endgame dungeon. Neither is essential to the main story, but both enrich the experience.
The Final Fantasy Renaissance
FF16’s PC port cements Square Enix’s recent turnaround. Between FF7 Rebirth, FF16, and the upcoming FF17, the franchise is in its best shape since the PS1 era. The PC release also means a wider audience can experience one of the most ambitious JRPGs of the decade.
Score: 8.5/10 — A stellar port of a spectacular action RPG. The Eikon battles must be seen to be believed.