The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 27, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Video Games›Final Fantasy XVI
Entertainment • Video Games

Final Fantasy XVI

Final Fantasy XVI is a 2023 action role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Final Fantasy XVI is a 2023 action role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix. It is the sixteenth mainline entry in the Final Fantasy series and is set in the fictional world of Valisthea, where rival nations depend on magical Crystals and powerful beings called Eikons.

Gameplay

Final Fantasy XVI is an action role-playing game focused on real-time combat. Sources describe segmented open areas and a combat system centred on the player character Clive Rosfield, with abilities tied to Eikon powers.

Setting and story

The game takes place in Valisthea, a fantasy world divided into six nations whose power is tied to magical Crystals and Dominants, humans who host Eikons. The story centres on political conflict and rising instability across the continent.

Release

Square Enix released Final Fantasy XVI for PlayStation 5 on 22 June 2023. Later versions were released for Windows and Xbox Series X/S.

Series position

The game is part of the long-running Final Fantasy franchise and is the sixteenth numbered main entry. It continues the series’ use of standalone settings and casts rather than direct sequential plot continuity.

Key facts

  • It is the sixteenth mainline Final Fantasy game.
  • The game is set in Valisthea, a world divided among six nations.
  • Players primarily control Clive Rosfield, with AI-controlled companions supporting combat and exploration.
  • The game uses an action-oriented combat system rather than traditional turn-based battles.
  • It launched for PlayStation 5 in June 2023 and later arrived on Windows and Xbox Series X/S.
🍁
Canadian context

Final Fantasy XVI was released in Canada alongside its global PlayStation 5 launch and later PC and Xbox releases, making it relevant to Canadian players and retailers.

Frequently asked questions

What is Final Fantasy XVI?
Final Fantasy XVI is a 2023 action role-playing video game developed and published by Square Enix.
What number entry is it in the Final Fantasy series?
It is the sixteenth mainline entry in the Final Fantasy series.
Who is the main character?
The main protagonist is Clive Rosfield.
Where is the game set?
It is set in Valisthea, a fictional world divided among six nations.
When was it released?
It first released on PlayStation 5 on 22 June 2023, with later releases on Windows and Xbox Series X/S.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_XVI
    Supports: Setting, gameplay, and protagonist
  2. Wikipedia — https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_XVI
    Supports: Developer, genre, release date, and platform information
  3. Wikipedia — https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_XVI
    Supports: Developer, genre, and PlayStation 5 release
  4. Wikipedia — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_XVI
    Supports: Producer/director, release platforms, and setting
  5. Wikipedia — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_XVI
    Supports: Series position and platform releases
  6. Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_XVI
    Supports: Series position and release dates
  7. Wikipedia — https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%82%A4%E3%83%8A%E3%83%AB%E3%83%95%E3%82%A1%E3%83%B3%E3%82%BF%E3%82%B8%E3%83%BCXVI
    Supports: Combat system and player character