Here’s some Eikonic news for you: Final Fantasy XVI is coming to Xbox… (checks calendar)… today. Like, you can play it today.

This beautiful action-RPG takes you to a dark and dangerous world full of dramatic storytelling, unforgettable characters and thrillingly fast-paced combat – including battles between massive creatures on a scale you have to see to believe. Xbox fans can experience it all for themselves across both console and PC with Xbox Play Anywhere – and with the choice to purchase the Complete Edition, you’ll be able to experience everything Final Fantasy XVI has to offer in a single package.

The release also means that all single player mainline Final Fantasy games are now available to play on Xbox! And with Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade also on its way this winter, there’s even more for Xbox fans to look forward to in the future!

What is Final Fantasy XVI about?

Final Fantasy games are known for their stories, and Final Fantasy XVI’s story is among the series’ best – mature, powerful and a true epic in every sense of the word.

It takes place in the world of Valisthea – a once verdant land, blessed by the light of the mothercrystals. Now though, it’s plagued by a horrifying Blight that deadens all around it.

As the land weakens, so too does the relative peace between nations. Their fate is determined by Eikons – staggeringly powerful creatures who reside within specific men and woman. These special few, known as Dominants, can call upon their power, making them both revered and feared by the nations within the world.

You play as Clive Rosfield (voiced in English by the incomparable Ben Starr), the firstborn son of the Archduke of Rosaria and sworn protector to his younger brother Joshua – the Dominant of the Phoenix. This happy life is changed forever, when his kingdom is attacked, his family torn apart and a new Eikon emerges amid the chaos: Ifrit.

In the aftermath Clive swears revenge, setting him on a path that will change him and Valisthea forever.

What Do You Do in the Game?

Clive’s quest takes him all across the world, from the grassy plains and woodlands of his native Rosaria, to the sweltering deserts of Dhalmekia. You’ll take on thrilling missions, full of powerful foes to battle with a gloriously snappy and responsive combat system.

You’ll dish out combos, stylishly dodge attacks and call on the power of the Eikons to deliver satisfying special attacks. As the story progresses, Clive gets access to more and more Eikonic abilities, from brutal fists of stone to rapid claws of wind – there’s a lot of fun to be had experimenting with different setups and playstyles.

At certain points in the story, you’ll also take control of Eikon battles – you’ll see these skyscraper-sized creatures go one-on-one in massive-scale encounters that are literally earth-shattering! Each one feels unique, challenging and a visual feast you won’t soon forget.

Of course, there’s plenty to do outside of the main story too. You can take on side quests to gain rewards and learn more about the world and its people, hunt special monsters that will test your skills with the blade, replay completed story stages to set high scores and take on special ‘Chronolith Trials’ that require mastery of specific skills.

In short, there’s a lot to do!

What Editions are Available on Xbox?

Two editions are available digitally on Xbox: the Final Fantasy XVI Complete Edition and Standard Edition. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can purchase the game once and play across both Xbox consoles and PC – and full cross-saves mean you can pick up the game no matter what Xbox platform you’re on.

Purchasing either edition will get you the following in-game items:

• Blood Sword
• Braveheart Sword
• Brave Blade
• Cait Sith’s Charm
• Sixteen Bells Orchestrion

Here’s more detail on what’s included with each edition:

Final Fantasy XVI Complete Edition

This gives you the full Final Fantasy XVI experience, including all previously released DLC. That includes two story expansions:

Echoes of the Fallen

Clive and his allies uncover a strange dark crystal, unlike any they’ve encountered before. Their investigation takes them to the Sagespire – a ruin of the long-vanished Fallen civilization. This towering structure contains many secrets… most of which are extremely dangerous. Their ascent culminates with a confrontation with a supremely powerful new foe: Omega.

This DLC also includes an orchestrion roll that lets you listen to an awesome chiptune version of the track ‘Away’ in your hideout, and a new weapon appearance for Clive: The Buster Sword from Final Fantasy VII!

The Rising Tide

This expansive new story starts when Clive receives a mysterious letter with an even more surprising request: to rescue the Dominant of Leviathan, and the long-lost Eikon of Water.

The quest sends Clive to a hidden region of the world – a stunning area of crystal blue seas, beautiful forests and plenty of new quests to complete. There are new monsters too, including one type that will send a chill down any Final Fantasy fan’s spine: Tonberries!

As well as a new story and quests, this expansion also adds a whole new set of Eikonic Abilities for Clive, based around Leviathan and the power of water. With long-range attacks and plenty of other flashy moves, it gives you a wildly fun new playstyle to get to grips with.

There are in-game items too, including the Curtana weapon and two orchestrian rolls to liven up the Hideaway: ‘Torn from the Heavens’ and ‘Through the Maelstrom’.

Expansion Pass

But what if you buy the Standard Edition, fall in love with the game, and want to experience Clive’s expanded adventures?

You’ll be pleased and relieved to know that you can also purchase Echoes of the Fallen and the Rising Tide individually, or together with the Final Fantasy XVI Expansion Pass.

Final Fantasy XVI is available today. To learn more about the game, be sure to visit the official website and follow Square Enix on social media:

• Square Enix on BlueSky

• Square Enix on X

• Square Enix on Facebook

• Square Enix on Instagram

FINAL FANTASY XVI COMPLETE EDITION

SQUARE ENIX

☆☆☆☆☆ 1

★★★★★

$69.99

Get it now

The COMPLETE EDITION is a bundle containing the following: Game Content: – FINAL FANTASY XVI Base Game – Echoes of the Fallen DLC – The Rising Tide DLC (The products included in this bundle are both available for separate purchase, as well as contained in other bundles. Please be careful to avoid making duplicate purchases.) Redeemable Weapons & Items: •Blood Sword weapon •Braveheart weapon •Brave Blade weapon •Buster Sword weapon •Curtana weapon •Cait Sith Charm accessory •Sixteen Bells orchestrion roll •Away (1987) orchestrion roll •Torn from the Heavens orchestrion roll •Through the Maelstrom orchestrion roll

FINAL FANTASY XVI

SQUARE ENIX

☆☆☆☆☆ 1

★★★★★

$49.99

Get it now

The first fully fledged Action RPG in the mainline Final Fantasy series. An epic dark fantasy world where the fate of the land is decided by the mighty Eikons and the Dominants who wield them. This is the tale of Clive Rosfield, a warrior granted the title “First Shield of Rosaria” and sworn to protect his younger brother Joshua, the Dominant of the Phoenix. Before long, Clive will be caught up in a great tragedy and swear revenge on the Dark Eikon Ifrit, a mysterious entity that leaves naught but calamity in its wake. Titanic Clashes – When rival Dominants come head to head, epic battles between their Eikons ensue! Eikonic Action – Clive utilizes the powers of multiple Eikons in breakneck battle! From Strength to Strength A plethora of powerful swordplay techniques and Eikonic abilities lie within Clive's remit—and it is up to you to decide which ones you wish to learn or upgrade. If you're having trouble choosing, upgrades can be unlocked automatically. Story-focused mode is recommended for those players who are less comfortable with action games and wish to focus more on the game's story elements. In this mode, Clive will automatically evade some attacks, and epic Eikonic combos can be triggered with simple button presses. Action-focused mode, where Clive's every action is controlled by the player, is available for those who are confident in their skill—or want to test it.