Square Enix’s upcoming role-playing game Final Fantasy 16 is set to launch on June 22 for the PlayStation 5. According to producer Naoki Yoshida, the game is currently on track for release. He doesn’t anticipate delays, barring a catastrophic event like a “meteor hitting our headquarters in Japan.”
At a recent press event, various publications had the opportunity to go hands-on with a demo of the game, which takes place five hours into the story. While the demo wasn’t fully optimized and is different from the full game, it gave players a taste of what to expect from the upcoming RPG.
One of the standout features of Final Fantasy 16 is its storytelling, which will be delivered through over 11 hours of cinematic cutscenes in the main scenario alone. According to Yoshida, the cutscenes will be seamlessly interwoven into the game experience, playing in-engine in real time.
In addition to the lengthy cutscenes, Final Fantasy 16 will also feature real-time combat and massive Eikon battles. The game’s director, Hiroshi Takai, has confirmed that the story will take about 35 to 40 hours to complete, with optional content included that could bring the total playtime up to around 70 hours.
Players will also have the option to choose between Performance and Frame Rate modes, with the former emphasizing the title’s 4K visuals and the latter prioritizing a higher frame rate at the cost of resolution. While Final Fantasy 16 will launch exclusively on PlayStation 5, at least initially, the possibility of a PC release has not been ruled out entirely.
Overall, Final Fantasy 16 is shaping up to be an exciting addition to the long-running franchise, with its darker tone, real-time combat, and massive Eikon battles. Fans and newcomers alike will have the opportunity to experience the game’s epic story and immersive gameplay when it launches on June 22 for PlayStation 5.
