Final Fantasy 16 may have been a controversial game, but there's no denying that it didn't play things safe. The game turned the Final Fantasy formula on its head by not only adopting a fast-paced, hack-and-slash combat system, but also by getting rid of playable party members. Final Fantasy 16 was very much a Devil May Cry-style title instead of a traditional JRPG, and that made it unique compared to other entries in the franchise, for better or for worse. Although FF16 was criticized for its dull side quests and barebones role-playing elements, it still received praise from many Final Fantasy enthusiasts for trying something new.
Despite being very different from a surface-level point of view, Final Fantasy 16 has a few things in common with its predecessor, Final Fantasy 15. Both games were highly divisive among fans, and both were more action-oriented compared to previous Final Fantasy installments. Final Fantasy 15, however, was considerably more popular than its follow-up. While Final Fantasy 16 was modestly successful, it didn't sell nearly as well as FF15, in part due to its PlayStation console exclusivity and lack of cross-media promotion. Although FF16 can still become a lot more popular by taking some pages out of FF15's playbook, it probably won't follow its predecessor's footsteps in one regard, due to recent technological developments.
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FF16 Will Probably Not Take the Route that FF15 Took With Its Handheld Ports
FF15 Received Several Adaptations, Including One for Mobile Phones Titled FF15: Pocket Edition
Square Enix, the publisher of the Final Fantasy franchise, heavily marketed Final Fantasy 15 ahead of its release and treated it like it was the next big thing. Unlike Final Fantasy 16, FF15 was adapted to multiple different mediums. Not only did Square Enix make books, movies, and TV shows inspired by the hit RPG, it also developed several spin-offs set in its universe, such as an MMO strategy game and even a VR fishing game.
One of the more noteworthy Final Fantasy 15 spin-offs that's often been overlooked is Final Fantasy 15: Pocket Edition. Released in 2018, this game is an abridged, episodic adaptation of FF15 that was created specifically for mobile phones. It features the same plot, setting, and characters as FF15, but it has a simplified battle system, a cartoony, chibi art style, and a bunch of new side quests. Final Fantasy 15: Pocket Edition was originally exclusive to Android and iOS devices, but it was ported to consoles and Windows PCs less than a year after its mobile launch.
Handhelds Typically Don't Receive Adaptations of Console Games Anymore
Final Fantasy 15 is probably one of the last modern AAA games to receive a Pocket Edition-style portable adaptation. Back in the 90s and 2000s, adaptations of home console games for handhelds were incredibly common. Many PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, and Wii games were often redesigned and reimagined to fit on portable consoles, such as the DS and the Game Boy Advance. The portable versions of these titles were typically not direct ports, but rather entirely new games, much like Final Fantasy 15: Pocket Edition.
These days, the line between handhelds and home consoles has started to blur. Several portable gaming devices, like the Steam Deck and the Nintendo Switch, are powerful enough to run many AAA titles without few limitations. Because of this, companies don’t make downgraded adaptations of home console games for handhelds anymore. That's why, if a game like Final Fantasy 16 does come to portable platforms in the future, it will almost certainly not receive a reimagined, Pocket Edition version, like Final Fantasy 15 did.
FF16 Could Probably Run on a Switch 2 or a Phone, So a Pocket Edition is Not Necessary
If the reports about the Nintendo Switch 2's specifications are true, Final Fantasy 16 will probably be able to run just fine on the upcoming handheld with some minor graphical downgrades. In fact, if Square Enix is willing to port it, the game may even be playable on a high-end mobile phone. Several graphically-impressive AAA titles, such as Death Stranding, Resident Evil Village, and Assassin's Creed Mirage, have been released on iPhones and iPads, of all things, so there's a good chance that a native Final Fantasy 16 port for mobile phones is feasible, as well.
Final Fantasy 16
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 91%
- Released
- June 22, 2023
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Publisher(s)
- Square Enix
- Engine
- Proprietary Engine
- Franchise
- Final Fantasy
WHERE TO PLAY
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 brings calamity in its wake.
