12 Games To Play If You Like Final Fantasy 16

The RPG series of the video game genre thrives on the extraordinary, and games like Final Fantasy 16 embody this spirit. As pillars of the RPG genre, games like Witcher 3, DMC 5 & many more unfold intricate narratives, immerse players in exquisitely crafted worlds, and offer strategic combat that challenges intellect and reflexes alike. That is why I have listed here 12 titles that are similar to FF16 & that you should play it before or after playing Final Fantasy 16. 

Games Like Final Fantasy 16 

Take a quick look at 12 captivating games akin to Final Fantasy 16, offering enthralling narratives, immersive gameplay, and enchanting worlds to explore.

12. Final Fantasy IX

In the pantheon of Final Fantasy games, Final Fantasy IX (FFIX) stands as a throwback to the series’ roots, echoing many traditional elements found in FF16, albeit with key differences. Both games share a strong emphasis on narrative and character development, with FF16 employing deeper gameplay elements tied to its story and FFIX exploring characters’ perspectives through Active Time Events.

While FF16’s combat employs sophisticated Eikon abilities, FFIX’s combat system is a refined iteration of the Active Time Battle system. It encourages strategic character-specific abilities and introduces the Trance mode, which, akin to FF16’s staggering state, magnifies the combat capabilities.

FFIX’s world, Gaia, echoes the fantasy realm of Valisthea in FF16, both brimming with a mix of humans, humanoids, and anthropomorphic animals, showcasing the series’ knack for world-building. However, the side quests in FFIX, with puzzles and mazes, seem more engaging than the slightly lackluster quests of FF16. In contrast, the iconic Eikon-versus-Eikon battles in FF16 outshine the boss battles in FFIX, offering remarkable spectacles in gaming.

Pros

• Engaging Active Time Events
• Well-implemented traditional combat system
• Exploration with chocobos, boats, and airships
• Diverse and richly detailed world

Cons

• Random encounter systems can be disruptive
• Story may feel less intricate compared to FF16
• Reliance on traditional Final Fantasy mechanics might feel dated
• Trance mode activation based on damage can be unpredictable

11. Cyberpunk 2077

The stories of both games are rich, albeit in vastly different settings. While FF16 immerses players in a realm influenced heavily by high fantasy and Game of Thrones, Cyberpunk 2077 draws players into a complex cyberpunk narrative riddled with the intrigues of corporate dominion and street-level warfare.

Games like Final Fantasy 16 and Cyberpunk 2077 share a deep focus on character development and immersive world-building. However, Cyberpunk 2077 does not boast the equivalent of FF16’s spectacular Eikon-versus-Eikon battles, although its narrative might resonate more with players seeking a darker, grittier storyline. 

Related: Cyberpunk 2077 Best Legendary Armors

Pros

• Extensive character and gameplay customization.
• Dynamic open-world gameplay with meaningful NPC interactions.
• Multiple endings based on player choices.

Cons

• Less emphasis on strategic combat compared to FF16.
• Lack of epic, high-stakes boss battles as seen in FF16.
• The dystopian setting may not appeal to high-fantasy fans.

10. Kingdom Hearts III

Kingdom Hearts III, in comparison to Final Fantasy 16, provides a similar gameplay journey with its own unique touches. Like FF16, KHIII uses a hack-and-slash combat system, though it leans more into the chaos of combat, describing the action as frantic. The concept of evolving gameplay mechanics, akin to FF16’s Dominant’s abilities, is present in KHIII with the introduction of Attraction Flow attacks, Athletic Flow traversal, and Keyblade transformations, offering gameplay depth and variety.

Story-wise, KHIII does not follow the high fantasy, Game of Thrones-inspired path of FF16, instead utilizing Disney’s rich storytelling heritage to bring unique gameplay elements to each world. The environmental interactions and world-specific mechanics could be likened to FF16’s exploration of Valisthea, though KHIII is notably more eclectic in its diversity of worlds. Experiencing Kingdom Hearts III will resonate with fans seeking games like Final Fantasy 16, thanks to their epic narratives and memorable characters.

However, KHIII lacks the MMORPG-inspired boss mechanics seen in FF16 and does not have the equivalent of FF16’s Eikon-versus-Eikon battles. KHIII’s side quests and optional content are also not directly comparable to FF16’s, with its storyline being more centered on the main plot and less on side stories.

Pros

• Unique Disney-themed worlds and storytelling
• Variety of gameplay mechanics with Attraction Flow and Athletic Flow
• Complex Keyblade transformation system

Cons

• No equivalent of FF16’s Eikon-versus-Eikon battles
• Less focus on side quests and additional content
• Doesn’t offer MMORPG-inspired boss mechanics

9. Nier: Automata

Final Fantasy 16 and Nier: Automata share a thematic DNA of high fantasy and vividly illustrated landscapes punctuated by dystopian elements. Yet, they deviate in their gameplay and combat mechanics. Where FF16’s combat focuses on carefully planning attack sequences with the Eikon abilities, Nier: Automata employs a real-time hack-and-slash system, counterattacks, and evasion. Customizable ranged attacks are handled by Pod robots, while FF16 players lean on Eikon’s abilities. 

Both games offer epic boss fights, but FF16’s boss mechanics are deeply influenced by MMORPG design principles, focusing on dodging, positioning, and reading incoming attacks. In contrast, Nier: Automata’s boss battles incorporate shooting and hacking elements.

Nier: Automata, one of the games like Final Fantasy 16, invites players into a richly detailed universe that pushes the boundaries of the RPG genre. FF16 draws from Game of Thrones, telling a tale of kingdoms fighting over resources, while Nier: Automata features a proxy war between androids and invading machines, albeit thousands of years into the future.

While FF16’s sidequests may fall flat, Nier: Automata offers unique gameplay changes, including shoot ’em up and text adventure segments. The addition of multiple endings offers a broader narrative experience. The soundtracks of both games are a pivotal part of the experience, though their musical styles vary.

Pros

1. Real-time action-based combat system.
2. Character customization through attribute-changing chips.
3. Gameplay variations like shoot ’em up and text adventure segments.
4. Multiple endings enhance narrative replayability.

Cons

1. May feel overwhelming with gameplay genre shifts.
2. The absence of story-progressing abilities could be a letdown.
3. Combat could seem less tactical without attack planning.
4. Less focused on dodging and positioning compared to FF16.

8. Dragon Age: Origins

Final Fantasy 16 and Dragon Age: Origins are both deeply immersive role-playing games, but the manner in which they engage their players is vastly different. Dragon Age: Origins adopts a third-person perspective, in contrast to FF16’s more action-oriented, real-time combat system, where players directly control protagonist Clive Rosfield and his companions. 

The storytelling of both games is well-crafted and engaging, but while FF16 leans heavily into high fantasy and a narrative spanning decades, Dragon Age: Origins allows players to craft their own character’s backstory with a choice of race and class, leading to one of six different origin stories. 

Furthermore, DA:O offers a deep leveling system where players can allocate points to various attributes, whereas in FF16, the accumulation of Eikon abilities ties directly to story progress. Moreover, the approval system in DA:O presents a unique feature where the player’s choices affect their companions’ approval, influencing the progression. Both games are accompanied by evocative soundtracks, setting the tone for the epic adventures that await in their respective worlds.

Pros

• Third-person perspective adds depth.
• Player choice affects story and character development.
• Rich class and race options.
• Dynamic approval system enhances immersion.

Cons

• Less direct control over companions in combat.
• No fast-travel menu may lead to excessive travel.
• Heavy reliance on dialogue trees may not appeal to all.
• Potential for companions to leave can be frustrating.

7. Persona 5 Royal

When comparing Final Fantasy 16 (FF16) to Persona 5, there’s an undeniable difference in style and presentation, yet the two games share similar elements that establish them as compelling RPGs. Both games offer players a deep, intricate narrative but Persona 5 takes an urban, contemporary setting contrasted to FF16’s high fantasy realm.

With its intricate storyline and captivating gameplay, Persona 5 Royal stands as a strong contender among games like Final Fantasy 16. Gameplay-wise, both incorporate AI-controlled companions but the execution is different: FF16 gives us Clive and a rotating party of companions while Persona 5 uses the ‘Confidant’ system to build relationships and unlock combat abilities.

The combat systems also contrast; FF16 offers action-oriented real-time combat, with emphasis on boss battles and Eikon abilities, while Persona 5 opts for a turn-based system with emphasis on exploiting enemy weaknesses and using Personas. Exploration in both games is rewarding: FF16 encourages players to traverse its segmented open areas, while Persona 5 focuses on crawling through thematic dungeons.

Persona 5 also balances life simulation elements, where the player’s choices on how to spend their day impact character development and relationships. This is a unique facet that distinguishes it from FF16.

Related: Best Games Like Persona 5

Pros

• Intriguing balance of life simulation and dungeon crawling.
• Stylish presentation and memorable music.
• Engaging, strategic turn-based combat system.
• Deep character relationship building through the ‘Confidant’ system.

Cons

• Lacks the open world exploration of FF16.
• Combat can be slow-paced due to turn-based mechanics.
• Lack of real-time control over party members.
• The urban, contemporary setting might not appeal to high fantasy lovers.

6. The Last Remnant

Comparatively speaking, The Last Remnant shares several notable similarities with Final Fantasy 16 in terms of gameplay, aesthetics, and overarching themes. Much like FF16, The Last Remnant adopts a segmented open-world structure where the players traverse across various continents, towns, and dungeons while controlling the protagonist, Rush Sykes. 

The combat systems of both games draw from their action RPG roots, employing real-time battles rather than separate battle arenas. Uniquely, The Last Remnant presents a turn-based, command-based system using symbol encounters, wherein the player’s forces are grouped into ‘unions’. While Clive remains the only controllable character in FF16, The Last Remnant allows control over multiple unions, each with distinct skill sets.

From a thematic standpoint, both games seem rooted in high fantasy with conflicts revolving around powerful magical artifacts, Remnants in The Last Remnant, and Eikons in FF16. These elements fuel the political and territorial tensions in their respective worlds.

As for the music, unlike FF16’s composer Masayoshi Soken, The Last Remnant’s soundtrack creator is not mentioned, but I can assume that, like FF16, it complements the narrative flow and enhances the gameplay experience.

Pros

• Guild quests provide flexibility and non-linear gameplay.
• Control over multiple unions in battle adds strategic depth.
• The time-shift system introduces a novel approach to enemy encounters.

Cons

• Lack of individual unit control can limit player engagement.
• Absence of a strong central character might dilute emotional connection.
• The narrative may seem convoluted due to multiple intersecting storylines.

5. Diablo 4

Diablo 4 echoes elements of games like Final Fantasy 16, presenting an epic adventure replete with challenging battles and stunning landscapes. Like FF16, Diablo 4 operates in an open-world setting, where player progression is achieved through battles against increasingly challenging enemies.

Diablo 4 leverages a wide array of character classes, each with unique skills, evoking the AI-controlled companion system in FF16. However, unlike Clive’s personal companions, these classes in Diablo 4 can be entirely customized through equipment and talent trees.

Diablo 4’s plot centers around common people in Sanctuary, creating a grounded narrative in contrast to FF16’s high-fantasy theme spread across the continents of Valisthea. Diablo 4 also includes a more sophisticated equipment enhancement system with runes and runewords for additional effects, something not quite as present in FF16.

While FF16 offers side quests to delve deeper into the lore and relationships, Diablo 4 has non-linear storytelling, with players completing regions in any order they prefer. The bosses in Diablo 4 are divided into families, each unique in silhouette, stance, and weapon, whereas FF16 features epic Eikon-versus-Eikon battles that are more cinematic in nature.

Related: Diablo 4: The BEST DPS Class

Pros

• More character customization options.
• Non-linear storytelling allows freedom in gameplay.
• Sophisticated equipment enhancement system.
• Grounded story focusing on common people.

Cons

• Online requirement, cannot be played offline.
• Presence of microtransactions for cosmetic items.
• Less cinematic boss battles compared to FF16.
• A story less expansive in scope compared to FF16.

4. Xenoblade Chronicles 3

When it comes to the rich story, gameplay mechanics, and character dynamics, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and Final Fantasy 16 share a great deal in common. Like Final Fantasy 16, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is an action role-playing game set in a meticulously crafted open world.

Both games allow for player interaction with AI-controlled characters and offer immersive exploration across various environments. However, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 extends the party to seven members, compared to Final Fantasy 16’s limited control of Clive Rosfield, increasing the complexity and dynamics of the gameplay.

In terms of combat mechanics, both games immerse the players in real-time battles. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 introduces a novel mechanism, the Interlink system, wherein pairs of characters can fuse into an Ouroboros form, enhancing their power in battle, which is similar to Clive’s Eikon abilities in Final Fantasy 16. However, the Interlink system further encourages strategic planning, while Eikon abilities are dependent on story progression.

As for the storyline, both games dive deep into their respective fantasy realms. But where Final Fantasy 16 draws inspiration from Game of Thrones, Xenoblade Chronicles 3 develops its own unique narrative. Moreover, the player’s ability to switch between characters in Xenoblade Chronicles 3 provides diverse perspectives, enhancing the overall narrative depth.

Pros

• Allows switching between characters.
• Intricate class system enhances gameplay.
• The Interlink system introduces strategic gameplay.

Cons

• May seem complex due to its many systems.
• Party size may make battles chaotic.
• It can be challenging to manage Heat gauge for Ouroboros.

3. Tactics Ogre: Reborn

Tactics Ogre: Reborn, though distinct in style, shares the strategic depth and character development typical of games like Final Fantasy 16. Both games offer expansive universes, filled with rich lore and characters, rooted deeply in fantasy. Tactics Ogre’s narrative of the Valerian Isles, struggling amidst civil war, resonates with Final Fantasy’s conflict-laden Valisthea.

Intriguingly, both games anchor their stories around their central characters – Denam for Tactics Ogre, and Clive Rosfield for Final Fantasy 16 – who navigate their world’s turmoil and complexity.

However, Tactics Ogre’s game mechanics distinctly diverge from Final Fantasy 16. Unlike Final Fantasy’s AI-controlled party, Tactics Ogre offers meticulous control over each unit, encouraging players to experiment with various class combinations and strategies. This customization level ensures dynamic tactical battles, which might be more appealing to players seeking in-depth strategy.

Tactics Ogre also introduces novel features like the World Tarot and the Chariot Tarot, which allow for story progression and battle strategy revisions, adding another layer of complexity absent in Final Fantasy 16. Lastly, Tactics Ogre’s endgame content, like the 100-level Palace of the Dead, ensures extended playability, a feature Final Fantasy 16 doesn’t quite match.

Pros

• Greater control over each unit
• Novel features like World Tarot and Chariot Tarot
• Rich endgame content
• High-definition character and background designs

Cons

• May be overly complex for casual players
• Lacks Final Fantasy 16’s AI-controlled party dynamic
• No mention of an assistive gameplay feature for struggling players.

2. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The Witcher 3, like FF16, presents an open world where player has the liberty to explore at their own pace. However, The Witcher’s environment is much more dynamic, with a day-night cycle impacting gameplay and the activities of in-game creatures. On the other hand, FF16 focuses on story progress to unravel abilities and gameplay elements, albeit at a somewhat slow pace.

Geralt can use a variety of weapons and signs (magic), reminiscent of Clive’s Eikon abilities. However, the combat style in The Witcher 3 is more intricate, involving the strategic use of light and heavy attacks, magic, and tools. In FF16, the AI-controlled companions aid in combat, with a focus on boss battles that require strategic planning and precise reactions.

The storylines of both games are complex, involving political and magical struggles. Still, The Witcher 3 offers more flexibility, allowing players to influence the state of the world and experience up to 36 possible endings through decisions made in-game, compared to FF16’s more linear narrative.

In contrast to FF16’s weaker sidequests, The Witcher 3’s are more engaging, drawn from the noticeboards in towns, adding depth to the overall gameplay.

Related: Witcher 3 Best Steel Swords

Pros

• Dynamic, responsive environments
• Diverse combat styles with an emphasis on strategy
• Decision-based gameplay influencing multiple endings
• Engaging sidequests

Cons

• No AI-controlled companions in combat
• Slower health restoration methods compared to FF16
• Less emotive, and less varied soundtrack than FF16
• Economy-influenced crafting may be challenging for some players

1. Devil May Cry 5

Devil May Cry 5, while different in tone, showcases the epic storytelling and intricate combat systems associated with games like Final Fantasy 16. DMC5 focuses on stylish, fast-paced combat, akin to the dynamism of FF16, wherein players tactically handle adversaries while maintaining a style rating.

One can observe an overlap in their combat systems; like Clive, the controllable protagonist of FF16, Nero in DMC5 has an extensive arsenal, consisting of Devil Breakers that serve various functions similar to the Eikon abilities of FF16. Likewise, Dante’s ability to change styles, offering different techniques or parries, echoes the rich gameplay depth in FF16’s boss battles where strategic planning and swift reactions reign supreme. However, DMC5’s unique mechanic of a risk/reward weapon system using red orbs injects an interesting twist to combat.

The narratives of both games unfold in grandeur, with FF16 drawing from high fantasy and Game of Thrones inspirations, whereas DMC5 follows a more straightforward demon-hunting tale. Nero’s struggle and V’s mysterious agenda in DMC5 may not be as broad in scope as Clive’s journey across Valisthea, but they still provide intriguing storylines.

Pros

• The fast-paced, stylish combat system
• Interesting risk/reward weapon mechanic
• Three playable characters with unique abilities
• Intriguing character narratives

Cons

• Limited exploration compared to FF16
• Gameplay may be too challenging for casual gamers
• Fewer RPG elements compared to FF16
• Character progression tied to the purchase of abilities

The impact of games like Final Fantasy 16 extends beyond mere entertainment. They provide immersive experiences that challenge problem-solving abilities, deepen the understanding of narrative and character development, and fuel imaginations. In these virtual landscapes, players navigate ethical quandaries, experience epic adventures, and forge connections that resonate beyond the screen.

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