Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Saros review
  • Arc Raiders
  • The Boys S5
  • Best turn-based RPGs
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • Delta Force giveaway
Don't miss these
Slay the Spire 2
Roguelike Games Slay the Spire 2 plummets to 66% positive lifetime Steam reviews after first major update
Slay the Spire 2 classes line up on red background
Roguelike Games Slay the Spire 2 devs say the Doormaker mentioned in negative Steam reviews is actually weak
G'raha Tia looks distantly in a trailer for Final Fantasy 14 Stormblood
Final Fantasy As Final Fantasy 14 looks to the future, I hope Square Enix remembers the quest that got me excited for Dawntrail
Final Fantasy 14: Evercold
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 14 Evercold aims to respect your "limited free time" with the death of daily roulettes
Final Fantasy 14 screenshot showing a male Viera - a rabbit-like race with lengthy ears - looking up, his eyes yellow and skin a deep blue
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 14's 8.0 update isn't going to be another "rebirth" for the MMO, Yoshi-P says
Multi-colored digital man stares at the camera
FPS Games Marathon is a good game, former FPS pro Shroud says, "the problem right now is it's too hard"
Final Fantasy 14 Evangelion alliance raid
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 14 is getting an Evangelion raid series with the MMO's Evercold expansion
Low-poly Final Fantasy 7 characters stand facing camera amid HD environments
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy modder is bringing the OG character designs to Final Fantasy Rebirth because "them polygons got that aura"
Final Fantasy 14
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 14 patch 7.5 teasers have fans hoping the MMO's next big expansion will "resolve" fan-favorite plotline
Final Fantasy 14
Final Fantasy Square Enix slaps Final Fantasy 14 content creator with lawsuit over alleged harassment
Slay the Spire 2 classes
Roguelike Games Slay the Spire 2 devs were caught off guard by 13,000 negative Steam review spike
Final Fantasy XIV
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 14 "can't afford another failed expansion," fans say, as unofficial census reports significant player drop
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 protagonist sighs into his hand
RPGs Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 chief "really proud" of LGBT awards nom, says Hans romance isn't "woke"
A scene from Final Fantasy 10 showing character Yuna standing on the water holding out her rod as the sun sets
Final Fantasy Best Final Fantasy games of all-time
Slay the Spire 2
Roguelike Games Slay the Spire 2 devs respond to the flurry of negative Steam reviews: "No change is necessarily permanent"
  1. Games
  2. Action RPGs
  3. Final Fantasy 16

Final Fantasy 16 is the latest venue of the difficulty debate, and players are oh so tired

Features
By Hirun Cryer published 5 July 2023

We really don't need to do this again

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Final Fantasy 16 tips
(Image credit: Square Enix)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Final Fantasy 16 players are hotly debating the game's perceived difficulty, and some are just plain old tired of the arguing.

The entire debate seems to stem from a Maximilian Dood video, a snapshot of which you can see just below, where the streamer argues Final Fantasy 16 is simply too easy. While part of the argument is that players can be trusted to handle more, a second complaint centres around an upper-difficulty option only being unlocked once you finish Final Fantasy 16 for the first time.

I agree with @maximilian_ This is my biggest complaint about FFXVI. I wish they would have just let us choose ourselves. It’s why I’ve barely made any guides on the game, what’s there to make a guide about? Everything is so ridiculously easy. pic.twitter.com/oRO1IK5pphJuly 3, 2023

Now, plenty of players are railing back against this opinion. The player just below, for example, argues that you need to centre your expectations around what Final Fantasy 16 is. Is it a FromSoftware-like game? No, it's a mass-marketed action-RPG blockbuster game, the player argues.

Article continues below
You may like
  • Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth 77% of US Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth players were 30 or older, analyst says
  • Final Fantasy XIV Final Fantasy 14 boss Yoshi-P says the JRPG series is releasing games slower these days and losing younger gamers
  • G'raha Tia looks distantly in a trailer for Final Fantasy 14 Stormblood As Final Fantasy 14 looks to the future, I hope Square Enix remembers the quest that got me excited for Dawntrail

My take on this is if everyone is so willing to be ok with Souls games being so hard with no difficulty options and players just have to suck it up as thats the way it is, then it applies reverse here. It's easy. Oh well tough shit. Take it or leave it. https://t.co/h9shDA4DZqJuly 3, 2023

Another player reckons you need to consider Final Fantasy 16's new direction. The new game has been marketed as a Final Fantasy for newcomers and casual players, that anyone could, in theory, pick up, and keeping this attitude from Square Enix in mind, of course Final Fantasy 16 wouldn't be overly punishing to players in its difficulty.

FFXVI is supposed to be a cinematic experience first and foremost. Max's complaint is accurate if your expectation is DMC, but this is a FF game taking the franchise in a new direction. Your average player is going to wanna be wow'd by spectacle and fun the 1st playthrough. The… https://t.co/hu2atJjFm4July 3, 2023

Meanwhile, others are just tired of the whole debate. Accessibility consultant Steve Saylor, for example, thinks its exhausting to hear players go back and forth on what they actually want from difficulty levels, and thinks plenty of people are just looking for something to moan about most of the time.

Now seeing some folks complaining that FFXVI is too easy and wishing there would be an option to make it harder.You complain about folks wanting an OPTION to make games a bit easier. And now you are complaining there is NO OPTION to make games harder?!I...I give up. 🤦July 3, 2023

The whole argument over whether Final Fantasy 16 needs to, or should be, difficult really misses Square Enix's ethos with the new game. The game's lead devs spoke at length before launch about how there'd be optional items to help players who aren't familiar with action games, clearly looking to appeal to as many players as possible, and it's this mindset that's at the heart of Final Fantasy 16's approachability. 

Elsewhere though, players have been celebrating Final Fantasy 16's inclusion of a queer romance, the series's clearest inclusion of a same-sex romance yet. 

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer
Social Links Navigation
Freelance Writer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.

Read more
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
Final Fantasy 77% of US Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth players were 30 or older, analyst says
 
 
Final Fantasy XIV
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 14 boss Yoshi-P says the JRPG series is releasing games slower these days and losing younger gamers
 
 
G'raha Tia looks distantly in a trailer for Final Fantasy 14 Stormblood
Final Fantasy As Final Fantasy 14 looks to the future, I hope Square Enix remembers the quest that got me excited for Dawntrail
 
 
Nioh 3 shogun in plate armor helmet
Action RPGs 15 years after Dark Souls, Nioh 3 faced the exact same problem and "people felt that the game was a little bit easier"
 
 
Final Fantasy XIV
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 14 "can't afford another failed expansion," fans say, as unofficial census reports significant player drop
 
 
Macduff running from a monster during the upcoming PS5 game, Crimson Desert.
Open World Games Crimson Desert impresses some RPG fans with dialogue fast-forward feature, but leaves others asking "why" it's a thing
 
 
Latest in Action RPGs
Diablo 4 character with scarred face stares intensely at camera
Diablo Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred is so big that Blizzard decided the new season doesn't need its own theme
 
 
Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred
Diablo Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred release time and preload explained
 
 
Key art for Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred showing Mephisto, a spiky and angular demon, against a red, lightning backdrop, arm and claw raised menancingly, cropped to show more of him
Diablo Diablo 4's Lord of Hatred DLC adds at least one "basically useless" item just for the new Horadric Cube
 
 
A screenshot from the Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred cinematic trailer, showing the massive demon Mephisto reaching a huge claw out towards a Paladin, whose spear crackles with lightning energy
Diablo How to start the campaign in Diablo 4 Lord of Hatred
 
 
Neverness to Everness
Action RPGs Neverness to Everness codes (April 2026) and how to redeem them for Annulith, Beetle Coins, and more
 
 
DIablo 4's Inarius close to smiting down a foe
Diablo Diablo 4 will always get updates because players keep finding new problems "over the course of 10,000 hours"
 
 
Latest in Features
Arc Raiders screenshot of a helmet lying in sand
Third Person Shooters Tarkov chief is right: Arc Raiders is an extraction shooter for casual people, that's why I like it
 
 
Hell Let Loose: Vietnam gameplay showing combat in a jungle
FPS Games If you like Battlefield at its most chaotic, I promise you'll love Hell Let Loose: Vietnam
 
 
Samara Weaving and Jason Segel in Over Your Dead Body
Action Movies Over Your Dead Body is an ultra-violent, surprisingly heartwarming gorefest
 
 
Commisar Yarrick moniature reaching out with a large clawed hand
Tabletop Gaming The current Warhammer 40K edition comes to a glorious end with the Return of Yarrick, and I can't wait for what's next
 
 
Half-Life screenshot
FPS Games Go behind the scenes of Half-Life with legendary Valve designer Marc Laidlaw
 
 
Arc Raiders player holding a gun in red light
Third Person Shooters Marathon, Arc Raiders, and Last Flag devs discuss the ongoing evolution of multiplayer shooters
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Arc Raiders screenshot of a helmet lying in sand
    1
    Tarkov chief is right: Arc Raiders is an extraction shooter for casual people, that's why I like it
  2. 2
    Masters of Albion reimagines Fable's world in a strategy-management god game, and I'm playing god
  3. 3
    Go behind the scenes of Half-Life with legendary Valve designer Marc Laidlaw
  4. 4
    Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced director on the lack of DLC and multiplayer: "It is a pure story driven adventure"
  5. 5
    Assassin's Creed Hexe game director leaves Ubisoft just two months after the RPG's creative director also quit

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...