Final Fantasy is known for shaking things up.Final Fantasy 16strips away many of the classic RPG elements and tells an action-packed story heavily centered on protagonist Clive Rosfield that unfolds across the medieval realms of Valisthea. FF16 diverges from its predecessor in the numbered mainline series,Final Fantasy 15, in a great many ways.
As is the case across the franchise, Final Fantasy 15 and 16 introduce separate casts, take place in different universes, and can be played entirely independently of one another. Both are popular in their own right, and even Final Fantasy 15 remains a relatively ‘modern’ game, so choosing between the two won’t be terribly uncommon.
Updated Jul 07, 2025 by Quinton O’Connor:Final Fantasy 15 is a highly divisive game, with lovers and naysayers in perhaps equal measure. Final Fantasy 16 has struck out as more of the same in this key regard, albeit for largely separate reasons. We’re taking another crack at offering our thoughts on the matter in the wake of FF16’s first DLC, ‘Echoes of the Fallen’.
1Umbra Versus Torgal: The Dogs Of War (And Peace)
In the Introduction to FF16, you play as the Phoenix and are thrust into battle against Ifrit. Other than this scene, you mostly control the main protagonist, Clive. However, Clive is not alone; he travels with his wolf companion Torgal and meets other characters along the way.
In battle, you’re able to give orders to Torgal, who will then attack enemies and heal you. This requires you to simultaneously control Clive and guide Torgal. When equipped, the Ring of Timely Assistance automatically commands Torgal, but it takes up a precious accessory slot and may only be worth it early in the game. Umbra, the supernatural dog in FF15, passes messages between Lunafreya and her love Noctis, but only in FF16 does a pup join your party.
Winner: Final Fantasy 16’s Torgal
2Party System Versus Not-So-Much: Soloing Or Tag-Teaming
Whereas you only control one main character in FF16, you can switch between party members in FF15. Prince Noctis, the protagonist of FF15, is joined by his friends Gladiolus, Ignis, and Prompto. (Worth noting: this wasn’t an option prior to the DLC episodes.)
Every party member serves a different role in combat and can equip a primary arm and secondary arm. Gladio, the king’s shield, uses greatswords and shields; Iggy, the caretaker of the group, wields daggers and polearms; and the photographer Prompto opts for handguns and shotguns.
![The Hooded Man surrounded by fire in Final Fantasy 16]](https://static1.thegamerimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/wm/2023/07/hooded-man-in-ff16.jpg)
Final Fantasy 16, on the other hand, throws all its attention to Clive. Unless you count those aforementioned orders for Torgal, there’s zero character control beyond him. Furthermore, no one else permanently joins the team (though an array of uncontrollable guest party members do appear).
Winner: Final Fantasy 15’s Brotherly Quartet
3Gorgeous Versus Gorgeous: Which Game’s Got Better Cutscenes?
Is FF16 a video game or a movie? The narrative develops gradually over the course of story sequences, one after another. In fact, there are approximately 11 hours of cutscenes. The game also incorporates Cinematic Strikes and Evasions. At crucial moments in battle, you are tasked with following the on-screen instructions and must press the designated buttons to execute a perfectly timed attack or dodge.
FF15 is pretty in its own right, but with far fewer cutscenes, not to mention more awkward camera transitions when the fights aim for epic moments, the game simply cannot compete with FF16’s detailed viewing experience. Don’t get us wrong, though - both FF16andFF15 contain some remarkable art styles.
Winner: Final Fantasy 16’s Eikonic Eye Candy
4Getting Around The Neighborhood: Traversal Mechanics
In some ways, FF15 is a glorified road trip simulation. You spend a lot of the game getting around via your car, the Regalia. On the road, you’re able to refuel the Regalia at various gas stations and stop at restaurants like the Crow’s Nest Diner. Additionally, you can listen to songs on the radio, many of which triumphantly return after debuting in previous Final Fantasy titles.
It is possible to customize your car and convert it to Type D, allowing you to drive off-road, by talking to Cindy at the Hammerhead garage. The ultimate version of the Regalia is Type F: a flying car, so you can float over Eos. Every party member can ride their own chocobo, too; it’s a real romp.
FF16’s got two modes of transportation: feet and hoof. You’ll be meandering across the countryside on Clive’s own two legs, and you won’t even unlock your chocobo, Ambrosia, until a good deal into the game. There’s no comparison here, even if we do respect that FF16 wasn’taimingfor that road trip vibe to begin with.
Winner: Final Fantasy 15’s Top Gear
5Battle Themes: Action Versus Action-Esque
In both games, the action occurs in real-time. While FF15 usesthe Active X systemwith the option for Wait Mode, FF16 has opted to spring for an entirely action-oriented affair, complete with success hinging largely on timing one’s techniques, evading a foe’s strikes, and all the rest of it.
The gameplay is not as strong as some other action games, such as God of War, but FF16 polished its combat system and embellished it with cinematic flair.
In comparison to the party members in FF15, Clive possesses better abilities. You start out with Phoenix Shift, but as the story progresses, you may unlock moreabilities in the Eikon menuand carry out impressive attack combos. But not everybody’s going to love this approach, and indeed, the shift to full-scale action has been met with its fair share of critics. For them, Final Fantasy 15’s more methodical style may be preferred; but frankly, it’s a little too messy in its execution for us to prefer.
Winner: Final Fantasy 16’s Devil May Clive
6Leisurely Fishing Versus Nonstop Bludgeoning: Which Game’s Got The Better Side Content?
If you prefer a more traditional approach to RPGs, you might like FF15 better. Apart from crafting, FF16 lacks many of the RPG mechanics that define the genre.
By contrast, FF15 includes numerous side quests and fun activities, such as cooking and fishing. you may even take a detour from the main story and participate in chocobo races.
That said, some of the hunts and side quests can begin to feel repetitive. Still, the quality and quantity of the side content in FF15 outdo the supplementary activities in FF16, which not only centers largely on hunts, but contains plenty of menial objectives that feel more like busywork than anything nearly so grandiose as its main story.
Winner: Final Fantasy 15’s Shenanigans
7Writing On The Wall: Which Game Has The Better Story?
FF16 is the first Final Fantasy entry to claim the M for Mature rating. This marks a shift in the series, which has historically released titles rated T for Teen in North America. Driven by the single-minded goal to avenge his brother’s death, Clive embarks on a deeply personal journey, embracing darkness and observing power struggles between nations. All in all, FF16 tells a complex story, even if some fans find its third act a little underwhelming in its full tilt toward more straightforward good-versus-evil engagements.
FF15, on the other hand, flails in the narrative department. The game began as a multimedia project spread out over films, anime series, mobile games, and downloadable content, largely diluting the core experience of its potential. In fact, the inciting events of Final Fantasy 15 occur almost entirely offscreen; meanwhile, Final Fantasy 16 gives its own narrative kickoff the attention it deserves.
Therefore, to get the most out of the story, you were expected to consume additional media outside the mainline game. To FF15’s credit, the touching main story emphasizes friendship and sacrifice, and we’d even say it nails its ending better than its successor.
Winner: Final Fantasy 16’s The Full Package
8Worlds Collide: Open Continent Versus More Confined Regions
FF15 nails the exploration component. You can spend hours traversing the sprawling open world - er, open continent? - either on foot, in your stylish sportscar, or on chocoback. Heck, courtesy of Royal Edition, you can even take your boat out into the sea. There are a couple of places you’ll want to revisit. For example, you can ride the gondola in the capital Altissia, which imitates Venice’s canal system, and place bets on monsters in the Roman-inspired coliseum. But much of the fun stems in traveling off the beaten path, too.
Unfortunately, there is not as much to do between events in FF16, as the separated and clearly-defined ‘open regions’, while pretty, lack some of that same pizzazz. We had hoped they’d be more engaging, a la Final Fantasy 12’s similar approach to world design philosophy. Granted, there are some modest towns scattered across the separate areas, which is nice relative to 15’s single city (Altissia’s separated locale notwithstanding) and… gas stations.
Props where they’re due for those towns, and we appreciate some of the level design 16 employs, but Final Fantasy 15 takes this fairly easily.
Winner: Final Fantasy 15’s Got It Going On
9Shimomura Versus Soken: Battle Of The Incredible Composers
OK, this one’s like asking us to name our favorite kid. Yoko Shimomura and Masayoshi Soken are bothfantastic, and both are provided with ample backup aid from a few more talented folks like the equally amazing Yasunori Mitsuda (in a Final Fantasy 15 DLC) and Takafumi Imamura (several songs on the main OST). But we’d be remiss not to try.
Look, it’s a tie. OK? Sorry, not sorry, as they say. (Do they even still say that?) Both scores are so different, and both are so, dare we say, epic. Any audiophile with an eye toward gaming soundtracks should check them both out in full, and it’s a real shame Florence + The Machine’s ‘Too Much Is Never Enough’ never made it into the final release of FF15. It’s a banger.
10The Winner Is… Aw, Heck
Winner: Final Fantasy 15… And 16
Well, we counted, and we’re four-against-four. Like we said at the start of this analysis, both games are divisive. And, like we said, they’re divisive for rather different reasons. That makes them both pretty darn good at what they’re pretty darn good at, and gosh darn rough at what they’re gosh darn rough at. We know, this isn’t exactly groundbreaking stuff.
Here’s where we attempt to redeem ourselves for failing to take a concrete stance: if you’ve not yet played either FF15 or FF16, why not treat this like a list of pros and cons, and decide which game sounds like it achieves more of what you’re looking for in a Final Fantasy? Truly, these are worth playing, as their strengths shine so brightly. You won’t find a fandom quite as loud as, say, Final Fantasy 7’s.
But who cares, right? Maybe you’ll join the (somewhat smaller) crowd who love Noctis' princely escapade, or Clive’s classical hero’s tale. Or, like us, you might just treasure ‘em both.
