Final Fantasy XVI

What’s it about?

Final Fantasy XVI is a fantasy action role-playing game where the player is sent on a revenge quest in pursuit of an Eikon, a dark and magical creature, while meeting and battling against other dangerous characters along the way.

The facts

• This is the sixteenth instalment in the Final Fantasy series of games
• The game is played from the third-person perspective
• Released on PlayStation 5

Why did it get this rating?

This game was classified by Te Mana Whakaatu – Classification Office.

Horror

The game features fantastical creatures, such as goblins, dragons and carnivorous plants, which attack the player. These creatures may appear scary and shocking.

Violence – during gameplay

The gameplay involves battles between magical humans and fantastical creatures. The player needs to use violence to kill enemies and move through the story.

Players rely on magic or bladed weapons, such as swords, to attack their enemy. Other creatures use fireballs, magic spells or their bodies during battle. Magical strikes include sparks, colourful arcs of light, and some brief blood sprays.

The fighting can be intense but players have little time to think about causing pain and injury. Players need to stay alert to the action so they can dodge incoming attacks.

Violence – during cut scenes

More realistic violence is shown in the cut scenes, which are viewed from a third person perspective. This includes a soldier being hit in the chest with an axe, spraying blood.

Another cut scene shows a young boy watching a soldier stab his father. The young boy’s face is sprayed with blood.

While somewhat cruel, the scenes mainly focus on the emotional impact of the deaths rather than the injuries.

Offensive language

“F**k”, “s**t”, “b*****d” and “c**k” are occasionally used both in conversation and in combat.

Further information

• Why are ratings and content warnings important for me and my whānau?
• Final Fantasy 16: Everything we know so far (PC Gamer)