Final Fantasy XVI has finally arrived on Xbox Series X, but its performance and resolution reveal some significant compromises compared to the PlayStation 5 version.
While Xbox Series X players can experience a smoother experience in Frame Rate Mode, there are still noticeable issues with the graphics and overall performance.
According to Digital Foundry’s analysis, the Xbox Series X port runs at lower resolutions than its PlayStation 5 counterpart. For instance, in the game’s opening scene set in Rosalith, the PS5 version renders at 1440p, while the Xbox Series X struggles to deliver a resolution of just 1224p, making the image noticeably blurrier. Although both systems utilize TSC MAA and AMD FSR 1, the lower resolution on the Xbox Series X is one of the primary drawbacks of this port.
However, resolution isn’t the only issue. There are glaring differences in visual presentation, including gamma, brightness, and contrast. The game also struggles with foliage rendering, making it clear that patches are needed to address these problems. Despite these shortcomings, the game’s Frame Rate Mode fares better on the Xbox Series X. While the resolution drops to 720p (compared to the PS5’s 1080p), the Xbox Series X version achieves a stable 60 FPS during exploration and combat-something the PS5 version can’t consistently manage. The trade-off, though, is a lower level of detail to maintain this smoother frame rate.
It’s evident that Final Fantasy XVI, one of the most demanding console games of this generation, is pushing the hardware of both systems to their limits. The Xbox Series X version, while offering better frame rates, still requires some sacrifices in terms of resolution and detail. Despite the rough start, fans can still enjoy Clive Rosfield’s adventure-though they might want to wait for updates to address these visual and performance issues.