Summary

  • Square Enix released an update for the Final Fantasy 16 PC demo.
  • The 1.01 patch addresses some major bugs and introduces upscaling tech improvements, among other changes.
  • Square Enix is still investigating reports of the Final Fantasy 16 PC demo experiencing severe stuttering.

The first-ever update for the PC edition of the Final Fantasy 16 demo is now available for download. Identified by version number 1.01, this release refines the Final Fantasy 16 PC demo with around a dozen changes, including fixes for some major bugs.

The Final Fantasy 16 PC version was officially confirmed in September 2023, some two and a half months following the game's PS5 debut. Nearly a year later, Square Enix at last committed to a concrete release date, stating that the RPG will reach Steam and the Epic Games Store on September 17, 2024. That announcement arrived alongside the start of the game's pre-orders and the launch of its PC demo on August 19.

Final Fantasy 16 PC Demo Gets Upscaling Tech Improvements and More

Three days later, the Final Fantasy 16 PC demo received its first-ever update, which can now be downloaded on both Steam and the Epic Games Store. The patch bumps its version up to 1.01 and introduces a variety of changes, including some quality improvements for all of the demo's supported upscaling technologies: Nvidia's DLSS, AMD's FSR, and Intel's XeSS. Specifically, the changelog attached to the update reveals that Square Enix worked on alleviating pixelation issues with FSR, in addition to mitigating graphical glitches such as blurring when using XeSS or DLSS.

The patch also addresses a variety of performance issues, including GPU crashes, buggy sound effects, and resolution-related problems. Graphical tearing in borderless window mode is also said to have been eliminated "in certain instances." Several of these issues have previously been reported by Steam users, some of whom cited them as the reason for giving the demo a negative review. The number of people who felt compelled to do so is large enough that the Final Fantasy 16 PC demo currently has "Mixed" reviews on Valve's storefront.

Square Enix Is Still Investigating Final Fantasy 16 PC Demo Stuttering Issues

The 1.01 update also seeks to eliminate some well-documented bugs, including issues with enemies not appearing correctly in select battles, as well as incorrect UI rendering. Finally, Square Enix's patch notes saw the developer acknowledge recent reports of stuttering, stating that it is presently in the process of investigating them. This tidbit indicates that the 1.01 update may not be the Final Fantasy 16 PC demo's final patch.

Players reports on social media and the Steam Community boards suggest that the latest version of the demo generally runs at a higher frame rate than the original build, but still performs less than ideal, not least because of the aforementioned stutters. The fixes that the developer manages to implement into the demo over the coming weeks will presumably also help it deliver a more polished version of the full game. In the meantime, a senior Square Enix official has recently revealed that the fairly long wait for this port may not be indicative of the company's subsequent releases, stating that the studio might start bringing future Final Fantasy games to PC on day one.

Final Fantasy 16 PC Demo Update 1.01 Patch Notes

Improvements have been made to DLSS, FSR, and XeSS quality. This should help to alleviate various graphical issues such as blurring (DLSS/XeSS) and pixelation (FSR).

The following issues have also been addressed:

  • Dynamic Resolution being locked on the lowest setting.
  • Enemies not appearing properly in certain battle content.
  • Graphics not displaying properly on certain stages.
  • Graphical tearing in certain instances when using borderless screen mode.
  • SFX not playing properly under certain conditions.
  • UI not displaying properly under certain conditions.
  • Screen resolution changing under certain conditions.
  • Rare instances of GPU crashes.
  • Other minor issues.

We are currently aware of instances of stuttering on certain PC environments, and are investigating the issue.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
Final Fantasy 16 Tag Page Cover Art
10 /10

Final Fantasy 16
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Action RPG
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Systems
PC-1 PlayStation-1
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Top Critic Avg: 87 /100 Critics Rec: 91%
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Released
June 22, 2023
ESRB
M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
Developer(s)
Square Enix
Publisher(s)
Square Enix
Engine
Proprietary Engine
Franchise
Final Fantasy
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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An epic dark fantasy world where the fate of the land is decided by the mighty Eikons and the Dominants who wield them.
This is the tale of Clive Rosfield, a warrior granted the title “First Shield of Rosaria” and sworn to protect his younger brother Joshua, the dominant of the Phoenix. Before long, Clive will be caught up in a great tragedy and swear revenge on the Dark Eikon Ifrit, a mysterious entity that brings calamity in its wake.

Platform(s)
PC, PS5
Genre(s)
Action RPG
How Long To Beat
36 Hours
PS Plus Availability
N/A