The highly anticipated Final Fantasy XVI demo has encountered significant performance issues, according to early testers. Players have reported unusually high CPU demands, with even powerful systems struggling to maintain smooth gameplay.

One player noted that enabling DLSS 3 Frame Generation, a technology designed to offload work from the CPU, only partially alleviated the problem. Despite the improvement, the game continued to be heavily CPU-reliant. Furthermore, performance inconsistencies have been observed, with frame rates fluctuating wildly within the same area. In some cases, restarting the game seemed to temporarily resolve the issue, only for performance to degrade again shortly after.

Worrying early signs for Final Fantasy fans

While it’s important to note that this is a demo version and performance optimizations may be implemented in the full release, these initial findings raise concerns about the game’s overall performance. Square Enix has yet to address the issue publicly.

When we look back through the history books, Final Fantasy XVI could follow in the footsteps of Cyberpunk 2077. The initial demo showcased impressive visuals and ambitious gameplay mechanics, generating significant hype for the game. However, it was plagued by numerous bugs, performance issues, and controversial gameplay decisions. The game’s reputation suffered considerably as a result.

Despite the rocky launch, CD Projekt Red committed to extensive post-release support, addressing many of the game’s problems through substantial patches and updates. Over time, Cyberpunk 2077 has improved significantly, with many players now considering it a satisfying experience. This case highlights the importance of developer support and commitment to rectifying issues after release. While Cyberpunk was plagued by some much more worrying issues, Final Fantasy XVI will need to improve a little more in order to change the discourse.

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Tom Valentine

Tom is a tech writer with a detailed view on ensuring the best buying advice, most useful information, and latest news makes its way into PC Guide's articles.