Building up from a young boy in danger to a cataclysmic world-ending event, Final Fantasy 16’s campaign is filled with shocking twists and unforeseen turns. While the main story quests always find a way to keep you on your toes, there’s far more to Final Fantasy 16 than just the campaign.
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After wrapping up the main story, don’t leave Valisthea just yet. Whether you’ve only completed the mainline quests or you tackled every optional objective along the way, Final Fantasy 16 has several systems to keep you engaged for the long term. These are the most compelling, rewarding, and interesting things to do once you’ve finished the campaign.
10 Explore Valisthea
Even after completing the main story quests, there’s still much of Valisthea left to explore. Merchants, monsters, and treasures sit in every corner of the world. Venture out into the unknown and turn over any rocks left untouched.
Check the map for the fog of war, this shadow hides areas that you haven’t visited yet. On any Local Map look for a hazy blur that ends a section of the map. If you don’t see a sharp edge enclosing an area, head that way to see if there’s more to explore.
9 Complete Side Quests
The Eikons of Final Fantasy 16 aren’t the only threat to the world. The people of Valisthea need assistance retrieving lost tomes, gathering medicine, and ensuring that their Nan is alright. Visit the castles, villages, and towns around the world to bring relief to the realm.
Nearly every major hub city in Final Fantasy 16 has a variety of side quests that can use your expertise. Speak with the townspeople to hear their tale and see if you can lend a helping hand to their cause.
8 Study The State Of The Realm
If you aren’t ready to go back out into the world, consult Vivian to view the State of the Realm. Ms. Ninetales can aid you in bearing witness to a variety of personal relationships and ongoing Valisthean affairs.
To learn more about the characters of Final Fantasy 16, poke around in The Grand Cast and see everyone's backstory and motivations. For a breakdown of the story, view the Situation Map. This interactive map of Valisthea shows you Clive’s journey through the story, as well as valuable information on the lay of the land.
7 Practice In The Hall Of Virtue
Along with Vivian Ninetales in The Hideaway, the Arete Stone is housed in the Main Deck. This magical stone gives Clive access to several virtual spaces used for training and replaying past events. If you wish to hone your battle skills, enter the Hall of Virtue - a highly customizable space to train your tactics.
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While in this training mode, select a monster to duel and practice attack timings and dodge mechanics. With an Input Display and Action Log on the screen, you can ensure your buttons are activating currently and combos are unleashing devastation.
6 Clear The Hunt Board
All around Valisthea, powerful monsters are terrorizing travelers and ambushing caravans. The Hunt Board lists all of the especially vicious monsters of the realm, a most wanted list of fugitives. Ranked from C to S, each mark has been classified by its ferociousness - you have been warned!
Throughout the campaign, you’ll be asked to consult the Hunt Board from various side quests. In The Mess of The Hideaway, Nektar the Moogle is hovering in front of a large bulletin board. Speak to this furry friend to view the Hunt Board and browse the Open Bills.
5 Forge The Best Gear
The most potent gear in Final Fantasy 16 comes from The Black Hammer. Using rare crafting materials, Blackthrone can craft powerful swords, belts, and vambraces - stronger than other items you can find throughout the world.
In order to craft the legendary blade Gotterdammerung, the dynamic Ouroboros, or the impressive Sons of Ouroboros you need to engage in side content. Using the Hunt Board, track down Gorgimera, The Tricephalic Terror and other S-rank monsters to obtain the valuable crafting materials needed to forge these sturdy pieces.
4 Replay Stages Of The Story
If you loved a specific story chapter and wish to relive the experience, visit the Arete Stone and enter Stage Replay. This virtual environment allows you to replay any previously cleared stage but with your current level. Without having to start from scratch, jump in at any point in the campaign.
You’ll also hang on to any treasures found in Stage Replay, giving you a second opportunity to explore story spaces and collect missed riches. From The Greatwood to The Origin, every memorable campaign moment is available to be recalled in this game mode.
3 Delve Into The Thousand Tomes
As Clive journeys through Valisthea, he can share his adventures with Harpocrates to add to the Living Library. Located in The Shelves inside The Hideaway, Harpocrates is the keeper of all historical data. The scholar is compiling The Thousand Tomes - an interactive wealth of knowledge and a repository of all the lore collected from Valisthea.
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This comprehensive library is comprised of Mysteries of the Realm, Persons of Interest, The Bestiary, and more. The Thousand Tomes can teach you about everything from Mothercrystals to Stolases (owls capable of transmitting the thoughts of others).
2 Challenge Yourself In Arcade Mode
If you like the idea of Stage Replay but want more of a challenge, Arcade Mode is an action-focused, score-based game mode. Replay any previously cleared stage in Arcade Mode with a restriction on level, gear, and consumables, while setting high scores based on your performance.
Unlike Stage Replay, character stats and equipment in Arcade Mode are predetermined by the selected stage. Your skills and accessories are still customizable, but Timely Accessories aren’t available. This mode is great for people who like to fight against the scoreboard and push their combat skills to the limit.
1 Begin Again In New Game+
After finishing the campaign, New Game+ is unlocked. When you’re ready to relive the events of Final Fantasy 16 in their entirety, use this game mode to restart the story. In New Game+, Clive’s possessions, abilities, and level progression all carry over from your original playthrough.
Take on Story or Action Focused gameplay a second time, or try the newly unlocked Final Fantasy Mode. In this new gameplay mode, the level cap has been raised to 100, enemies are far more powerful, and you can craft the legendary Ultima Weapon. Give Clive another opportunity to make things right.
