Summary
The first-ever update for the PC edition of theFinal Fantasy 16demo is now available for download. Identified by version number 1.01, this release refines theFinal Fantasy 16PC demo with around a dozen changes, including fixes for some major bugs.
TheFinal Fantasy 16PC version was officially confirmedin 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 May 12, 2025. 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, theFinal Fantasy 16PC demoreceived 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 bySteam 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 theFinal Fantasy 16PC 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 theFinal Fantasy 16PC 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 studiomight start bringing futureFinal Fantasygames 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:
We are currently aware of instances of stuttering on certain PC environments, and are investigating the issue.
Final Fantasy 16
WHERE TO PLAY
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.
