Many Square Enix followers feel that Final Fantasy 16 was a weak entry in the legendary RPG series. The publisher has also admitted that the game didn’t meet its sales goals. Data shared by a major investor in the company shows that development costs paled in comparison to Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade and Rebirth. Some gamers believe the numbers justify criticisms that the 16th installment lacks depth and polish.

3D Investment Partners published a series of slides detailing the company’s alleged wasteful spending. Along with other shareholders, the firm wishes to “engage in constructive dialogue with SQEX HD to enhance its corporate value.” According to the report, many Square Enix games were too expensive to produce relative to the revenue they generated.

One chart confirms that the Final Fantasy 16 project needed roughly $58 million to complete. However, Final Fantasy 7 Remake accrued costs of $134 million, while Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth required $119 million. Courtesy of Redditor HexenVexen, after adjusting for economic conditions at their release dates, the differences remain stark.

Why did Final Fantasy 16 cost so much less?

Gamers could credit producer Naoki Yoshida for efficiently developing the last mainline Final Fantasy game. Interviews have revealed that he initially assembled a small team and set clear objectives. While the title did suffer a delay, its overall expenditures were reasonable compared to other AAA RPGs.

From a profit standpoint, Final Fantasy 16 may now look like a better investment. Still, some players conclude that it doesn’t offer the scope of other games in the franchise. In particular, the open-world settings in Rebirth gave players greater freedom to explore. Of course, Remake took place predominantly in Midgar. A protracted development cycle and attention to every detail may be why it eclipsed the $130 million mark.

Square Enix has already pledged to trim expenses, with AI tools threatening to reduce staff. Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 is now in the works, with Naoki Hamaguchi returning as game director. It seems unlikely that he will change his approach. Nevertheless, time will tell if Hamaguchi will economize when he concludes the remake trilogy.

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Adam Corsetti – Tech Writer – 838 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2025

I became interested in technology at a young age and enjoyed discovering the latest innovations. While earning college degrees in publishing, I created several PC hardware and gaming websites. My passion has always been to guide readers on what products can truly improve their lives. After many years as a Tech Writer for Game Rant, I’m anxious to share my knowledge with a new audience at Notebookcheck.