Final Fantasy 16 (XVI) How to Unlock Final Fantasy Mode

Final Fantasy Mode is the highest story difficulty available in Final Fantasy XVI. Beating the game in Final Fantasy Mode unlocks the Fantasy, Finally trophy. This difficulty is not available from the start and must be unlocked first.

How to Unlock FINAL FANTASY MODE in Final Fantasy 16

Finish the Story on any difficulty. This can be done on the lowest difficulty “Story Focused”.
After the story, the game will prompt you to create a “Clear Save”. Do this by saving in a Manual Save Slot.
Go back to the Title Screen, click “New Game+”.
Select “FINAL FANTASY MODE”.
A screen will come up that prompts you to import your “Clear Save” from the first playthrough. This save will have a Star-Icon and a trophy next to it. Load this save to import your progress from the first playthrough.
New Game+ will now start in FINAL FANTASY MODE. The Prologue will automatically be skipped in this mode.

Final Fantasy Mode is exclusively available in New Game+. It can’t be used in a New Game. If you don’t have a “Clear Save” you must reload the most recent save and finish the endboss again.

What’s different in FINAL FANTASY MODE?

Enemies have significantly more health. They also deal more damage.
The Prologue is not available in Final Fantasy Mode. You will automatically skip the first hour of the story.
Weapons, Armor, and Accessories can be upgraded even further! Stronger blueprints become available gradually with story progress at the Blacksmith. Watch out for the yellow icon on the blacksmith, this indicates he has something new for you.

Note: An even higher difficulty “Ultimaniac” is available in Arcade Mode in New Game+, accessed via the Arete Stone in The Hideaway. This mode isn’t available outside of the Arcade. It lets you replay certain story sections on this new highest difficulty. It’s not accessible in the first playthrough, only in New Game+ when starting on Final Fantasy Mode.

Best FINAL FANTASY MODE Strategies

You are allowed to use the “Cheat Rings” (Autododge, Autocombo, Autoassist, Autohealing). These DON’T void any trophies. So if you want to make this really easy just equip the Autododge Ring and you won’t have much trouble. Of course for a more authentic experience you can opt to not equip any of the assist rings, this is totally optional.

Recommended Equipment:

Accessories:
- Ring of Timely Evasion (Autododge)
- On Fortune and the Heavens (+15% XP) – can be upgraded to “On Fortune and Heavens II” (+30% EXP) by combining 2 of the same rings (unlocks in Main Quest #37: After the Storm). This ensures you stay sufficiently leveled.
- Any third accessory of your choice – good options are Genji Gloves (+5% damage), Ring of Timely Assistance (Torgal Autoassist), The Wages of Warcraft (+20% AP) to reduce AP grind at the end.
Before starting New Game+ make sure you crafted Gotterdammerung, this way you have it from the start.
You can craft even stronger weapons/armor in New Game+. Watch out for a yellow marker on the blacksmith between main quests, this indicates he has something new. Craft better gear as soon as it becomes available.

Recommended Eikons:

Phoenix: Rising Flames + Scarlet Cyclone
Titan: Diamond Dust (can slot it to Titan after fully upgrading it) + Upheaval
Odin: Dancing Steel + Gigaflare (can slot it to Odin after fully upgrading it)

Recommended Strategy:

Against Groups: use Odin’s Zanetsuken Level 5. This will instant-kill all weak enemies in one hit. You can quickly charge it to Level 3-4 by using Dancing Steel. Then attack with Odin’s Blade (press with Odin Eikon) to bring it to Level 5. Keep all other abilities charged for single high-health enemies.
Against Bosses: Diamond Dust –> Upheaval –> Scarlet Cyclone –> Dancing Steel –> press to attack with Odin Blade to stagger enemy –> when staggered: unleash Lvl 5 Zanetsuken > + Limit Break > Gigaflare > Dancing Steel –> Zanetsuken Lvl 5 again –> Rising Flames –> Scarlet Cyclone –> Diamond Dust –> Upheaval –> repeat.
The above combo creates a nice loop that deals 150,000+ damage in a single stagger. Diamond Dust / Upheaval / Scarlet Cyclone reduce the enemy’s will gauge. You want to have Lvl 5 Zanetsuken ready before the enemy is staggered so that you can unleash it for high damage, then immediately charge it and use it again. The good thing is that all abilities keep recharging while using Dancing Steel / Zanetsuken / Gigaflare / Diamond Dust. You are also immune to damage while using these moves. You can walk around and wait for abilities to recharge instead of mashing the attack button the whole time.
Autododge won’t work if you’re in the middle of a Phase Shift ( with Phoenix) or Lunge ( + ) or some air combos, so avoid using those moves.
DON’T equip the Autocombo ring because it will trigger moves at the wrong time (especially Zanetsuken before it reaches Lvl 5), and it will often use Phase Shift / Lunge which breaks autoevade.
Always buy a full inventory of potions between main quests. If you got all upgrades in the first playthrough you can hold 8 Potions, 5 High Potions, 2 Elixirs, 4 Strength/Stoneskin Tonics.