Final Fantasy XV
After a good three years without a new entry in the main series, Square-Enix has finally released the game some of us have been waiting on for the better part of a decade. Most fans agree that the series has been in decline for smoe time and had their last hopes pinned on this title. With the promise of a returned focus on a limited cast of characters, a more fluid and open game style and the gorgeous graphics that were one of the few redeeming factors of the newer entries, it certainly proved that the series is not yet running on it’s final legs.
The atmosphere of the game is very leisurely at first, allowing to experiment with the new gameplay. This is necessary because of a complete style change. For the first time, the battle system is completely action oriented, reminiscent of the Kingdom Hearts series, with no intersections between exploration and fighting. Like the third installment of the XIII series, you get to control only one character, though you can link up with the other characters to do special attacks or give orders. There are four weapon slots which you can switch out instantly. Summons are also back, though they are time and place bound, so you can no longer summon the gods anywhere or anytime you’d like.
Another change has been made in the way the characters level up. Experience points are earned as before by fighting enemies, but also received when completing (side)quests. They are no longer automatically tallied however. Characters need to rest before earning those new levels. Next to experience, ability points are also earned in various ways, which you can use to to boost the skills of all four characters.
The transition into battle, as the battles themselves play very fluidly and feel natural. Foes also keep you on your toes as you cannot simply apply a hack ‘n slash method most of the times, but need to choreograph a more hit and dodge and exploit weaknesses kind of gamestyle, which makes it a lot of fun (or frustrating sometimes, especially when foes are ganging you up).
The music score, which has always been one of the strong suits of the series is a bit downplayed here. It’s not bad by any means, but lacks iconic scores (though admittedly the main theme is already one of my favourites). They did however do some nice things with it, as the music changes depending on the situation or location, adding lesser or more instruments to the main melody. It is done so subtly I didn’t even notice it at first. They also added the possibility to buy scores from other games in the series to play in the car, your main means of transportation, as you are cruising around the world.
The world itself isn’t very large in comparison with some Western RPGs, but I didn’t find it small at any point. It features some very iconic and breathtaking scenery and offers a lot of different landscapes, each with its own flora and fauna. Dungeons and caves are absolutely creepy at times, and any game that makes me feel like a horrible person for killing an animal, even when it’s part of a quest must be doing something absolutely right.
Though maybe somewhat clichéd, the story is told very well and not as convoluted as some of the other entries in the series. This doesn’t make it less epic towards the end of the game however. As said before, the story centers around the journey of Noctis and his friends and the bond they share is brought very realistically. You really get to bond yourself with each of the four friends as the story progresses and by the latter chapters you regularly get a kick to the feels.
The only point which bothered me a bit is that from a certain point on, the freeroaming kind of stops. You are able to go back and do sidequests of course, but this is only at your own volition, so if you get too enamored with the story (which happens easily), you might find yourself endgame quickly. Getting completely stuck doesn’t seem very likely, but I would have preferred a more alternating approach between story and free roaming.
Please feel free to add comments and/or your own experiences down below, I’m curious to know what moments really grabbed your attention! Prevent spoilers as much as possible however, as the game is still quite new and we want other people to have a spoiler-free experience as well. If you didn’t like the game, let us know what bothered you.
If you'd like to read/see more of me and my gaming exploits, be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter (@Razieltje) or follow my story on Snapchat (Razieltje)!
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| 15 and still going baby! |
How does it play?
Taking note of the complaints of the fans that the last games didn’t much allow for exploration on the whole, Final Fantasy XV offers an open game world with lots to do from the get go. A most welcome change, though it felt a bit awkward at first, especially since you don’t get a lot of backstory (unless you watched the tie-in CG movie Kingsglaive and mini anime-series Brotherhood).The atmosphere of the game is very leisurely at first, allowing to experiment with the new gameplay. This is necessary because of a complete style change. For the first time, the battle system is completely action oriented, reminiscent of the Kingdom Hearts series, with no intersections between exploration and fighting. Like the third installment of the XIII series, you get to control only one character, though you can link up with the other characters to do special attacks or give orders. There are four weapon slots which you can switch out instantly. Summons are also back, though they are time and place bound, so you can no longer summon the gods anywhere or anytime you’d like.
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| Don’t think I’m gonna save your ass every time, little punk |
Another change has been made in the way the characters level up. Experience points are earned as before by fighting enemies, but also received when completing (side)quests. They are no longer automatically tallied however. Characters need to rest before earning those new levels. Next to experience, ability points are also earned in various ways, which you can use to to boost the skills of all four characters.
The transition into battle, as the battles themselves play very fluidly and feel natural. Foes also keep you on your toes as you cannot simply apply a hack ‘n slash method most of the times, but need to choreograph a more hit and dodge and exploit weaknesses kind of gamestyle, which makes it a lot of fun (or frustrating sometimes, especially when foes are ganging you up).
The music score, which has always been one of the strong suits of the series is a bit downplayed here. It’s not bad by any means, but lacks iconic scores (though admittedly the main theme is already one of my favourites). They did however do some nice things with it, as the music changes depending on the situation or location, adding lesser or more instruments to the main melody. It is done so subtly I didn’t even notice it at first. They also added the possibility to buy scores from other games in the series to play in the car, your main means of transportation, as you are cruising around the world.
The world itself isn’t very large in comparison with some Western RPGs, but I didn’t find it small at any point. It features some very iconic and breathtaking scenery and offers a lot of different landscapes, each with its own flora and fauna. Dungeons and caves are absolutely creepy at times, and any game that makes me feel like a horrible person for killing an animal, even when it’s part of a quest must be doing something absolutely right.
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| I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean to! Please forgive me :( |
The Story
The game follows Crown Prince Noctis of Lucis and his three friends/bodyguards. They are send out of the capital to head to the neighbouring city-island state Altissia, where lady Lunafreya, a childhood friend of the Prince, will be waiting. As part of the peace agreement the King has made with the beleaguering Niflheim Empire, the Prince is to marry Lunafreya, citizen of the Empire and also Oracle a sacred calling, unique to her bloodline.
Not having been outside of the crown city before, the friends enjoy some sightseeing before heading to the docks to reach Altissia, but not long after they have left the capital, the events featured in the movie Kingsglaive unfold and the Empire unveils the signing of the armistice as a sham to invade Lucis without having the tear down its magic wall which has been protecting it for all this time. The capital is practically leveled by a massive invasion force from the Empire, the Crystal which was the divine magical power source of the royal bloodline is hauled away, the King is slain in the ensuing fights and the Prince and Oracle are pronounced dead.
Noctis quickly finds out that Luna is in fact very much alive and in possession of the ring of the Lucii, heirloom of his family and a powerful artifact. Noctis’ new objective is to find Lunafreya and the ring and prepare to take back his kingdom.
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| Having fun on a roadtrip, for as long as it lasts |
The only point which bothered me a bit is that from a certain point on, the freeroaming kind of stops. You are able to go back and do sidequests of course, but this is only at your own volition, so if you get too enamored with the story (which happens easily), you might find yourself endgame quickly. Getting completely stuck doesn’t seem very likely, but I would have preferred a more alternating approach between story and free roaming.
Compared to...
Compared to other entries in the series, XV offers a completely different, but certainly fun, experience. It does seem Square-Enix has taken fan feedback to heart and has brought us a worthy successor after all these years. There is however not that much difference anymore between Final Fantasy and the other long-running JRPG series like Star Ocean and Tales of series because of these changes. Whether that is a good or bad thing though, is completely up to the player.
Pick this up if...
If you’re a fan of JRPGS and/or the Final Fantasy series itself, this game won’t disappoint. There is lots to do, the characters are very likeable, the story is compelling and the scenery is breathtaking. With DLC coming our way starting end of january and a season pass, completing the game is only the beginning of your journey in Eos. The game is also very accessible for people new to the genre, keeping character/skill management and progress fairly simple as opposed to some other JRPGs.Don't bother if ...
If you don’t like a lot of story, male bonding or are just looking for a hack ‘n slash game, you might want to give this one a pass.
Please feel free to add comments and/or your own experiences down below, I’m curious to know what moments really grabbed your attention! Prevent spoilers as much as possible however, as the game is still quite new and we want other people to have a spoiler-free experience as well. If you didn’t like the game, let us know what bothered you.
If you'd like to read/see more of me and my gaming exploits, be sure to follow me on Facebook, Twitter (@Razieltje) or follow my story on Snapchat (Razieltje)!
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