Final Fantasy XV - (very) Initial Thoughts

[nanslice]

So first off: I'm going into this game completely blind. I didn't play the demo. I haven't been keeping up with news about it (except for its ridiculous mishandling of female characters). I went in knowing that the main character is a prince and his three bros are going with him on what appears to be a cross country trip in their car. That's all I knew.



So first off, the battle system. Very engaging and there's a lot to remember! I'm great at attacking and dodging, terribly at blocking and parrying. AND WARPING. So bad at that! But I'm getting better at the blocking/parrying.

Also, there's a bit of a focus on teamwork; if you successfully do a blindside attack, one of your teammates will do a fancy attack with you. If you're in danger, they'll help you out (basically a rescue) and you can do the same for them. There's party banter while battling and that's delightful. There's actually a lot of banter in general; these characters clearly have known each other for some time and are comfortable with each other. I really, really like how closely knit they are.

(Also, dang, Prompto sings Noctis' praises a lot, just saying, also Gladio called Ignis "Iggy" also they get super mad at you when you accidentally hit them with a weapon or magic, which...I've already managed to set everyone on fire at least once, whoopsies)

So far the only part of the world I've experienced is Hammerhead and the area around Hammerhead. And let me tell you, this place feels very familiar. I've been to garages like this. I've eaten in diners like this. I've been around people like Cid. He actually really reminds me of my dad, which, aaaaahhh, emotions. Cindy is absolutely adorable (even though her clothes are Not Great). I know people are like "where's all the fantasy in this Final Fantasy title?!| and look, I get that, but there's something really nice about being in a location that feels so dang familiar to me, haha. And it's only the start area, I'm sure things will get more fantastical, and also there are glimpses of more fantastical elements (you know, like the monster roaming the area and the use of magic). I think it's a pretty nice blend in that regard.

I had no idea hunts were a thing in this game! I LOVE HUNTS. I will lose my place in the main story to go hunting, lmao. I also had no idea each character had a particular skill. Right now Prompto's photography is my favorite but I adore fishing in every game it's available in so you know, I'm going to want to mess with Noctis' skill soon. Ignis' cooking skill is also pretty adorable and I love the screen where you decide which meal to make because he looks so thoughtful about it. ;3; Gladio's survival skill is a little boring, tbh, although it'll probably end up being super useful.

Also, the game is just freaking beautiful, which honestly should come as no surprise.

So yeah, so far, so good. I'm really enjoy it.


Speaking of beautiful, I've been taking screenshots!

Comments

[selenicdistance]

As soon as I read in a review that there were Hunts, I knew I was buying the game. Not until January, when I get a PS4, but it's happening.

That party status not!bar (the circles) is aesthetically pleasing to me.

(sorry if this is unwelcome, I'm looking at my Network page!)

[nanslice]

Yes! Hunts are such a fun part of the game; they were easily my favorite part of 12.

Everything about this game is beautiful; the character design choices (even though sure, the characters look kinda like a k-pop group), the design of the game itself, as well as the presentation of the graphical elements used to display information. It's pretty dang clear this game as been in dev for a while, hahaha.

No, you are absolutely welcome to comment here! Everyone's welcome to stop by. :)

[selenicdistance]

I did not sink as many hours into the Hunt system in XII as I did into its main story, but. It was a close thing. If I'd bothered finishing Yiazmat, they probably would have been about even. I really love games that have very rich side content; FFTA2 is probably my favorite example.

The "boy band" thing is one of the things I was leeriest of when real information about the game started coming out...what, last year? And I guess I'm still not happy about it. Given how successful the game looks to be, I'm very worried that the all boys only boys thing will become part of the series going forward.

[rionaleonhart]

Given how successful the game looks to be, I'm very worried that the all boys only boys thing will become part of the series going forward.

I'm loving Final Fantasy XV, but that would be awful. If it's any consolation, though, I think it's unlikely. Final Fantasy XIII had a wobbly reception (more wobbly than it deserved, I think), but Square didn't go 'well, female-led games don't work'; they brought out two female-led sequels, they took on Tomb Raider, and they were willing to give Life Is Strange a chance when most other publishers said 'we won't take this unless you change the lead character to a boy.'

They're not perfect when it comes to female representation, of course! (The world won't end if you put a woman who's over thirty in your games, Square, I promise.) But they're better than most game developers, so I'm prepared to trust that this is a 'we wanted to tell a one-off story about dudes' thing, rather than 'we got tired of women and now it's nothing but dudes unto eternity'.

(It helps that it's a hugely enjoyable story about dudes, and I get the impression that aspects of it are consciously catering to me as a woman. I feel much more welcomed as part of the audience when playing Final Fantasy XV than I did when playing Final Fantasy X-2, which had an all-female party.)

That... that was quite a long comment to suddenly drop on a stranger, wasn't it? Sorry. Er, hello!

[selenicdistance]

than I did when playing Final Fantasy X-2, which had an all-female party

Hah, yeah.

I'll probably worry about it until whenever FFXVI is announced.

[rionaleonhart]

I'm really glad you're enjoying it! I'm finding it incredibly charming. I love that the closeness of the boys is emphasised both by their banter and by multiple gameplay mechanics: link attacks, rescues (my favourite bit of rescue dialogue is when Gladio says 'Saved your life' and Noctis irritably snaps back 'I know'), occasionally being dragged off on a two-person date 'tour' when you make camp.

And there are so many hunts and sidequests to do! This is causing a bit of a problem, because I keep charging off on optional objectives instead of advancing the plot. The recommended level for the next plot quest is 10. I am level 21.

Also, dang, Prompto sings Noctis' praises a lot, just saying

Ha, yes! I recently settled in to camp, checked Prompto's photographs and was amused to find he'd taken six or seven photographs of Noctis in a row. (I've equipped him with the Camera Strap accessory, which serves the valuable function of letting him take more photos. Yes, he's sorely in need of more HP, but adorable photographs are more important.)

[nanslice]

Yessss, I love how their relationships aren't the focus on the game but their relationships are still so evident. It's just so great. <3

Prompto has taken plenty of pictures of Noctis in my playthrough as well. I'll definitely be getting the camera strap accessory. :D And he makes puns with Noctis' name and talks about how well Noctis did a particular attack, aah. Prompto your crush is showing and I love it. :P

[novel_machinist]

Everyone really seems to love this game. I'm still kind of conflicted with buying it because apparently you have to watch an anime and a movie? I'm excited to hear more about the storyline from you and others, though

[nanslice]

The anime and movie are supplemental stuff; the movie takes place during the game, I think, and focuses on Noctis' dad, while the anime takes place before the game and explores how Noctis meets each of his companions. So they're nice to see but they're absolutely not necessary to enjoy the game (although I imagine if you're enjoying the game/characters, you'd want to watch the anime/movie, hahaha).

[novel_machinist]

Good to know!