(MASSIVE SPOILERS AHEAD - do not read unless you have clocked the game)
I class myself as a Final Fantasy fan having played over ten titles. Loved VII, VIII, and X. Struggled out of boredom to finish XII and then didn't even bother with XIII.
Since the first FFXV trailer in 2006 I've been eagerly anticipating the release of this title! I had pre ordered it on Amazon years in advance and on the day I received the copy I was ecstatic to say the least, even bought a new TV as the screen did not fit on my current one.
The game starts off great and gets even better. I am a pro turn based gamer but I have to admit the actual gameplay is amazing with an engaging combat mechanism and countless extras you can do from racing your car in a high speed chase to shooting machine guns at robots. I actually loved the summoning mode (although initially confusing on how to trigger it), and appreciated how the archaeons would come in times of need in a tough battle giving you a sense of relief whilst struggling against a feared enemy rather than any tiny powered gimmick that you could call countless times in a minor battle against a little chicken fiend.
All of this awesomeness is varnished with an outstanding soundtrack to match (hats off to Shimomura-san).
A downside evident fairly on however is the lack of cutscenes. Final Fantasy is loved by many for its wonderful storytelling in its high quality scenes but this desperately lacked those moments. At first I thought it was as they had transferred all the early scenes to the Kingsglaive movie and that as you passed that point in the game, the story would pick up. It never did. The game was left with so many gaps in the story and events happening off screen it was hard to understand the plot let alone enjoy it. Despite ten years in making, after a certain point in the game it felt completely rushed and unfinished. Don't get me started on how annoying and tedious Chapter 13 was.
The brief story telling they did have was still completely inadequate. It seemed as though all the epicness of the XIII versus trailers had been totally lost. The one scene where Noctis meets Stella had more chemistry than the entire game with Luna. I felt so little for Luna that after her death I actually hoped they'd bring Stella into it and Noctis would forget all about his penfriend who he was told he should marry.
The character Noctis previously portrayed was a strong, confident prince now turned into an annoying spoilt brat. It would have worked if his character developed over time, but it hardly did.
Then came the ending, leaving me completely disappointed. *your final warning, major spoilers ahead* With the ten year time jump, they had so much opportunity to give us some emotional heartfelt scenes. With the King returning ten years on after being thought dead (just like Simba). The moment his friends first see him alive and are completely stunned with joy. The moment he meets Iris, and Cid, and all his old friends. The moment he returns to the now refugee camp of Lestallum and his people heartily cheer his return with a newfound hope. None of that happened however and you were left with a complete anti-climax.
Then came Insomnia, the home I was so longing to explore and renovate back to its former glory. It however served nothing but a stage for the final boss.
Why can Square Enix not finish a game without killing off the hero? I get that tragedy works in bringing tears and all but not when they do it every single time. If you think about it, the whole game was a waste as Ardyn actually got what he wanted and Noctis lost everything. How ridiculous.
An epic scene towards the end would have been the first Versus XIII trailer ever. They could have left it as Noctis losing all his friends from Chapter 13 and then returning to Insomnia. Sitting on the throne in depression, thinking he had lost everything. Empire sending in all their troops after him and he comes outside and kills a few handfuls of them without any emotion and then returns to his throne as he did, now yielding the power of the ring (which for some reason had become a weak toy in the game compared to all its power in Kingsglaive when wielded by Nyx). That would have really pleased us with the trailer nostagia. Then continued with whatever story and ended with him restoring Lucia back to its days of former glory as a bad ass king. Allowing you to explore the open World once more in the present day.
Despite all these criticisms I still enjoyed the game. After clocking it I'm still finding loads of new stuff to do even though i had completed all the sidequests previously. I'm looking forward to the updates now. I know this would probably be very cliche and annoying but I actually want Square Enix to release another game via DLC suggesting Chapter 9 onwards was all just a bad dream and rehash the entire second part of the story to how it should have been.
From the manufacturer
Final Fantasy XV
Enroute to wed his fiancée Luna on a roadtrip with his best friends, Prince Noctis is advised by news reports that his homeland has been invaded and taken over under the false pretence of a peace treaty – and that he, his loved one and his father King Regis, have been slain at the hands of the enemy.
To gather the strength needed to uncover the truth and reclaim his homeland, Noctis and his loyal companions must overcome a series of challenges in a spectacular open world - that is filled with larger-than-life creatures, amazing wonders, diverse cultures and treacherous foes.
Characters
Noctis: Heir apparent to the Lucian throne, Noctis's trials begin when he sets forth from the crown city in order to wed the Lady Lunafreya Nox
Fleuret. In combat, he wields spectral weapons which he forges from thin air, a power possessed by those of his royal line.
Gladiolus: The Amicitia family has long served as the shield protecting the kings of Lucis and their household, and Gladiolus is its eldest son. The bond he shares with Noctis transcends that of a bodyguard and his liege. With his prodigious strength, he stands ever ready to keep his companions from harm.
Ignis: Ignis was raised alongside Prince Noctis to be adviser to the heir apparent. An intensive education instilled in him the resourcefulness and composure required for the role, his tactical acumen proving invaluable over the course of the prince's journey.
Prompto: Fast friends with Noctis since they met as teenagers, Prompto is a young man of common birth who finds himself out of his depth when tragedy befalls Lucis. Nevertheless, he strives to carry more than his own weight, lightening his companions' burdens as well as their spirits.
Luna: Luna made many fond memories with Noct in their childhood, but their days of innocence ended abruptly when the empire overtook her home of Tenebrae. Through adversity, she became the youngest Oracle in history. Adored and respected the world over, she now travels in search of communion with the gods to aid Noct on his journey.
Regis: The reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Lucis, Regis raised his son, Prince Noctis, on his own. For long years, he has sustained the Wall, a magical barrier that encases the Crown City, protecting it from invasion. However, tragedy would befall him at the treaty signing with Niflheim, during which he was reportedly slain.
I'm dissapointed I wasn't dissapointed.
Well, what a mistake buying this was.Since purchasing the new final fantasy I've felt obscurity optimistic of future final fantasy games, for years I have always looked forwards to playing a terrible game but alas I booted up this bad boy on my 4k Hdr TV AND it has fallen straight into my top 5 games of all time category.I frequently argue with the Mrs over me going to bed and joining her purely because Noct and crew will be left alone downstairs and that's just not fair for them!I'd you know your getting this for Christmas demand it now.
Top reviews from United Kingdom
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 December 2016
- Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 December 2016
Top reviews from other countries
-
Dark Lightning LTReviewed in Mexico on 6 November 2024
Caja Super Dañada
La caja del videojuego llegó muy estrellada pero afortunadamente el disco estaba intacto así que lo único que hice fue cambiarlo de caja, por suerte tenía una de sobra seminueva que es la que se muestra en las fotos. Por ese detalle le doy solo 4 estrellas.Dark Lightning LTCaja Super Dañada
Reviewed in Mexico on 6 November 2024
Images in this review
- MarcoReviewed in the United States on 19 December 2017
Crack open a cold one with the boys
-
-
- SandyReviewed in the United States on 3 February 2019
Its final fantasy all that needs to be said.
