After a lengthy development cycle spanning nearly a decade, Final Fantasy XV was finally released in 2016. The question remains: does it live up to the substantial expectations and the iconic status established by its predecessors? The answer, as always, can be found in senses.se’s review.
Opinions vary widely regarding which Final Fantasy installment reigns supreme. Some champion Final Fantasy III as a groundbreaking title (and with good reason), while others laud VII, IX, and XII as exceptional entries. The senses.se editorial team holds Final Fantasy IX in high regard, particularly as it was among the last titles released for the original PlayStation. However, Final Fantasy VII, also on the PSOne, had a profound and style-defining impact. It is, therefore, unsurprising that the seventh game is being remade (episodically, according to reports) for the PS4 in 2017.
Final Fantasy XV endured an extended development period. Similar to The Last Guardian, it spent almost a decade in development. Unlike the former, it underwent changes in its development teams, which contributes to the sensation that the game comprises two distinct halves. The initial portion differs significantly from the latter, with potentially divisive results: those who appreciate one may not necessarily enjoy the other. At its core, Final Fantasy XV represents a modernized evolution of the classic formula, integrating contemporary elements like cars and mobile phones within a fantasy setting. The narrative centers on four protagonists, with Noctis, the character controlled by the player, taking the lead. The premise initially appears straightforward: Prince Noctis is to wed Princess Lunafreya, a childhood friend, to unite their respective kingdoms. However, beneath the surface of this road trip narrative lies a story encompassing poignant moments of camaraderie, profound darkness, and homages to classics such as Stand By Me (even reflected in the theme song – a commendable, albeit somewhat melodramatic, choice). To gain a comprehensive understanding of the narrative and its background, viewers are encouraged to watch the films Kingsglaive and Brotherhood, which provide further context on the world, its conflicts, and its characters. Square Enix has stated that they are developing updates that will introduce additional storylines (underscoring that, despite the decade-long development, refinements are still being implemented).
Chocobo riding is, of course, present in Final Fantasy XV.
Final Fantasy games have traditionally emphasized exploration, combat, and character development. Final Fantasy XV‘s battles adopt a more action-oriented approach, bearing greater resemblance to Kingdom Hearts than the turn-based systems of its predecessors (unsurprising, considering the involvement of Kingdom Hearts creator Tetsuya Nomura in the project). While the strategic planning of previous installments may be missed, the action sequences undeniably elevate the intensity, demanding constant alertness in attack and defense. A drawback is that the combat system can occasionally become disorganized, with unpredictable camera behavior and lock-on functionality that lacks consistent precision. The game incorporates a “wait-mode” intended to facilitate strategic planning akin to the tactical mode in Dragon Age: Inquisition; however, this mode feels somewhat underdeveloped. The combat system would benefit from either a fully realized turn-based strategy or a committed action-oriented approach. Executing coordinated chain attacks with partners proves highly rewarding once mastered. A significant aspect of FF that has been adjusted (arguably for the worse) pertains to summons. The appearance of these powerful, otherworldly entities, capable of decisively altering the course of battle, is now contingent on specific criteria. This increases their exclusivity and perceived value but can also lead to frustration when they are needed for challenging bosses, only to be deployed against weaker enemies.
In terms of gameplay, Final Fantasy XV aligns with the conventions of a sandbox game, although its scale is less expansive than titles such as The Witcher 3. Players and their companions traverse the world in their vehicle, undertaking missions, accepting side quests, and experiencing smaller, yet significant, moments, such as Ignis’s culinary contributions at campsites or Promptu’s photographs that provide retrospective glimpses of the journey. These nuanced, personal elements contribute significantly to FF XV‘s memorability, potentially surpassing the impact of the main storyline or the uniqueness of the missions.
The graphics are visually impressive, exhibiting meticulous detail, realistic color palettes in environments and on material surfaces, and a reasonably stable frame rate around 30 fps, which is acceptable. The PS4 Pro’s enhanced capabilities are effectively utilized to achieve this, and the implementation of HDR mode deserves particular commendation for further enhancing the visual fidelity (refer to our comprehensive guide to HDR and television purchasing). The Final Fantasy series has a distinct Japanese aesthetic, characterized by manga and mature anime influences. Monsters are imposing and intimidating, male characters are often youthful, athletic, and exhibit metrosexual characteristics with stylized hairstyles, while female characters are frequently depicted as young, attractive, and scantily clad (although not as overtly as in titles such as Dragon’s Crown). However, the resolution of certain backgrounds and details can appear inconsistent, resulting in aliasing and moiré patterns, which detracts somewhat from the otherwise visually compelling presentation.
The musical score evokes a cinematic atmosphere, incorporating strings, delicate piano melodies, and compositions that, in less capable hands, could have seemed contrived but instead complement the established atmosphere effectively. The voice acting (available in both English and Japanese) is convincing and contributes to the creation of believable characters. While pre-recorded dialogue may not provide the same level of imaginative depth as text-based interactions, the overall quality of the dialogues is commendable and reasonably comprehensive. However, supporting characters are not given the same level of development, and a compelling antagonist that embodies the darkness and magnetism of VII’s Sephiroth is lacking.
The boss encounters are massive and a key component of FF XV’s appeal!
In terms of playability, Final Fantasy XV offers a degree of player agency. It provides ample opportunity for exploration, discovery of hidden bosses and powerful weapons, completion of quests that yield rewards, or simply wandering the environment to gather ingredients and recipes for new culinary creations (which is more engaging than it might initially appear). As previously mentioned, the latter half of the game adopts a more linear structure, emphasizing narrative progression, which restricts player choice and can create a sense of repetition, albeit with heightened intensity. The overall design of Final Fantasy XV may have suffered from an excess of contributors (no pun intended). Completion of the main storyline, with some optional diversions, requires approximately 25-30 hours, a reasonable duration, although completionists can anticipate significantly longer playtime. The menu system is relatively intuitive (Japanese games are often criticized for overly complex submenus), and incentives exist to experiment with new options and develop new abilities.
The world of Final Fantasy XV and several of its principal characters proved to be captivating. The game is visually appealing, relatively accessible, and difficult to disengage from. Time elapses quickly, as evidenced by the in-game clock (which continues to run even during pauses – a minor flaw!), and a desire to return to the world and explore its remaining content persists even after substantial playtime. This lasting engagement is the hallmark of a successful action role-playing game, providing suitable entertainment during holiday periods.
