Review: FFXV 50 hours

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With the 3 hour review (game time) of FFXV it’s time I did a much more broader review.

https://itsupportns.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/review-3-hours-of-ffxv.html

After having finished the game at around 50 hours with plenty of things to do I find myself no longer playing.  This isn’t really down to the game itself but more like I took a break for Christmas and didn’t get the chance to play it.  I will say this I will find myself willing to play it again at some point probably from scratch.

I can’t stress how much there is to do in this game and even with 50 hours I still had yet finished maxing out so much including fishing/chocobo racing and hunts.  Including that gigantic monster turtle.

I type this up having not touched the game for 2 weeks.  The story was quite satisfying and the characters loveable but there is a slight sour taste in my mouth after the usual Final Fantasy ending.  One thing I can’t stand is the question marks but instead I prefer an ending that shows what the characters all become or got up to later.  One of my favourite endings was actually FF8 during the credit scene where you see the characters not wanting to show their face on camera, be a bit silly etc.

The battles are great fun and the bosses more so, I even explored areas that were above my level and although extremely difficult facing a boss that constantly hits you with status attacks – it was real fun and real achievement feeling.  (although I did burn through a ton of items).

When you travel around by car, chocobo or both you certainly know how massive this world really is.  There’s a lot of open world games at the moment and many of them only feel big because you can’t travel fast.  This game allows you to go by car or chocobo and it really is epic in comparison.

The people feel like real people and as I mentioned in my 3 hour review – the characters with you feel like REAL people and some of their quotes are hilarious.  Some of the tough fights are real tough, some of the easy fights are easy, although the quest system has a question mark on it.. still the game is worth every penny.

This game may not be your favourite but it’s going to be far better than what we’ve had since the likes of 7-10.  This is a classic and will be remembered.  If Square Enix can build upon this game by giving us different kind of content I can stress they may just make a new favourite next time around.  If this game was FF7 with these kind of graphics and battle mechanics, we could well have something special coming our way.  Although FF7 won’t have the same engine it will how ever be very big – it also explains what I’ve tweeted many times that the remake is going ot be BIG.  When you consider how many zones FF7 had.  A single screen background will become a full-fledged 3d environment in typical very good graphics SE style.

FFXV has made me feel much more positive about SE and their handling of FF in general but more importantly FF7 remake.

If you love Final Fantasy games this one is for you, if you enjoy typical RPGs I suggest you try the demo or at least watch how the battle mechanics work.  This isn’t a simple click kill, if you can enjoy these mechanics you will enjoy it.

Conclusion

Puts SE much more updated with FF games and does it very well.  Not perfect but frankly the greatest (questionably) FF games were never perfect.

Review: 3 Hours of FFXV

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Finally a game that I’m really enjoying and I don’t feel like this is boring at all.  (SPOILERS)

This game feels like an MMO not just a single player running around a single direction.  Do you ever get the feeling this is what XIII should have been?

I’m going to start off with the tiny complaint about this game which is how the first two minutes started.  It doesn’t cut you in to the action nor does it show a gripping story instead it’s the usual teenager saying good bye to his father but has to push a car by hand.

After this though wow this game not only has brilliant quality but the characters that follow you actually feel like personalities.

So what shall we talk about first?

Combat System

I didn’t play the demo, I didn’t want anything spoilt for me at all from the moment I got XV in my hands I wanted to feel this is totally fresh and new.

The combat systems on RPGs especially the standard click kill or the Skyrim type combat have always been “okay” to me.  Final Fantasy XV though nails it and frankly my only gripe is with the camera system.

The combat system allows you to whizz around, hammer hard the enemy, it’s fast and fluid while still providing difficulty.  It’s very easy to get overwhelmed by the enemy especially in fights with plenty to kill with levels close to you.  I can’t complain about how this system is setup.

The night time battles are also a different touch when Iron Giants come after you.  Not to mention fighting birds which can also be a touch annoying with them dive bombing you but let’s face it they are birds.

Graphics

SE have always nailed quality for the time, XIII was beautiful and XV is even more gorgeous to the point where you can’t help but keep an eye on the horizon.  The characters look real, the cars and the buildings all seem fantastic.  I’ve only played this game for a few hours and still it’s like wow to me.

So what have I done?

Not much really I’ve levelled, explored the open area I’m in and barely done anything in regards to travelling distances.  I’m currently at my second stop and I’ve spent the majority of the time killing monsters, gaining levels and generally just enjoying the game.  The good thing is they have added all kinds of little tweaks to this game so it doesn’t feel repetitive.  I’ve played this strange pinball machine, stood listening to peoples conversations, looked through the photos and saved a few, gone hunting, attempted to kill tougher opponents or generally explored looking for more random items for cooking.  And I’ve still barely scratched the surface – after all we can fish too??  I’ve not rented a chocobo yet and done only a few things to the car.  Not to mention the soundtracks added to the car stereo which is again a lovely touch.

What can I say?  This is the game we wanted when XIII was released.  Not just a stunning adventure but an action packed game with plenty to explore and do.  Although I’ve only played for a few hours I don’t feel like wishing to get to the next stop instead I am happy to go at my own pace.  Enjoy the story when it comes, enjoy the fun of the moment.  This is the game we’ve been waiting for.

Well so far so good anyway right?