Final Fantasy XV: Ep. Duscae
Developed By:
Square-Enix
Published By:
Square-Enix
For as much anticipation as a game like these could draw, I too was excited. And when I opened my copy of Final Fantasy Type 0 HD, I promptly entered my code and proceeded to download the 5.3 GB demo. I was excited to see what this game would offer that was so different from everything I have ever experienced. Only once the game loaded, I was seeing familiar hairstyles, wild and untamed, and characters building chemistry from before “Start”. After the standard introduction to the player through tutorials, we are informed of the situation, and given the reigns. Immediately the familiar open-world feel is presented when in reality you are on rather large pre-loaded sections of the planet. Obviously in a demo, it was unclear if these regions connected to the rest of the world which I could truly explore, or if they were more like Final Fantasy XII’s areas of exploration.
Speaking of Final Fantasy XII, the whole experience feels a lot like the presentation in that game, only a more streamline action-styled battle structure. Instead of having actions and lists to manage, you are presented with a list of face button commands that allow you to attack freely. The quest involved having me go after a Behemoth which led me through a neat set of sequences and lots of experience grinding, while naturally going point to point. At times as you earn experience though, your characters don’t freely level up on the spot. You have to actually go to camp and setup for the night to finalize experience, abilities, and even see what is for dinner. After stats are applied, the familiar nighttime jingle rings and day is upon you. You have a couple chances to experience this first-hand in one of many camps in the area, especially if you choose to go outside of the bounds and grind further.
This image personifies badass... Hey where are the ladies?
While grinding, you will find many opportunities to use some abilities that allow you to warp from point to point, even going up towers to get out of the way of enemies to heal. Your typical magic and healing items exist, but you now gain the ability to take cover to heal as well. This gives you unique opportunities in combat depending on the situation to heal yourself. Even with all of this to discuss, the problem was it felt like a completely familiar fantasy… A Final Fantasy I have experienced before, only with a combination of many characters in the game’s history. Now don’t get me wrong, I am not condemning a game due to this, it is a designated demo of a much larger product. Come to think of it, this has me even more interested in how this turns out.
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What happens when this place floods?
However at this point to me, it is an unremarkable romp through a familiar setting.
A gaming experience that was interesting, but left me hoping for more. The graphics were incredible, the gameplay was solid; and as far as demos go, this one was complete. Congratulations to Square-Enix for presenting this to us. Especially considering the game it was packed with was equally stunning. However, Square-Enix never had a problem with presentation and story-telling. But they have struggled for a while to find that perfect chord like they had with Final Fantasy VII. The problem is, games are different than before, hyped beyond belief, and marketed everywhere, online and off. And a game like Final Fantasy will immediately be compared to the best of the forum, like “VII” with Cloud and company. Fact is, those things just happen, and if I was Square-Enix, I would not continue hyping this game, because while it has innovative features that expand upon the problems that have plagued the series for years. These are good changes, but I want to see what else is left for us when the game releases later this year. Square-Enix promised a renaissance in 2015, and this is a tremendous start.
I think Holiday, if not in time for Thanksgiving.