Final Fantasy XV
Final Fantasy XV is finally releasing this year after one of the longest development cycles in gaming history. Whether or not the game is a success, it’s certainly an important release. The series has been undergoing change for quite a few years now, with XIII changing aspects of the game like the combat system and linearity. Final Fantasy XIV brought another massive MMO to the series after that. However, XV may be the game that changes the series the most including the direction it goes from here.
Final Fantasy XV is a huge deviation from anything we’ve seen over the series history. A darker story tone, smaller and more personal party, and expansive open world are just some of what Final Fantasy XV is trying to do. A fast, real-time combat system similar to that of Kingdom Hearts changes gameplay, and gives players multiple options for weapons, magic and more.
Exploration is a huge aspect of XV with multiple ways of traversing the expansive world like Chocobos and even a car that can potentially turn into a plane. Even the story sees a bit of a different take, as the world of XV is something more akin to that of modern-day Earth. A dynamic weather and day/night system can affect how you travel the world, and even the effectiveness of magic and skills in battle.
Story themes are another portion of XV that bring something new. The countries of Lucis and Niflheim have been locked in a cold war for years over possession of the worlds last remaining crystal. Noctis is the main character of XV and prince of Lucis, and has to retake his throne after Niflheim invades. After going through multiple iterations Hajime Tabata, director of Final Fantasy Type-0, was brought on to help finish the game that’s now coming on September 30. Themes of a “road movie” and “bonds” are the direct influences on the games story. Tabata has even said that he hopes the ending of Final Fantasy XV will make fans cry.
No matter what your experience with the series is, Final Fantasy XV is trying to modernize and bring a completely fresh experience for fans new and old. The battle system, story and open-world mark a departure from tradition, but the team is willing to take a chance on a big new game. We’ll ultimately see if the ten year wait is worth it, but the game’s ambition is definitely impressive. Final Fantasy XV will undoubtedly change the series, and could very well end up being one of the most remarkable video games of this year.
What JRPGs are you looking forward to this year? Do you think the genre is on its way back into prominence? Let us know in the comments.
