vs. Final Fantasy XV
Final Fantasy XV is definitely much more of an RPG than Horizon Zero Dawn is, but it still makes great use of its open world to deliver a gripping story with some intense action. It’s the first main entry in the series to go for a full action-RPG approach, so many were worried about how it would fare. Thankfully, it actually fared pretty well, maintaining the scale of some of the most celebrated monsters and summons while providing a tough challenge at the same time of making you feel truly powerful, with the fate of the world in your hands.
Final Fantasy XV can be a bit stiff, though. Take driving for instance. It’s so restricted, even when you unlock the flying version of your vehicle. Exploration is available over a large area, but you don’t do much traversal of the geography. No mountain climbing, no swimming. Combat is varied though, and there are some neat abilities on offer. It’s never as hectic as that in Horizon, where you’re trying to drop traps and find cover at ever turn, but it does require strategy and paying attention to your enemies.
The open world is a different flavor in Final Fantasy XV, so that may decide which you prefer. The restricted exploration is a turn off for some, and that’s understandable, but Final Fantasy came back from what many were calling a serious rut, placing the latest entry pretty highly on many lists.
