Final Fantasy XV?

[TaraJo]

So, I've been wanting to play this one.  I've always loved the Final Fantasy games.  I probably would have gotten it already, but I'm waiting until after Christmas, just in case someone decides to get me this as a present.  I've played most of them, other than the MMO ones, anyway.  However, over the past few games, it feels like they've been moving in the wrong direction.  13 was clearly one of their weaker games.  While I, personally found 13 to be decent, 13-2 was another story and Lightning Returns was damn near unplayable.  

So, XV..... does it continue the downward slide Square Enix seemed devoted to with 13 or is it a step in the right direction?  Is it worth getting?

[pocaracas]

Why not ask the master reviewer?
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/v...-XV-Review

[Jesster]

After 13, I am definitely done with Final Fantasy. While 15 looks like an improvement over that, it still looks like they lost all direction. I'll just avoid Square until they can pull their heads out of the sand, but I don't think that will be any time soon.

[TaraJo]

Why not ask the master reviewer?
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/v...-XV-Review

Two problems here:
1)  He doesn't seem to be a fan of Final Fantasy games in general.  I can get that, but I AM a fan of those games, so my feelings about it aren't going to be exactly like his.
2)  Critics and players don't always have the same feelings about games.  Or movies.  Or TV shows.  Or, really, anything.  That's why I want to hear what other players think as opposed to what a critic thinks.

[pocaracas]

Why not ask the master reviewer?
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/v...-XV-Review

Two problems here:
1)  He doesn't seem to be a fan of Final Fantasy games in general.  I can get that, but I AM a fan of those games, so my feelings about it aren't going to be exactly like his.
2)  Critics and players don't always have the same feelings about games.  Or movies.  Or TV shows.  Or, really, anything.  That's why I want to hear what other players think as opposed to what a critic thinks.

meh... I've only played the solo PC ones... which means VII and VIII. Were good fun and time wasters!
Not really keen on going for a game that is only playable online... for that, I already have World of Tanks.

[Elskidor]

Been a loyal fan since the early 90's and I guess I'm like one of those mega Star Wars geeks but for FF. I was severely disappointed with XIII but this is massively more enjoyable, at least for me. It has its share of flaws but what it does good at is really a treat.

If you play it you'll want to watch Kingsglaive the film as it is a major part of the story that was basically cut from the game due to deadlines. The story is not as tight as others and it sucks you need to watch the film and possibly anime to grasp their tale. Also the second half is a wee, well, just play it and judge for yourself. It's not the masterpiece it could have been, but it's a step up from XIII for most players. That's not saying much but it exceeds my low expectations for XV.

It's a rough road trip worth taking. 8/10 seems fair as it can be super fun. I'm hoping now this game is finished they can work hard to refind their footing and evolve. Sadly, turnbase is dead for the series I'm sure, outside of smaller scale spinoffs, but the fighting isn't bad, IMO. I'm playing it still after 3 weeks and that open world has tons to do.

It's on sale for today so now is a good time to get it if you plan to.

[TaraJo]

meh... I've only played the solo PC ones... which means VII and VIII. Were good fun and time wasters!
Not really keen on going for a game that is only playable online... for that, I already have World of Tanks.

XIV was the online-only one.  It was an MMORPG game, like XI.  I try to limit myself on those games.  So far, the only one I play is World of Warcraft and I tend to let my subscription lapse from time to time on that.  It's just too expensive otherwise.  As for FFXV, you can be offline and play it just fine (especially since I'll be playing it on PS4, which Sony has said from the very start is going to let you play games offline).

Been a loyal fan since the early 90's and I guess I'm like one of those mega Star Wars geeks but for FF.  I was severely disappointed with XIII but this is massively more enjoyable, at least for me. It has its share of flaws but what it does good at is really a treat.

If you play it you'll want to watch Kingsglaive the film as it is a major part of the story that was basically cut from the game due to deadlines. The story is not as tight as others and it sucks you need to watch the film and possibly anime to grasp their tale. Also the second half is a wee, well, just play it and judge for yourself. It's not the masterpiece it could have been, but it's a step up from XIII for most players. That's not saying much but it exceeds my low expectations for XV.

It's a rough road trip worth taking.  8/10 seems fair as it can be super fun. I'm hoping now this game is finished they can work hard to refind their footing and evolve. Sadly, turnbase is dead for the series I'm sure, outside of smaller scale spinoffs, but the fighting isn't bad, IMO. I'm playing it still after 3 weeks and that open world has tons to do.

It's on sale for today so now is a good time to get it if you plan to.

Yeah, I'm gonna have to find a way to watch Kingsglaive somewhere.  Maybe I can pirate it or something, I dunno.  I just don't know if I want to pay an extra $20 to see the story on a game.... even if buying it while it was on sale AND actually finding a pre-owned copy AND being a gamestop member saved me about $30.

[account_inactive]

I'm loving it so far.

[Elskidor]

Looks like Kingsglaive is 4.99 in Google Playstore currently, but that might be because all FF Android products have a discount until the new year. It really should have been a playable part of the game or free with a purchase of the game but it is what it is.

[Fidel_Castronaut]

Thus far I'm enjoying it. I'm an avid fan of everything FF, and whilst I also sit with the consensus on 13 (despite loving the story), 15 is great in some ways and lacking in others.

It's definitely a step in the right direction, though. One thing that irks me is the lack of story unless you engage with the other material such as Kingsglaive and brotherhood (cheap/free, but I'm ardent in my support that games/films etc should have a story that is comprehensible as a stand alone project. Other material can add to it but as additions, not as core litersture). It's simplistic to the extreme and goes a bit mental half way through or so.

Improvements are the combat. ATB in the traditional sense seems to be done for in FF, and whilst not a bad thing, FFXV doesn't quite perfect it's battle system. All too often I find myself a little confused as to what's going on, and your buddies are almost impossible to watch as the action gets quite frantic except for the times when you perform combos.

Side quests are numerous, hunts are like the ones from XII but there are probably more, they do eventually feel like fetch quests but the variety of sceneries and locations helps keeps things from feeling too samey. Allowing music from other FFs is a nice tough, as are the mods to your car. Shame it's a little limited (I would have liked free driving cross country but I realise that would be too big in scope, unrealistic and remove the need for the big chickens) but I kit it out to look like my car (bright metallic orange) which I appreciated. Wasn't a fan of fishing but meh, it adds to the collectors treasure trove which will be great for some. The photographing thing definitely shows me I'm in an older generation now which makes me smile. Characters posing for selfies is amusing and obviously designed to appeal to younger millennials which is cool. I'm not that generation anymore but I can see how little touches like that are SE's attempt to focus on the next generation of JPRG players.

What I will say though is that XV is most enjoyable in the mundane and 'boring' parts. Weird I know but I agree with most reviewers who say that the characters themselves, you and your 3 companions, are pretty well developed and the little bits of banter, though often repeated, feels more 'real' and relatable.

I'd give it a solid 7 out of 10 if I'm honest. I think there are free add ons and updates coming out soon though that may bump it up for me. I'm waiting to start my NG+ in a couple of months after I've played some other things.