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[Koozek]

Small bits of the newest Edge issue's FFXV preview, where the author played 40 hours:

That director Hajime Tabata has managed to build any sense of cohesion within these stifling constraints is extraordinary.

[...]

Allow yourself to yield to the wild eccentricity and FFXV can offer that rarest of blockbuster experiences: originality.

[...]

The elevation of supporting characters is designed to appeal to fans but it's been done at the expense of a strong plot.

[...]

In many of it's fragments of ideas and mechanics, FFXV shines. But by its stentorian conclusion, it's difficult to shake a feeling of confusion.

[...]

Full of hope, ambition and no shortage of things to see and do... Like a folly extended by successive architects, it's a peculiar artefact that can't escape it's past.​

Partial source: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=223539203&postcount=58


!!! Second half spoilers !!!

Spoiler

"The creative pressures and arguments that have coloured Final Fantasy XV's development are most evident in the second half, where it almost switches geenre, away from the open world desidn of the The Witcher 3, which was an influence on the current team, to a much more traditional linear series of cutscenes and dungeons. Late in the game, a network of cramped corridors, stockrooms and baffling barracks feels like a hangover from another game entirely. Here, Noctis, working alone, must duck into doorways in order to hide from the stalking, haunted guards. The stealth is delivered in a horror style, complete with jump scares, a disembodied, Joker-like voiceover, and Resident Evil-style key-card puzzles."

To make clear the distinction between the two halves of the game, if you want to return to the open-world area you'll need to travel 'back in time' when at a save point. Once there, you can mop up any unresolved side-missions, until you're ready to return to the present. [...]

UPDATE:

UPDATE2:

 

[Kagari]

Split bump.

 

[TheGreatDirector]

Cross post:

There are some interesting tidbits from the Edge preview.

It seems like the money system is a bit flawed. As we know, you don't get money from enemies but rather through items in the world that you sell. The problem, however, is that the party tends to use a lot of consumable items in battle, such as potions and elixirs. It seems that because of this your party may end up short on the funds to buy new equipment and weapons in areas.

There also seems to be an abundance of mechanics that are tied to specific regions and parts of the game that don't carry over once you leave ultimately making them feel unfinished. Chocobo stats don't seem to carry over from region to region and certain gameplay options like Cid's weapon customization all but vanish once you've left one location.

 

[brandonh83]

That "shift" sounds so crazy and unsafe that I may be down with it. We'll see about the execution though.

 

[Toth]

Reposting from the other thread:

Originally Posted by TheGreatDirector

There are some interesting tidbits from the Edge preview.

It seems like the money system is a bit flawed. As we know, you don't get money from enemies but rather through items in the world that you sell. The problem, however, is that the party tends to use a lot of consumable items in battle, such as potions and elixirs. It seems that because of this your party may end up short on the funds to buy new equipment and weapons in areas.

There also seems to be an abundance of mechanics that are tied to specific regions and parts of the game that don't carry over once you leave ultimately making them feel unfinished. Chocobo stats don't seem to carry over from region to region and certain gameplay options like Cid's weapon customization all but vanish once you've left one location.

You probably have to go back to Hammerhead itself to upgrade the weapons. There is fast travel for this purpose, no? Also, regarding gil, you are supposed to sell enemy drops for money so why worry about potions? Just forgo them for a little bit, kill the mobs with the money drops, sell, and buy your new equipment. Then go bak and get money for potions when you are ready for a big encounter.

FFXII had a very similar design and gil was not always easy to get for every area's new weapons and armors.

 

[Burbeting]

The news about the game not being coherent at all are concerning to hear, that's for sure. I just wish they would go a little bit more into detail about some things (like if Chocobos are actually just confined to Duscae or something else). It's also quite ambigious if there is even any party gameplay later, or if it's just Noctis solo.

 

[centmoe]

sounds exactly like a game that was in development hell

 

[MGrant]

Hope y'all ready for them

Spoiler

forced stealth segments.

Still, I have to admit my curiosity about this game has been increased lately.

 

[Mifec]

If you use the best game currently release as an inspiration for your open world part, at least try to be half as good, what you've shown was nowhere near half as good as TW3.

 

[Wagram]

"The elevation of supporting characters is designed to appeal to fans but it's been done at the expense of a strong plot."

Japanese developers suck this generation.

 

[AkirraKrylon]

Vague ass article is vague.

 

[-Horizon-]

So wait, when it says you'll have to

Spoiler

travel back in time

does that mean you'll be playing as

Spoiler

old noctis

in the second half?

 

[GinoFelino]

Let's not post the entire article though, guys.

I'd like EDGE to reach their 400th issue, too....

 

[Sparrowhawk]

Sounds like XIII in reverse. :/

 

[paragonpro]

We all knew

Spoiler

the second half was going to be more linear

no shock here. Though a tad dissapointed at the

Spoiler

local variety

 

[Quonny]

WEW THAT SECOND HALF

 

[Ray Down]

The news about the game not being coherent at all are concerning to hear, that's for sure. I just wish they would go a little bit more into detail about some things (like if Chocobos are actually just confined to Duscae or something else). It's also quite ambigious if there is even any party gameplay later, or if it's just Noctis solo.

No Chocobo stats don't carry region to region, because I'm guessing because you got different vendors for them.

 

[Mendrox]

Sounds like XIII in reverse. :/

Haha exactly that.

 

[OnFire331]

Looks like everyone is reposting info from the other thread so...

But by its stentorian conclusion, it's difficult to shake a feeling of confusion.

I think that's kind of contradictory, he basically says it's got a powerful ending but still left him confused. Actually, the preview contradicts itself multiple times, it's rather badly written.

 

[Arkeband]

That "shift" sounds so crazy and unsafe that I may be down with it. We'll see about the execution though.

Hope y'all ready for them

Spoiler

forced stealth segments.

Still, I have to admit my curiosity about this game has been increased lately.

It sounds to me like Lords of Shadow 2.

 

[Xaero Gravity]

That second half doesn't sound like something I want in my Final Fantasy


Definitely keeping my expectations low despite being hyped for a new main line FF.

 

[TheFatMan]

I wish I could say I was suprised about the ending being confusing and all over the place. But given Tabata's absolutely garbage work on Type-0 and the confusing mess that the last act of that game is.....I'm not at all.

 

[TheContact]

oops misread the OP, but i can't wait for this game. second half is like wat tho, did they pull a xenogears or something

 

[AndyMoogle]

After the demo and this info, I'll stay far away from this one. It's certainly not the kind of jrpg I want.

 

[LordKasual]

Originally Posted by TheGreatDirector

There are some interesting tidbits from the Edge preview.

It seems like the money system is a bit flawed. As we know, you don't get money from enemies but rather through items in the world that you sell. The problem, however, is that the party tends to use a lot of consumable items in battle, such as potions and elixirs. It seems that because of this your party may end up short on the funds to buy new equipment and weapons in areas.

There also seems to be an abundance of mechanics that are tied to specific regions and parts of the game that don't carry over once you leave ultimately making them feel unfinished. Chocobo stats don't seem to carry over from region to region and certain gameplay options like Cid's weapon customization all but vanish once you've left one location.

Yeah the money system isnt flawed or new, you can control what your party members have access to and enemies didn't just flat out pay you in FFXII either.

As for the Chocobos or weapon upgrades, I don't really think it's that big a deal since even in FF7/8/9 chocobos were really an entirely situational mechanic that was only ever expanded upon in endgame. I'm sure there's something to do with them later once you go back, but i wouldn't cal it an unfinished mechanic.


And again, im sure Cid's upgrades will continue to play a part, but there's no reason for it to become an anchor mechanic when Noctis is shown to have a ridiculous arsenal anyway. It'll probably be good for some ultimate weapon but I wouldn't want to return to Hammerhead every few hours of gameplay anyway.

 

[AlexFlame116]

This is going to be an interesting few weeks for this game. Plus the reviews. Either way I am kinda worried about all of this. I wonder why the huge shift though? Just because of development hell? There must be an absolute reason.

Also, judging from the magazine the no female characters complaint still remains strong among people.

After the demo and this info, I'll stay far away from this one. It's certainly not the kind of jrpg I want.

This had been said plenty of time before but: The demo is a terrible way to experience the game. So much has changed since then.

 

[Fou-Lu]

I think that's kind of contradictory, he basically says it's got a powerful ending but still left him confused. Actually, the preview contradicts itself multiple times, it's rather badly written.

Pretty much my feelings. It's not very well done.

 

[Gator86]

"The elevation of supporting characters is designed to appeal to fans but it's been done at the expense of a strong plot."

Japanese developers suck this generation.

Bad anime confirmed

 

[Skel1ingt0n]

So wait, when it says you'll have to

Spoiler

travel back in time

does that mean you'll be playing as

Spoiler

old noctis

in the second half?

Spoiler

supposedly confirmed, yes

Man, I gotta say, a strong, engaging story with strong plot is one of the most critical components to my enjoyment of some FF games over other. Disappointing to hear.

 

[LordKasual]

That second half doesn't sound like something I want in my Final Fantasy


Definitely keeping my expectations low despite being hyped for a new main line FF.

...A Final Fantasy that plays more like a typical Final Fantasy is a thing you don't want in your Final Fantasy.


Anyway the XV Cycle is already starting strong in this thread, time to abandon

 

[bigmac996]

Oh boy, I'm a little worried now. Please be good, please be good! That second half...

 

[Toth]

Sounds like XIII in reverse. :/

World of FF is VERY linear but the game is pleasing fans anyway. The ability to fast travel and going back to old areas is important and it looks like FFXV has that.

 

[GifGafIsTheBestGaf]

wow, i honestly dont know how to feel about all that in the op.


it sounds like a pain in the ass i wont enjoy, having second thoughts with the pre-order

 

[brandonh83]

It sounds to me like Lords of Shadow 2.

Naw, I think this will mostly be a good game, but it's absolutely going to divide people. The first Lords of Shadow was divisive, but still got enough acclaim. 2 failed pretty much across every front aside from the combat and bosses.
edit: oh, you probably mean stealth specifically. I don't think it'll be as bad as that lol

We'll see... I don't love spending countless hours in open worlds, I do like some narrative focus. It may be an extreme direction, but it could also feel fresh after the huge open world aspect. There's not quite enough context to go on either as they're trying not to completely spoil it, so it could be terrible for all I know. I'll stay open-minded for now.

 

[Zemm]

That 2nd half sounds awful, and I don't mean the linearity (well, only a little bit). It really is a reverse FF13.

 

[Sylas]

I really do think a lot of the article is disjointed in and of itself. Which makes sense if 40 hours is still a preview, but I'm having trouble putting a lot of stock into it because of the weirdly written nature of it.

Plus it does sorta sound like the guy might not be a Final Fantasy fan?

I dunno, it'll be disappointing if the first 1/3rd is great but the back half is rough. Though like some people are saying, I can't stand games that are open world for too long. TW3 never got finished because it was far too long and I lost focus too often. Less can be more!

 

[Burbeting]

Even though it would be spoilery, I hope we get some footage from second half. The preview doesn't sound good, but it's also really vague, which is frustrating.

 

[duckroll]

Looks like everyone is reposting info from the other thread so...



I think that's kind of contradictory, he basically says it's got a powerful ending but still left him confused. Actually, the preview contradicts itself multiple times, it's rather badly written.

How is it a contradiction? He says the parts of the game shine more than the sum of it, and that even with a powerful ending, there is a sense of confusion in what the game as a whole wants to be. That's not unusual for something that tries a lot of different things, with parts of that don't work as well. Bioshock Infinite definitely has a conclusive powerful ending thematically and visually. But you would have to ignore large chunks of the game to not be confused as to what sort of game they were trying to make at points. An adventure game? A shooter? A social commentary? Some parts work better than others, while some parts outright contradict the intent of other parts of the game.

 

[Qblivion]

I'm totally ok with the second half being what it is. 40+ hour games that don't shake things up get kinda boring.

 

[inner-G]

Ugh, sounds worse than I was even expecting

 

[sappyday]

I'm dipping out. If the game is bad I rather find out myself.

 

[GwyndolinCinder]

I mean we knew this before, buts it's more exciting to know you can't go back .

 

[Inuhanyou]

Interesting statements...

 

[-Horizon-]

Spoiler

supposedly confirmed, yes

Man, I gotta say, a strong, engaging story with strong plot is one of the most critical components to my enjoyment of some FF games over other. Disappointing to hear.

Oh man, not sure how to feel about this then

I am not a fan of

Spoiler

old noctis

 

[pswii60]

Two games for the price of one. Sounds good

 

[Xaero Gravity]

"The elevation of supporting characters is designed to appeal to fans but it's been done at the expense of a strong plot."

Japanese developers suck this generation.

This is an even bigger disappointment for me. There's no way I'm finishing a 40+ hour game if I couldn't care less about the plot.

 

[BRocknRolla]

Man... I really wanted a coherent story. This is the biggest issue I've had with most of the last FFs, and if this ends up feeling just as nonsensical, I'm really not sure I want to invest the time.

This has seriously got me questioning whether I should even bother.

 

[Styles]

I can feel a shitstorm brewing.

 

[Holundrian]

Huh previews don't tell the whole story, who would have thought /s.

 

[jonno394]

Don't like the sounds of all this. I was going to buy a PS4 Pro to play this, now I'm not so sure I want to buy a new console for a game that may eventually piss me off

Spoiler

forced stealth etc in second half

. Will just stick to the standard PS4 for now!