Awesome Game Trailers: Final Fantasy XV - Omen

«Final Fantasy XV» took quite a few risks with the formula for its world and gameplay. But it's biggest gamble was the faith that people would have enough patience to follow its "Transmedia experience", in which the storyline is told over several different types of media.

For instance, those who managed to absorb at least the «Kingsglaive» movie beforehand, would have a much more coherent experience of the game's storyline than those who just played the game. Hardly a practice that can be described as good game design, but interesting as an experiment in creating pre-release hype.

The above video was one of these stories. A rather good one at that, and something that really should have been IN the game.  

Final Fantasy XV

Let’s get one thing out of the way: if you really want to get the most out of «Final Fantasy XV», you’re gonna need to do a little prep work first. Yeah, I know - homework for a video game sounds ridiculous, but trust me, it’s worth it.

Start with the film «Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV», which came out a few months ago. It isn’t optional fluff. It’s essential viewing. The movie sets the stage for the events of the game’s opening chapters, offering crucial context about the world, its warring factions, and the people caught in between. Without it, the early story beats of the game can feel confusing or underdeveloped.

Want to go deeper? The anime series «Brotherhood: Final Fantasy XV» explores the personal backstories of your main party. It’s a quick watch, and it adds genuine emotional weight to your journey - especially in the game’s later, more poignant moments.

If this sounds like a lot of work just to play a game, that is because «Final Fantasy XV» is - for better or worse - what you could call a transmedia experience. But the payoff is real. With that extra context, every imperial you battle feels more satisfying to take down. You’re not just playing - you care. And once you’re invested, «Final Fantasy XV» delivers one of the best narratives in the series' recent history.

It doesn’t reinvent the formula, but it taps into the same emotional core that made the classics on Super Nintendo and PlayStation unforgettable.

Stellaris

«Stellaris» is a type of strategy game that, like Paradox Interactive’s previous release, «Cities: Skylines», appeals more to the player’s desire to build than to destroy. However, set in a sci-fi universe with laser weapons and aliens, it’s inevitable that, sooner or later, you’ll find yourself waging war against some extraterrestrial force.

But despite the setting’s implicit assumption of conflict, it’s actually possible to play for a surprisingly long time without ever drawing your futuristic saber equivalent.

Something I find appealing, given how many games already cater to our more violent impulses. With «Stellaris», I therefore decided to make a serious attempt to take over the universe in a peaceful manner through bureaucracy and social democracy.

Smooth introduction

You actually have quite a bit of time for this, as the game starts off pretty relaxed. You explore the galaxy, encounter mysterious space phenomena, conduct research, and discover new technologies, all while gradually mapping out the stars.

A great tribute to a great man: Satoru Iwata 岩田 聡