Final Fantasy XV

Let me start by saying that to fully appreciate «Final Fantasy XV», you should first watch the film «Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV», which was released a few months ago.

This is because the game is, for better or worse, what you could call a transmedia experience, and the film covers events parallel to the first chapters of the game. Watching it first provides a deeper understanding of the world, its political factions, and key characters.

It also doesn't hurt to watch the anime «Brotherhood: Final Fantasy XV».

If this sounds like a lot of homework just to play a game, the story makes far more sense if you already understand certain aspects of the world and the motivations of its characters. It also makes it much more satisfying to take down the game’s evil imperials after you’ve cultivated a healthy dose of loathing and disdain for them beforehand.

That said, once you’re emotionally invested, «Final Fantasy XV» delivers one of the best narratives in the series' recent history.

It’s not that the plot strays far from the classic «Final Fantasy» formula. Rather, it stands out by successfully evoking emotions on par with the series' golden age on the Super Nintendo and the original PlayStation.

Bromancing the stone

The game begins as a road trip for Prince Noctis and his buddies: Ignis, Gladiolus, and Prompto. A final  grand adventure in daddy’s car before the princeling must wed the princess from a neighboring kingdom.

At first, it’s all lighthearted fun. But as the journey progresses, shit hits the fan, war breaks out and the group must lean on each other to survive and get to where they need to be.

The heart of the game lies in the bonds of friendship and the camaraderie between the game’s all-male main cast. This is primarily a story about brotherhood and eventually, sacrifices made for those you love. It’s the kind of bromance that might bring a tear to the eye of even the manliest of men, as it taps heavily into the masculine ideals of duty and honor.

The closest comparison I can think of is the 1986 film «Stand by Me», which also follows a group of boys heading out on an adventure into the wilderness. While the ages of the characters in these two stories differ, both capture the fleeting beauty of friendship that only occurs during a short phase of young men's lives.

The camaraderie among the main characters is the glue that holds the story together. It’s both heartwarming and humorous, but it can also turn somber. 

For example, there’s a point in the game where one of the group sustains a permanent injury that forces you to adjust your pace as you fight your way onwards. But rather than finding this frustrating, it made me want to take extra care of him. It feels genuinely heartbreaking as the once-good vibes of the group begin to crumble, and it’s bitterly noted that perhaps his royal highness should try harder to keep his retinue together.

Western Influences

«Final Fantasy XV» leans heavily into Western game design, resembling a Western RPG more than a traditional Japanese one. Mainly because of its emphasis on open-world exploration and the freedom to roam vast landscapes. Yet, this also harkens back to classic «Final Fantasy», when you could still roam the world map freely. The key difference is the seamless integration. There are no transitions between exploration and combat, and the dungeons flow naturally into the broader areas.

There’s also a much greater focus on realism over fantasy this time. The architecture and interiors remain colorful and magical, but they also show signs of wear and tear. Highways and infrastructure snake across the landscape, and outposts in the wilderness aren’t just filled with attractive, impeccably groomed people with great hair anymore. There are now also scruffy rednecks wearing baseball caps with spikes on them. 

While cruising down the highway, you might see herds of wildlife crossing the road.

Overall, it’s a pleasure just to drive around, explore the continent, and listen to music in the car, while occasionally taking camping trips into the wilderness to hunt monsters.

I also love the mechanic where experience points are only tallied when you set up camp, and the food you eat before bed influences your combat performance the next day. This gives food a real function - moving beyond the typical, purely decorative role it plays in most RPGs.

The cities also feel more alive than ever, truly coming across as places where people might actually live. This is especially true for the port city of Altissia, with its multi-level, Venice-inspired canals and bustling crowds.

Combat

The combat system in «Final Fantasy XV» brings a distinctly Japanese flair - dynamic and visually spectacular, with heavy emphasis on swordplay and melee combat. 

However, it’s not as deep as it first appears. Despite its party-based setup, you only control Prince Noctis directly, while Ignis, Gladiolus, and Prompto fight according to their predefined roles.

Noctis, in turn, can switch between combat styles and summon an array of weapons mid-fight. He can also teleport across the battlefield and pause the action for strategic planning, adding a tactical layer, which can be both thrilling and challenging for players who enjoy thinking a few moves ahead.

It’s a bit unfortunate then, that the most effective strategy by far is simply to attack as aggressively as possible, while throwing in the occasional parry.

I realized this about a third into the game, after repeatedly struggling because I was overanalyzing elemental interactions and tailoring my weapon choices for specific enemies. Once I shifted to spamming quick attacks with fast weapons like swords or daggers, the battles flowed much more smoothly.

A Game of Two Halves

«Final Fantasy XV» splits neatly into two distinct sections. The first part is an open-world sandbox where you’re free to explore, take detours, and soak in the expansive landscape. And then there is the second part that unfolds after you cross a proverbial Rubicon. From this point on, the game takes a dramatic turn, pushing you relentlessly toward the final showdown.

It's here you experience some of the most quintessentially «Final Fantasy» story sequences. Yet, it’s also where the game starts to stray from its own established mechanics.

This is particularly evident in the penultimate chapter, which is also the longest and most grueling of the game. It's where the developers suddenly decide to abandon the action-oriented combat you’ve grown comfortable with, opting instead for awkward quicktime events and forced stealth segments. It’s easily the most frustrating and tedious part of the game, and a classic example of designers forcing you into a completely different playstyle than the one you’ve spent hours mastering.

These elements, likely intended to add a cinematic flair, instead undermine the flow, and end up achieving the opposite effect.

A Grand Experience Despite Flaws

But even with its missteps, «Final Fantasy XV» offers a journey far greater than the sum of its parts. Over the 20 to 30 hours it takes to complete, the game delivers a sweeping, melodramatic tale that showcases beautiful storytelling. It’s stitched together with meticulous care, impressive production value, and spectacular combat sequences that make most other games on the market pale in comparison.

The narrative may require a bit of work at times, and certain gameplay choices feel out of place, but the overall experience remains unforgettable - a bold and emotional adventure that reaffirms why the «Final Fantasy» series still matters.