Dungeon Level: 4
Guest: Noctis (Level 7)
Current Level: 1
So its been 5 days since Final Fantasy XV has been released.
I saved up for this game for practically 2 years, 3 if I count the money I saved to buy a Playstation 4.
And let me tell you.
It. Was. Worth it.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not done with the game yet.
I'm at least 30 hours in but I haven't left Chapter 5 or 6 yet.
Before I get into my experience, I want to talk about the basics of this game first so its easier to take in gameplay from a written perspective as well instead of just watching a video and thinking about how this must be easy for players or not.
The first thing you'll find yourself immersed in this game is the combat. While it may look strange for those Final Fantasy fans who have been used to the standard Turn Based system they're used to, maybe even wrong, it's very fun.
The first thing that will come to mind is "This is so like Kingdom Hearts!" from a viewers perspective.
And maybe it is kind of like Kingdom Hearts, but its entirely different.
While Kingdom Hearts, an action based jrpg in itself, rely on defeating the foe by mashing the attack button, guarding, dodging, using magic or special attacks to defeat the enemy, Final Fantasy XV relies on a more tactical set than you'd expect.
You play as Noctis Lucis Caelum, Crown Prince of the Lucian Empire.
Like any main character in any game, Noctis has something special that makes him unique. Cloud had a gigantic sword and really spiky hair, Tidus had a water sword and that asymetrical pair of pants, Neku had pins, a funnel collar, and hates everyone, and Sora had a Keyblade.
Since this is a Final Fantasy, Noctis also has a sword. And a lance. And a greatsword. And a gun. And every freaking weapon with the power to warp around like crazy and make his weapons slash around everything like crazy.
This is found in trailers and directly in his gameplay.
While Kingdom Hearts has you just attacking, Noctis can switch weapons on the fly to perform various combos. But not all weapons are effective against all enemies. You find that there are some that are weak to swords but are totally okay with being shot. Then there's the warp function. Warp lets you zip around the field in an instant at the cost of mp. You can use this function to get away, get to a far enough distance and warp strike your enemies, or close in. Dodging and Guarding is far different as well. While the iconic Dodge roll is there, you can hold a button down to "Phase" through attacks. There is no permanent block function, but occasionally, a marker appears to tell you to hold the Phase button to guard and counter attack.
It may sound either simple or complex, but its very manageable once you get used to it. I find that its very fun switching weapons on the fly and thinking up a strategy on defeating enemies.
I forgot to mention, but there's magic in this game as well. Though not like most Final Fantasy. It's more reminiscent of Final Fantasy 8's Draw Function.
I know.
I groaned too.
So basically, you gather from these elemental spots around camps or dungeons and then craft your own spells. The basic spells craftable are limited to Fire, Thunder, and Blizzard. Frankly, thats kind of disappointing. Cure isn't even in this game. Makes one too reliant on Potions (I swear to you, you will be extremely reliant on potions and Elixirs.) You can craft the spells as well as add items to add in bonus effects.
And while the Magic is potent and powerful, it has its major drawbacks. For one, spell casts are limited to how much you can craft. At start, its mostly around 3 or 4. And second, while it's super strong... It will hit your allies too. Friendly fire is a bitch I tell you, and you'll be really annoyed to know that the AI in your allies force them to basically just run at the enemy like its Black Friday forever.
Allies in this game are generally okay.
As characters, I find they are pleasant and not the stereotypes I imagined. Prompto has especially grown on me even though I thought I wouldn't like him.
So you basically have 3 supporting allies through out the game.
Gladio, Noctis's personal bodyguard with the greatsword, Ignis, the tactical commander and the chef, and Prompto, Noctis' friend and the team's sharpshooter.
One of the best thing about this game is how these 4 characters are so memorable and well put together. Their friendship is strong and you can really see the strength in their relationships as friends throughout the game even in simple banter or conversations.
Each has their own special ability in and outside of combat.
Outside, Gladio is good at survival skills such as camping, Ignis can cook, and Prompto has photography. Oh, Noctis has Fishing.
Skills are learned in an ascension grid (Similar to the Sphere grid in FFX) where you expend AP acquired through various means on skills regarding combat, teamwork, exploration, skill, and other more.
In combat, you'll find yourself relying on team attacks and link strikes to deal damage. Team attacks are sort of like the character's limit breaks. They have differing skills that work best at different situations.
At battle, you'll find that they all serve a good enough purpose to know they all hold their spot very well in the team.
But there will be nitpicks.
For one, Prompto, while he is one of my favorite characters, JUST WONT STOP APPROACHING THE ENEMY. He's got a freaking gun! Why do that?!
And he's got the lowest hp in all the party. He's bound to fall in to danger state far faster than the rest of the party and you'll be spending half of your potion supplies on him.
Another is that you'll find that Ignis has weaker and fewer attack options early game. I haven't unlocked Sagefire to know how well it works against enemies yet, but Mark, on its own, is effective as an equalizer or multi warp strike shot, but not strong on normal impact. You will however be grateful for his Regroup skill. And once you get Overwhelm, he does get pretty strong at Power based Team attacks.
If you, the reader, have or is thinking of getting this game, I'll let you decide on your own nitpicks about the game's combat.
The game is so big and open world, I found myself running around the place looking for stuff to do. I've heard about the game's length regarding the story, so I thought it be best to appreciate everything the game has to offer, and boy did this game do really well in its open world content. While the side quests are nothing to write home about, they've taken quite my time. The hunts especially.
But be warned. By doing the side contents too much, you'll find that you'll be too overleveled by the time you start the story. I was Level 34 by the time I started the main quest in Chapter 3.
It was a bloodbath I tell you.
I spent 4 days clearing quests and racking up so much EXP and AP just so I can take on the tougher foes that come out at night. (Damn you Iron Giant)
But be warned... When you get to Chapter 3 and you start being too strong for the Imperial Army that pops out randomly anywhere you go (Grr) they suddenly get stronger as well. They're so annoying that they just pop in to your random fights and some fights become too hard to beat because of the overwhelming mobs trying to kill you.
There's another thing I want to praise to the high heavens and its the music.
Final Fantasy Music has never ever been bad in my case, but God Damn, Yoko Shimomora was heaven sent for this game.
There are so many battle themes in this game, but she manages to capture hearts with almost all of them.
I especially love the Hunt Themes, the Cleigne Battle Theme, and Veiled in Black.
I'll talk about the story in the next post for this when I've finished the game, but so far it's been simple enough to follow.
I recommend watching Kingsglaive and Brotherhood first to get a better idea of what's going on.
Until then, it's time to Save a file before moving on.
This was Dungeon Crawler, hope you liked my first post.
Hope you read again soon!
Exp gained: 130
Exp to Next Level: 70
Save File: 1
>ThanosVenge
Level: 1
Class: Thief Mage
Equipment: Rune Switchblade
Armor: Thunder Hoodie
Accessory: Cross Ring
Accessory: Swiftness Brace
(Note: All Pictures are taken from Prompto's Pictures in Direct Gameplay.)
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