Final Fantasy XV (was Versus XIII)

[Random Nobody]

Oh god, fuck those mines.

Spoiler

I went in there during the night on a whim, and when I got to the 2nd level, Noctis and friends started going all "OMG WHAT IS THAT" and I nearly jumped out of my seat when I saw a shadowy figure just standing there. And then I got scared for real when I saw it was level 52, warped over to Noctis and killed him dead in one go and knocked him off the mine tracks and into a pit of goblins waiting to rip what remained of Noctis to shreds.

Between this and cat is the reason I started barrelling through the main quests.

Cat: Feed me
Cat: I want fish
Cat: Pan seared with Louis XIII cognac, fresh lobster, picante sauce and Kobe beef
Cat: Garnish it with Swarovski diamonds

Get the fuck.

 

[JechtShotMK9]

I won't be buying this game until it's fully baked. Just watching the story, it seems incomplete. I do want to experience the gameplay though.

As of chapter 4, half of the story is delivered by conversations between the characters during the gameplay. If you're just watching the cutscenes, you're not getting anywhere close to all of the story.

 

[X-SOLDIER]

It's very hard to explain without spoiling things why just watching a playthrough of the Story missions will fall woefully short of giving you a complete story. I did a tl;dr of it but the short version is that story mode is ONLY Noctis' Story, and there are a metric shitton of other things happening in the world that you'll have to actively go about poking at to understand the much bigger picture of all the socio-political happenings in the world. This is because while they're factors in the narrative of what's taking place in the world around you, they're not a part of his story specifically which follows the Crystal's Prophesy about him being the King of Light, and the roadtrip with his bros to get there. The story mode itself has all of that that it needs to effectively deliver its narrative, and the rest is there for you to go looking for both in the game and in things like Brotherhood & Kingsglaive.




X

 

[JechtShotMK9]

It's very hard to explain without spoiling things why just watching a playthrough of the Story missions will fall woefully short of giving you a complete story. I did a tl;dr of it but the short version is that story mode is ONLY Noctis' Story, and there are a metric shitton of other things happening in the world that you'll have to actively go about poking at to understand the much bigger picture of all the socio-political happenings in the world. This is because while they're factors in the narrative of what's taking place in the world around you, they're not a part of his story specifically which follows the Crystal's Prophesy about him being the King of Light, and the roadtrip with his bros to get there. The story mode itself has all of that that it needs to effectively deliver its narrative, and the rest is there for you to go looking for both in the game and in things like Brotherhood & Kingsglaive.




X

As someone who has seen neither Brotherhood or Kingslaive, and is following the story just fine at this point, I would argue that they aren't necessary. I could be proven wrong later, but that's not the impression I'm getting as of now.

But yeah, tons of story just comes from conversations while driving or walking around, in-fight dialogue, short conversations when checking out random stuff you can interact with, the conversations you get at campsites and other places where you can sleep etc. It's nothing like any other Final Fantasy; this one actually manages to do nonlinear storytelling, and they make it work. It's great.

 

[Joe]

Watching the cutscenes only of the story for XV is the gaming equivalent of reading the CliffsNotes for a novel. Maybe even less so. You get literally none of the atmosphere and background the game is designed around.

 

[X-SOLDIER]

It's very hard to explain without spoiling things why just watching a playthrough of the Story missions will fall woefully short of giving you a complete story. I did a tl;dr of it but the short version is that story mode is ONLY Noctis' Story, and there are a metric shitton of other things happening in the world that you'll have to actively go about poking at to understand the much bigger picture of all the socio-political happenings in the world. This is because while they're factors in the narrative of what's taking place in the world around you, they're not a part of his story specifically which follows the Crystal's Prophesy about him being the King of Light, and the roadtrip with his bros to get there. The story mode itself has all of that that it needs to effectively deliver its narrative, and the rest is there for you to go looking for both in the game and in things like Brotherhood & Kingsglaive.




X

As someone who has seen neither Brotherhood or Kingslaive, and is following the story just fine at this point, I would argue that they aren't necessary. I could be proven wrong later, but that's not the impression I'm getting as of now.

But yeah, tons of story just comes from conversations while driving or walking around, in-fight dialogue, short conversations when checking out random stuff you can interact with, the conversations you get at campsites and other places where you can sleep etc. It's nothing like any other Final Fantasy; this one actually manages to do nonlinear storytelling, and they make it work. It's great.

Oh they're definitely not necessary. They're very satisfying backstory for understanding the bigger picture of things though if you want to know more about the world and what's happening in it.




X

 

[Kai Schulen]

I did a tl;dr of it but the short version is that story mode is ONLY Noctis' Story, and there are a metric shitton of other things happening in the world that you'll have to actively go about poking at to understand the much bigger picture of all the socio-political happenings in the world.

Oh god, I'm not very good at following socio-political things. I fear most of the missable conversations is going to go over my head.

Also, do any of these conversation things happen when you rest at an outpost trailer/inn, or in actual hotels/motels? Just so that I don't waste any more gil than necessary, sleeping at all the outposts. Ive been making it a point to sleep at all the campsites, but y'know, that's free and all that.

 

[X-SOLDIER]

Oh god, I'm not very good at following socio-political things. I fear most of the missable conversations is going to go over my head.

Also, do any of these conversation things happen when you rest at an outpost trailer/inn, or in actual hotels/motels? Just so that I don't waste any more gil than necessary, sleeping at all the outposts. Ive been making it a point to sleep at all the campsites, but y'know, that's free and all that.

Well then don't worry, because that socio-political stuff's all in the background and largely auxiliary to what's happening and mostly only there if you WANT to dig into it.

I know that there's one good character chat that happens staying at Longwythe Rest Area. Grinding Hunts to earn Gil and staying places for the 1.5X Exp Bonus is what I did a lot. I think that there's a list of places that trigger things in the Strategy Guide? I'll see if I can check them for you tonight if I remember / if nobody else can find them on the internets for you.




X

 

[Blade]

I'm tempted to re-watch Kingsglaive because I feel like I missed something. Omen too.

 

[X-SOLDIER]

I'm tempted to re-watch Kingsglaive because I feel like I missed something. Omen too.

So, while my game was in the mail, I watched Brotherhood, Omen, Kingsglaive, and then played the game, and I feel like I understood ALL THE THINGS really well, even the less-than-well-explained-ones-that-seem-to-be-annoying-to-some-folks'-experience. So, I think it's a good idea.




X

 

[Carlie]

Guess who does NOT have the game yet?

That's it, I'm giving up. I mean, it'll come whenever it comes.

Waited for 10 years. What's a few more days, right?

Alex man I think unless they give you a nice discount or the game for free for everything they put you through, you should return it. You pre ordered that game and a week after it came out you still don't have it. They don't deserve your money for that kind of shit service.

 

[Kai Schulen]

Well then don't worry, because that socio-political stuff's all in the background and largely auxiliary to what's happening and mostly only there if you WANT to dig into it.

I know that there's one good character chat that happens staying at Longwythe Rest Area. Grinding Hunts to earn Gil and staying places for the 1.5X Exp Bonus is what I did a lot. I think that there's a list of places that trigger things in the Strategy Guide? I'll see if I can check them for you tonight if I remember / if nobody else can find them on the internets for you.




X

But I do want to dig more into XV's story and the world, because I hate it when I catch on to something, but don't have the context to frame it in. (Which is what happens a lot in real life. huh.) Although, I'm still messing around in chapter 3, so I don't think there's still much I missed out on. Most people I eavesdrop on talk about how creepy the magitek knights are/the weather/the roof Disc is on fire. When am I ever going to get around to the rest of the plot?!

I already got the conversation at the Longwythe Rest Area, but yes, I would love to see the list of conversations that can be triggered at different places, please.

 

[Flare]

Spoiler: Just reached Lestallum!

Aaaah city! I love it. Awesome view into Duscae. Cool power plant, I also love the side streets and how some parts are clean and others are messy and dirty. The city feels real to me. I explored the marketplace at night; made the first time experience more atmospheric.

Got to the inn, and my latest hint of story; a sudden tremor and headache for Noct, accompanied by a vision of an eye. Curious stuff. The eye was gold/red, but I didn't really recognize it.

Iris is cuuuuute <3 And so is her outfit. Omg I do want <3 Can she travel with me? Pls? Also I made sure Noctis lightened up and had fun. Got a great comment out of him about Gladio kicking his ass if he was really on a date with Iris.

And, I've got to find out who is behind these NPC drawings. It's such a mystery. Who's drawing them? Who? o.o

 

[Cthulhu]

Gaise why are Ignatius Rex and Promptorobourus so weaksauce? They die all the time. Can I just get 4 Gladiolae instead?

 

[Tetsujin]

Iris is cuuuuute <3

I know right?
Clearly it is her who needs to be Noct's waifu, not Luna.

Spoiler: spoiler up to chapter 8

Halfway through the game and I still haven't even met her lol
Luna has been incredibly weaksauce so far. Bland in Kingsglaive, barely present in XV. I doubt she'll be more interesting once I actually interact with her either.

I just spent about a week ingame accumulating EXP (as well as dirt, grease and possibly lice from not bathing) and stayed at Galdin.

120,000EXP for everyone~!
Jumped up about ten levels all at once.

Also found a dungeon in Duscae...but the monsters whupped my ass so I bolted out of there

Last but not least, Coeurls can suck all the dicks.

 

[Joe]

Gaise why are Ignatius Rex and Promptorobourus so weaksauce? They die all the time. Can I just get 4 Gladiolae instead?

No, because then you'd

Spoiler: unpopular opinion

lack any interesting supporting characters in your party.

 

[Alex Strife]

Alex man I think unless they give you a nice discount or the game for free for everything they put you through, you should return it. You pre ordered that game and a week after it came out you still don't have it. They don't deserve your money for that kind of shit service.

I know! I do believe the same thing. But they'll just blame the carrier, who will probably blame the ones handling mail stuff in Spain... and they will not discount anything. *Sigh*

I'll obviously try when it's here and I can calculate the actual precise delay. Royal Mail actually does have a chart on when you can ask for compensation and I'm not that far away from reaching that point.

 

[ForceStealer]

I <3 Aranea.

That is all.

 

[Blade]

If DLC includes guest characters on bonus quests I'm all for Aranea too.

 

[AvecAloes]

Aranea is one of the only things that has caused me to consider changing my handle/avatar in the 5 years that I've been on these forums >.>

 

[lithiumkatana17]

Iris is cuuuuute <3

I know right?
Clearly it is her who needs to be Noct's waifu, not Luna.

Spoiler: spoiler up to chapter 8

Halfway through the game and I still haven't even met her lol
Luna has been incredibly weaksauce so far. Bland in Kingsglaive, barely present in XV. I doubt she'll be more interesting once I actually interact with her either.

I just spent about a week ingame accumulating EXP (as well as dirt, grease and possibly lice from not bathing) and stayed at Galdin.

120,000EXP for everyone~!
Jumped up about ten levels all at once.

Also found a dungeon in Duscae...but the monsters whupped my ass so I bolted out of there

Last but not least, Coeurls can suck all the dicks.

Which dungeon was it?

And yes, Couerls can go die in a fire. I'm ten levels above those fuckers and they're still whooping my ass.

 

[Tetsujin]

Can't remember what the dungeon was called but I think it was at the foot of one of those rock arches.

Anyway, I just beat chapter 9.

Spoiler: STORY SPOILERS UP TO THE START OF CHAPTER 10

Basically, I refer to what Lex said.

I knew all that talk about Luna being a "strong character" was baloney
I mean, her personality might be "strong". But I think people generally want the *writing* to be strong. For the character to have an interesting/relatable/likeable/whatever personality. Luna had zero and was a non-presence in the game and then she died.

I mean, it was still a bit sad because of the tragedy of Noctis wanting to meet her after all this time and then this happens.

The whole passing back and forth the notebook was a sweet touch but I felt it would've been great if we got to read through past entries. They could've relayed what Luna is like through those messages and really make you like her and for the player to want to meet her as much as Noctis. Feels like a missed opportunity.

Ah well, make way for the true waifu, Iris.

Leviathan battle was a neat setpiece although it really was just there to look cool. Not much of a challenge.
And some of the shit from the E3 2013 trailer wasn't there but I already expected that. That trailer was visually way too impressive for them to be able to recreate that in-game.

But damn if that wasn't the most powerful I have felt in a Final Fantasy game. Noctis straight up flying and taking on a god. Makes you realize how powerful one must be to take on one of the summons at full strength. Titan was fought when he had almost literally one arm tied to his back.

Dear god, I hope there's gonna be a massive Bahamut battle. Don't spoil it for me if there is or isn't though =P

Anyway, so from here on the on-rails part starts. After all the fucking about in Lucis and running errands (and I haven't even been to the westernmost part with the mountain yet...) I'm okay with just sprinting towards the end now.

I wonder how much content there is left now with the open world behind me.

 

[ForceStealer]

Aranea is one of the only things that has caused me to consider changing my handle/avatar in the 5 years that I've been on these forums >.>

Me too!

 

[Shademp]

FFXV made me crave cup noodles. I have now consumed a cup's worth and it was delicious. I want moar but I can't because cup noodles make me cranky.

This is my contribution to the FFXV topic. Despite my prejudice against the title (which doesn't mean I won't play it someday though) it made me crave noodles.

 

[Obsidian Fire]

I find the Cup Noodles thing hilarious because they're my cold weather comfort food of choice and I've got at least 10 of them in the pantry at the moment...