Final Fantasy XV (was Versus XIII)

[Flare]

Dunno if this has been seen yet

Final Fantasy XV has been detailed in the Game Informer’s latest issue.

 

[ForceStealer]

When you call a summon they won’t always do the same thing. They are entities that exist in the world itself. So depending on the situation they will do different things. For example, Titan sometimes will run up and hit an enemy, sometimes he will throw boulders at the enemy and it’s possible he will even give up and leave the battle. They will also act differently in a dungeon than they will in the overworld.

This was the most intriguing one for me.

 

[Claymore]

Huh...

Not to be a debbie-downer, but this just reminded me that I still don't feel like SE are shifting from the 'moar graphics' approach to their game development. But that's just me.

Tabata and his team at Business Division 2 identified three core qualities they believe define the FF brand: challenging the status quo, providing an exceptional experience and using cutting-edge technology. He thinks FFVII was the last game in the series to use all three points. FFXV is a make-or-break moment – a chance to bring back lapsed fans and new ones into the fold.

... Not surprised. They really aren't shifting from this thought process if 'using cutting-edge technology' is part of their golden trilogy of points on making a FF game.

And blimey, those are some weird points to be heralding above all else. Nothing about crafting an exceptional 'alive' world? Nothing about forging emotions with your characters and their journey? Nothing about an indepth story that works on multiple levels? Nothing about having a battle system in place that you can spend hours playing and exploring, still learning something new every step of the way? ... I mean, who decided that those were the 3 points that make FF - as it doesn't sound like it to me.

The Regalia (the car) has a trunk that acts as party storage. You may need to pay money to gas up from time to time but the cost isn’t crazy. The car radio plays remixes of classic FF themes such as “Final Fantasy.”

That's nice. I did like that about Lightning Returns.

When you call a summon they won’t always do the same thing. They are entities that exist in the world itself. So depending on the situation they will do different things. For example, Titan sometimes will run up and hit an enemy, sometimes he will throw boulders at the enemy and it’s possible he will even give up and leave the battle. They will also act differently in a dungeon than they will in the overworld.

Yes! This is something I proposed in the VII Remake summon behaviour thread, and I would love it if they transferred this into the Remake too.

 

[Pixel]

Figured I'd try to make a music video for Stand By Me. Not much story stuff to work with.

 

[Kuja9001]

When you call a summon they won’t always do the same thing. They are entities that exist in the world itself. So depending on the situation they will do different things. For example, Titan sometimes will run up and hit an enemy, sometimes he will throw boulders at the enemy and it’s possible he will even give up and leave the battle. They will also act differently in a dungeon than they will in the overworld.

This was the most intriguing one for me.

Like a high level pokemon traded into a game where you only have the first badge. You get a cookie if you understand.

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

I enjoyed that, Pix.

 

[Lulcielid]

Not to be a debbie-downer, but this just reminded me that I still don't feel like SE are shifting from the 'moar graphics' approach to their game development. But that's just me.

... Not surprised. They really aren't shifting from this thought process if 'using cutting-edge technology' is part of their golden trilogy of points on making a FF game.

FINAL FANTASY and SQUARE-ENIX(SQUARESOFT included) were always about cutting edge tech and (how some like to say) "moar graphic", this is not surprising from Square's part since this is what they were since the begging.

Spoiler

Now time to shoehorn some rant (not directly aimed at you).

I find pretty bafflying how people bash and demonify S.E for being "too focused on cutting edge graphics" and put SquareSoft in a pedestal like a saint for not putting graphics as a priority, which doesn't hold up any water and is pure bulls***. Just look at the first FF and compare it with the next entries, specially with FFIV you will see a jump there and then IV with VI to see an even bigger improvement, now VI with VII for another big jump, now VII with VIII, followed by anotjer jump from VIII to IX (All this happened during pre-Sakaguchi departure, another over-saintfy thing from SquareSoft era) and I will stop here. Rant end.

 

[The Twilight Mexican]

I have to agree: FF was always part spectacle in a big way. I do think that became too much of the priority with XIII, though, when they were literally sacrificing gameplay elements like exploration and unique interactive segments because they were allocating their resources to making sure all the rocks were shiny, and because they didn't dare allow for any part of the game to look less polished than all the rest.

It does seem the lesson has been learned, though.

 

[Blade]

I always think there needs to be a balance of content:

---FFXII had lots of cities and populace to explore and talk to.
---LR: FFXIII had customization of outfits/weaponry that allowed you to express yourself during your experience.
---FFXIII-2 had an open-world sense of pacing with hidden aspects that made it a treat to look at everything.
---FFX-2 had an elaborate battle system that is still examined and compared to FFVII and FFVIII to this very day.
---FFVII, FFVIII, and even FFTactics had stories that inspired and spread the lore and concepts that fans have discussed for years since their debut. Even Dissidia is discussed to this very day for it's story.

If Final Fantasy XV can accomplish and surpass all these milestones of populace, customization, location exploration, battle, story, and content... and "balance" them in one game, I think they will have succeeded.

 

[Claymore]

Not to be a debbie-downer, but this just reminded me that I still don't feel like SE are shifting from the 'moar graphics' approach to their game development. But that's just me.

... Not surprised. They really aren't shifting from this thought process if 'using cutting-edge technology' is part of their golden trilogy of points on making a FF game.

FINAL FANTASY and SQUARE-ENIX(SQUARESOFT included) were always about cutting edge tech and (how some like to say) "moar graphic", this is not surprising from Square's part since this is what they were since the begging.

But there's a difference between using the cutting edge technology in order to create an expansive world, or like Twilight mentioned, abusing it to make sure even the smallest blade of grass looks perfect. Until more story segments of XV is released, I will reserve judgement, and XIII certainly didn't settle any of those fears.

 

[Mayo Master]

I actually agree with Lulcielid's rant, achieving cutting-edge graphics has always been a trademark of FFs.

I have to agree: FF was always part spectacle in a big way. I do think that became too much of the priority with XIII, though, when they were literally sacrificing gameplay elements like exploration and unique interactive segments because they were allocating their resources to making sure all the rocks were shiny, and because they didn't dare allow for any part of the game to look less polished than all the rest.

It does seem the lesson has been learned, though.

FF XIII must not have been really optimized (or perhaps it's a limitation they had from building Crystal Tools, which didn't turn out to be that great an engine). IMO, FF XIII looked good because the art direction was excellent, rather than because of the inclusion of high-quality models and textures. In fact, I'd argue that FF XIII didn't look technically impressive in comparison to other games released around the same time (Uncharted 2, or if you want a vast open-world structure, Red Dead Redemption).

 

[Pixel]

If you're interested in listening tho the show about videogame music that Florence Welch mentioned in her Uncovered video, which ultimately led to her involvement with FFXV, you can listen here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYy0ixYOIo8

 

[Flare]

Tabata and his team at Business Division 2 identified three core qualities they believe define the FF brand: challenging the status quo, providing an exceptional experience and using cutting-edge technology. He thinks FFVII was the last game in the series to use all three points. FFXV is a make-or-break moment – a chance to bring back lapsed fans and new ones into the fold.

... Not surprised. They really aren't shifting from this thought process if 'using cutting-edge technology' is part of their golden trilogy of points on making a FF game.

And blimey, those are some weird points to be heralding above all else. Nothing about crafting an exceptional 'alive' world? Nothing about forging emotions with your characters and their journey? Nothing about an indepth story that works on multiple levels? Nothing about having a battle system in place that you can spend hours playing and exploring, still learning something new every step of the way? ... I mean, who decided that those were the 3 points that make FF - as it doesn't sound like it to me.

I think the 4 things you mentioned--an alive world, attachment to characters, in-depth story, and in-depth battle system--would all go under the 'Providing an exceptional experience' point.

 

[Claymore]

I think the 4 things you mentioned--an alive world, attachment to characters, in-depth story, and in-depth battle system--would all go under the 'Providing an exceptional experience' point.

But then, so could the other 2 golden points be grouped into that as well to be fair. It's so open-ended it could mean absolutely anything, hence why I pointed it out as it needs some clarification on what that actually means.

 

[Lulcielid]

So the new FFXV update from GameInformer.Com was...a FFVIIRemake news update...
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/featu...al&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

 

[Claymore]

Pretty much a regurgitation of what they've already stated, but a nice read anyhow.

 

[Blade]

Let's not jinx them by calling it "regurgitation".

It's just redundant questions they've answered before.

Also, it JUST NOW dawns on me, that the FFVII Remake's "Multi-part" aspects could be expressed in both Anime and Movie formats!!!!!!!! *jaw drops at possibility*

 

[Lulcielid]

New gameinformer.com update.
http://www.gameinformer.com/b/featu...tor-says-its-make-or-break-for-franchise.aspx
I'm starting to think the 20 pages issue already gave away the whole 1 month update for XV.

 

[Blade]

I'm starting to think I should stop reading Game Informer to avoid getting spoiled.

 

[Lulcielid]

There hasn't been any true spoilers so far, the closest we have had was a vague description of how chapter 1 plays, which on itself is no different from a story trailer revealing plot points.

 

[Lulcielid]

Another Active Time Report coming on April 24th. Mostly recap from Uncovered in addition to sharing more details on other stuff. Square Enix has yet to reveal timing and broadcast specifics.

I would say that if the happen to mention something non Uncovered related, it would very likely be something that gameinformer.com already said.

 

[Kuja9001]

final-fantasy-xv-make-or-break-for-series/

 

[Pixel]

What did Sakaguchi and Tabata discuss at the livestream today?

 

[Lulcielid]

I was recently thinking about, How do you think the save game system will work? Only on specific location (save points)? Autosave once you reach a certain checkpoint or complete a mission?

 

[Blade]

I'd think the game would save at any major location/checkpoint.

Maybe even save when you lose a battle, assuming you ran in to problems.

I don't think they'd make it super hard like FFIII was to save games.

There's a difference between a "Save" and a "Quick Save" too... so I think there will be plenty of failsafes unless they want a "No Save Hard Mode" like the Batman games (lol).

For that matter, can any FF game be played without saving the game even once????