Thanks to a change of director, we’re finally getting new details about Final Fantasy XV. It’s going to be an impressive game, of that I have no doubt. However, director Hajime Tabata isn’t going to be satisfied unless it defines the generation.
Tabata explained to Kotaku that each new Final Fantasy game has set a benchmark for game consoles, showing what was possible with existing hardware. So when Tabata joined the project two years ago, he wanted to make a game that would impress everyone:
If we don’t do something that people think is amazing, it’s meaningless. If we don’t do something that’s challenging, it’s also meaningless.
How will this work? There are a few things to increase the scale while still sticking with classic Final Fantasy elements that fans are looking for. Much like the airships of previous games, the car is a symbol that represents freedom, open world and exploration. However, it’s not a totally open world:
That being said, if the game is totally open world, it kind of defeats what makes a Final Fantasy game Final Fantasy—which is the dramatic and cinematic storytelling. The game is balanced to ideally satisfy those fans who like traditional Final Fantasy storytelling so they can feel like they’re following an epic story.
Tabata worked closely with the original creator and director, Tetsuya Nomura, to ensure that the game is still in line with his original vision. The characters have been protected, as well as the car. Despite being a single player experience, they want it to feel like an adventure with your friends. Players can choose to drive the car, or autopilot, or have their companions drive.
At the moment, FFXV is about 50-60% complete, mostly because they had to start over from scratch when changing platforms. However, we’ll be able to grab the demo next year. According to Tabata’s interview with Game Informer, the reason for the demo is simple:
It is the first time that fans who have been waiting for XV get a chance to try out the game. I can’t say what their reaction is going to be. The reason I wanted to make a demo is to let players see whatever portion is available right now and to understand that XV is still coming and we’re still working on it.
The demo is named after an area in the game and will offer about one hour of the story. If you go exploring, you might manage to squeeze 3-4 hours out of the experience. While there will be some familiar elements to keep fans happy, they aren’t just thrown in at will. Tabata wants to ensure that there is reason and context to each familiar aspect; he teases that there’s a surprise element incorporated towards the end of the demo that will make fans happy.
I am really happy to hear about Tabata’s direction for the game. It sounds like FF XV will finally emerge from development hell. It’s great to know that we’ll get some demo time to see what the gameplay experience will include, and I’m really excited to see how it fits into the Final Fantasy universe.
For those who are interested, here’s a video showing off FFXV. It’s mostly looking at rain and lighting, but it sure looks pretty.
Last Updated: September 22, 2014
RinceThis
September 22, 2014 at 09:39
Please, no more Lightening. I want a FF game that doesn’t make me feel I need anti-depression drugs.
OVGrounded new game+++
September 22, 2014 at 09:44
Considering that Sera Fallon is in the trailer, EXPECT THE RETURN 😛
http://www.lazygamer.net/video/lightning-may-return-again-in-final-fantasy-xv/
Shinobuden
September 22, 2014 at 11:06
I agree. No more Lightning, please. I’m so sick of her. She literally appears everywhere. 3 games with her in it, she appears in XIV and now she may appear in FFXV too?
Enough is enough.
Pegasusu Fantaji (Umar)
September 22, 2014 at 09:41
Finally. Getting a PS4 just for this, really can’t wait. While I remain skeptical, I’m hopeful as everything they’ve shown, story and gameplay is looking great. But fuck me, that Shimomura music is outstanding!!! She is my next favorite Japanese composer after Uematsu. Her music is so…indescribably beautiful and soulful. I daresay that Dearly Beloved is even better than Final Fantasy’s main theme. She just has this knack for perfectly capturing the emotion of whatever project she is on. Regardless of whether or not this game is gonna be good. I can say without a shadow of a doubt, this will be a defining OST for this generation
RinceThis
September 22, 2014 at 09:44
#StayStrongUmar #Believe #TLGisalie
OVGrounded new game+++
September 22, 2014 at 09:49
Its like watching what was cutting edge for its time, FF Advent Children, but now as in game graphics.
But let us not forget, we were also this overwhelmed by the trademark of SQUAREs hi end graphics back in 2006 with the XIII teaser.
At least its not going to take 5 years in production. If FFXIII Versus has been turned into this then we are looking at 8-9 years in production.
Im just little worried why Japanese male gamers would rather have 4 David Bowies running around.
Where is the trademark Square eye candy like Rikku.
Pegasusu Fantaji (Umar)
September 22, 2014 at 09:52
LOL There might still be female characters as well. I have a feeling Luna and Stella might be incredibly strong characters. But I get why they’re sticking with sausage. They wanted to be this band of ‘tight like brothers’ type of friends. Though, they’re way to fashionable to be fighting goblins lol
But bro, believe me, I’m not going into this blindly. That initial XIII trailer has done enough to make me doubt anything SE shows. So, we will have a better idea once the demo hits. Hell, I’m surprised we’re getting a demo at all
DLieft1960
September 22, 2014 at 10:17
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http://best-earning.,………
Weanerdog
September 22, 2014 at 10:29
Look Umar, no one is judging you for your attraction to eroge we all accept it as a relevant and genuine art style. You don’t need to try and persuade us with your knowledge of Japanese composers names and the background artists.
Pegasusu Fantaji (Umar)
September 22, 2014 at 10:32
Pah, no need to persuade. Genuinely love the music and just like the trailer music. ‘Tis all :O
Weanerdog
September 22, 2014 at 14:41
😉 just pulling your leg #staystrongumar
OVGrounded new game+++
September 22, 2014 at 09:42
He SOLD me at “single player experience”
FF12 type MMO in an Over Modded PC Skyrim.
SWEEEEEEEET
RinceThis
September 22, 2014 at 10:10
Only with more Bowie 😛
Admiral Chief 0
September 22, 2014 at 09:53
I can’t read “amazing” without thinking HAI
OVGrounded new game+++
September 22, 2014 at 09:53
HAI
Ross Woofels Mason
September 22, 2014 at 10:07
Still skeptical as all hell about this after that abomination of the last trailer. They succeeded in killing all my hype and replacing it with worry. That being said though the guy sounds like he know’s what he is talking about.
That’s just it at the moment it’s Talk and long gone are my Final Fantasy & Square Enix fanboy days where what ever they said I ate up.
Despite JRPG’s as a whole get royally screwed over the last generation FF has honestly been on down for awhile, shit started going south when they turned 11 into an MMO, then what ever the hell 12 was supposed to be (though it did give us one kick ass DS game), 13 was alright but it’s sequels killed it for the previous generation and then 14 follows the same problem as 11. Great game but FFS make final Fantasy the MMO and leave it at stop trying to force multiplayer games into the main series.
Overall I am not getting my hopes up or hyped up about this until I can actually play that demo and see more footage.
Because right now it is just looking like a another pretty shell, with cool mechanics that are not fleshed out.
But then as he says only 50-60% done.
Still though night just jumping on the Ermegerd it’s final fantasy gaiyz will be teh awesome fanbus this time round.
Rock789
September 22, 2014 at 10:18
I hope it’s a return to the glory days of FF7, FF8 and then FFX! I could never really get into FFXIII – just didn’t appeal to me. From what I’ve seen so far of FFXV, it fills me with hope.