It was nice to finally be able to get our hands on the demo for Final Fantasy XV. We've all waited so long for this game as it has gone through ups and downs, as well as development hell, to even almost being canceled. One thing is for sure the wait has paid off. While The game has not shed much light on the story and the newer trailers with the guys going on a road trip seem utterly boring. I think square is trying to show the world that they have created an open world Final Fantasy game and stepped in to address the Linearity issues everyone (including me) complained about. While it is to early to predict I have faith that Final Fantasy XV will be the boost Japanese developers need to bring us more RPG's.
The game starts you off with the four main characters camping, after there car has broken down. They are trying to find a way to get money to fix there car and get back on the road. The four Characters Noctis, Ignis, Gladiolus, and Prompto. (What names all i'm gonna say.) are a very interesting thing. The one thing that took me by surprise was the voice acting, though square has always strived to have good voice acting.The boys decide they they are going to go take down the giant Deadeye Behemoth as a job to get money to fix the car. That pretty much sums up the demo. Weather this episode will be in the game or if its just simple a side content strictly for the demo or nothing more than a side quest. We do not know.
Purists of the Final Fantasy series will be saddened to here that all turn-based combat as since been remove. If anything it follows more in the lines of Final Fantasy XII, but its strictly more action. Stealing real time elements from games like The Witcher and Kingdom Hearts, the game has gone completely action. If you where hoping for a traditional turn-based RPG your going to be sadly mistaken. What we get though his a high action top of the line battle system that has me eager to dive more into. Introducing the common elements such as block and parrying, the game also introduces a new concept called warp. You'll use this throughout the demo. Noctis can warp to structures up high and back to the enemy, it adds an exciting new edge to the combat.
The other big thing this game really focused on, as I mentioned before, is exploration. This one area in the demo is outright massive. As your first playthrough to go through and get everything will have spend at least three to five hours playing. I finished just shy of five hours though I made sure to explore every nook and cranny as well as just stand in one place and enjoy the scenery. The game does take place in a modern looking world, with cares and highways, as a matter of fact there are a few run down buildings in the demo as well as a gas stations. The game does feature a full on day and night cycle and affects what you can do at certain times. It is also worth noting that during nighttime more vicious enemies appear. on top of the grass lands you get to explore there is a cave that you get to explore is a cave, with hoards of vicious enemies. It is not wise to venture in without leveling up as well as going in with a bunch of antidotes and potions. *SPOILER ALERT* Inside this cave you find Ramuh your Eidolon, which yes you can summon and boy is he powerful, not to mention totally cool. Video added below. *END SPOILERS* The coolest area I though to explore was the area where you hunt down the Deadeye Behemoth. You sneak around and stay out of his sight as you follow him back to his den. From there Ingis, comes up with a plan to beat the behemoth and he walks you through the plan and everyones role. It is perhaps the most intense fight in the entire demo.
Lastly the level up system is very different. You actually don't level up by normal means. You gain experience from fighting enemies but that experience is not applied to your character until you rest at camp and save. You seem to level up pretty fast in the demo, but really you could reach level 99 in about 10 hours if you applied yourself. It makes me wonder if they made you level up quickly in this game or if the max level is higher than that of 99. What I do like its its attempt change up its leveling system and stand out from other games. We didn't get a change to play around much with the equipment, but Noctis can summon different weapons to use in combat and change them in the midst of battle.
In closing this demo was more than exceptional. It's only made the wait that much more irritating. I look forward to getting my hands on the final product. For a game that was announced 9 years ago, maybe it is a good think that they waited, because from what I saw we are in for a treat. Final Fantasy XV perhaps brings back the former glory of the series. Its too early to say, but the demo is off to a good start.