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[DarkLordMalik]

Hope Square patches in a hard difficulty.

There are optional quests that are high level and also plenty of super/secret boss fights that can challenge the player's skills. Imo, the difficulty is balanced well and there is no need for a hard diff.

 

[Kagari]

Will be interesting to see how many reviews even go up Monday given SE limited who got them before next week apparently.

 

[Solid Sora]

Anyone who's used the spell system can see that this is off. The combinations are all very straightforward. There is no experimentation, because the game tells you exactly what you're getting. And there are no useless spells.

To be fair, there's Failcast, which is pretty useless .

I am excited to be able to talk more about this game (and y'all should really check out Kotaku on Monday at 10am ET) but I will say that it's silly to judge the story based only on leaked cut-scenes, as so many people are doing in the spoiler thread. As I've said before based on the ~12 hours I spent on the preview build, a lot of the character development really unfolds while you're driving around and exploring the world with your party of bros. Without that context, it's impossible for anyone to tell whether the story resonates with them.

Well said.

 

[~Cross~]

There are optional quests that are high level and also plenty of super/secret boss fights that can challenge the player's skills. Imo, the difficulty is balanced well and there is no need for a hard diff.

Hard mode should still be there, at least as a form to scale the level of story missions. Making those encounters your level + 4 would make them challenging enough so that you dont accidentally over level them.

 

[SlasherJPC]

Ok went to do hunt. Saw some fence warning about monsters, went and found a huge mine entrance past the gate and up the path,with multiple floors to explore, got to the bottom and ran into a level 52 boss? I noped right the fuck out lol as I'm level 7 mind you.

Hahaha.

Also is there a way to skip to night time fast in this game?

 

[samueljustice00]

What's the scope compared to something like The Witcher 3? Huge FF fan but I haven't really been following FF15, on ads it's saying it's the most ambitious RPG ever made. Is that really true or is it hyperbole?

Just wondering how it stacks up to the huge big boys in terms of scope, mini games, etc (Skyrim, Witcher 3 even GTA 5 to some extent).

 

[HMD]

To be fair, there's Failcast, which is pretty useless . .

I got that Blizzaga Thundaga Firaga spell but it barely scratched the boss I was fighting when I threw it at him, am I doing something wrong?

 

[Hashmal_Bringer_of_Order]

A very basic story can be propped up by characters and charm. Let us not go down a path where gaming aristocrats try and say the bulk of games have stories anywhere near on the level of a good movie or tv show. Most stories in games are incredibly primitive. Ni No Kuni had a ridiculously simple and well trodden story.

What we sometimes learn is you're better writing your story in a game safely, and making sure characters are well written and the world is believable and engaging. A spine for FF is usually always world is going to end, protagonist has to try and stop that. Fine, not exactly high tier stuff. However surround that basic linear plot piece with a cast of engaging and well written characters, and then a world, possibly cities/towns that are memorable and well designed and suddenly people walk away giving a shit about their experience.

Not walking away going what was that hot mess of a story, shitty characters, but okay, gameplay was great!

My impressions have been that the characters are the strongest aspect of FFXVs story, especially how realisticly and relatably they're written. This is in sharp contrast, in my opinion, to FFXIII which seems to want to talk about government control and dictatorial opression and introduces some light Brave New World/1984 themes only for it all to get lost in bad writing, pointless melodrama and a laundry list terms made up terms

 

[Inuhanyou]

I really hate how people say "FF has never been about the story or the characters! Its always been terrible!" Have we been playing the same games? It sure as hell wasn't the turn based combat that drew me in, even though i really enjoyed a lot of the implementations for what they are.

 

[Audioboxer]

My impressions have been that the characters are the strongest aspect of FFXVs story, especially how realisticly and relatably they're written. This is in sharp contrast, in my opinion, to FFXIII which seems to want to talk about government control and dictatorial opression and introduces some light Brave New World/1984 themes only for it all to get lost in bad writing, pointless melodrama and a laundry list terms made up terms

I certainly hope so. If the plot and characters are garbage then this is just going to be another FF13 but with better gameplay.

I really hate how people say "FF has never been about the story or the characters! Its always been terrible!" Have we been playing the same games? It sure as hell wasn't the turn based combat that drew me in, even though i really enjoyed a lot of the implementations for what they are.

Well the main plotlines are always some form of the world is ending and/or some light love stories. It's the characters, enemies, worlds and towns that tend to stay with people. As well as the writing, but it's usually character interactions, not necessarily main plot writing.

 

[Edge_Maverick]

Will be interesting to see how many reviews even go up Monday given SE limited who got them before next week apparently.

Read somewhere this is a common practice for publishers. Can't say if it's true though...

 

[Sarye]

I'm sure this has been asked a lot. How is the English voices? Is anyone playing it in Japanese audio w/ English subtitles?

 

[Fj0823]

I really hate how people say "FF has never been about the story or the characters! Its always been terrible!" Have we been playing the same games? It sure as hell wasn't the turn based combat that drew me in, even though i really enjoyed a lot of the implementations for what they are.

Stories have always been enjoyable anime bullshit.

 

[NoctisVsStar]

How would you guys compare the open world area of FFXV with that of other open world games? Is it Skyrim sized or like one of The Witcher 3's bigger maps...?

Maps are decently sized, Some might complain there's a lot of empty space but it's nice not having something to distract you every step of the way. However, there's GTA like events with a stranded person and such.

 

[HMD]

I'm sure this has been asked a lot. How is the English voices? Is anyone playing it in Japanese audio w/ English subtitles?

It's slightly better than XIII imo.

 

[Ran rp]

Read somewhere this is a common practice for publishers. Can't say if it's true though...

 

[Kagari]

Read somewhere this is a common practice for publishers. Can't say if it's true though...

Yes and no. SE is typically good about sending out wide review code ahead of launch.

 

[Hashmal_Bringer_of_Order]

I really hate how people say "FF has never been about the story or the characters! Its always been terrible!" Have we been playing the same games? It sure as hell wasn't the turn based combat that drew me in, even though i really enjoyed a lot of the implementations for what they are.

It depends on how you define "story" really. Many FF games have very strong characters and have them interact in interesting ways, but the premise and plot of a lot of them are either very basic or pointlessly convoluted.

 

[Roussow]

An odd question, but how well does the game explain itself? In terms of tutorialising the combat system and its subtleties. The combat looks pretty unique compared to its contemporaries from what I've seen from the demo and other pre-release footage. I haven't touched it myself, some of the teleporting to and back and forth between ground combat and towers looks pretty bizarre.

 

[OrionX]

I really hate how people say "FF has never been about the story or the characters! Its always been terrible!" Have we been playing the same games? It sure as hell wasn't the turn based combat that drew me in, even though i really enjoyed a lot of the implementations for what they are.

Yeah, I mean obviously everyone's different, but the story has always been the most important aspect for me. I'm at least excited to hear that people are liking the main cast, and that the ending sounds memorable, since I was afraid it might be predictable.

 

[Edge_Maverick]

Yes and no. SE is typically good about sending out wide review code ahead of launch.

Hmm, interesting. Then it really comes down to the number of reviews we'll get next week.

My bet: 15 :V

 

[Ran rp]

When does the window for Metacritic scores close? A week? Month? Does it ever?

 

[Primethius]

An odd question, but how well does the game explain itself? In terms of tutorialising the combat system and its subtleties. The combat looks pretty unique compared to its contemporaries from what I've seen from the demo and other pre-release footage. I haven't touched it myself, some of the teleporting to and back and forth between ground combat and towers looks pretty bizarre.

Here's my mixture of opinions from a friend who has the game and me playing the Judgment Demo:

It teaches the combat system fine, especially for purposes of the story. If you want to fight higher leveled monsters at night, you'll probably have to learn the monsters animations (most important bit). But most of everything is fairly easy to learn in game with a bit of practice.

I managed to get most of everything despite not understanding Japanese

 

[Ran rp]

Here's my mixture of opinions from a friend who has the game and me playing the Judgment Demo:

It teaches the combat system fine, especially for purposes of the story. If you want to fight higher leveled monsters at night, you'll probably have to learn the monsters animations (most important bit). But most of everything is fairly easy to learn in game with a bit of practice.

I managed to get most of everything despite not understanding Japanese

Same. Turning off the HUD helped me focus on just the animations. They're not as clear as you'd expect but there's some tell.

 

[Neoleo2143]

I really hate how people say "FF has never been about the story or the characters! Its always been terrible!" Have we been playing the same games? It sure as hell wasn't the turn based combat that drew me in, even though i really enjoyed a lot of the implementations for what they are.

I agree as well, I at the very least need good characters to get me emotionally invested in pretty much any story ever told whether that character is badass like Ryu from Ninja Gaiden Black or charismatic like pretty much any character from Kid Icarus Uprising. I'm very glad to hear that the group dynamic is natural and really enjoyable but less so when I hear that it's very disjointed from numerous different story events and how the pacing has a seemingly abrupt shift. People say that Xenoblade was similar, but I found that transition to be very natural and smooth which only made me appreciate how great the narrative pacing was in that game for how long it was.

 

[Blackleg-sanji1]

My patience is at an all time low now I need this game. And Amazon likes to screw me over on occasions with mad late in the day deliveries. I'm considering GameStop...even tho it's an extra $15. The hype is real I haven't been there for 2 years

 

[Socivol]

I got that Blizzaga Thundaga Firaga spell but it barely scratched the boss I was fighting when I threw it at him, am I doing something wrong?

What was the spell level? The level determines how powerful it is.

 

[Lucent]

I'd rather the last half be awesome than the first half. So it gets better as you go. Rather have it end good than end meh. I think I'm gonna like this and I'm gonna take my time with the game. The devs sure did.

Ohhhhhhh

 

[DarkLordMalik]

What was the spell level? The level determines how powerful it is.

I am sure the damage is capped at 9999 for some reason but I could be wrong.

 

[The_Hitcher89]

Is the game good at tracking which dungeons you've discovered but not completed and stuff like that?

Also can you cancel a hunt and go back to it, since you can seemingly only have one active at a time?

 

[HMD]

What was the spell level? The level determines how powerful it is.

Is the III next to its name the level?

 

[DarkLordMalik]

Is the game good at tracking which dungeons you've discovered but not completed and stuff like that?

Also can you cancel a hunt and go back to it, since you can seemingly only have one active at a time?

Dungeons have their maps that need to be completed so the areas we haven't discovered are not visible on the map and we find the missing secrets this way.

Yes, we can cancel one hunt and then go back and do it again.

 

[Primethius]

Same. Turning off the HUD helped me focus on just the animations. They're not as clear as you'd expect but there's some tell.

What's a bit deceptive (as someone who doesn't understand Japanese) and what my friend who has the game cleared up for me:

I thought the Square prompt was the same as the perfect dodge function but for parries. E.g. you could time it right and parry the attack with team mates.

However, like the dodge function, you can hold it to expend MP and initiate a parry without the timing requirement. Which really is kind of eye opening for me since I've been doing it wrong the entire time lol.

That might seem small but it really cleared up the whole parry vs perfect dodge scenario for me. Very few attacks per monster can be parried and the rest you have to perfect dodge (as opposed to my initial confusion).

Hoping that I can just disable the square prompt and leave the rest of the HUD.

 

[Kyoufu]

I am sure the damage is capped at 9999 for some reason but I could be wrong.

Are there break damage limit modifiers on ultimate weapons?

 

[DarkLordMalik]

Are there break damage limit modifiers on ultimate weapons?

Might be some secret quest like past FFs but I am still at chapter 8 and I crafted a 200+ potency firga spell that did 9999 damage, so I know the damage was capped.

 

[Aters]

When does the window for Metacritic scores close? A week? Month? Does it ever?

I'm not sure if there's a time limit. If there is, I can guarantee it's more than a month because I've seen score change a month after game launch.

 

[Black Storm]

Also can you cancel a hunt and go back to it, since you can seemingly only have one active at a time?

it's true, you can only have one hunt quest active evert time, but you can cancel the hunt and change to any quest you like (including other hunt quests) and you can back to it when you ready

 

[btuger]

I doubt Simplygames is shipping the game today, even though they started charging for it. I'll only get it on Monday or Tuesday, which sucks a bit.
Reading the opinions makes me want it more.

 

[Solid Sora]

Are there break damage limit modifiers on ultimate weapons?

There's an abillity in the Ascension Grid that break the damage limits. Need 999AP for every character though.

 

[Shadow_FFVI]

Lost Odyssey = the real FF13

Ni No Kuni = the real FF14

There I said it

If we are looking for games that are at the height of the FF franchise at it's best, neither of those games are up to the task.

 

[The_Hitcher89]

Cheers guys

Say what you want about Assassins Creed, but it does a great job at telling you how much you've done

 

[Gbraga]

Sure, or the review thread.

There are actually parts of Verendus's post that will be obviously wrong to anyone who has the game now, no matter how much they've played. This, for example:



Anyone who's used the spell system can see that this is off. The combinations are all very straightforward. There is no experimentation, because the game tells you exactly what you're getting. And there are no useless spells.

Did you finish it yet? I was kind of concerned they didn't give the press enough time with the game, felt like the review copies arrived kind of late.

 

[Socivol]

Is the III next to its name the level?

That's how many usage your get there should be a power level next to the spell. That shows how strong it is. A level 200 Firaga typically won't be strong enough to cause maximum damage on some of the stronger enemies.

 

[theofficefan99]

My patience is at an all time low now I need this game. And Amazon likes to screw me over on occasions with mad late in the day deliveries. I'm considering GameStop...even tho it's an extra $15. The hype is real I haven't been there for 2 years

I feel the SAME. WAY.

 

[Lucent]

Cheers guys

Say what you want about Assassins Creed, but it does a great job at telling you how much you've done

Morrowind was the worst when it came to tasks. They wrote down in your book what happened as you go instead of separating quests. Like...

Page 5
Talked to guy. Guy saud I need to collect 10 skoomas.

Accepted another quest.

........

Page 6004

I finally did that quest for that guy on page 5.

 

[Socivol]

Are there break damage limit modifiers on ultimate weapons?

There are skills on the ascension grid that allow the bros to "break limit" but I'm unsure of if it means 9999 cap.

 

[Perfo]

I just watched Kingsglaive to fill in some back story to this.

What exactly did people hate about it?

Honestly I've seen it a second time today and I must say I liked it quite alot more being able to follow the action better. It's a nice videogame movie, probably the best out there. I just hate Luna, both char design and character ahah.

 

[Blackleg-sanji1]

I feel the SAME. WAY.

Idk what to do been hovering over the cancel order button for two days. To make it worse GameStop near me is doing a midnight launch...fuuuuu

 

[Kyoufu]

There's an abillity in the Ascension Grid that break the damage limits. Need 999AP for every character though.

There are skills on the ascension grid that allow the bros to "break limit" but I'm unsure of if it means 9999 cap.

Thanks.

 

[Punished_Snake]

I got an early copy today, but I can't redeem the dlc weapon Masamune, I have entered the code three times correctly, but I get invalid code or something error, anyone having the same issue?