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Anyone else worried about Final Fantasy XV?
- Thread starter theofficefan99
- Start date
StrongBlackVine
Banned
No I feel good about it. Whatever happens...happens. I'm more excited about Nier 2 and Kingdom Hearts III.
To be honest, I personally have a gut feeling FFXV won't turn out too well.
In their attempt to make an action-game and an RPG, it's looking like they will produce a mediocre version of both.
In their attempt to make an open-world game with a strong overarching plot, it's looking like they will produce a constrained open-world that simultaneously has just enough freedom to make the important central narrative unfocused.
In their attempt to make a darker, more mature story, it's looking like that trademark "Square JRPG derp-dialogue" is going to stick out like even more of a sore thumb than it did in Type-0.
In their attempt to take themselves too seriously, it's looking like inherently whimsical elements of the franchise like little plush helpers and giant equestrian chickens will be extremely out-of-place (another recurring issue from their games last generation).
In their attempt to salvage old assets, some of which are possibly even a decade old, it's looking like they will compromise the graphics enough to eliminate that traditional FF "WOW!" factor, the one you get when you play an FF game and know that this is the best-looking game currently on the market. XV will look good, but I'll eat my shoe if it even remotely sets a new bar for graphical prowess.
Another recurring issue: In their attempt to make the music more dramatic and "cinema-esque," it's looking like they continue to stray further and further from the melodic romanticism that Uematsu established as the aural tone of the franchise.
And finally: In their attempt to get a slice of the AAA blockbuster WRPG pie by "westernizing" the formula, it's looking like they will produce a game that doesn't play to their strengths as storytellers or as game designers.
It's looking like it will be smaller than Xenoblade but big enough to dilute the narrative, less charming than Dragon Quest yet less serious than Shin Megami Tensei (mainline), a little less strategic than Tales while being a little more clunky than Ys, lacking the overarching direction and personality of Persona, desperately trying to ape the gripping political intrigue of Matsuno's work by having people who are NOT MATSUNO write a Matsuno-styled narrative, and the "Final Fantasy Cycle" will continue as XIII is at least partially redeemed for how brilliant that combat system was in comparison to XV's probable FFXII-lite system; and FFXII itself in retrospect will receive even more recognition for having done the things XV is going to do, but having done them better despite being released a decade ago.
My last comment is that I'd love to be proven wrong. But all of this is what my gut is telling me.
In their attempt to make an action-game and an RPG, it's looking like they will produce a mediocre version of both.
In their attempt to make an open-world game with a strong overarching plot, it's looking like they will produce a constrained open-world that simultaneously has just enough freedom to make the important central narrative unfocused.
In their attempt to make a darker, more mature story, it's looking like that trademark "Square JRPG derp-dialogue" is going to stick out like even more of a sore thumb than it did in Type-0.
In their attempt to take themselves too seriously, it's looking like inherently whimsical elements of the franchise like little plush helpers and giant equestrian chickens will be extremely out-of-place (another recurring issue from their games last generation).
In their attempt to salvage old assets, some of which are possibly even a decade old, it's looking like they will compromise the graphics enough to eliminate that traditional FF "WOW!" factor, the one you get when you play an FF game and know that this is the best-looking game currently on the market. XV will look good, but I'll eat my shoe if it even remotely sets a new bar for graphical prowess.
Another recurring issue: In their attempt to make the music more dramatic and "cinema-esque," it's looking like they continue to stray further and further from the melodic romanticism that Uematsu established as the aural tone of the franchise.
And finally: In their attempt to get a slice of the AAA blockbuster WRPG pie by "westernizing" the formula, it's looking like they will produce a game that doesn't play to their strengths as storytellers or as game designers.
It's looking like it will be smaller than Xenoblade but big enough to dilute the narrative, less charming than Dragon Quest yet less serious than Shin Megami Tensei (mainline), a little less strategic than Tales while being a little more clunky than Ys, lacking the overarching direction and personality of Persona, desperately trying to ape the gripping political intrigue of Matsuno's work by having people who are NOT MATSUNO write a Matsuno-styled narrative, and the "Final Fantasy Cycle" will continue as XIII is at least partially redeemed for how brilliant that combat system was in comparison to XV's probable FFXII-lite system; and FFXII itself in retrospect will receive even more recognition for having done the things XV is going to do, but having done them better despite being released a decade ago.
My last comment is that I'd love to be proven wrong. But all of this is what my gut is telling me.
Alex_Mexico
Member
This is a game that's been in development for 10 years and counting. Can you really blame them for believing this is real?
Not particularly, no. It seems like SE is really trying to design it with more modern sensibilities in mind while still adding their signature dash of design. Of course this approach can lead to some bad ideas, as they may not stay true to their instincts while chasing that "Western audience". But I have to admit I didn't really like the way the took the franchise with 13, so I'd rather it be this way.
Alex_Mexico
Member
I'm getting tired of the unreasonable Stella worship going around GAF. We knew next to nothing about Stella, guys. We barely saw her in a trailer or two! Hell, Square probably didn't know what the hell Stella was exactly going to be yet!
Now I'm not defending Luna (we also know very little of her) but Stella has become just about anything people want her to be when in reality she was barely ever a real thing and for all we know she could've been the worst character in FF history
Hate or love Luna all you want but stop using Stella as an argument. She was never a thing.
Eh, that's hardly a distinction you can make. Eidos Montreal is a studio they own, so DX is an internal project. With Dragon Quest and Nier, the creative leads are either Squsre employees or freelancers that always work for them to the point they may as well be employees.
And that's who people usually have issues with: the leadership. Like, the layman on FFXV are doing fine work from what I can tell. People have problems with Tabata, the same way they had issues with Toriyama. What FF needs is another assortment of creative leads with an actual vision to carry out and a solid plan to execute it.
Kinda their fault for choosing to debut a pearl clutching distressed princess the same time they got rid of what many presumed to be a strong heroine
Mr Nash
square pies = communism
Not worried, but definitely far from enthused. The protagonists don't really grab me, and not sure what to make of the combat system. I'll likely wait until well after release before considering a purchase. If anything it'll wind up being like XIII where I buy it way after the fact for 20 bucks.
To Far Away Times
Member
I feel like Square is just as capable of turning out good games as they are bad ones.
They're aren't the insanely high caliber studio they used to be, but they're capable of a lot more than something like FFXIII. It could very well end up being the quality of something like Bravely Default.
But I do need to see at least some word of mouth on Square's RPGs now.
They're aren't the insanely high caliber studio they used to be, but they're capable of a lot more than something like FFXIII. It could very well end up being the quality of something like Bravely Default.
But I do need to see at least some word of mouth on Square's RPGs now.
Basically my thoughts. I'm not worried at all, just not all that excited.
I think people should stop sweating and freaking out about every little thing that we learn about the game, like what's been changed or removed. It's fine for it to kill your excitement like it did mine, but it's still being made and still coming. Just chill until the game comes and don't worry about it, and if it doesn't meet expectations then it'll be okay, it's not like much of us are SE investors or something.
encephalon
Member
I'm worried about a ffxii type problem where the game is full of content, but the story drags its feet and then ends.
Dark_castle
Junior Member
Took all the words right out of my mouth.
We know very little about the story so I wouldn't jump to conclusions.
Actually I don't know what to feel at all considering they've shown only tidbits, which is ironic considering we have the Duscae demo and all the Active Time Reports. We don't know what the story will truly be like, what directions it will go in, what kind of side content there will be (meaningful side quests, minigames, superbosses), how the battle system will look and play like when all options are unlocked, how much variety there is in the locations and how far we can go, etc.
The stuff about just adding in Moogles and whatnot is kind of silly, but I assume they have a solid and otherwise complete framework that we just don't know about yet, even though they're trying to implement some last minute things.
There will be the big trailer in March, but I wonder how much they will show leading up to the release. The game's launch is going to be very interesting. It could be a big surprise...or maybe not. But I don't expect it to be a bad game.
The soundtrack is still very melodic and Yoko Shimomura has no problems composing some great music. It won't have the old school Uematsu flair for obvious reasons but it should still be good.
MaverickHunterAsh
Member
I'm only worried that XV won't be able to captivate me like the XIII saga, which I personally loved (well, the first two games at least). I think the game will be fine otherwise, though.
Great post agree 100%
Perfo
Thirteen flew over the cuckoo's nest
I generally love every single and each Final Fantasy, even if with the FFXIII trilogy I reached a level of fanatism that I don't think I'll have again in the near future. In regards to FFXV I'm mostly concerned about the Battle System that for now (Duscae Demo) plays really bland. I had more fun with DQH's BS and that says alot. Hopefully before the release they can do something about that. For the rest I'm pretty confident, but Shimomura is not my favorite composer 'cause in the last years she's too focused on the orchestrated stuff, and I hope for this OST she's trying to be a bit more varied even if for now it doesn't look to be the case.
Carlos Lima
Member
It can't be worse than Final Fantasy VIII. It's ok guys.
FF writing has been terrible for years now, so I'm not getting my hopes up in that regard.
Liked the demo well enough though, and I think the game itself will be fun.
artsi
Member
I completely agree with this. I think they could have some real winners on their hands of they put more of the right people in charge of the right projects. FFXIV exemplifies that.
In this instance, Tabata probably shouldn't be directing an FF and certainly not a mainline entry.
Short answer: No
Long answer: I think they have a solid game in their hands with a solid vision behind it.
They still have many concepts from VsXIII (story, lore, characters and so on), which is good.
Sure, they had to change things (some for good, some for bad) but hey this is what happens with every game.
Is the game problem free, and am i just a big blind fanboy? Of course not: i'm worried about the quest design and still salty about them scrapping the original intro, but i have faith.
Their problem, and the source of this pessimism, comes from their inability in PR relationships and showing, with confidence, what they actually achieved. But i think come March, even this will slowly change.
Still nothing of this will change many's POV, which is based on misinformation and a demo in which they put way too much (lots of things that will change come release).
Even the whole feedback thing is going out of control, calm down people they just asked for them for fixing and improving combat (and thanks god i'd add) and smaller things (like moogles), it's not like they are asking us how the plot should be.
I'm sorry, i respect your opinion and i know it's more than fair that people are worried about this game, but i think you're mostly wrong.
You just made a giant list of assumptions of things that you won't even be able to verifiy until the game releases.
Specifically going point by point:
-Have you tried the new, modified version with real time swapping? Have you tried every weapon in the game? What about magic and party management? And character progression? Or are you just basing this out of the demo?
-We actually already know how the progress will be, and it is that while being open-world it will always push the player forward, so to not lose focus on the story.
-We know basically nothing of the plot, and what we know is that it's not going for excessive drama, but actually a more realistic depiction of the characters. Sure, some lines will be what it is because it's Square Enix but still, something you can't base off a couple of trailers.
-Uh, no? There is a reason why it still is a "Fantasy based on Reality". I mean, if you have a problem with Moogles (that they said will only have a small appearance) and Chocoboes, then you should have problems with every monster.
-This is factually wrong; it is known that most of VsXIII assets have been scrapped in 2012. Plus, a lot of people have already been WOW-ed by the game, and i'm sureit'll even better in the full game. Also, while it may be the best looking game, what its trying to technically achieve on consoles is nothing sort of amazing.
-Really? Are you serious?
-Then you probably haven't listened to SE in the last couple of years in which they admitted they lost their way trying to follow the Western approach, and actually they are playing by their strenghts now.
-This bit is ridiculous: 1) it's most definitely going to be bigger than Xenoblade, if only for the car factor alone; 2) What does this even mean?; 3) Again, maybe wait for the full game; 4) Oh yeah, remind me how long did it took for the credits to roll, since you seem to know the plot so weel; 5) I don't even know how to answer. It almpst reads as if you wanted the game to be all those games ductk-taped together.
Again, i respect your opinion, but this post just sounds like someone who has hardly followed the game bar following the released media and it tries to destroy it by comparing various elements with other games while XV has not yet even been released.
You are free to be already disappointed or whatever, but damn just wait for the game before making a whole review out of it.
Long answer: I think they have a solid game in their hands with a solid vision behind it.
They still have many concepts from VsXIII (story, lore, characters and so on), which is good.
Sure, they had to change things (some for good, some for bad) but hey this is what happens with every game.
Is the game problem free, and am i just a big blind fanboy? Of course not: i'm worried about the quest design and still salty about them scrapping the original intro, but i have faith.
Their problem, and the source of this pessimism, comes from their inability in PR relationships and showing, with confidence, what they actually achieved. But i think come March, even this will slowly change.
Still nothing of this will change many's POV, which is based on misinformation and a demo in which they put way too much (lots of things that will change come release).
Even the whole feedback thing is going out of control, calm down people they just asked for them for fixing and improving combat (and thanks god i'd add) and smaller things (like moogles), it's not like they are asking us how the plot should be.
I'm sorry, i respect your opinion and i know it's more than fair that people are worried about this game, but i think you're mostly wrong.
You just made a giant list of assumptions of things that you won't even be able to verifiy until the game releases.
Specifically going point by point:
-Have you tried the new, modified version with real time swapping? Have you tried every weapon in the game? What about magic and party management? And character progression? Or are you just basing this out of the demo?
-We actually already know how the progress will be, and it is that while being open-world it will always push the player forward, so to not lose focus on the story.
-We know basically nothing of the plot, and what we know is that it's not going for excessive drama, but actually a more realistic depiction of the characters. Sure, some lines will be what it is because it's Square Enix but still, something you can't base off a couple of trailers.
-Uh, no? There is a reason why it still is a "Fantasy based on Reality". I mean, if you have a problem with Moogles (that they said will only have a small appearance) and Chocoboes, then you should have problems with every monster.
-This is factually wrong; it is known that most of VsXIII assets have been scrapped in 2012. Plus, a lot of people have already been WOW-ed by the game, and i'm sureit'll even better in the full game. Also, while it may be the best looking game, what its trying to technically achieve on consoles is nothing sort of amazing.
-Really? Are you serious?
-Then you probably haven't listened to SE in the last couple of years in which they admitted they lost their way trying to follow the Western approach, and actually they are playing by their strenghts now.
-This bit is ridiculous: 1) it's most definitely going to be bigger than Xenoblade, if only for the car factor alone; 2) What does this even mean?; 3) Again, maybe wait for the full game; 4) Oh yeah, remind me how long did it took for the credits to roll, since you seem to know the plot so weel; 5) I don't even know how to answer. It almpst reads as if you wanted the game to be all those games ductk-taped together.
Again, i respect your opinion, but this post just sounds like someone who has hardly followed the game bar following the released media and it tries to destroy it by comparing various elements with other games while XV has not yet even been released.
You are free to be already disappointed or whatever, but damn just wait for the game before making a whole review out of it.
He directed the best FF in like the last 13 years, no not Hype0
So he certainly deserves to get a crack at a main entry
SliceSabre
Banned
I'm not worried because I haven't been sucking on every drop of info about the game. I'll make my judgement call when the game releases and is in my hands.
You articulated pretty much all the worries I have. I still have that lingering hope that "maybe everything will be really good when it all comes together!".
KratosEnergyDrink
Member
FF15 and Xenoblade X will probably be the only big console JRPG this gen.
I anticipate both, but I am not convinced at the slightest by FF15. The "action" combat looks boring. The characters and story seems to targeting a teenage girl audience: The "boygroup" aspect of the story, the soap characters.
I hope the game turns out better than it appears now.
I anticipate both, but I am not convinced at the slightest by FF15. The "action" combat looks boring. The characters and story seems to targeting a teenage girl audience: The "boygroup" aspect of the story, the soap characters.
I hope the game turns out better than it appears now.
Acquiescence
Member
Dude, if XV ended up being as good as VIII then I would be in a state of bliss the whole time playing it.
Omnistalgic
Member
Not worried, but honestly my expectations for FF games have gone down since the whole 13 saga. Not sure I was on GAF at the time, I think I used to just browse here but on other forums, I got into heated discussions because I knew the game was going to be subpar story wise from early trailers. And the heated "You're just salty because it's on 360" dominated all the discussions lol. I was salty, especially after the game trailers interview where the SE rep stated the PS3 version could have had both languages, higher audio etc...but they wanted Parity for the fans -_-
Still, I could tell it was going away from what I like in turned-based RPG's a bit, but most worryingly, I hated the characters from the beginning, and hated them more after playing the game. Just awful. I wish Bravery Default and Monster Hunter would just come to PS4 or something because, meh, kinda over FF at this point. Dragon Quest will hopefully save the day. That ended up being a lot of talking eh...
TLDR, I have low expectations and am indifferent towards the franchise now. Will hopefully be pleasantly surprised with a solid game.
Still, I could tell it was going away from what I like in turned-based RPG's a bit, but most worryingly, I hated the characters from the beginning, and hated them more after playing the game. Just awful. I wish Bravery Default and Monster Hunter would just come to PS4 or something because, meh, kinda over FF at this point. Dragon Quest will hopefully save the day. That ended up being a lot of talking eh...
TLDR, I have low expectations and am indifferent towards the franchise now. Will hopefully be pleasantly surprised with a solid game.
CaviarMeths
Member
I'm not worried anymore. I kind of just resigned to the likelihood that it's not a product for me. Tabata, Kitase, Nojima, Nomura, everyone that has been/is involved creatively, they don't make games that I get excited about anymore. I'm not really upset about it.
The only shame is that the people responsible for making my favorite Final Fantasy games have mostly moved on, some MIA, some making phone games. At least Yoshida and Minagawa are both working on FFXIV.
The only shame is that the people responsible for making my favorite Final Fantasy games have mostly moved on, some MIA, some making phone games. At least Yoshida and Minagawa are both working on FFXIV.
Yeah, of all the problems the FF franchise has had in the last decade, music definitely hasn't been one of them. Hamauzu's work on XIII pushed me through that game and I have similar affection for Sakimoto's music in XII.
Not really. Everything I've seen about it so far makes it look like it's aimed at a teenage crowd. In the 90's I would've been excited about that, but right now I have no real interest in that anymore. If the gameplay turns out good, I'll eventually get it, if not, no big deal.
SoraNoKuni
Member
Yes, I gave up on the game since Tabata happened.
Edit: I will buy the ost though.
Edit: I will buy the ost though.
Blackleg-sanji1
Banned
This!. I gotta say as someone with no real connection to final fantasy(unless u count kh1 and a little of Xiv) I truly hope they can knock this game out of the park. So far it looks beautiful, the characters are pretty good so far,great chemistry in the party(that isnt typically jrpg forced)While the combat seems like it needs work i can't even say that yet because the demo we had missed so much, magic,more skills,etc.
The amount of crow and salt that would come about when this game actually comes out next year and it happens to be good will be a glorious thread!
O ND plz dont change cidney(looks at capcom)
KingConan
Member
Don't forget Dragon Quest XI. It will problably sell more copies in Japan than Xenoblade Chronicles X will worldwide. But if you meant the scale of the world, then you may be right.
artsi
Member
It's Tabata's first AAA project with a proper budget (and no huge technical limitations like Type-0 or Crisis Core), so no one knows how the end product will be. What if he manages to prove his worth and the game is a great success after all, would you buy the game then, or is it out of the question because it's just not Nomura?
Eh... I'd understand your point if they would have chosen a Western composer this time but in which world is Yoko Shimomura known for "cinemaesque" soundtracks? If movie soundtracks nowadays would sound like the few tracks we've heard from the game thus far, I'd probably enjoy them more again.
Yes, only few composers out there can compose as strong melodies as Uematsu but I'd say that Japanese composers in general are still very melody-driven and Shimomura is definitely known for great melodies. In fact Shimomura imo stands for far stronger melodies than Sakimoto or Hamauzu in XII and XIII, so I really don't see how they continue to stray farther and farther away from Uematsu's legacy.
People really need to get over the fact that Uematsu is not the sole composer for the franchise anymore. Yes, he defined the music of FF for many years, but that doesn't mean that changes can't happen as long as the quality stays high or gets even better.
I consider myself one of Uematsu biggest fans but imo the musical quality of the franchise is one of the things which didn't take a huge drop. The OST of the XIII-trilogy is possibly one of the best aspects of the games and Masayoshi Soken's FFXIV ARR OST has shown that he doesn't have to hide behind Uematsu either. Besides it has been some time since Uematsu composed an outstanding soundtrack whereas Yoko Shimomura is imo in the prime of her career if I consider her last major works (Xenoblade, Last Ranker, Radiant Historia). Music in this game is the last thing I'd be worried about.