http://www.novacrystallis.com/2017/...-xv-story-imbalances-latter-half-game-linear/
More at the link and even more in the newest Game Informer issue.
Speaking with Game Informer, director Hajime Tabata says the narrative direction was entirely intentional namely the important events that happened off-screen. It was for the players to experience the story through Noctis eyes, he told the magazine. The world and the events that Noctis sees are merely things that are seen through his eyes. We didnt want to create a comprehensive and perfectly balanced story in this game. Instead, we placed importance on the main characters and for the player and Noctis to share the same experience when we tell the story.
More at the link and even more in the newest Game Informer issue.