If recognizable words and monster designs is what defines what makes an FF an FF, then I don't see why FFXV doesn't adequately fufill this.
We've seen FF stables like Titan, Ramuh, Leviathan, Chocobos, and even monsters from past games like Behemoth, Marlboro, Adamantoise, Marilith, Galuda, and even the Iron Giant. Hell even Cid makes an appearance as a mechanic instead of an airship engineer, but considering the main form of transport in FFXV is a Car, being a auto mechanic par for the course of what some of the previous Cid did in terms of role of being the vehicle maintainance guy.
Each game has a varying different setting and cast of characters. Outside of a few notable staples that are carried over, what else is one to identify with the FF series beyond the consistencies that remaining in recognizable words and monster designs?