220°

Final Fantasy XV is Doomed to Fail Unless Square Enix Reacts

Citing the company's possible desire to reassess their approach to the Final Fantasy series after the success of Bravely Default, one fan issues a warning.

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gameskinny.com
fonger083546d ago

It's like the Capcom model with Resident Evil. I don't understand why they want to "dumb" down part of what made/makes Final Fantasy games so fun, the turn-based like strategy. Ni Nu Kuni did it perfectly. That being said, it wasn't necessarily the battle system that turned me off to FF, it was the ridiculous and confusing story line of XIII-1,2,3.

MrSwankSinatra3546d ago

Final Fantasy is still an RPG, it's just changing the style. Resident Evil on the other hand upped and changed genres.

3546d ago
sinspirit3546d ago

@kalkano

In FF15's defense. It used to be Final Fantasy: Versus XIII. Which was a serious spin off that I think they said was still in the same universe as FF13 except there is no affiliation with any of the characters of FF13 involved. So, it wasn't exactly a standalone new entry in the main series, despite how ambitious it is.

If it has many similarities to Final Fantasy despite the gameplay difference I still consider it a Final Fantasy title, but I will be disappointed if they ditch turn-based for the main series. I am severely excited for this game ever since it was first announced so it makes me mad that people accepted the milked rubbish that is FF13 which in turn delayed development for what so far seems like a high quality game, though we haven't seen much of it.

3546d ago
elninels3546d ago

So you say they are changing the gameplay, and that that is not something major?

This game seems like it will be very similar kingdom hearts. That also isn't farfetched since nomura is in charge. Kingdom hearts i consider a great game, however its style of play stands to starkly contrast anything pre FFXII.

While I am very excited for this game, it is unfortunate to believe that there will be no more turn based entries in the final fantasy series. maybe they will bring the bravely default to consoles (probably not). Le sigh.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3546d ago
LAWSON723546d ago (Edited 3546d ago )

If people actually believe that the turn based elements are the only thing that make FF good... I just don't understand.

Also whoever calls FF13 dumbed down clearly is ignorant to the later stages of the game. It not only requires tactics but also precise timing. Go face an adamantoise or long gui if it is so simple to master without any guidance or tips. If the game was to be dumbed down and attract a casual audience it did a very poor job.

Disagree all you want simple fact is I played more than 100s hrs while odds are you did not even beat the game. You are most likely ignorant and bias, while I am open minded and willing to give something new a try. People can keep pretending FF13 is the RE6 of FF, too bad it is not.

The only thing debately wrong about the game is going the cinemtic story telling approach rather than the non linear exploration approach

hkgamer3546d ago

it did seem to get a little interesting around 15 hours in. but too many things just put me off the game.

FullmetalRoyale3546d ago

Lol.

I am bias, huh?

I am bias.

You obviously meant biased. I'll never get little nerds like you. If someone doesn't like something you do they "are bias".

So sad.

LAWSON723546d ago (Edited 3546d ago )

Oh and the long ass tutorial that is something literally wrong with the game.
@Fullmetal Royal
You are biased, you played a game for a 10 or so hrs and all of sudden know the system is dumbed down and the game is bad when the game is 60 or so hrs long. It was not the same as previous FFs so you wrote it off as bad and now critique it like you know about the game when you simply don't just like every other FF13 hater.

Biased-unfairly prejudiced for or against someone or something. Hey look you fit the bill, unless of course you played the whole story and witnessed what the combat has to offer to actually compare it to previous entries afterwards. Your ignorance to the game is why you are biased because it is unfair.

Say I served you a 3 course meal. The breakfast was awful so you did not even taste the other two yet they were actually well cooked meals that tasted great. Anyways you then decide to call me a bad chef based on just one of my 3 course dishes, thus you are being biased or in other words unfairly prejudice.

Godmars2903546d ago

You're missing the point that adamantoise are optional encounters. They contribute nothing to the story. Are just something in the game.

That cinematics have taken priority over story telling, that things happen in cutscenes which players can't do in the game, is the exact problem.

Hell, "Cinematic" gameplay should be outlawed. An automatic 0/10 for reviews.

christian hour3546d ago (Edited 3546d ago )

All I ask is, where are my airships? Where are my towns? And where is my explorable world map?

These have been absent from final fantasy for a long time. I'm hoping FFversusXIII/FFXV brings em back as promised 7 years ago, but I'm not getting my hopes up anymore.

mydyingparadiselost3546d ago

As someone who played through 13 twice I feel I can say that it is one of the worst FF game released. The story is told through text in the menu rather than by the characters and their journey, the battle system is easy to exploit in all but the hardest of enemies, the characters themselves are mostly boring and one dimensional, the game has a 15 hour tutorial and the exploration aspects are removed from over half of the game.
I don't think it's as deserving of the most virulent hate that it gets but it's definitely not a great game by any means and the 2nd weakest of the FF entries, the first being Lightning Returns. I really have this game a shot, hence the 2 playthroughs, but in the end it's a sub par game compared with the earlier entries.

shadowraiserx3546d ago

I Finish 13 and I did not enjoy it as much than previous titles ,It was dumb down by the story it self 1 summon per character and they were bad characters the fighting system is a speedy menu button masher ,you dont have to think to much to win,the only battle that I enjoy was the last boss but not as much the FFIV Final Boss a snes game was a lot better than the XII and XIII games.

DiscoKid3546d ago

How does it feel being the minority?

Aghashie3545d ago

U may be right, u may be not...

After the bad reviews I decided to skip the game. Until a friend insisted, so I borrowed his copy. He said to me: "U may not like combat system, but game can play by itself so u can just enjoy the story."

WTF!? The game can play by itself? I thought he was kidding...

I played the game for a few days. All I did was using the "auto" command all the time on every battle and on every boss. So my friend was not kidding after all.

Problem is that not only combat was terrible, almost needless of any human interaction. But also story, characters, lore and pretty much that makes a FF game a FF game was wrong.

I failed to get into this game. Or the game failed to entertain me. It doesn't matter wich side of the coin u see. What matters to me is that I regretted my close to 20 hours gameplay on that broken game. Simply terrible.

I loose my hype for FFXV a long time ago. And to be honest, I may get the game late, when cheap on Amazon or in a bargain bin. I might be too bussy playing Metal Gear, Bloodborne or The Division to even consider FF an option.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 3545d ago
3-4-53546d ago (Edited 3546d ago )

All the money Square spent on FF14 & AGAIN on FF14 + FF13 1,2,3.

All that money could have been spent on like 10-15 games.

Of those 15, 5-10 could have been new IP's.

They COULD be leading the charge into This gen with amazing new IP's and tons of cool RPG's and other games.

They chose Greed. They chose the "easy" route.

Now they are paying for it.

They deserve to fail now, but nobody really wants their IP's to go away, I think we just want somebody else to be in charge of them.

Square is completely lost for the most part. It feels like they have talent, but nobody smart enough to lead that talent in the ACTUAL right direction.

joab7773546d ago (Edited 3546d ago )

Thats the example I always use. Ni No Kuni did it perfectly.

The story doesnt have to be so childish but the use of an overworld with different areas, means of travel. Their battle system has been good but u need a party with amazing characters. They hav always been top notch with graphics and cutscenes. Add vendors with alot of customization, mini games, chocobo raising and races etc. FF14 is amazing...wtf?

And then have an endgame with monster hunts and epic loot for longevity. Honestly it isnt that hard. Until last gen,, they seemed to know exactly what to do.

shadowraiserx3546d ago

Dude even South Park the stick of truth and Child of Light were better rpg's than FFXIII.

3546d ago
+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3545d ago
MrSwankSinatra3546d ago (Edited 3546d ago )

I don't understand people's beef with the battle system. As long as the gameplay is good who cares what battle system it uses whether it'd be turn based, timed based or action based. I've been playing final fantasy since the very original and I don't see the problem with it being an action RPG. There are many things that made Final Fantasy great and it wasn't just the battle system.

@NYC_Gamer I enjoy any style of RPG, I'm just saying it's not that big of deal. People who are complaining might actually enjoy it if they gave it chance before they write it off.

NYC_Gamer3546d ago (Edited 3546d ago )

There are some folks who believe the old battle system was much better while you enjoy the modern one.It's all opinion on what makes a game great in the eyes of the next person.

kreate3546d ago

I fell asleep playing ff13.

christian hour3546d ago

It's not the battle system I have a problem with, it's everything else they stripped out of it.

shadowraiserx3546d ago

The Mana series is suppose to cover that part,that is the purpose of the Mana series to be action oriented.

kenshiro1003545d ago

I sold FFXIII after I beat it. Stupid plot, characters I didn't really care for, and didn't feel like a real FF game.

Square should stick with what they do best.

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mezati993546d ago (Edited 3546d ago )

TGS is there last chance. if they didn't show it. i officially don't give a f*ck about this game anymore

TheOrion3546d ago

While I have enjoyed the battle systems of old with turn based action, I have also seen how an active battle system can work very well.

To be quite honest, the fact that I now have to pay attention to what I'm doing actually provides that little extra immersion which is what I want in an RPG.

FFs core issue isn't the battle system, its the attempts to westernise the games, they can't pull it off and its killing the games.

WeAreLegion3546d ago

Great story based on Hamlet with a great battle system. What's the problem here?!?

Show all comments (49)
80°

Final Fantasy XV Review – A Royal Road Trip

Gary Green said: With my fondness for (most) Final Fantasy games and my side goal of finishing off games in my collection with loose ends, a return to Final Fantasy XV seemed inevitable. It also serves as my third Final Fantasy platinum trophy after VII and VIII, a reasonable substitute since Final Fantasy IX is nigh on impossible to master.

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pslegends.com
150°

Final Fantasy 15 director reveals why he left Square Enix, and announces he's working on 2 new JRPGs

Final Fantasy 15's director has revealed why he left Square Enix back in 2018.

Hajime Tabata famously resigned from Square Enix two years after Final Fantasy 15 shipped in 2016. In a special livestream at the time, Tabata announced his decision to resign from the company, cancelling three of four new story-focused DLC episodes for Final Fantasy 15 in the process.

Read Full Story >>
gamesradar.com
Knightofelemia131d ago

FF15 is like FF13 its subjective people either like it or hate it.

raWfodog131d ago

I liked it. I haven’t played the royale edition yet but I’ll get around to it one day.

gold_drake131d ago

no no, 15 wasnt trash.

15 had a tremendous difficult development.

FinalFantasyFanatic129d ago

I really believe 13 was better put together and more complete than 15 ever was.

EternalTitan130d ago

Found the pathetic troll.
How is your jobless life going?
Dot worry, you will never get a job or a girlfriend haha!

Hofstaderman131d ago

Man inherited a train wreck and was expected to release this game in under two years after it spent a better part of a decade in development hell. At one point there was even plans to make FFXIII Versus a musical. He did what he could.

TheColbertinator131d ago

I didn't care much for XV and I always wanted the original vision of Versus XIII but I think the dev team did what they could to salvage the project

Inverno130d ago

And yet people still blame him for the game turning out the way it did, rather than SE for the horrible mismanagement of 13 and Namura for being overly ambitious.

Dwarrior131d ago

Whatever the behind-the-scenes went on over the many years, at the end of the day it was a radical change in direction that I could not go along with. Also why I never bought 16.

gold_drake131d ago

this is also why Sakaguchi (spelling) left.

460°

There are very good reasons why FFXVI didn't sell as much as FFXV

Final Fantasy XVI’s launch was very different than Final Fantasy XV’s and the two mainline game releases are difficult to compare for a number of reasons.

Read Full Story >>
tweaktown.com
closed_account289d ago

While it seems really cool and people seem to really be enjoying it, I'm in the mood for a real jrpg right now, not an action game.

This is the first mainline Final Fantasy game I didn't pick up at launch since the original FF7 on PS1.

I'll certainly get it eventually, just not in the mood for this right now. Personal taste.

FallenAngel1984289d ago

“I'm in the mood for a real jrpg right now, not an action game.”

Implying that action RPGs aren’t real JRPGs?

closed_account289d ago (Edited 289d ago )

If I can't control the party, it's not for me. I actually really like how FF7 Remake handled combat, being able to choose to straight up action it, or slow down time for more strategic party control...regardless of how I felt about them bloating the story.

If this satisfies your jrpg itch, then cool, have at it! The story experience looks amazing though, which is why I'll probably pick it up Black Friday.

shinoff2183289d ago

You know what he's trying to say. Most of us learned of jrpg during the golden age of jrpgs and they were very very different. While I'm liking ff16 it doesn't really feel well jrpgish at all.

FallenAngel1984289d ago

@ OtterX

Props to you if you don’t like the game. Not here to say you’re wrong for not enjoying it

Just saying JRGGS come in various ways and it’s disingenuous to say one is less real than another

@ shin

JRPGs have a large variety. Even during the golden age there were plenty of quality action RPGs. It’s absurd to say there’s only one way to design a game in a genre that has so many design principles

closed_account288d ago

@FallenAngel1984 lol, yea I'm not going to dive into a semantics debate. enjoy the game, I'll catch up with it later. cheers, mate.

shinoff2183287d ago

Fallenangel

That's not what I'm saying at all. I enjoy action rpgs just as much. Star ocean is one of my favorite series. The year star ocean 6 released I've even said it was my personal game of the year. Im not thrilled they changed the combat in ff particularly, but combat aside ff16 didn't feel jrpgish at all.

MadLad287d ago

When you're basically just a spectacle fighter, first and foremost, then just call yourself that. It's like jokingly arguing GTA San Andreas was an RPG because they had a couple skill trees in it, and you can get fat.

--Onilink--287d ago

While FF16 is absolutely a Final Fantasy game (setting, characters, story, etc) it is barely an RPG, and its not just about combat.

If you want an example of an Action RPG with combat that is just as action focused as this one, while still feeling like an RPG, just look at Tales of Arise.

I’m still loving the game, but it is like 5% RPG, maybe 10% if I’m feeling generous. And what little RPG elements it has, are pretty scaled down.

Which makes it interesting in the fact that fans of the series might choose to skip it because of the little RPG in it (I would still heavily recommend it though) and non fans of the series might also skip it because it keeps being labeled as an RPG, when its basically an Action Adventure game

--Onilink--287d ago

@Otter

Interestingly enough, if you did choose to get into a semantics debate, it would honestly just make it even less of an RPG haha, as there is practically zero ROLE PLAYING in the game.
Its a linear story, a defined character with defined choices and dialog, no ability to customize your build or jobs/classes, cant modify (or use) your party members, equipment is basically irrelevant, leveling is almost as irrelevant, skills are practically based on preference as there is no elemental advantages, etc

I dont get why people seem hesitant to say this game really isn’t an RPG, its an Action Adventure game with some very light RPG mechanics (and which game doesn’t have them these days).

It doesnt mean the game is bad just because its not an RPG, if anything, it might help bring people over that DONT like RPGs

closed_account287d ago (Edited 287d ago )

@--Onilink-- ha yea, I did end up engaging in the semantics more today. (below) Yesterday I had kids running around the living room, couldn't focus enough to engage. X'D

But yea, you hit the nail on the head - it's not "enough" of a jrpg for me. It's watered down, and I was never a big fan of DMC games. I still want to experience the story eventually though.

GhostScholar287d ago

I’m my opinion jrpgs are typically turn based and not real time. People will deny that but ask how many peoples favorite jrpgs are turn based and like 99 percent would be. It’s not insignificant

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 287d ago
Pyrofire95287d ago

Do you mean a turn based combat game?

closed_account287d ago (Edited 287d ago )

No, it doesn't even have to be turn based. I love Tales games even. Just JRPG elements like switching between characters, buffing, finding enemy elemental weaknesses etc.

Back in the 90's we would have called this an action rpg, as it distinguishes the playstyle. I was recently playing through Secret of Evermore again on SNES, and while I love it, it was considered more action oriented:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wi...

Even the Zelda devs don't call Zelda n rpg, they call it an action-adventure game with rpg elements.

At the end of the day, it's just semantics. Yes, it is a jrpg in the sense of leveling up etc... but it's very much an action jrpg. That's all I'm saying. If you want to call it a classic jrpg, then cool. Go for it, I'm not going to stop you. 👍

Amplitude287d ago

@OtterX: It's N4G man you gotta fight in the comments, not be nice to people. You'll figure it out

closed_account287d ago

Oh man, I deal with enough screaming kids at home. I'm willing to let this one go. 😂

Shane Kim287d ago (Edited 287d ago )

It's not about that. It's that he is factually wrong. If this isn't an rpg, then what would you call Uncharted or Tomb Raider?

closed_account287d ago

@Shane Kim - I answered above. It's an action rpg. We had them back in the 90's. I gave an example. But I concede, it's still a "classic jrpg", it's just a matter of acknowledging the sub-genre.

What do you call Zelda?

Shane Kim287d ago

An action rpg is an rpg, so I don't k ow what the discussion is.

I have only played the original NES and SNES Zelda games, wich I would call action adventure games.

MadLad287d ago

@shane

Notice how Bioshock has puzzle elements, but we don't call it a puzzle game. Mafia had a racing segment, but nobody would compare it to Forza.

If a title has any sort of element that fits even the remote criteria of a certain genre, it's disingenuous to associate it with that genre.
Again, if I sold you a copy of Bioshock and told you it was a puzzle game, you'd go home and end up either highly confused, or genuinely annoyed.

This is a Final Fantasy game. It should be sold as a Final Fantasy game. The caveat being it's an entirely different experience than people have in their head when they hear Final Fantasy, and RPG/JRPG should be nowhere near the marketing for it, because it's 100% about the action and a linear story.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 287d ago
Rocketisleague287d ago

Understand what you're saying lad, for me though this is what was missing from ff since ff10. As it is my favourite franchise alongside maybe metal gear...ffs have just missed the mark in quality since ps2 era.

For me ff 16 is starting to finally hit the full potential of ff. You don't watch those long summon cutscenes anymore. You play them.

Gregero287d ago

100% the reasons I'm not getting it either. No full party control and just looks too linear for me. I'll wait for FFVII remake part 2. I'm playing FFIX again for the first time in a long time and it's perfect.

Rocketisleague287d ago

Ff7 remake was much more linear than this, this is the 3rd most open one

closed_account287d ago

FFIX is one of my favorites! I hope they do a more lighthearted stylized one again some day.

I want to see Final Fantasy Tactics revitalized too. I adore the world of Ivalice. Moreso in Tactics & Tactics Advance games.

andy85287d ago

See the the thing is, FFIX is pretty linear and so are most of the older ones until late in the game. You're on a set path from area to area with no deviation like FFXVI. It's only once you get to disc 3 it starts to open up

Tapani287d ago

I can recommend Dragon Quest XI, Nier Replicant, Nier Automata, Valkyrie Chronicles IV, Persona 5 Royal, Persona 4 The Golden, Dark Souls I-III, Elden Ring, Chained Echoes, Shin Megami Tensei: Nocturne, FFX/X-2, Monster Hunter World & Rise, Ni no Kuni I & II.

On top of that you have the classic versions with great mods to make them better than the PS1 versions: Chrono Trigger, FFVI, FFIV, FFVII, FFVIII, FFIX and Chrono Cross.

closed_account287d ago

Solid lineup! You have great taste.

HomoLuden286d ago

Same here, not buying as I want a jrpg not an actionn game as of now.

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 286d ago
lodossrage289d ago (Edited 289d ago )

Well,

FF15 launched on more platforms than FF16
FF15 cost less to buy than FF16
The PS4 install base was bigger when FF15 released compared to the PS5 for FF16

shinoff2183289d ago (Edited 289d ago )

The install base was alot bigger if I recall. I'm not reading the article but if it's implying it's ps5 exclusive as the reason sure maybe it would've sold a little more but out of the million sold of ff15 on xbox one I have a hard time believing all one million sales came at launch

_Decadent_Descent287d ago

I love how people downvote you as if you're not stating objective facts that certainly make a difference.

MrNinosan287d ago

And what matters most was when the games where released. FFXV during Black Week, and FFXVI during summer.

andy85287d ago

And FFXVI released on a Thursday and XV on a Tuesday

TheKingKratos287d ago (Edited 287d ago )

And just like that... you made that article completely worthless .

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 287d ago
repsahj287d ago (Edited 287d ago )

I don't understand, Tales of Arise is a jrpg. It's also an action rpg, it even has less jrpg elements than FF16. The impact of PS5 exclusive is really strong.

goldwyncq287d ago

Less JRPG elements? That’s just flat out wrong. Arise has party member switching, status ailments, and elemental weaknesses, which XVI doesn’t have.

--Onilink--287d ago

No one that has played both games would ever say that Tales of Arise has less RPG elements. If anything, as you say, its the perfect example of being able to do heavy action combat and still being an RPG

MrCrimson287d ago

The FF16 numbers are quite good.

shinoff2183287d ago

That's not completely true repsahj. I'm sure it's having an affect but I'm a ps fan. Loved tales of arise, star ocean 6, ff16 doesn't seem jrpg or rpgish much. Some of us long time since ff1 back on nes fans have real complaints and to brush it off to the side as a console exclusive thing is just ridiculous

repsahj286d ago

I understand I'm also an RPG fan since SNES. My first ff is FF3. And also tales is one of my fave series. But for me, Arise is my least favorite Tales. Yes, the graphics are superb but everything else is just ok to me, but I still accept it. That's what I'm saying with FF16, even the change when done right is very ok to me.

Viryu287d ago

I'm currently somewhere in the middle of FF XVI I think, and so far I'm enjoying it. Problem when comparing the two is there is a lack of bromance in FFXVI and it's less open worldish. In FF XVI the accompanying characters feel more like accessories that don't bring much to your playthrough outside of cut scenes.

Pyrofire95287d ago

As far as I've seen it has been tho.

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