950°

Stella’s removal from Final Fantasy XV again explained; developers felt uncomfortable

In an interview with 4Gamer [translated via Jirokichi], Final Fantasy XV director Hajime Tabata once again discussed the changes made from Final Fantasy Versus VIII, especially the removal of Stella.

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GreetingsfromCanada3319d ago

Who cares? I thought Final Fantasy games had no continuity

Godmars2903319d ago

What does that have to do with anything?

Yes, at some point they were talking about making all FF entries taking place on the same planet, have Dissidia which is a multiversal platform, but the issue here is that the game was announced too early and changes were made in between the time it was honestly presentable.

joab7773318d ago

Well put. I wish theu could have at leat had a cameo for her.

Lightning Mr Bubbles3319d ago

Why do they show a picture of Luna though? Stella is not in the game but Luna is. The picture of this story just serves to confuse me.

Gamer4News3318d ago (Edited 3318d ago )

It's so stupid. They can change her role without changing her appearance.

People are not complaining about her role. People are complaining about her look. She doesn't look the same anymore.

People prefer Stella's look over Luna's look.

Luna looks unhealthy. She looks like those anime characters that you know will die from a terminal illness, like she has leukemia or something.

Lightning Mr Bubbles3318d ago (Edited 3318d ago )

@Gamer4News

I get you but it's a matter of opinion to who's look is better. I personally like Luna a lot better. She has a more sophisticated preppy but yet strong willed leader look to her, she reminds a little bit of Yuna but different, she's the kind of female protagonist I want. .

Stella to me looked more like a friend, like the type of girl who's just one of the guys. Not my type.

As far as Luna looking sick, I don't even know what you're talking about. I don't see anything wrong with her.

jwillj2k43318d ago

@lightning

Who cares about your 'type'. They are making a FF game, not a dating sim. Is it requirement for you to be attracted to the female character in order for you to purchase a game?

Lightning Mr Bubbles3318d ago

@jwillj2k4

For me if I like the characters especially the female, it makes the story more engaging, the best Final Fantasy games did that for me. Not so much the recent ones like FF13, which was garbage.

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ginsunuva3318d ago (Edited 3318d ago )

What does this have to do with continuity if Stella isn't a character from any previous game...

Lightning Mr Bubbles3318d ago (Edited 3318d ago )

The game changed, at first Stella was in the game as the main heroine but then they changed it to Luna. They thought about keeping Stella in the game as a different role but it just wasn't working so they just scrapped her completely.

Gamer4News3318d ago

They could change her role, but keep her looks.

I prefer Stella's look over Luna.

Lightning Mr Bubbles3318d ago (Edited 3318d ago )

@Gamer4News

I get you but it's a matter of opinion to who's look is better. I personally like Luna a lot better. She has a more sophisticated preppy but yet strong willed leader look to her, she reminds a little bit of Yuna but different, she's the kind of female protagonist I want. .

Stella to me looked more like a friend, like the type of girl who's just one of the guys. Not my type.

Lightning Mr Bubbles3318d ago

If you guys like stella more than Luna, that's totally okay. I'm just saying that I prefer Luna, but it's a matter of opinion.

Adrian_v013318d ago

I prefer Luna now that we know a little bit more about the story. It seems the kingdom she comes from has a military regime, I can't imagine the daughter of such a king grow up into a bubbly go-lucky character as Stella seemed to be. Luna seems more reserved and noble which would fit such a character much better imo.

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PhoenixUp3319d ago

What I'll miss most from the FFvXIII build of the game was the ability to switch between multiple playable characters on the fly during battle. In FFXV it will be just Noctis we play as the entire time.

At least that feature will be implemented into FFVIIR.

Hoffmann3319d ago

Wait..we can only play as Noctis in the game? Its like in Persona 3 where the other party members can't be controlled?

LG_Fox_Brazil3319d ago

Yes, only Noctis. But I kinda like that. Don't know why though

Overwhelming3319d ago

You could control the other party members in Persona 3 (in combat).

_-EDMIX-_3319d ago

@Over- no in Persona 3 you could not control the other members in battle they did their own actions the only thing you could do as party leader was dictate if they would attack or defend etc

But their specific moves were up to them you had no control over the moves or abilities they would do.

ecchiless3319d ago

@_-EDMIX-_

I think his thinking of P3P in that version you can actually control the party members.

I actually loved the frustation of P3Fes on the PS2 when your party would do something stupid leading to your death xD.

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Satou3319d ago (Edited 3319d ago )

It was probably a development struggle, as well as a toss up between character switching, and mosh-style team mechanics. They went with the teamplay, because it made more sense for this game, and because Noctis is a bit OP in this game comparatively. He has Armiger after all. All around it just made more sense to make Noctis the controllable character. Gladiolus is slower for example, and Prompto would require a 1st or 3rd person shooter mechanic, which would have been a ton of work. Barret is another shooter comparatively however already has his moveset planned out from FFVII-original and Kitase/Nomura obviously have their new system up and running.

I think the biggest issues are-

1- Stella's character design should have carried on into Luna. Way hotter, yet still conservative(not politically, mind you.) All around Stella was still conservative, but darker/edgier.

2- Armiger gauge should go down PER ATTACK and not over 15 seconds. That way you could use Armiger sparingly thoughout the battle and not just as an OP 15 second spam attack. They finally gave Armiger a gauge though, so that might be what they're going for somewhat, but they're just not there yet. Make it go down PER ATTACK and not over 15 seconds so it's used throughout the battle and more like Nomura's vision.

3- Didn't like some of the team moves. "Link Form" was just crappy IMO. They should all be proximity based QTE mosh mechanics, like the 2014-15 trailers. "Link Form" where you run up to a circle and then start button mashing is just a crappy idea. That's such a crappy idea it just sounds crappy to read- read that last sentence again for me lol.

Uglyday3319d ago

While you might not be able to switch you can activate your bro's skills in some form. Look at 2:17 from the newer video

https://m.youtube.com/watch...

Ignus is on screen (Noctis is still the active health bar) and it shows one skill from each party member on the left side of the screen in a toggable quick menu.

Gamer4News3318d ago (Edited 3318d ago )

Yeah. I hate that they take out the ability to control your party members.

Gamers want control. Square Enix keeps insisting on restricting control.

Just like FF13, where you have no control, even when you're exploring a dungeon. You can't go anywhere, other than to the end of the hall.

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zackdollars3319d ago

I guess she was made as a response to the criticism that there were no women. She was smoke-and-mirrors. It's going to be a boys club. I just lost all desire to play this game.

Lionalliance3319d ago

What? Where DID ya get that from?

SinkingSage3319d ago (Edited 3319d ago )

Never have I heard a man say: "I won't play this game because it's all women", but I've seen plenty of this kind of talk happening when it's all men...

I'm sure the game has women, just not in the main party, and as evidenced by the previews, there will even be temporary women in the party.

MasterCornholio3319d ago

"Never have I heard a man say: "I won't play this game because it's all women","

I remember people saying that about X-2.

Lukejrl3319d ago

Yea well that is pretty stupid of you. Not every game is going to include every sex, religion, sexual orientation, or lifestyle. Look at me, I want cannibalism to be properly represented. Cannibals are always the bad guys. There are good cannibals you know. Such anti cannibalism is offensive to me

Ogygian3319d ago (Edited 3319d ago )

That's very narrow-minded of you.

Some stories can only be told with all male/female parties.

I liked X-2, and I'm sure this'll be fun as well.

tulholdren3319d ago

I agree once no women in party that was a no sale.

Lukejrl3319d ago

Just because no women are not in the party does not mean they were excluded for nefarious means. There are plenty of groups if friends that are guys that go on road trips and whatnot.

3319d ago
NoctisPendragon3317d ago

Lucky for you there are women in the party now end then (you even see one in the Uncovered trailer ).

3319d ago Replies(1)
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VsAssassin3319d ago (Edited 3319d ago )

I know Luna is one badass of a lady, but I really liked Stella and her character design. For me, Stella has more charisma than Luna. Just look at her badass look while confronting Noctis in one of the early FFvsXIII vids. I'm just not getting that level of interest with Luna than I had with Stella. Sigh...

-Foxtrot3319d ago (Edited 3319d ago )

Basically

"I saw the character to be a Nomura one and decided to get rid of her aswell as many Nomura related things as I could so it will be fully known as my games not his"

That's why there's been changes, I honestly believe if they just set out with his vision/plan we could have had the game by now, maybe at the start of this year.

What I liked about the past trailers is how Stella and Noctis were against each other despite obviously being romantically involved (or will be later on). It also give it a Romeo and Juliet type of vibe with them coming from different "houses".

Chaosdreams3319d ago

Yeah bingo. I recall even that the "Romeo & Juliet" theme was one of the underlining tones of the story. Which is why I was annoyed when Stella was switched out. It wasn't that she was gone, it was the role she represented, and as stated in this interview "they didn't feel comfortable changing her roll."

Anyways, there's no sense in us getting riled up over it anymore. Perhaps we never should have either. I'm interested to see what the story exactly is and how everything plays out. I just hope there's some conflicting emotions that go rampant.

JackVagina3319d ago

Its a shame Nomura left, i guess it was because he was juggling too many projects as he is also directing KH3 and the FF7 Remake.

_-EDMIX-_3319d ago

I don't know where you got that from as nomura actually confirmed when he left that his Concepts were still intact even the writer of the game stated he was completely fine with the change it actually didn't hurt the overall story.

Once again the writer of the game confirmed that this doesn't do anything to the concept and that he was okay with it, the current director did it with the blessing of the writer.

-Foxtrot3319d ago

The writers do what they are told by the director. If Tabata wants changes then he gets them and if you speak out about it then you are probably out of a job.

Nomura just didn't want to cause a fuss I bet when he left.

Fact is I highly doubt he would want to continue with a plan set out by Nomura. There's even an interview where he talks about him changing something because HE didn't like it. What I saw in the old trailers seemed fine to me, hell it seemed better.

_-EDMIX-_3319d ago

Unless you're Nomura I'm sorry buddy but you have no way of knowing if he made a fuss or not if anything where's your evidence to suggest?

The plan that was set out by nomura was already being implemented its the concept of it being open-world airships multiple towns etc was already put into place it's something the new director could not have just randomly revamped from one game to a completely different game that's so doubtful it's not even funny.

You could once again read what the former director stated he 100% confirmed the concepts are still in place from when he started the game.

At this stage in development the new director can only change so much it's very unlikely he could change the Deep concepts in mechanics and design that were already implemented in the game years ago.

Also what is it with you with perception? You're saying it seemed better about a game you've never actually played about a version you've never completed so how on Earth would you ever know it seemed better?

Sure...

I'm sorry but trailers are not games there's not much you could ever tell about a game simply from a damn trailer.

Damien18013319d ago (Edited 3319d ago )

Nomura wanted to make a musical out of FFXV after the premiere of Les Miserables and fortunately his decision was overruled by the board of directors in Square-Enix and his approach to storytelling is known for being rather incoherent one. Just take a look at Kingdom Hearts. I even heard they had to rewrite the story because the original ended with a sequelbait that leaves it open for another continuation of FFXV, hence tagline ''A world of Versus epic'' and Tabata wanted to make a conclusive story. It just shows the misguided or the lack of focus on how would Nomura approach the game's story. He had tons of cool ideas and those were just that, cool ideas that might have been hard to execute. We may never know the reason of replacing Stella for Lunafreya but I guess there's a right reason for it. Stella only gave us a good first impression in trailers but we don't know how her character would lead up to the story. That is the problem I have with Nomura in general, he can make cool characters doing all acrobatic shit but he doesn't know how to make a good direction to their personalities. Just watch Advent Children, the characters are flat and one-dimensional or just comic relief caricatures. Don't get me wrong, he's a pretty good director when it comes to action RPG's and he's still top tier in that territory but his way of storytelling and his design of characters are questionable. And the plotline of two people with special powers from opposing fractions who are romantically involved and are at a conflict because of unfaithful circumstances isn't really anything new, that's the plotline of Shinobi Heart of Blade.

SnotyTheRocket3319d ago

Dude, games aren't made by one dude, you know that? Neil Druckmann didn't pull the last of us out of his ass, he had a story in mind, and the people around him helped shape and mould the game. Writers don't get fired for having different ideas. Nobody would write in video games if that was the case.

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100°

Six Times When Games Turned Into A Horror Game

Ever play a game a game only to discover at some point it transforms into a horror game? No? Well Netto's Game Room shares six games that do just that!

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P_Bomb5d ago

Immediately thought of the El Dorado zombie dudes in Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune.

raWfodog5d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Not necessarily a ‘horror’ moment, but I remember feeling really tense and anxious when the Flood were first introduced in the original Halo. I never felt more on edge or nervous in that whole game as that moment. I think it was the whole buildup that something terrible was coming but you didn’t know exactly what.

Another non-horror game that had me feeling it was Subnautica. The deep dark depths, and knowing that sea monsters were lurking nearby, had me jumping at every sound.

NettosGameRoom4d ago

That scene where you first see them attack is pretty crazy!

Relientk774d ago

I remember being scared of the Asylum level in the most recent Thief game from 2014.

50°

Hajime Tabata talk about the differences between Eastern and Western RPGs

Differences in views on life and death? Differences in values? Hajime Tabata, known for "Final Fantasy ⅩⅤ," and a French creator with a strong respect for Japanese RPGs talk about the differences between Eastern and Western RPGs.

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140°

Final Fantasy XV Datamine Reveals Hidden Chapter 14 Scene That Was Cut

A new datamine of game files from Final Fantasy XV has revealed a cut scene from Chapter 14 that didn't make it into the final release.

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gold_drake139d ago

always liked 15, but the development was shch a shitshow. it could have been so much more.

but Tabata did a good job with what he had regardless

DivineHand125139d ago

Ff15 was a missed opportunity from square as they transitioned from turn based to real time.

One of the issues is that it was 30 fps. The combat mechanics required precision dodges to activate Noctis teleport ability and it was difficult to do at 30 fps. I am glad they rectified that in FF16. The story and flow also felt like it went through a chopshop similar to how some live service games end up when they are trying to meet a deadline. Those extra episodes they sold as dlc should have been in the maingame.

FF15 is one of the weaker entries in the series.

Z501138d ago

Dodges don't activate the teleport ability. Teleport was R1 + O. Dodge was just the O button. Explain the Black Hood (the item that automatically Dodges for you)

TheNamelessOne139d ago

Ah yes; FF XV.
The beginning of me coming to the realization the series was no longer for me.

Michiel1989138d ago

16 was a lot better, I think 15 was just a big mess with how development went and all. The music though, one of the best in the series, probably the only reason I finished the game.

Cacabunga138d ago

At least FF15 had RPG elements . 16 was just an action game from beginning to end.

Michiel1989138d ago

I rather have a good action game than a bad rpg with 2 button combat

Cacabunga138d ago (Edited 138d ago )

Then call it something else then FF. I got scammed with FF16. Nothing of what i expected it to be.
Even the action is bad in it, especially after the demo section where absolutely nothing happens until the very end.

FF15 isnt a great game but it has some variety at least.

CrimsonWing69139d ago

That initial trailer with the Leviathan fight was the game I wish we got. The actual retail release was watchdogged to all Hell and while there’s enjoyment to be had in the game, it’s such an incomplete product and so many elements feel so slapped together without any cohesion.

Like, don’t get me wrong, I loved fishing, cooking, and the first third of the game, but I much rather they made a story that didn’t feel barely there and the the last third of the game didn’t feel so rushed and unfinished.

Becuzisaid138d ago

Every time a party member left for a period of time screamed future paid dlc. It was horrible.

Imagine Dagger and Steiner making the party go to sleep in Lindblum in FF9 disc 1 and then taking off to Alexandria by foot themselves, but then never playing their side of the adventure in disc 2 when they smuggle her through the South Gate in pickles, take the cable car and fight the Waltz, head to Treno and start the quest to find Supersoft. They just eventually reunite with the main party in the future without explanation of what went on in their adventure.

Or Sephiroth's backstory in the famous Kalm flashback being added as a dlc pack. Same goes for Vincent, Cid, or Yuffie for that matter.

Oh and anything to do with Jenova, the Ancients, Aerith, her mom and Gast, shoved into a 2 hour CG movie or 5 hour anime ministries that's considered required viewing for anything in the main game to make sense or have characters actually be interesting.

I enjoyed FF15 at the time, and finished it, but it's bright spots are marred by a bad development cycle and a worse marketing scheme.

CrimsonWing69138d ago

What’s sad is when I watched a vid on the entire story (that wasn’t properly told in the actual game)!it was really solid and could’ve been one of the most epic stories in any FF. I think a lot of the compilation and cross-media stuff really f*cked it all up.

gurp139d ago

FFXV was underrated in my opinion
I have played all of the final fantasy games, and I loved this game
turn based to me takes too long, I like active battle
the extra dlc and chapters should have been included in the original release, but it is nice that they fixed the game later

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