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All-New Press Previews of Final Fantasy XV's First 5 Chapters

Y

YunFang1130

Member
rezn0r said:
No idea, I had one credit card on file that was going to get charged, changed it when they first notified they were about to bill, and have had zero problems. If I were you I'd either enter a credit card or ask a family member to use theirs, since you have the cash you can just hand it to them...

I was close to canceling my order last week but I'm getting pumped again & glad I didn't.

Edit: It's probably some sort of block by your bank since it's a debit card and (for some people) a randomly large amount. May want to ask them about it. You have 2 days!
Click to expand...

Credit cards are practically banned at home :( . I am trying to ask my sister if I can use her card though because she has a different bank than I do.

Good idea on asking the bank though. Hopefully I can try them tomorrow.
 
Y

YankeeDonB

Member
Tyaren said:
He literally said he thought it was "excellent" so far. ;)
Click to expand...

Just excellent? Not superb? Not life-changing?

And there was some ill-informed knee-jerk generic anti-jRPG style bagging on Prompto too. Game sounds like a mess :-(

Seriously, I'm surprised by how uniformly positive the previews have been. Even folks with critiques seem to be finding the whole greater than the sum of the parts, which to me suggests that old final fantasy magic... Dare I hope?
 
F

Falk

that puzzling face
wmlk said:
It's nothing. I'm just saying that Shimomira hasn't ever really had dynamic music like other composers.
Click to expand...

Eh, I wasn't talking about FFXV in particular.

I think there's been a very, very different focus on the western side of the gaming industry vs the Japanese side.

Just to go a little deeper into the spiel I've been repeating for over half a decade now, western AAA does dynamic music a lot (and I mean a LOT) better. It does come at the cost of a modicum of structure and organization, though.

And on the flipside, the way Japanese composers approach things stems from a much more lyrical methodology. I think one thing that stuck with me was a panel I attended where Iwadare-san, Sakimoto-san and Shimomura-san all were present in, I think it was 2011, where it was pointed out that Japanese media tended to be a lot more poetic, whether it was j-rock, to films, to games. Oftentimes the goal is to write music that makes people cry.

True, sometimes it gets to the point where a piece of music (battle themes especially) get so repetitive you want to bash your head against the wall, but overall I do feel that their approach makes for much more memorable music, even if it's a little too forward or cliche for western tastes at times. Case in point being there are touring concert series for Zelda, Final Fantasy, Pokemon just to name a few - that stuff SELLS.

It's something of conflicting goals at best. If you want music to react to the situation in a game, it has to move away from a rigid structure. On the other hand, if you want the music to have leitmotif, chord progressions, etc that carve out a strong identity, it has to move towards a rigid structure.

I think one of the biggest things that I've personally wanted to see was a marriage of the best of what both sides have to offer. Heck, that's what my final college assignment was all about even. (Wow, it's really been half a decade, heh)

Just as much as the Japanese side has to learn about adaptive systems done exceedingly well (like, say, in GTAV) I feel that western AAA could learn a thing or two about aiming to be more than glorified Hollywood scores.
 
Y

YunFang1130

Member
Well, I just called my bank and they confirmed that Square is still using my old card despite me updating it in their system. Just updated it for the 3rd time, and wrote them an email.

This is the last time I'm pre-ordering from them.. All of this for a collector's edition.
 
P

PshycoNinja

Member
Rappy said:
Yep, just finished watching it and to the person who had played the 12 hours it sounds mostly the same as other previews. Maybe not as positive as others but it was defending against critique of someone who is obviously not a fan of the main party cast (as we've heard the "boy band" complaints many many times).

Now the other critique about fights being too chaotic is pretty valid I guess (the one saying just in any fight). It's just as I called it earlier, the difficulty is probably going to put off some people. But to that, I say "GIT GUD". But honestly, all the comments (positive or negative) about the combat reminds me so much of Monster Hunter. Am I crazy in thinking that?
Click to expand...

Exactly. "Critical" is a strong word to use for the guy who played. He even said he was excited to keep playing. He called it excellent. He had some constructive criticism and that's wonderful. I hope the devs take it into consideration.

But I think this preview continues to show that people who actually get their hands on the game are having a great time with it.
 
P

Primethius

Banned
Falk said:
Eh, I wasn't talking about FFXV in particular.

I think there's been a very, very different focus on the western side of the gaming industry vs the Japanese side.

Just to go a little deeper into the spiel I've been repeating for over half a decade now, western AAA does dynamic music a lot (and I mean a LOT) better. It does come at the cost of a modicum of structure and organization, though.

And on the flipside, the way Japanese composers approach things stems from a much more lyrical methodology. I think one thing that stuck with me was a panel I attended where Iwadare-san, Sakimoto-san and Shimomura-san all were present in, I think it was 2011, where it was pointed out that Japanese media tended to be a lot more poetic, whether it was j-rock, to films, to games. Oftentimes the goal is to write music that makes people cry.

True, sometimes it gets to the point where a piece of music (battle themes especially) get so repetitive you want to bash your head against the wall, but overall I do feel that their approach makes for much more memorable music, even if it's a little too forward or cliche for western tastes at times. Case in point being there are touring concert series for Zelda, Final Fantasy, Pokemon just to name a few - that stuff SELLS.

It's something of conflicting goals at best. If you want music to react to the situation in a game, it has to move away from a rigid structure. On the other hand, if you want the music to have leitmotif, chord progressions, etc that carve out a strong identity, it has to move towards a rigid structure.

I think one of the biggest things that I've personally wanted to see was a marriage of the best of what both sides have to offer. Heck, that's what my final college assignment was all about even. (Wow, it's really been half a decade, heh)

Just as much as the Japanese side has to learn about adaptive systems done exceedingly well (like, say, in GTAV) I feel that western AAA could learn a thing or two about aiming to be more than glorified Hollywood scores.
Click to expand...

I always felt that the Halo series was quite good in this regard of mixing dynamic structure with themes that more resemble Japanese OSTs.

Though largely, I prefer the structured approach myself of Japanese games.
 
K

Kagari

Crystal Bearer
PshycoNinja said:
Exactly. "Critical" is a strong word to use for the guy who played. He even said he was excited to keep playing. He called it excellent. He had some constructive criticism and that's wonderful. I hope the devs take it into consideration.

But I think this preview continues to show that people who actually get their hands on the game are having a great time with it.
Click to expand...

Critical isn't really a strong word to use for someone offering constructive criticism like the Game Informer staff did. You guys are reaching.
 
T

The Last One

Member
DeSolos said:
It is different. There's texture pop in, the detail on Ramuh's beard is downgraded, and the VFX are also toned down a lot.
Click to expand...

Tyaren said:
Did the exact same.
I actually cancelled it for a standard edition because I didn't need to watch Kingsglaive anymore and...and this will be an unpopular opinion...Amano's steel book cover art looks like a swirl of vomit. D: Sorry, not sorry!



Yes, it's different. Ramuh is now plagued by texture pop ins too.
Click to expand...

Koozek said:
Nah, same here. But apparently there's another attack for when you're in enclosed spaces/dungeons (I think it was him throwing his staff instead).


I don't like it much either^^
Click to expand...

Thanks, guys. I just watched and yes, I meant animation wise. Anyway, iirc Tabata said the Summons would have more than one attack anyway.
 
M

Mailbox

Member
Kagari said:
Critical isn't really a strong word to use for someone offering constructive criticism like the Game Informer staff did. You guys are reaching.
Click to expand...

I think its more him thinking of Critical as "like a critical punch to the game" where as you are thinking of it as "giving critique".

The Last One said:
Thanks, guys. I just watched and yes, I meant animation wise. Anyway, iirc Tabata said the Summons would have more than one attack anyway.
Click to expand...

iirc that statement was in reference to where you are when you summon. Like Ramuh as his direct down hit with the staff when you are in open areas, and throws his spear a distance when you are in enclosed spaces.
 
R

Rappy

Member
Kagari said:
Critical isn't really a strong word to use for someone offering constructive criticism like the Game Informer staff did. You guys are reaching.
Click to expand...
Well I mean, compared to other 15 hour previewers the person who played 12 hours (Matt) did not seem more critical than them (and I had watched the Test Chamber vid before this podcast so maybe it doesn't sound more critical as he kinda says the same things). The other 3 were more critical, but I'm not sure they even played the latest preview build. But I agree, being critical isn't necessarily a bad thing.
 
T

The Last One

Member
Mailbox said:
I think its more him thinking of Critical as "like a critical punch to the game" where as you are thinking of it as "giving critique".



iirc that statement was in reference to where you are when you summon. Like Ramuh as his direct down hit with the staff when you are in open areas, and throws his spear a distance when you are in enclosed spaces.
Click to expand...

Oh right. Guess it's the same with Titan's specials where he throws a gigantic rock and punches the ground.
 
P

PshycoNinja

Member
Kagari said:
Critical isn't really a strong word to use for someone offering constructive criticism like the Game Informer staff did. You guys are reaching.
Click to expand...

Rappy said:
Well I mean, compared to other 15 hour previewers the person who played 12 hours (Matt) did not seem more critical than them (and I had watched the Test Chamber vid before this podcast so maybe it doesn't sound more critical as he kinda says the same things). The other 3 were more critical, but I'm not sure they even played the latest preview build. But I agree, being critical isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Click to expand...

I agree with Rappy. Matt expressed excitement and positivity about the game. He wasn't critical about the game.

This might be just how we interpret words differently, but I take the literal definition of critical. (expressing criticism or disapproval; inclined to criticize severely and unfavorably)

It's like me saying IGN's review of Heavensward is critical comparatively to Kotaku's review. Both are positive. Me saying one of them is "critical" is a stretch.
 
B

bigmac996

Member
PshycoNinja said:
I agree with Rappy. Matt expressed excitement and positivity about the game. He wasn't critical about the game.

This might just how we interpret words differently, but I take the literal definition of critical. (expressing criticism or disapproval; inclined to criticize severely and unfavorably)

It's like me saying IGN's review of Heavensward is critical comparatively to Kotaku's review. Both are positive. Me saying one of them is "critical" is a stretch.
Click to expand...

I'm with Kagari on this. The word critical can go both ways. It can mean something is largely negative, but here as a video game critic, he was expressing concern with regards to the combat system. He seemed to have reservations but liked the game.

I guess what I mean to say is that in art, be it film, fine art or games, critique isn't seen as a negative thing. It encompasses the good and bad after careful analysis. Matt's take on battles being confusing and cumbersome indoors is him finding a fault, or being critical on an aspect of the battle system.
 
P

PshycoNinja

Member
bigmac996 said:
I'm with Kagari on this. The word critical can go both ways. It can mean something is largely negative, but here as a video game critic, he was expressing concern with regards to the combat system. He seemed to have reservations but liked the game.

I guess what I mean to say is that in art, be it film, fine art or games, critique isn't seen as a negative thing. It encompasses the good and bad after careful analysis. Matt's take on battles being confusing and cumbersome indoors is him finding a fault, or being critical on an aspect of the battle system.
Click to expand...

I think this really has come down to semantics and how we've interpreted each other and what we're inferring from each other. I take the blame on this one. I inferred from Kagari more than what she may have intended. This is why I should be clearer on what I am pointing out in my first responses. I'll try to be better about that in the future.
 
R

Rappy

Member
bigmac996 said:
I'm with Kagari on this. The word critical can go both ways. It can mean something is largely negative, but here as a video game critic, he was expressing concern with regards to the combat system. He seemed to have reservations but liked the game.

I guess what I mean to say is that in art, be it film, fine art or games, critique isn't seen as a negative thing. It encompasses the good and bad after careful analysis. Matt's take on battles being confusing and cumbersome indoors is him finding a fault, or being critical on an aspect of the battle system.
Click to expand...
Well I'm really just taking issue with the statement of being "more" critical, but that's just me being pedantic. Is it really more critical compared to other previewers when they all, or most, said the camera in tight places (caves/structures)? I guess he was a little bit more critical on the combat mechanics compared to other previewers, because he never actually gives a definite "I like the combat"/"the combat is good". But again, this debate is just a bunch of nonsense nitpicking on semantics.

I would like to see some more critical previews or more in-depth previews but maybe everything has already been said by everyone from this 15 hour preview.
 
T

the_id

Member
I've been playing final fantasy xiv just to get my hype under control for this game. Please be good, please be good. OH GOD PLEASE BE GOOD
 
F

Falk

that puzzling face
Geg said:
What exactly do they mean by interactive music in FFXV?
Click to expand...

Some examples:

- The music in Hammerhead changing from a laid back acoustic feel to a rock feel when you enter buildings
- The music in Lestallum changing from to have trumpets when you enter certain areas like the market
- Fights like Titan jumping around within the track (Apocalypsis Noctis) depending on the combat situation, e.g. the ending is always in sync with the end of the fight.
 
B

bigmac996

Member
PshycoNinja said:
I think this really has come down to semantics and how we've interpreted each other and what we're inferring from each other. I take the blame on this one. I inferred from Kagari more than what she may have intended. This is why I should be clearer on what I am pointing out in my first responses. I'll try to be better about that in the future.
Click to expand...

Well I'm really just taking issue with the statement of being "more" critical, but that's just me being pedantic. Is it really more critical compared to other previewers when they all, or most, said the camera in tight places (caves/structures)? I guess he was a little bit more critical on the combat mechanics compared to other previewers, because he never actually gives a definite "I like the combat"/"the combat is good". But again, this debate is just a bunch of nonsense nitpicking on semantics.

I would like to see some more critical previews or more in-depth previews but maybe everything has already been said by everyone from this 15 hour preview.
Click to expand...

All good guys, total nonsense debate for sure. I think we're all weary from the delays and these little gameplay samplings and just want this damn game to come out already. Soon, friends. Soon.
 
J

JeffZero

Purple Drazi
Falk said:
Some examples:

- The music in Hammerhead changing from a laid back acoustic feel to a rock feel when you enter buildings
- The music in Lestallum changing from to have trumpets when you enter certain areas like the market
- Fights like Titan jumping around within the track (Apocalypsis Noctis) depending on the combat situation, e.g. the ending is always in sync with the end of the fight.
Click to expand...

That is awesome.
 
K

KupoNut

Member
Thinking lately Square should just pull the Platinum demo from PSN/XBL, it has its charm but when it comes to combat it doesn't exactly sell FFXV.
 
SargerusBR

SargerusBR

I love Pokken!
Falk said:
Some examples:

- The music in Hammerhead changing from a laid back acoustic feel to a rock feel when you enter buildings
- The music in Lestallum changing from to have trumpets when you enter certain areas like the market
- Fights like Titan jumping around within the track (Apocalypsis Noctis) depending on the combat situation, e.g. the ending is always in sync with the end of the fight.
Click to expand...

Similar to MGR boss battles then? Amazing \o/
 
B

brandonh83

Banned
Falk said:
Some examples:

- The music in Hammerhead changing from a laid back acoustic feel to a rock feel when you enter buildings
- The music in Lestallum changing from to have trumpets when you enter certain areas like the market
- Fights like Titan jumping around within the track (Apocalypsis Noctis) depending on the combat situation, e.g. the ending is always in sync with the end of the fight.
Click to expand...

b8t0pt0g8Tv9e.gif
 
P

Primethius

Banned
KupoNut said:
Thinking lately Square should just pull the Platinum demo from PSN/XBL, it has its charm but when it comes to combat it doesn't exactly sell FFXV.
Click to expand...

So glad I played Duscae first. Otherwise the Platinum demo would've done some real damage to my hype for the game.

But having played both, it was a nice tech show case. And that's about it.
 
K

Koozek

Member
KupoNut said:
Thinking lately Square should just pull the Platinum demo from PSN/XBL, it has its charm but when it comes to combat it doesn't exactly sell FFXV.
Click to expand...
This so much. Absolutely terrible idea, especially that they still haven't removed it. It does nothing to sell complete newcomers on the game if this is their only exposure to the game. Neither on the party dynamic nor on the open-world, like Episode Duscae at least did. Can't tell you how many came into the recent "Final Fantasy XV is now just one month away. Place your bets: will it be good?" thread saying how bad they thought PD was, assuming it'd be representative of the final game (and you can't blame them, really - it's even called Platinum Demo[/I], which implies it's something good and definite).

If they at least called it "Dream Tech-Demo", or had a small battle-arena mode with the whole party set in the same area you fight the Iron Giant in (basically the TGS '14 demo) selected as the default starting point of the demo so people who just start the demo without checking anything else would've been thrown instantly in the more representative mode and afterwards it could've asked if you wanted to continue with the Kid Noctis dream part. Actually the original plan was to release that TGS combat section as a public demo and Tabata mentioned that several times in interviews. Somehow the changed their minds.
 
R

Rappy

Member
Koozek said:
Source.

Also a bit of off-screen combat against the big snake from PGW a few weeks ago with someone who knows how to play. Don't know if it has been posted here yet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxN-oLtFWxU
Click to expand...
See this is what I'm talkin about! SO much more satisfying watching someone who knows how to play! But perhaps, camera control should be easier for wide audience accessibility? But again, this is where I get Monster Hunter vibes in regards to controls and camera control. The player just needs to know how to use it.
Philippo said:
That's the trident right?
RIP Luna ;_;
Click to expand...
And
yep, "Trident de l'Oracle" Doesn't bode well for Luna, but oh well

Edit: I just realized like half of Migardsomr's moveset is just like Najarala. MonHun style multiplayer DLC (not)confirmed! But also using Armiger mode or whatever looks broken, or maybe that was just for being OP in that demo.
 
P

Philippo

Member
The camera during the fight was still messy tho :/

Anyway, i rewatched a couple of Brotherhood episodes today, i wonder if some tracks will be in the game? Not in the car, but throughout the game.
For example, this track would be a great battle theme (even better than whats in the game imho), and this one would go with some emotional moment so well.
 
H

Hastati

Member
Really debating whether or not to pick up a pro for release...or just play on ps4 and wait for the enhanced edition whatever.

Now off to rewatch Omen.
 
A

AngryNeox

Neo Member
Philippo said:
The camera during the fight was still messy tho :/

Anyway, i rewatched a couple of Brotherhood episodes today, i wonder if some tracks will be in the game? Not in the car, but throughout the game.
For example, this track would be a great battle theme (even better than whats in the game imho), and this one would go with some emotional moment so well.
Click to expand...
The first one sounds kinda like Yoko. So it can be in the game considering we already heard multiple different battle themes.
 
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