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[Call me YHWH]

I think my biggest gripe at the moment is that the way XP is just doled out to you means I'm actively afraid to do side content. If I run through hunts to make cash I'm going to outpace the story difficulty and level curve tremendously, and strip the game of any real difficulty.

I love the combat system, but when you're so far ahead of the bosses and dangerous encounters, all sense of nuance and technical skill fly out the window and it really does just turn into hold attack to win.

Which sucks because I want to explore the world, and I want to do the side quests, but at chapter 8, I'm pushing level 40 and the game is just straight up handing me thousands of XP for doing literally nothing.

The (spoilers for an early Duscae region sidequest)

Spoiler

chocobo quest leading up to the cool as fuck behemoth hunt was monstrously underwhelming because I was near level 30 at the time and I just ran over the boss without needing to use the exploding barrels at all.

If they gave the game a hard mode, or an item to cancel XP gain, it would be one of my favorite games on the PS4, hands down.

Some of the environments in this game are down right breath taking though. The dungeons especially. There was one about mid way through the game that almost physically took my breath away. I panned the camera around for several minutes just taking in the details.


EDIT:

Gaf forgive me for I have sinned

I switched to English language because I can't stand the idea of not everything being translated and having to read subtitles all of the time in my big TV. I already have to do it with Anime.

And the English voices are growing on me.

Maybe it's the honeymoon phase but I don't mind the english voices at all. Gladio might be the worst of the lot in technical skill, since he's trying to sound deeper than he actually is. But in one of the early scenes during chapter 1 or 2, where Noctis' voice cracks while he's on the phone, I was sold.

I love how smarmy Ignis sounds, too. The amount of condescension when he talks is beautiful.

 

[UpDownLeftRight]

Read an article on Kotaku with tips for playing the game where they say some sidequests seem like normal fetch quests at first but get more interesting later on.

If that's really the case I hope that someone eventually releases some guide with the quests worth doing. Because I'm only at Chapter 3 and already thinking about skipping all sidequests and just do the hunts (which are fun).
The last 2 sidequests I did at the end of chapter 2 were about as "pure" fetch quests as it gets. One had you going to a point half a mile away to look for something on the floor (no enemies or anything) and the other one had you going to get something for Cindy which was like 3 mins of driving, killing like 2 goblins, 3 mins of driving back. Then first sidequests I encounter at the start of chapter 3 is, of course, fetching more stuff

Unfortunately I've come to expect that to be the norm. So far the only ones I've found worth doing so far is the initial one at the Chocobo ranch and Cindy's since they give upgrades. Maybe Cids too but I've not found the required parts for the last 4 chapters now.

 

[GwyndolinCinder]

It's silly to have action game like expectations for an open world RPG though.

but you can't expect Uncharted/Bayo2 like setpieces on a game like this.

its not like square set these expecations
https://youtu.be/ljtEg1VOVag

 

[13ruce]

Shame you can't pick up items while on the chocobo.

Would be nice if they patch that in later.

 

[sappyday]

Read an article on Kotaku with tips for playing the game where they say some sidequests seem like normal fetch quests at first but get more interesting later on.

If that's really the case I hope that someone eventually releases some guide with the quests worth doing. Because I'm only at Chapter 3 and already thinking about skipping all sidequests and just do the hunts (which are fun).
The last 2 sidequests I did at the end of chapter 2 were about as "pure" fetch quests as it gets. One had you going to a point half a mile away to look for something on the floor (no enemies or anything) and the other one had you going to get something for Cindy which was like 3 mins of driving, killing like 2 goblins, 3 mins of driving back. Then first sidequests I encounter at the start of chapter 3 is, of course, fetching more stuff

Some of them start out as just go collect thing but then some have going into a dungeon and if you don't explore thoroughly then chances are you would miss this dungeon.

For example,

Spoiler

Cindy wanted me to collect all these stuff for the car. They were boring at first but then the last one I had to a dungeon next to Insomnia. It ended up being a great dungeon and I had a lot of fun doing it. The car part that I got also lets me drive at night without having to stop the car cause of demons. I never knew about this dungeon so I would have missed it entirely unless someone pointed it out for me.

There's also a side quest later on that unlocks some really powerful weapons and have you fighting some unique bosses that aren't in the main storyline.

 

[nOoblet16]

I think two things could have fixed some of camera issues:

1) Pulling it back in combat, the game seems to do it sometimes but it should do it every time and the distance should depend on the side of enemy you are fighting.

2) R1/RB to lock should mean you have a hard lock on an enemy and that means the enemy always stays in the centre of screen and camera moves accordingly. Right now it seems more akin to a soft lock where you can lose the enemy from centre of screen quite easily.

 

[Kaizer]

Wow, just camped at the beach near Galdin Quay & Gladio woke me up in the morning so we could go on a foot race - got 20 AP after I beat him. Wasn't expecting there to be little scenes like that - it was really endearing!

 

[brawly]

Gaf forgive me for I have sinned

I switched to English language because I can't stand the idea of not everything being translated and having to read subtitles all of the time in my big TV. I already have to do it with Anime.

And the English voices are growing on me.

They're pretty good. I love how they call Ignis

Spoiler

Iggy

and Regis

Spoiler

Reggie

 

[u_neek]

Chapter 10 question:

Does it matter whether or not I bring

Spoiler

Ignis to the Tomb?

 

[nOoblet16]

Some of them start out as just go collect thing but then some have going into a dungeon and if you don't explore thoroughly then chances are you would miss this dungeon.

For example,

Spoiler

Cindy wanted me to collect all these stuff for the car. They were boring at first but then the last one I had to a dungeon next to Insomnia. It ended up being a great dungeon and I had a lot of fun doing it. The car part that I got also lets me drive at night without having to stop the car cause of demons. I never knew about this dungeon so I would have missed it entirely unless someone pointed it out for me.

There's also a side quest later on that unlocks some really powerful weapons and have you fighting some unique bosses that aren't in the main storyline.

Woah..what's this about car parts?
I don't even remember such a quest, where do you find it? I'd like thst part too because I would like to play at night but hate that you can't drive without fighting the enemies.

 

[GwyndolinCinder]

I think two things could have fixed some of camera issues:

1) Pulling it back in combat, the game seems to do it sometimes but it should do it every time and the distance should depend on the side of enemy you are fighting.

2) R1/RB to lock should mean you have a hard lock on an enemy and that means the enemy always stays in the centre of screen and camera moves accordingly. Right now it seems more akin to a soft lock where you can lose the enemy from centre of screen quite easily.

You can press r3 to hold the lock, and changing the tracking sensitivity in the options should fix the other point.
Its not perfect but its alot better experience than patch 1.02.

 

[ViciousDS]

Wow, just camped at the beach near Galdin Quay & Gladio woke me up in the morning so we could go on a foot race - got 20 AP after I beat him. Wasn't expecting there to be little scenes like that - it was really endearing!

They are called tours, there's a bunch like that. You probably missed one involving prompto in the very first opening area as the camp is never marked. You have to find it


There's also another involving ignis as well

 

[Fayet]

So its not cool trashing the game for boy band theme anymore?

 

[nOoblet16]

They're pretty good. I love how they call Ignis

Spoiler

Iggy

and Regis

Spoiler

Reggie

The pun jokes are good too, honestly I can't see anyone losing out anything with English voices with this game.

 

[The_Hitcher89]

I think my biggest gripe at the moment is that the way XP is just doled out to you means I'm actively afraid to do side content. If I run through hunts to make cash I'm going to outpace the story difficulty and level curve tremendously, and strip the game of any real difficulty.

I love the combat system, but when you're so far ahead of the bosses and dangerous encounters, all sense of nuance and technical skill fly out the window and it really does just turn into hold attack to win.

Which sucks because I want to explore the world, and I want to do the side quests, but at chapter 8, I'm pushing level 40 and the game is just straight up handing me thousands of XP for doing literally nothing.

The (spoilers for an early Duscae region sidequest)

Spoiler

chocobo quest leading up to the cool as fuck behemoth hunt was monstrously underwhelming because I was near level 30 at the time and I just ran over the boss without needing to use the exploding barrels at all.

If they gave the game a hard mode, or an item to cancel XP gain, it would be one of my favorite games on the PS4, hands down.

Some of the environments in this game are down right breath taking though. The dungeons especially. There was one about mid way through the game that almost physically took my breath away. I panned the camera around for several minutes just taking in the details.


EDIT:



Maybe it's the honeymoon phase but I don't mind the english voices at all. Gladio might be the worst of the lot in technical skill, since he's trying to sound deeper than he actually is. But in one of the early scenes during chapter 1 or 2, where Noctis' voice cracks while he's on the phone, I was sold.

I love how smarmy Ignis sounds, too. The amount of condescension when he talks is beautiful.

I'd love it if there was a way to bank xp. That way you could level yourself suitably for the challenge, and then gain the proper xp and levels for post game when you cash in the banked xp

 

[orthodoxy1095]

Those shots, though. Witcher looks so simplistic in comparison. Look at that!

So what's your point, The Witcher traded exterior building complexity to actually have interiors? I'm fine with that tradeoff.

Gaf forgive me for I have sinned

I switched to English language because I can't stand the idea of not everything being translated and having to read subtitles all of the time in my big TV. I already have to do it with Anime.

And the English voices are growing on me.

They're actually way better than I expected. I wouldn't mind trying the Japanese voices to see how they compare, but I don't have the patience for the reading either.

 

[sappyday]

Woah..what's this about car parts?
I don't even remember such a quest, where do you find it? I'd like thst part too because I would like to play at night but hate that you can't drive without fighting the enemies.

Cindy should just have it available for you. Should be available in like Chapter 2 or 3, don't remember when.

 

[Call me YHWH]

I'd love it if there was a way to bank xp. That way you could level yourself suitably for the challenge, and then gain the proper xp and levels for post game when you cash in the banked xp

Honestly that would be perfect.

I thought I could get away with just not camping at all during the chapters and banking it all until I needed the boost, but they force it on you at the end of each chapter. Oftentimes I'll camp just so I can avoid the 1.5x from inns.

 

[SomedayTheFire]

I have legitimately no idea how to dodge properly lol

 

[sappyday]

Chapter 10 question:

Does it matter whether or not I bring

Spoiler

Ignis to the Tomb?

Spoiler

I think he goes no matter what. A lot of these choices don't matter. Which is why I hate they included them in cause it makes the script more sloppy.

I have legitimately no idea how to dodge properly lol

Hold Square. There are attacks that will automatically dodge if you're holding square and then there are more powerful ones where you have to time it. Also dodge roll/warping is your friend.

 

[sappyday]

edit: oops double post

 

[BriGuy]

Galdin Quay is extremely fucked up on my Pro. Like the sea is one flat color with trees jutting up out of it and it flickers random colors when you walk and shows big, rectangular chunks of reflections that cut off at weird places. I hope it's a glitch and not my system getting ready to die.

 

[LowParry]

Oh the horror...

 

[Seik]

*Putting the disc in PS4, almost shaking*

''Holy shit it's happening!!!!''

*Not enough space in PS4.*

''Well...shit.''

*Deletes Star Ocean 5, piece of shit anyway*

''ALRIGHT! It's happening for real now!''

*9GB patch*

''NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!''

 

[Mifec]

Starting chap 4, level 61 with Costlemark Tower finished,

Spoiler

Ultima blade

in my inventory and most hunts done

 

[N° 2048]

I have legitimately no idea how to dodge properly lol

Amen, I am trying to Soulsborne this shit but it aint working.
I have to slow down, Type B and Tracking 5 helps a ton.

Combat system is fucking ace, I really love it.

 

[KupoNut]

Not sure I've ever disagreed with a subjective opinion more. Absolutely amazing how we can all see and focus on different things. Really want to go find my thumb drive to post some FFXV screenshots now... they're not good.

Textures are the bedrock of a games visuals, and FFXV has terrible textures. No amount of impressive lighting can cover that.

I'm hopeful that maybe a patch will improve these, at least on PS Pro. They've shown in the past that they have higher resolution assets so I'm hopeful it's easy to switch those in for systems like PS Pro and the eventual PC port.

 

[NoctisVsStar]

Starting chap 4, level 61 with Costlemark Tower finished,

Spoiler

Ultima blade

in my inventory and most hunts done

Jesus christ 61? Postgame here at 55

 

[supergiz]

How soon until you can get better armor? I'm getting hit hard by everything, especially things that have guns. it's like 10 seconds until I got down to no hp, and I am higher level than them.

 

[WarAdept]

Lol Guns are ezmode.

 

[Ishida]

The worst part of the graphics is the foliage. Every tree/bush/etc looks horrendous. Surprised I haven't seen more people commenting on it.

Because they don't look horrendous.

 

[Nerokis]

Ouch. Just got spoiled pretty badly.

Ah well. Now I know to

Spoiler

appreciate the short time I have with a certain someone

.

 

[Mifec]

Jesus christ 61? Postgame here at 55

Yeah I hoarded xp and spent it at galdin, went from 22 to 37, to 47 to 60.

 

[jorgejjvr]

How that hell have people beaten the game already?

It just came out.

How many hours did it take

 

[supergiz]

Yeah I hoarded xp and spent it at galdin, went from 22 to 37, to 47 to 60.

Damn that's pretty easy way of getting to high level fast. Btw, anyone know the max level?

 

[Kaizer]

They are called tours, there's a bunch like that. You probably missed one involving prompto in the very first opening area as the camp is never marked. You have to find it


There's also another involving ignis as well

Awesome! Will be on the lookout for them more often now.

 

[sappyday]

How that hell have people beaten the game already?

It just came out.

How many hours did it take

I've had the game since last Tuesday. Took me 35 hours to beat the main story but I spent a lot time during the beginning to do other stuff and explore. The story is really short for a RPG.

 

[LowParry]

How that hell have people beaten the game already?

It just came out.

How many hours did it take

I think I'll have the game done tonight. Got to rank 3 with hunts, got sick of the same damn side quest shit. So I just trucked on with the story. On Ch. 11 I think? Again, oh the horror. What are you trying to be FF?

 

[Skyfireblaze]

I mean you can always change it back to Japanese/English..try it!

I found them to be funny and during 30 minutes of time playing in German only once noctis sounded "off". I've heard way worse dubs on TV/Anime/other games. Expect some voices to sound corny..but well the German dub is definitely "handfest"

Hmm yeah you have a point with the changing

Alright okay I'll give it a go tomorrow and see what I think, I mean I tend to find some German dubs really great in anime, atleast from the 90's but go for either English or Japanese these days so it will be curious experiment for me.

 

[N° 2048]

Ouch. Just got spoiled pretty badly.

Thanks to people in this thread who refuse to use the Spoiler thread (and post fucking giant end game essays) or tags I got spoiled too.

I thought it would bug me holy fuck this game is amazing I couldn't give a shit about knowing what I know anymore. The journey will make the ending special even if I know some of it.

 

[Mattakuevan]

Okay, what the shit.

End of chapter 5 spoilers:

Spoiler

Iris is more upset that some old guy (Jared?) who the group has met once before has died... but doesn't seem to give two shits that Insomnia has been basically destroyed/occupied and millions of people dead? That King Regis, her 'senpai's fucking dad died? Worst part is the boys are also reacting with more fervor about this as well. Am I missing something? Or is this completely insane.

 

[RangerX]

How in the name of absolute fuck do I switch targets quickly in combat?

 

[brawly]

There's just no way I'm picking up dog tags. I'll do cool hunts but dog tags is where I draw the line. I'll burn out on it otherwise.

 

[LowParry]

Okay, what the shit.

End of chapter 5 spoilers:

Spoiler

Iris is more upset that some old guy (Jared?) who the group has met once before has died... but doesn't seem to give two shits that Insomnia has been basically destroyed/occupied and millions of people dead? That King Regis, her 'senpai's fucking dad died? Worst part is the boys are also reacting with more fervor about this as well. Am I missing something? Or is this completely insane.

Animaaaaaa

 

[GwyndolinCinder]

Okay, what the shit.

End of chapter 5 spoilers:

Spoiler

Iris is more upset that some old guy (Jared?) who the group has met once before has died... but doesn't seem to give two shits that Insomnia has been basically destroyed/occupied and millions of people dead? That King Regis, her 'senpai's fucking dad died? Worst part is the boys are also reacting with more fervor about this as well. Am I missing something? Or is this completely insane.

Completely an utterly insane, im not sure they even mention that guys name.

 

[Kagari]

Okay, what the shit.

End of chapter 5 spoilers:

Spoiler

Iris is more upset that some old guy (Jared?) who the group has met once before has died... but doesn't seem to give two shits that Insomnia has been basically destroyed/occupied and millions of people dead? That King Regis, her 'senpai's fucking dad died? Worst part is the boys are also reacting with more fervor about this as well. Am I missing something? Or is this completely insane.

I had this same reaction.

 

[sappyday]

Okay, what the shit.

End of chapter 5 spoilers:

Spoiler

Iris is more upset that some old guy (Jared?) who the group has met once before has died... but doesn't seem to give two shits that Insomnia has been basically destroyed/occupied and millions of people dead? That King Regis, her 'senpai's fucking dad died? Worst part is the boys are also reacting with more fervor about this as well. Am I missing something? Or is this completely insane.

Spoiler

Spoiler

I think they have known him for a good while especially Gladio and Iris. It is poorly told and you're right about the Insomnia part. It's even worse cause their own father died in Kingsglaive as well.

 

[robertoci]

Really enjoying it so far, only in chapter 3 with 11 hours played so won't be finishing it anytime soon haha, I just find it to be a really relaxing game, I don't even mind the side quests as it gives me an excuse to hop in the car and play some retro FF tunes, my only regret is that I didn't watch a story summary or anything as i have no idea who some of these characters are.
Will say however that I miss FFXIII's production values in the cutscenes though as some of the story cutscenes are just two characters standing still while talking which makes it feel a little lifeless.

 

[brawly]

How the hell does the fast travelling work?

You should be able to travel to restaurants as a bare minimum.

 

[GwyndolinCinder]

Game is just full of issues like that, like the start of chapter 13

Spoiler

text box "Ardyn has stolen noctis powers"

erm wait what, did he now.