It's a fantastic scene. I'm gonna have problems with this game when all is said and done, but I really feel as though they've did an admirable job at trying to make this one and the series itself more relevant to the modern age. I can't say that I'd want another one with more "earthly" environments like this but that's a personal taste.
Thing is, if you say redid the opening areas of FFVIII, the plains outside Balamb Garden, the seaside town... it wouldn't be too much different. But then VIII had crazy shit like Esthar, Lunatic Pandora, the castle, etc. I just wish this game were a little more batshit with its art direction but that's my only quibble.
I'm ashamed to admit I've never properly played 8, but I've been under the impression the two are pretty much identical environment wise, as in, pretty much always grounded, interesting. I'm definitely not familiar with those areas by name though.
But for me at least, there has still been a nice enough touch of more fantastical environments in XV. The Disc in Duscae still has that look, I really love how it blends together there. Heck, 7 I've played plenty off, and while that game does have way more fantastical elements XV's environments are still giving me those vibes. Again, not as familiar with 8 as I should be, but to me at least it feels like a throwback to those PSX games. We really haven't had a Final Fantasy that focused on those realistic touches since then have we? It's rather nostalgic to me.
But yeah, it's a matter of preference, personally I actually prefer the "retro" style the first few FFs and IX had. But really I just want them to keep changing things up, I do love most of the others directions. I'm okay with whatever.
That said I hope to be wrong here but I don't think they'll go full on fantastical again anytime soon... I really think this is more appealing to most so I'm worried I won't be seeing the whole changing things up thing to the extend I want nowadays :s
