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[Clear]

I like how because one game, with entirely different gameplay and vehicle for narrative is somehow an excuse in other games when they aren't comparable in the slightest.

You might even have a point if FF15 didn't botch the story on every level by having most of it happen off screen or unexplained.

Re: Chapter 13's general structure.

Spoiler

And yeah, turning the fantasy rpg into a shitty, shitty, shitty survival horror stealth game with the same repeated "scares" is awful. You might just have a higher tolerance for shit than other people.

Well, here's the thing:

What is a game about? Is it the minute-to-minute experience, or the overall storyline?

In FFXV's case, to my mind, the former is true, and that goes for the Souls games too. The bigger storyline isn't really the point because its mainly ambiance; its clear who the heroes are, and who the villain is, so the minutia of the backplot is kinda irrelevant really.

Sure you could fill in the blanks with cut-scenes and gobbets of external narrative, but its still going to be a game about Noct and his bro's relationships, and them fighting stuff.

In terms of that core narrative and experience, the stuff in the notes is pretty much irrelevant, its colour.

 

[Mcdohl]

The party ai in this was garbage. On some occasions I would just let them die because they were more trouble to keep alive than just soloing whatever encounter with noct. Outside of Ignis' regroup the party was worthless outside of story beats. It is the real reason I was not excited for the change in gameplay for this iteration. Nobody has gotten party members right since they started over automating everything and giving you no options to customize their behavior. It is pretty sad that XII implemented far superior party battle behavior management by leaps and bounds on PS2 and even allowed you to directly control their actions. That level of customization feels like a fever dream in today's homogenization of gameplay systems to appeal to more people.

The game was far too easy even at appropriate level since it seemed balanced around your party being dumb as shit and fairly worthless outside of regroup spam. At least

Spoiler

Iris

healed your party. I have no idea what the hell prompto was doing half the time other than dying.

Gambits where indeed missing I agree, but Gladiolus' abilities, such as Tempest, are also greatly useful imo.

Actually, abilities are very useful, but aside from that, yes, they are very dumb.

 

[Arkeband]

The lack of lip syncing outside of certain story cutscenes is pretty weird. It almost seems like the mouth is trying to figure out what to do with the audio being played, but it just gives up and makes everyone do their best Nutcracker impression.

The offscreen chapter 13 plot point everyone's alluding to, I think, will be expanded in Prompto's DLC. But it's still really shitty how there are these glaring plotholes for each character that we're being sold piecemeal as an afterthought.

Gladio's is the worst - brb guys I gotta take care of something. I can't tell u wut though lololol.

 

[Perfo]

The atmosphere in the world of Eos is so fantastic, I was on my way with

Spoiler

Iris toward the south region when we went off for a detour as suggested by Ignis. The forest's paths leading to that dungeon and the amazing view from the top... just wow.

This is the most detailed and charming open world I played yet.Loving it.

 

[LiK]

The lack of lip syncing outside of certain story cutscenes is pretty weird. It almost seems like the mouth is trying to figure out what to do with the audio being played, but it just gives up and makes everyone do their best Nutcracker impression.

Yea, the lower quality models are just puppets compared to the actual cutscenes with gorgeously animated lips. I play in JPN and the lip syncing is insanely good.

 

[DrBretto]

You have to camp after doing a few hunts/quests (I think it's three) and he calls you to tell you the upgrade is finished. Annoying if you're trying to hoard exp

I'd recommend not hoarding exp. Totally not worth it for a few reasons:

-Levels don't make a huge difference anyway
-It's actually really easy to get massive amounts of exp in a very short time, then go in for the cash in:

Just save all of your debased coins (I think it was debased, but I could have that detail off). When you're ready, sleep the night before and eat exp boosting food. Use up all of your coins mixing up expericast magic. You'll want to put up like 8 coins in each spell to get the expericast level all the way up. Now, take all those spells and burn 'em on stuff as fast as you can. Before you know it, you're up to like 100-200k banked, which you can just take over to the expensive hotel for 3x bonus. Boom, pretty much all of the levels you will need for the whole game in one 20 minute stretch.

Not camping means you're missing out on a considerable amount of AP, which is not as easy to get.



(Or is it? There's a trick for that, too:

Use the highest damage weapon you have, which is most likely a great sword. Warp strike kill trivial enemies. Each one gives you 1 AP. If you're just trying to grind, then you can go to any lower-level area and use the monster whistle to keep 'em coming. Or, if you want to get it while you go, you can boost the power of those warp strikes until you unlock the ability that makes them auto crit if you're close. You can then murdify just about any random trash mob while you catch up on sidequests just by chaining warp strikes. It's actually really effective. With the best vendor-sold great sword, royal arms for str and MP boosts, and one Ignis Ehancement, I can chain off 9999 hits back to back to back for a good while (usually enough to kill any normal pack- Now THAT's Hold circle (+R1) to win ), getting bonus AP for every enemy killed in the process.)

 

[Teletraan1]

You have to camp after doing a few hunts/quests (I think it's three) and he calls you to tell you the upgrade is finished. Annoying if you're trying to hoard exp

Mine seems to be busted. I gave him that shit in chapter 6. Played for like 20 hours more with plenty of hunts and camping etc, kept going back to him and he just repeats the same line over and over. Got tired of waiting plowed through and finished the game, went back after and he still just repeats the power line over and over. So dumb. This whole upgrade thing should have been in a menu somewhere rather than some vagary.

 

[Deleted member 752119]

Grabbed a PS4 pro this morning. Looking forward to seeing how this looks once the data transfer finishes, still says 9 hours remaining). I'm not very sensitive to frame pacing issues so hoping I can use the high mode.

 

[Moon Presence]

Is there any other way to grab a Sturdy Helix Horn? Their horns take forever to break and still no luck, even with a 50% drop rate increase.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

You guys who have iggie and prompto die on you all of the time, are you not using iggies regroup tech? I use it so often in a battle it's not even funny. I get fully healed each time minus the stuff you need elixir for. Combined with getting points into tech bar when I land hits.

And prompto still has his 1 tech bar skill. I'm considering turning Gladio into the 3 tech bar guy.

 

[Skilletor]

Well, here's the thing:

What is a game about? Is it the minute-to-minute experience, or the overall storyline?

In FFXV's case, to my mind, the former is true, and that goes for the Souls games too. The bigger storyline isn't really the point because its mainly ambiance; its clear who the heroes are, and who the villain is, so the minutia of the backplot is kinda irrelevant really.

Sure you could fill in the blanks with cut-scenes and gobbets of external narrative, but its still going to be a game about Noct and his bro's relationships, and them fighting stuff.

In terms of that core narrative and experience, the stuff in the notes is pretty much irrelevant, its colour.

But FF15 fails at both. It earns nothing. There is no rhyme or reason to the story beats. It does not earn the feelings the bros have. There is more sadness over a random person dying than Noctis' father. And neither of those are represented in the "road trip" aspect the game touted so much. Their attitudes don't change when you're running around. The things they say repeat themselves. Their relationship in chapter 1 is largely the same as it is in Chapter 10. They don't grow or change in any meaningful way on this road trip. There is no point to the road trip.

The core narrative doesn't have much going for it. There are almost no cutscenes. Momentous events, things that should have lots of exposition and logic tied to it, are waved away with a text box.

I have been looking forward to this game a long time. My early impressions were super positive; I loved how the bros got a long, the dialogue, their animations.

I still do, a bit. But it got old fast. Road trips don't have any dialogue. We see the dudes having a good time and we're treated to no audio while they talk. I wanted to care about these dudes, but SE didn't make me. That core narrative should have built everybody up past their one dimensional aspect. In fact, the only reason I do like the bros so much is because of Brotherhood, but that development isn't in the game, and they don't grow much from there.

 

[DrBretto]

Is there any other way to grab a Sturdy Helix Horn? Their horns take forever to break and still no luck, even with a 50% drop rate increase.

Only took me three tries. I didn't realize it could have been so much worse.

I used a hardedge because the description said it breaks limbs easier, but I have no idea if that's what made it easier or not. I can't wait for someone to break out with a mechanics guide.

 

[Ferr986]

Thanks for the tips about skills guys. I'll try some of them.

I've been basically focusing on everything but the main skill tree (Noctis). I even got the one that gives more VIT per level, although the last one is 333PH ugh...

 

[Muffdraul]

Phoenix Downs are 2.5x the price of Elixirs.

I forget how much phoenix downs cost in FFVX, but elixirs are 400 gil, I think. In most previous FFs you either couldn't buy them and could only get them as rare drops or other weird ways, or they were like 50K gil a pop. IMO far more useful than phoenix downs in this game because in order to use those you have to wait for the character to go through two health bars worth of HP, with them being unable to act for long periods of time. I say give 'em an elixir so they can get back in the fight. I pop elixirs and hi-potions like candy. At least since around chapter 5 or so.

 

[LiK]

Pretty insane how much hi-elixirs I have now from sidequests. I got more than elixirs and potions combined.

 

[DrBretto]

Anyone find a good cash exploit yet? Not necessarily exploit, but you know what I mean.

Best I think I've found so far is to get the caviar in the Colosseum for 240k medals and sell it for 50k gil, but I haven't really tried to find anything better yet.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

Anyone find a good cash exploit yet? Not necessarily exploit, but you know what I mean.

Best I think I've found so far is to get the caviar in the Colosseum for 240k medals and sell it for 50k gill, but I haven't really tried to find anything better yet.

Seems like the game just wants you to do hunts for cash.

I don't know what you'd really need a lot of money for anyways.

 

[names2hard4you]

Wasn't aware of the fact that aside from Kingsglaive and Brotherhood, this game had a prelude novel of 49 pages. Whyyyyy wasn't this in the game it's actually quite good as an introduction of the characters, and it has a very nice interlap with both the Kingsglaive movie and the Platinum demo.

 

[Arkeband]

Their relationship in chapter 1 is largely the same as it is in Chapter 10.

While I kind of agree with the rest of your premise - the storytelling is a fucking mess - this statement makes no sense considering the state of the group in Chapter 10.

You'd be correct if you had said chapters 1-9.

 

[autumnleaf]

Wow chapter 11 is short.

Cool though.

 

[DrBretto]

Seems like the game just wants you to do hunts for cash.

I don't know what you'd really need a lot of money for anyways.

Really just because I like figuring out how to break the system and get a ton of everything, but it'd also be nice to completely eliminate consideration when buying restoratives. Mostly the first thing, though

 

[Moon Presence]

Only took me three tries. I didn't realize it could have been so much worse.

I used a hardedge because the description said it breaks limbs easier, but I have no idea if that's what made it easier or not. I can't wait for someone to break out with a mechanics guide.

I'm worried that it only drops if you have the engine blade III quest open. That would suck.

 

[Lunafreya Nox Fleuret]

I really love Duscae. I never thought I would say the road trip is my favourite aspect of the game up to now.

 

[Skilletor]

While I kind of agree with the rest of your premise - the storytelling is a fucking mess - this statement makes no sense considering the state of the group in Chapter 10.

You'd be correct if you had said chapters 1-9.

The chapters blend together for me. I forget where that stuff happened.


Late game spoilers:

Spoiler

But I still feel that Gladio's ire is unearned there. It made no sense to me. It screamed of smaller beats that should have been happening throughout the story for that moment to occur.

 

[DrBretto]

I'm worried that it only drops if you have the engine blade III quest open. That would suck.

Ooh, I didn't even think of that. I did have the quest open when I got it.

But, I wouldn't think that's likely. It's not like the game tells you were you can find it, it's supposed to be something to happen onto, which doesn't seem like it'd call for that sort of thing.

 

[Jarmel]

The Castlemark Sealed Dungeon is fucking rough. I got past the mid boss basilisk and wiped due to four level 90 Iron Giants.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

The Castlemark Sealed Dungeon is fucking rough. I got past the mid boss basilisk and wiped due to four level 90 Iron Giants.

They supermand your ass

 

[Sgt. Kabukiman]

Wasn't aware of the fact that aside from Kingsglaive and Brotherhood, this game had a prelude novel of 49 pages. Whyyyyy wasn't this in the game it's actually quite good as an introduction of the characters, and it has a very nice interlap with both the Kingsglaive movie and the Platinum demo.

Thank you for mentioning that, I hadn't heard about it but I just downloaded it and I'll read it tonight.

 

[Jarmel]

They supermand your ass

lol

The AOE attacks are insane.

 

[butman]

Chapter 8 now at level 40. The game is amazing but it have a major problem with leveling up.

There's a lot of sidequests and hunts to do. You level up too much and main quests requires low levels to do them.
It's like the game regular difficulty can be experienced by only complete the game without doing any sidequest or hunt.

Or some sidequests or hunts should be locked according you advance in the story or each main quest should require higher levels and sidequest should give you less experience.
Also experience multiplier at hotels and trailers shouldn't exist. Why?

 

[v0mitg0d]

It's been a few days and I'm curious if people's impressions have changed favorable, or worse?

Still on the fence here.

 

[LiK]

It's been a few days and I'm curious if people's impressions have changed favorable, or worse?

Still on the fence here.

24 hours in, still enjoying it.

 

[Moaradin]

Chapter 7

Spoiler

I'm kinda confused why the main characters seem to have no problem working with the Empire all the time. It's pretty weird that there's hardly any reaction to it.

 

[Meowster]

I've been having really good luck of summons showing up to save my ass at the very worst of times. Thank you for all you've done the past two times,

Spoiler

Leviathan.

 

[Clear]

But FF15 fails at both. It earns nothing. There is no rhyme or reason to the story beats. It does not earn the feelings the bros have.

I disagree with that, particularly I think it earns its emotion more honestly than most games because it doesn't rely so much on external plotting to generate those responses.

The start of chapter 14

Spoiler

Meeting Talcott and the dark journey to Hammerhead

I found particularly impressive in how effective it was for being so simple and low-key.

 

[Truant]

Yes, from weapons to potions to stuff you can sell or craft with. You can find some pretty cool stuff, especially in dungeons, so I'd say to an extent, yea. There's a thing called an Ascension grid, with several modes that you can upgrade and obtain skills. For example, there's one for the main character Noctis called Combat, one for his friends called Teamwork, one for their Techniques, etc. etc. As this obviously implies, the more you put into it, the easier battles become for you. As for straight up stats like HP and such, that's affected by the weapons and accessories you equip.

Loot is the number one determining factor for character strength, for better or worse (obviously levels and skills matter, but the jump you get from a new weapon is more than a handful of levels or skills).

Character progression is somewhat linear, but you can focus on certain areas. I'm currently buffing the hell out of magic. Progression and playstyle is most impacted by how you play and with which weapons you use. I only use daggers and spells, and my two other equipment slots are weapons that increase my magic stat. However, you don't assign stats like a traditional cRPG.

Sounds good.

Spoiler

Just bought a Pro and FFXV D:

 

[Ishida]

It's been a few days and I'm curious if people's impressions have changed favorable, or worse?

Still on the fence here.

Playing post-game stuff.

Still loving this game. Such a wonderful experience.

 

[Moon Presence]

Ooh, I didn't even think of that. I did have the quest open when I got it.

But, I wouldn't think that's likely. It's not like the game tells you were you can find it, it's supposed to be something to happen onto, which doesn't seem like it'd call for that sort of thing.

Yay, just got it! So you don't need the quest open.

 

[Incendiary]

It's been a few days and I'm curious if people's impressions have changed favorable, or worse?

Still on the fence here.

I'm about 10 hours in playtime, on Chapter 3, and am still excited about the game and continuing on.

For comparison, I stopped playing Final Fantasy XIII at about the same time invested because I was bored to death.

 

[Papercuts]

It's been a few days and I'm curious if people's impressions have changed favorable, or worse?

Still on the fence here.

I'm on chapter 12 right now. Still think the game is a constant mix of highs and lows, but the lows seem to be winning out. I don't think in the end I like the game all that much even if has its moments.

 

[Mediking]

It's been a few days and I'm curious if people's impressions have changed favorable, or worse?

Still on the fence here.

The game is crazy fun and has a really good foundation for the series if they ever wanna revisit something like this in the future.

I can't wait till I'm done with college finals to get back to it.

 

[autumnleaf]

It's been a few days and I'm curious if people's impressions have changed favorable, or worse?

Still on the fence here.

First couple of hours I thought it would be one of the best in the series but approaching 30 hours I think its a mixed bag and middle of the road. Story and characters are important to me in a FF and that's not this game's strength.

 

[DrBretto]

It's been a few days and I'm curious if people's impressions have changed favorable, or worse?

Still on the fence here.

Took a bit to get used to the realities of the game compared to my expectations. My opinion has since solidified (though, I haven't completed chapter 15 yet, but I'm back on the open world getting geared up).

I'm like this the first time I play any Final Fantasy.

Then, inevitably (and this is certainly no exception) there's a point where it really clicks and I just plain love it and can't wait to finish it all up so I can play it all again.

 

[Bladenic]

The lack of lip syncing outside of certain story cutscenes is pretty weird. It almost seems like the mouth is trying to figure out what to do with the audio being played, but it just gives up and makes everyone do their best Nutcracker impression.

The offscreen chapter 13 plot point everyone's alluding to, I think, will be expanded in Prompto's DLC. But it's still really shitty how there are these glaring plotholes for each character that we're being sold piecemeal as an afterthought.

Gladio's is the worst - brb guys I gotta take care of something. I can't tell u wut though lololol.

Um do you ever find out what he did or is that being saved for his dlc lmao

 

[MagicWithEarvin]

So many side quests in chapter 3! I gotta do 'em all. Also, I went on that "date" with

Spoiler

Iris

and that was really awkward. I kept thinking that she really wants him and he's so uninterested, haha.

 

[Ferr986]

It's been a few days and I'm curious if people's impressions have changed favorable, or worse?

Still on the fence here.

I'm 13 hours in, Ch.4 I'm liking it.

The fun is that the most hated aspects for some I don't mind, like yeah story is slow and there's no much stuff going on but I don't really mind, and I love the open world of this game. I tend to like realistic open worlds though.

Combat is the only mixed bag for me. Sometimes its awesome and sometimes it makes me want to kick my PS4.

 

[Ourobolus]

It's been a few days and I'm curious if people's impressions have changed favorable, or worse?

Still on the fence here.

I'm about 40 hours in, about level 57, and running around during Chapter 8 (debating rushing the end to come back and do sidequests though).

Still love it. It's a lot of fun running around and doing all of the things you can do. Combat is fantastic (shitty duscae bushes + camera aside), and I like the party banter.

It does have its faults, but overall I'm still really enjoying it.

 

[DrBretto]

So many side quests in chapter 3! I gotta do 'em all. Also, I went on that "date" with

Spoiler

Iris

and that was really awkward. I kept thinking that she really wants him and he's so uninterested, haha.

That's not just chapter 3 sidequests, that's just when almost all of the sidequests open up. If you're going to do them all before moving on, you're gonna be there a loooong time

 

[AkirraKrylon]

Um do you ever find out what he did or is that being saved for his dlc lmao

Pretty clear/obvious he went off to take care of

Spoiler

the General we were tracking in one of the bases, the one that came to Lestallum and killed Jared. He even responds to the gang when they comment on his scars: "You should see the other guy."

 

[Bladenic]

Wtf (chapter 9 minor spoiler)

Spoiler

Leviathan is a female in this game? I'm so used to it being a "king" and what not.