*has been edited for grammar and further expansion since I was typing this train of thought style*
I enjoyed the game immensely. I have clocked 80 hours into it.Â
My biggest gripe is how it goes from 0 to 100 after facing Leviathan (spoilers but not spoilers because all the commercials show leviathan). You cannot return to the overworld unless its via an in game mechanic to "Relive memories"Â
While it works in avoiding the old FF gripe of "Missed it, now gone forever" items it also neuters the game of a sense of flow and narrative sense. Before Leviathan, all Main Story quests happen in the Overworld and you can see the effects spiral out from there (constant rain for example or the magitek soldiers harassing you after the first chapter)Â
However it all goes away after Leviathan as you are railroaded in a way that reminds me too much of FFXIII
HOWEVER, unlike FFXIII, this game is miles better, the music is amazing, the set pieces are awesome and in contrast, while the main story is lacking, if you /inhabit/ the world via doing the sidequests, driving around, camping etc. You are inundated with characterizing (not necessarily character building) moments. I feel for my 3 bros, which is way better than asshole Snow, whiny Hope and "I'VE GOT A SOOOOOOOOON" Zasz.Â
The game entirely hinges on your ability to like your 3 teammates. Because from Leviathan onward, they do everything they can tear apart your group and cause the hurt and stakes via the tension of breaking their friendship. Not only that but the game appeals to a very rare sentiment of the duty of a king, a leader to one's people and to those who serve you. This in itself is hard to relate to for most. This is not just fulfilling your destiny as "Chosen One" This is doing your duty and obligation as /KING/.Â
The game managed to sell me the boy band, in no small part due to Noct's stellar English voice acting to properly communicate a boy in a man's role which was less angsty and whiny than Tidus or Squall (Yes I chose English willlingly).
So when the game decided to punt me in the nuts repeatedly with its tone shift, it worked for me.
As Dunkey had said in his review, story takes a back seat to the game play and systems much like Metal Gear Solid 5, another equally polarizing game. If you enjoy the core systems, the game is far from a waste of time. Also, good on the game for promising an ending and having the balls to actually go through with it.
Also, I would suggest /against/ overleveling. The game is designed to be beaten at level 40 and I was 73 when I beat it. It made the last encounters less struggle for my life and more triumphant return and took the wind out the sails of the final fight. This isn't an old FF like say, FF7 where even if you got to level 99 you were still rewarded with the idea of sicking Knights of The Round on Sephiroth.
However, after you beat the game you are granted with a gambit of high level (Level 120+!) dungeons to put your skills to the test. It has nothing to do with story, but if you love the gameplay system, it is very rewarding.
Kingsglaive does help illuminate some things but I am /never/ a fan of periphery media to make a story understandable, it should be all digested via the game alone.
This game is deserving of an 8/10 easily, there is that AAA polish that we used to associate with quality back in the old days 10 years ago. However, we did wait ten years for this game and while I was not one of those people. I can 100% understand that for some, 8/10 should not be good enough.
I enjoyed the game immensely. I have clocked 80 hours into it.Â
My biggest gripe is how it goes from 0 to 100 after facing Leviathan (spoilers but not spoilers because all the commercials show leviathan). You cannot return to the overworld unless its via an in game mechanic to "Relive memories"Â
While it works in avoiding the old FF gripe of "Missed it, now gone forever" items it also neuters the game of a sense of flow and narrative sense. Before Leviathan, all Main Story quests happen in the Overworld and you can see the effects spiral out from there (constant rain for example or the magitek soldiers harassing you after the first chapter)Â
However it all goes away after Leviathan as you are railroaded in a way that reminds me too much of FFXIII
HOWEVER, unlike FFXIII, this game is miles better, the music is amazing, the set pieces are awesome and in contrast, while the main story is lacking, if you /inhabit/ the world via doing the sidequests, driving around, camping etc. You are inundated with characterizing (not necessarily character building) moments. I feel for my 3 bros, which is way better than asshole Snow, whiny Hope and "I'VE GOT A SOOOOOOOOON" Zasz.Â
The game entirely hinges on your ability to like your 3 teammates. Because from Leviathan onward, they do everything they can tear apart your group and cause the hurt and stakes via the tension of breaking their friendship. Not only that but the game appeals to a very rare sentiment of the duty of a king, a leader to one's people and to those who serve you. This in itself is hard to relate to for most. This is not just fulfilling your destiny as "Chosen One" This is doing your duty and obligation as /KING/.Â
The game managed to sell me the boy band, in no small part due to Noct's stellar English voice acting to properly communicate a boy in a man's role which was less angsty and whiny than Tidus or Squall (Yes I chose English willlingly).
So when the game decided to punt me in the nuts repeatedly with its tone shift, it worked for me.
As Dunkey had said in his review, story takes a back seat to the game play and systems much like Metal Gear Solid 5, another equally polarizing game. If you enjoy the core systems, the game is far from a waste of time. Also, good on the game for promising an ending and having the balls to actually go through with it.
Also, I would suggest /against/ overleveling. The game is designed to be beaten at level 40 and I was 73 when I beat it. It made the last encounters less struggle for my life and more triumphant return and took the wind out the sails of the final fight. This isn't an old FF like say, FF7 where even if you got to level 99 you were still rewarded with the idea of sicking Knights of The Round on Sephiroth.
However, after you beat the game you are granted with a gambit of high level (Level 120+!) dungeons to put your skills to the test. It has nothing to do with story, but if you love the gameplay system, it is very rewarding.
Kingsglaive does help illuminate some things but I am /never/ a fan of periphery media to make a story understandable, it should be all digested via the game alone.
This game is deserving of an 8/10 easily, there is that AAA polish that we used to associate with quality back in the old days 10 years ago. However, we did wait ten years for this game and while I was not one of those people. I can 100% understand that for some, 8/10 should not be good enough.
RPC wiki! Leave rumors! https://wiki.ffxiv-roleplayers.com/pages/Orrin_Halgren
