Here we are then: Final Fantasy XV's received its 421st demo. While we've covered previous instalments, this is actually your humble host's first time playing the title. So does the Japan-only Judgment Disc – which spans the first hour or so of the release – deliver?
Let's talk about the production values first: this is an extraordinary effort. You can practically feel money pouring off the screen in some of the title's cut-scenes, and while this doesn't appear to represent the final PlayStation 4 Pro build, the image quality is still quite good.
The combat's decent, too – it feels more like an action game than an RPG, which is no negative. Some of the animations are a little overbearing, which means that jumping feels flaky, and the performance isn't quite as smooth as we'd like – though word of a 60 frames-per-second PS4 Pro option should help.
The worry, then, is that Square Enix is going to squander the title's genuinely impressive presentation with shoddy characters and even worse writing. This demo shows enough promise that we've got our fingers and toes crossed that doesn't turn out to be the case, though.
[source bit.ly]
Comments 30
Probably not worth asking if you didn't play the last two demos but how does image quality and performance stack up against those? On par or improved?
I've played it and it does look great even on the standard PS4.
I actually quite like the Japanese voice-over as well.
@kyleforrester87 I didn't play them, but based on what I saw, this seems like a massive leap forward. It's up there with the best looking PS4 games IMO...
I was actually quite shocked by how good it looks.
@get2sammyb @WanderingBullet That's great to hear
@kyleforrester87 its a great impruvment both in the visuals and the framerate
@get2sammyb As someone who hasn't played ANY final fantasy game since owning my Sega Game Gear (lol), would I be able to play this game without knowing any of the stories from the previous games. The more I see the gameplay the more this falls into my category of games. I always hated the turn based games and having to read the dialogue. I wasn't a patient adolescent and would just skip it (my bad). But this game reminds me more of a strategic hack n slash open world game. I may be wrong of course, any info you can provide though as to game type, pick up and playability for new to the franchise players and your own general opinions on what you've seen so far.
Just playing it right now on HDR, it looks incredible. And yeah, you can swap between 60fps and high quality (which is definitely often under 30fps).
The characters also feel less awkward than they did in the previous demos. They feel more natural. Also the character models appear to be more detailed than before, looking more life-like.
I love it so far! Also it is the first final fantasy coming in 12 languages on a disk. I already saw the greyed-out option for language on the demo. Since I live in Japan, I am excited to play it in english with japanese voice! Like that I can fully enjoy the game.
@blakey78 every Final Fantasy game has its own story. If there is more story coming for 15, then it would be called something like FF XV-2. So yeah, you can just play FFXV without having played the previous ones.
But what I would recommend is watching the Final Fantasy: Kingsglaive movie before playing the game or maybe also after a certain point in the story of the game (within the first 1-2 hours of the game). I recommend it before the game actually. It will have quite some impact on your impression of Noctis and his relationship to his father.
@tatsumi I thought it was capped at 30 right now with a Pro patch due in December? The demo shouldn't have any Pro features, unless I'm wrong? This is sounding great though. I saw a live stream earlier and it looked really cool. Still not totally sold on the combat but that's just one part of the game so no biggy.
@kyleforrester87 well the demo definitely has 2 modes on the PS4 Pro. One with higher resolution textures etc and one with 60fps, which feels great for gameplay.
I still think they might improve it as it also doesn't look like the resolution is higher than 1080p. Let's see. I am still wondering if I will play at 60fps or a bit better graphics.
But HDR on that game looks amazing.
@tatsumi awesome!
Is it just me or does this game look really pixelly or something? I don't know the technical term. Maybe aliasing? Outside of FMV, it just doesn't look smooth around the edges (or hair).
@blakey78 Sounds like final fantasy isn't for you bro. Maybe western RPGs could be more your flavour.
Sounds amazing,can't believe it's finally here after all this time! Was way more hyped for World Of Final Fantasy but still not even got to start that one yet.Please please be better than Final Fantasy XIII..
@themcnoisy @tatsumi Thanks both. I've grown to love RPG's in my adult life (38 now lol) and from what I've seen from the FFXV videos, the combat has improved so much. Also, one of my earlier gaming memories involves me getting very frustrated with my game gear as I couldn't walk two or three steps on my FF game without it starting yet another fight lol. Now, however, the game looks very good and right up my street. I'll check out Kingsglaive to bring me up to do date. Thanks again
@get2sammyb Sometimes I feel like I'm going to be the only person alive who is going to play this game without playing a single second of any demo.
Whatever happened to that free Webisodes series band of brothers or something? I remember them mentioning it at that big event when they gave the September release date, but nothing since.
@rjejr Brotherhood Final Fantasy XV: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbhHt7tfNMCAhpjJlSh3Rm7KSdcmuzM4m
@rjejr The Platinum Demo comes with an in game bonus if you complete it. It will unlock a free Carbuncle DLC in the actual game once it launches. I would at least play through that demo, if just for the freebie.
For Reference: https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2016/03/final_fantasy_xv_platinum_demo_will_be_available_for_free_tonight_on_ps4
There are few games I pre order.
Metal Gear Solid 5 ....Excellent 9/10 Push Square.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2017......Excellent 9/10 Push Square.
Grand Theft Auto 5.....Excellent 9/10 Push Square.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt ......Outstanding 10/10 Push Square.
Dragon Quest Builders.......Great 8/10 Push Square.
Final Fantassy 15 ..............????????????????????
I pre ordered all the above.
@thedevilsjester Thing is, we're getting both the game and console for Christmas, so I doubt I'll have a chance to play the demo before jumping into the game. I have it preordered from Amazon so I am getting a few free weapons and backpack and camera kits and a funky Chocobo car skin, so I have that going me.
https://www.roadtrip.finalfantasyxv.com/dashboard
@Kage_88 Thank you very much, much appreciated.
@rjejr That does make it a bit difficult. I wonder if you can play the demo after release, but before you play the real game, and still get that unlock? If you care, it might be worth trying.
Ha! Resisting the urge to download and try this, since the game is so close and I am gonna get it anyway.
Honestly I am just worried about the combat at this point. I am sure the story and lore are gonna be great, if you keep in my mind you are playing a JRPG.
Graphics are cool and the 4 dudebros have been fine with me since I watched that Brotherhood anime thing.
The music is just incredible though. I hope Yoko Shimomura gets some recognition for this work.
@Feena The combat worries me too but I think it'll be one of those things that, while not presenting very well, will be kind of fun when you're actually playing it yourself, especially when you're using abilities and weapons that you've levelled up and customised to your liking, you know?
Combat looks a little Kingdom Hearts like.
@kyleforrester87 I hope that's the case.
@PlaytendoGuy I hope it has more depth, though I could never force myself to play oast the for at half of the first KH, not my cup of tea.
So played most of it last night, had no idea ad for story , but really got a feel for the characters being tight friends, possible because of the brotherhoof anime. And graphically a huge step forward from the last two demos. Combat is fun though not super original I suppose. The car didnt operate exactly like I though it would. My biggest hype was that its only an opeing hour gameplay but in between you and your destination are treasures and dungeons to explore after initial Starting quest exlpored the area. And found tons of stuff and new weapons some dungeons and a minni boss . Id go into details but spoilers n all.
@Feena Diablo is just mashmashmash on the buttons but when you're doing it with your "own" character..it's pretty cool lol.
@BladeRider Sounds good - reckon I should watch the anime before then?
@kyleforrester87 #truthfact
@kyleforrester87 it couldnt hurt. It gives each of them a quick back story of how they all got together. Plus its short might be an 45 min to hour to watch all of them. First episode shoulf in reality be watched right before the last one since its a 2 part and leaves on cliff hanger till the end.
I've tried to avoid the demos all the way to not spoil anything. I had access to it when I bought FF 1st class, but chose to give it to a friend to play. I've been waiting too long to not enjoy it from boot to completion.
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