Final Fantasy XV Reviews
Final Fantasy 15 attempts to deliver an action-oriented RPG road trip that can please both old school fans and draw in fresh blood. The bro-themed road trip pulls it off.
When I'm riding chocobos across the beach at dusk with my three friends and hunting iconic Final Fantasy monsters in a huge, picturesque open world, Final Fantasy XV feels like nearly everything I could want from a modern Final Fantasy. But when it funnels me into linear scenarios and drab, constricted spaces that plunge the simplistic combat into chaos, my blood boils a bit. There is so much good here, so much heart - especially in the relationships between Noctis and his sworn brothers. It just comes with some changes and compromises that were, at times, difficult for this long-time Final Fantasy fan to come to grips with.
Final Fantasy 15 rediscovers the series' epic scale and love of intimate moments, but its scrappiness can sully the bigger picture.
Destined to be as divisive as all modern Final Fantasy games, but it's the story and characters that disappoint more than the capable combat and exploration.
Even when it stumbles, Final Fantasy 15's ambitious open-world, fast-paced combat, and the humanity of its four leads make it a fascinating adventure to behold.
Final Fantasy XV struggles mightily with open-world navigation, but succeeds in storytelling, combat, and in empowering the player. Even fishing is good fun
Final Fantasy 15's big heart and ambition easily outshine its flaws
Final Fantasy XV's world is filled with natural splendor and harrowing dungeons that far outlive the shallow story about a prince and his cliched bodyguards.
It's got everything I want from a Final Fantasy game. I know that it'll be yet another snapshot in a life filled with Final Fantasy. Another grand adventure, another gang of worthy heroes; another tale of crystals and magic and betrayal and love, all beautiful melodies and lush scenery and the finely honed complexity of carefully choreographed combat. Onward to secrets beyond the horizon, and don't forget the Phoenix Down. If that's not Final Fantasy, I don't know what is.
I was really skeptical that Final Fantasy XV could ever be successful; but despite some real flaws, it ultimately won me over. I warmed to the characters over the course of many camping trips, found more than I was expecting in the open world, and even enjoyed the bombastic setpieces. I have no doubt that it will be harshly criticized in some circles, but it also has some real merit. Stick with it even if you find yourself rolling your eyes at the opening hours: You may be surprised by how much you end up enjoying yourself.
What Final Fantasy XV succeeds at more than anything is providing an unpredictable and memorable adventure. Captivating story and characters were sacrificed along the way, but more than anything this game needed to prove that Final Fantasy can still execute greatness while taking risks.
As I'm typing this up now, I'm seeing a future where people buy Final Fantasy XV due to some of the more positive assessments (like this one), and walk away disappointed. Because if you loathe JRPGs, XV is not going to make you a believer. In a way it's silly that Square spent 10 years making this, and it feels like a really shiny version of something it would have actually made 10 years ago. While a complete overhaul of the genre would certainly suit someone's needs, XV suits mine just fine.
Square Enix has not been able to claim the throne with Final Fantasy XV. This videogame has lights but also shadows, like having the name of Final Fantasy, which is a huge responsibility, and also shows why not every videogame is meant to have an open world.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Final Fantasy XV is a unique offering, both for the franchise and RPGs in general. Placing the onus on the relationships of your party, rather than the narrative, has meant that this is a game that strikes not just an emotional chord, but a personal one. While Final Fantasy stalwarts will likely balk at the action-heavy combat, the spirit of the franchise remains, and is better served here than it has been in many years.
As a game, Final Fantasy XV inhabits that special place that titles like The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt; Fallout 3, New Vegas, and 4; and the Elder Scrolls games do. While you're playing it, you're an inhabitant of its world, and it's a place that can be almost as vivid as reality at times, with its own history, lore, and culture. As a Final Fantasy, FFXV returns the series to the wonderment that Final Fantasy VII inspired in a generation of gamers.
This isn't probably the Final Fantasy you were expecting, nevertheless is one worth your time. it is far from being a perfect game, mainly because of terrible second half, but it succeeds where other Final Fantasy have failed: bringing the saga in the modern era.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Final Fantasy XV takes the series in a new direction, but despite some memorable moments, it remains remains a confused, uneven package.
After ten long years of development, Final Fantasy XV ends up being more style than substance.
The world is gorgeous, the characters are well written, and there are some grand moments throughout, but there are some significant issues with pacing and linearity.