Final Fantasy XV

Gematsu says the Multiplayer Expansion beta is being held August 3rd through 8th for those with the Season Pass or Uber Duper Edition.

You will be able to play as the four protagonists in the final release, but it looks like there's a focus on custom characters for now. Three quests will be available during the test, and rewards that evidently don't do anything while in Beta. Limited weapons for use. What concerns me is it mentions being matchmade and that you cannot complete quests alone, but nothing about teaming up with friends.

I'm hoping I'll be able to do the missions co-op. In which case, which of you jokers has this on PS4 and friended me up? My buddy and I will be needing two more I'm thinking.

1.13 is out. Adds the Magitek Armor (sans Saban lawsuit baiting), more sidequests for Ch. 8, "Rush Link" system, and the Moogle Chocobo carnival limited time event is back.

Hey! Finally, you can play as a female character, thanks to the multiplayer expansion.
Also... looks cool
IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/mHUAsYz.gif)

My buddy and I are going to give it a whirl tonight. Will report back what I think.

Is that Gladio's sister all grow'd up?

If it's the multiplayer beta that went up today then it's a custom character. Gladio's grown up hunter sister is still unseen.

Will non-beta MP be free? I've actually not been paying too much attention to XV DLC, it just...feels weird.

I believe it'll be tied to the Season Pass, unfortunately. I hope to get through Episode Gladiolus and Prompto over the weekend so I'll report back on those as well.

Right, so... first round report isn't so positive. I mean, it began on a good note because my buddy and I spent about 30+ minutes on character customization. Good news is you can have multiple characters you can create and roll with in this beta.

After that, you can hang around a zone and learn the basics of combat before talking to Cor to get matched up with other players. This is a very bare-bones beta in that there's no overworld map. You select a quest-line from Cor, and then you can select either Quick Play (match you up with anyone else online) or a Custom room. If you create a room, you can give it a code and a name. For some reason the name I gave the room never appeared. The other players need to know the code, and then when they're searching for a custom room need to modify the parameters so that it's looking for rooms using that code. It's not entirely clear at first this is how it works, but it's actually pretty smart so you don't have to scroll through who knows how many custom rooms.

The problem is, whoever was trying to join kept getting Error Code -4. The person that created the room would then be matched up with bots (which is different than if no one tries to join at all, in which case the game asks if you want to quit or try again (I should note there's a 1 minute time limit to find players)).

So I had a few "quests" where I was matched with AI partners. It looks like there's a variety of mission types, as I saw simple "clear out the monsters" and a "Defend the shack" missions that were pretty enjoyable. I really like using the weapons, as it actually feels more noticeably dynamic when moving the C-Stick. You can use a cure spell and can also use an offensive spell, though the offensive spell doesn't really do anything.

The mechanics are just different enough that I felt like I had moments I didn't know what I was doing, but it's also close enough to Noctis to be familiar.

In the beta, they'd take you to a zone where you fought monsters and then send you back to camp. From what I could tell there was no obvious option to leave the quest and go back to quest/room selection. After each hunt you'd return to camp, level up, have food, and then proceed to the next. If this is all the multiplayer will be then I'm disappointed. I'm sure I'll have more fun with four other players, but I would like to actually explore the world. However, whether that'll happen or not is... well, this seems like it takes place between Chapter 13 and 14. Considering this game is incomplete, I'm not sure they want to modify a whole continent for multiplayer (seeing as they didn't for Chapter 14).

If this is in any way indicative of the final product, then FFXV's multiplayer will be a nice distraction, but nothing to write home about. I hope to try again before the beta is over and maybe my friend and I can actually try some missions cooperatively.

Windows version is coming early next year after being hinted at during Nvidia's GDC or E3 presentation earlier this year.

Also, Prompto VR mode is dead now that the fishing VR game is a thing.

Yet Another FFXV Mobile Game coming:

Other Gamescom announcements:
* Next update will include a chapter select and bestiary
* Monster of the Deep launches in November (I'm hoping this is playable without PSVR)
* And something Switch (!) related is in the works. I'm guessing we'll know more at TGS.

Is that mobile game the entire console game, but remade for the small screen? If so, that is probably the most bizarre gaming development I've ever seen. Makes sense though, you get to reuse all your sound recording, music, and basic art design, and literally the only other thing you need is a new engine and graphics.

Still, the idea of a full fledged mobile port of FFXV is bonkers. Sometimes I don't know if Square Enix is brilliant or patently insane.

I'm just hitting up chapter 5 or 6 and have a question about subtitles that i will spoiler tag as not to ruin anything

Spoiler:

Are we supposed to understand the monsters that talk? I don't know anything Titan said during that big battle, and the Naga fight before getting Ramuh gave me a dialog option that supposedly was related to her baby, but i could not understand any of the actual vocals. I have turned on subtitles to hopefully not miss any monster talk, but was wondering if I missed a special item or side quest.

shoptroll wrote:

Windows version is coming early next year after being hinted at during Nvidia's GDC or E3 presentation earlier this year.

Also, Prompto VR mode is dead now that the fishing VR game is a thing.

It's possibly going to be moddable, too. Fingers crossed, someone might make Cindy some actual human clothes!*

* except it's modders we're talking about so i don't know who I'm trying to kid.

shoptroll wrote:

Windows version is coming early next year after being hinted at during Nvidia's GDC or E3 presentation earlier this year.

Also, Prompto VR mode is dead now that the fishing VR game is a thing.

Huzzah!

That said, I should probably get around to playing the PC version of Lightning Returns that's festering on my hard drive.

jamos5 wrote:

Is that mobile game the entire console game, but remade for the small screen? If so, that is probably the most bizarre gaming development I've ever seen. Makes sense though, you get to reuse all your sound recording, music, and basic art design, and literally the only other thing you need is a new engine and graphics.

Still, the idea of a full fledged mobile port of FFXV is bonkers. Sometimes I don't know if Square Enix is brilliant or patently insane.

Seems to be working for the 3DS version of Dragon Quest 11. This could be an interesting new trend, especially with RPGs that are more narrative focused and don't necessarily rely on graphics if the mechanics, story and character are there.

There is also heavy implication on Twitter that FF 15 is coming to switch, Id guess these new graphics would be what we see.

Rave wrote:
jamos5 wrote:

Is that mobile game the entire console game, but remade for the small screen? If so, that is probably the most bizarre gaming development I've ever seen. Makes sense though, you get to reuse all your sound recording, music, and basic art design, and literally the only other thing you need is a new engine and graphics.

Still, the idea of a full fledged mobile port of FFXV is bonkers. Sometimes I don't know if Square Enix is brilliant or patently insane.

Seems to be working for the 3DS version of Dragon Quest 11. This could be an interesting new trend, especially with RPGs that are more narrative focused and don't necessarily rely on graphics if the mechanics, story and character are there.

There is also heavy implication on Twitter that FF 15 is coming to switch, Id guess these new graphics would be what we see.

It's an interesting development for sure. I kind of hope it'll work out for them so companies will put their games on as many devices as possible just like they used to way back in the olden day.

pyxistyx wrote:
shoptroll wrote:

Windows version is coming early next year after being hinted at during Nvidia's GDC or E3 presentation earlier this year.

Also, Prompto VR mode is dead now that the fishing VR game is a thing.

It's possibly going to be moddable, too. Fingers crossed, someone might make Cindy some actual human clothes!*

I'd replay the game if I could dress up the boys in sexy costumes.

I'm probably done with FFXV, but despite the 120+ hours I put into it, I'm still disappointed in seeing how much development continues around the game, with nothing going towards fixing all the millions of tiny holes that made it feel like an incomplete experience to begin with.

So now I'll be able to play an incomplete game on the road or on my PC. Yay?

pyxistyx wrote:
shoptroll wrote:

Windows version is coming early next year after being hinted at during Nvidia's GDC or E3 presentation earlier this year.

Also, Prompto VR mode is dead now that the fishing VR game is a thing.

It's possibly going to be moddable, too. Fingers crossed, someone might make Cindy some actual human clothes!*

* except it's modders we're talking about so i don't know who I'm trying to kid.

The most we can hope for is fewer clothes for the Chocobros...

Alz wrote:

I'm probably done with FFXV, but despite the 120+ hours I put into it, I'm still disappointed in seeing how much development continues around the game, with nothing going towards fixing all the millions of tiny holes that made it feel like an incomplete experience to begin with.

So now I'll be able to play an incomplete game on the road or on the console of my choice. Yay?

If it were on the Switch, I'd be ecstatic, but mobile? Meh. I'm not a fan of touch controls for JRPGs.

sometimesdee wrote:

The most we can hope for is fewer clothes for the Chocobros...

To be fair, the presence of an outfit system with only a few actual choices for outfits was deeply disappointing. I'm sure the modding community is going to be working on that.

This was too good not to share here:

Execs: What should we do today?
Draws from hat - "Port Final Fantasy XV"
Execs: Alright, to which console?
Draws again - "Mobile"

Execs: Gather round, we are going to choose who will be director for Final Fantasy 7 HD.
Draws from hat - "Nomura"
Execs: Alright, and now we'll decide who will be directing Kingdom Hearts 3.
Second draw - "Nomura"
Execs: Oh yeah and Monolift Soft asked if we could design some characters for Xenoblade Chronicles 2 so let's see who will be responsible for that.
Third draw - "Nomura"
Nomura: ... please take me out of the hat.

Execs: Our games are getting stale, what should we do?
Draws from hat - "Make a new graphics engine"
"But sir, we've already made 27 others, and there are many other really good engi..."
Execs: You heard the hat

|Initial planning for FFXV|
Execs: We need something fresh for the next Final Fantasy game, what should we focus on?
Draws from hat - "Realism"
"Sir, why is that even in the hat?"
Execs: Don't you ever question the hat, now get in there and script 4 ordinary guys in leather jackets and black jeans pushing their broken down car along Route 50 in Nevada.

Execs: You've all been working hard on this new and exciting project, when do you think it will be ready for release?
"We are at least 3-4 years away from release, Sir"
Execs: Ok, well let's decide when to announce it to the public.
Draws from hat - "Tomorrow"

Source

While funny, I'm not sure they've played FFXV if they think it's based on "realism".

Granted, the world would be a better place if road trips consisting of immaculate bishies in matching outfits were an everyday sight.

Demyx wrote:

While funny, I'm not sure they've played FFXV if they think it's based on "realism".

Granted, the world would be a better place if road trips consisting of immaculate bishies in matching outfits were an everyday sight.

No, no, Versus XIII was touted as being realistic. S-E's words, not the author's.

Alz wrote:

I'm probably done with FFXV, but despite the 120+ hours I put into it, I'm still disappointed in seeing how much development continues around the game, with nothing going towards fixing all the millions of tiny holes that made it feel like an incomplete experience to begin with.

So now I'll be able to play an incomplete game on the road or on my PC. Yay?

I kind of feel like this, myself (though I'm many hours less into the game, and maybe a touch grumpier at the end-product). I keep watching these updates hoping it fixes my main issues with the game, but everything added feels very frivolous.

I mean, kudos for sticking with the game and constantly adding extras. But...It still feels empty.

pyxistyx wrote:

Fingers crossed, someone might make Cindy some actual human clothes!

Can they also mod her to be named Cidney? I'm still pissed she isn't.

jamos5 wrote:

Is that mobile game the entire console game, but remade for the small screen?

Yes and no. From the trailer it looks like they'll be redoing the key cutscenes with the new chibi characters. The actual game experience appears to be top-down and I strongly doubt it's going to be open-world like the original game due to hardware limitations. Most likely you'll pick a quest to do, it drops the party into a linear zone to run through (combat appears simplified as well) until you reach the boss or whatever end condition. Rinse and repeat.

This version will also be on PC because pretty much every major mobile game in Japan also has a PC client these days. Which means that technically "Pocket Edition" will arrive on PC before the "Windows Edition".

Rave wrote:

Seems to be working for the 3DS version of Dragon Quest 11. This could be an interesting new trend, especially with RPGs that are more narrative focused and don't necessarily rely on graphics if the mechanics, story and character are there.

It definitely feels like an outgrowth of what they did with DQ11, but they've done similar things with the "Go" line of mobile titles based around Eidos' properties. But Square-Enix has also been trying to crack this particular "how do we broaden the appeal of our IP" nut for years which is why they've been so focused on "transmedia" projects since the merger. An infographic that was shown during the Gamescom presentation depicts different "tiers" of experiences for the FFXV content which is kinda an extension of that philosophy. I think this is also why they built and maintain multiple mobile gashapon games which have different levels of complexity and mechanics.

There is also heavy implication on Twitter that FF 15 is coming to switch, Id guess these new graphics would be what we see.

That would be my guess, although I also wouldn't put it past them to be doing something different. We now have a "Windows Edition" and a "Pocket Edition". A "Switch Edition" that graphically sits somewhere between "Pocket Edition" and the PS4 game wouldn't be too surprising either.

Alternatively, this could be a Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings type situation, although since I haven't finished the game yet I don't know if there's any strong sequel hooks. Not that they couldn't find a way to do a sequel if they really wanted to.

Worst case scenario is that Switch just gets one of the many tie-in mobile titles like Justice Monters V. Which probably means that's what will actually happen

garion333 wrote:

It's an interesting development for sure. I kind of hope it'll work out for them so companies will put their games on as many devices as possible just like they used to way back in the olden day.

Because everyone has fond memories of the Genesis versions of Final Fantasy VI and Chrono Trigger right?

Spoiler:

I honestly can't tell if you were being serious or sarcastic here

Demyx wrote:

To be fair, the presence of an outfit system with only a few actual choices for outfits was deeply disappointing.

Gotta have something to pad out the release notes and DLC offerings with, right?

SpacePPoliceman wrote:

Can they also mod her to be named Cidney? I'm still pissed she isn't.

I'm sure some quarter of the internet will decide that the game needs more accurate names and get right on that.

shoptroll wrote:
garion333 wrote:

It's an interesting development for sure. I kind of hope it'll work out for them so companies will put their games on as many devices as possible just like they used to way back in the olden day.

Because everyone has fond memories of the Genesis versions of Final Fantasy VI and Chrono Trigger right?

Spoiler:

I honestly can't tell if you were being serious or sarcastic here

I didn't mean Square or Enix, I meant early PRE-NES days. And into NES, but less so as games got more complex. I had just finished posting different images of Zaxxon when I made this comment, so that colored what I was saying.

Anyway, my intent was along the lines of "the more things change, the more they stay the same." My thinking is that AAA is so damn expensive you've gotta plaster your game everywhere to extract every dollar you can.

garion333 wrote:

My thinking is that AAA is so damn expensive you've gotta plaster your game everywhere to extract every dollar you can.

Pretty much. Final Fantasy is in a weird spot right now where Square-Enix firmly believes that the series is a graphical showcase because that's what they feel fans want. I don't necessarily agree with that assessment, but that mindset puts them in a really tight bind when projects are expensive and the JRPG genre is a whole is on a downturn due to less interest in the West and a dwindling audience in Japan for the home consoles which have the processing power necessary for the graphical standard they're targeting.