1. Overview

Final Fantasy XV (FFXV), released in 2016, is a modern take on the beloved Final Fantasy franchise, blending traditional RPG elements with open-world exploration and action-based combat. Directed by Hajime Tabata, FFXV underwent a long development cycle (originally announced as Final Fantasy Versus XIII) before emerging as a sprawling road-trip adventure with a strong focus on brotherhood and personal growth. The game introduces a vast, open world, real-time combat, and a story centered around Prince Noctis and his friends.

2. Storyline

The narrative follows Noctis Lucis Caelum, heir to the Lucian throne, as he embarks on a journey with his three closest friends—Gladiolus, Ignis, and Prompto—to reclaim his kingdom after an invasion by the Niflheim Empire. The story begins with a lighthearted road trip, but it quickly deepens into a tale of sacrifice, betrayal, and destiny.

While the core theme revolves around friendship and the journey of growing up, the storyline can sometimes feel disjointed due to uneven pacing and missing context. Much of the story was supplemented through downloadable content (DLC), animated shorts (Brotherhood: Final Fantasy XV), and a CGI movie (Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV), which left the game’s core narrative feeling incomplete upon release. However, with subsequent updates and DLC, many plot gaps were filled.

Despite its flaws, FFXV’s emotional depth, particularly in the relationships between Noctis and his companions, remains one of its strengths, especially as the story builds to its bittersweet conclusion.

3. Gameplay

FFXV offers a blend of traditional RPG mechanics with modern action elements. Its real-time combat, open-world exploration, and a dynamic day-night cycle give the game a fresh feel compared to earlier Final Fantasy titles.

Combat System: Combat in FFXV is fast-paced and action-oriented. Players directly control Noctis, who can switch between multiple weapons on the fly. The "Warp Strike" ability, allowing Noctis to teleport to enemies or vantage points, is a key mechanic. While the combat is fluid and engaging, it can sometimes feel chaotic, especially in larger battles. The AI controls Noctis’ companions, though players can issue commands for special team-based attacks.

Exploration and Open World: The world of Eos is vast, with large, beautiful landscapes to explore. Players can traverse the world on foot, in the iconic car (the Regalia), or by riding Chocobos. The open world is filled with side quests, hunts, and hidden dungeons, offering plenty of content beyond the main story. However, some side quests feel repetitive, often involving fetch tasks or combat missions without much variety.

Regalia: The car, Regalia, is central to the game’s road-trip feel. It serves as both a practical vehicle and a symbol of the friendship between the four main characters. Players can customize it, listen to classic Final Fantasy music while driving, and use it for fast travel. It adds a unique, almost relaxing element to the game’s overall vibe.

Skills and Leveling: Noctis and his friends each have their own skill sets—Noctis with fishing, Ignis with cooking, Gladiolus with survival, and Prompto with photography. Players level up by accumulating experience points, which are only applied when resting at camps or inns. This system encourages exploration and camping, making it a key part of the gameplay loop.

4. Graphics and Sound

Graphics: FFXV is visually stunning, with a beautiful and detailed world. The environments range from sprawling deserts to lush forests and futuristic cities. Character animations are smooth, especially in combat. Some areas, like the city of Altissia, showcase the game’s artistic direction and technical capabilities, although certain textures and frame rates can be inconsistent in specific areas.

Sound: The soundtrack, composed by Yoko Shimomura, is one of the game’s most praised aspects. Tracks like "Somnus" and "Apocalypsis Noctis" capture the emotional weight of the story, while the battle themes bring energy to the combat. The ability to listen to classic Final Fantasy tracks while driving the Regalia is a nostalgic touch for longtime fans.

5. Characters and Bonding

One of FFXV’s strongest points is the relationship between Noctis and his three companions. The game does an excellent job of building camaraderie through small moments, banter during road trips, and interactions while camping. Each character has a unique personality, and the group feels like a genuine band of brothers. Their bond evolves as the story progresses, and these relationships help ground the larger narrative.

6. DLC and Expansions

Final Fantasy XV has an extensive amount of downloadable content. The game was criticized at launch for having plot gaps and an underdeveloped narrative. However, DLC episodes focused on each of Noctis' companions (Gladiolus, Prompto, Ignis) and additional content like Episode Ardyn helped flesh out the characters and fill in story gaps. There’s also a multiplayer expansion (Comrades) that lets players explore side stories in the world of Eos.

While the DLC improves the overall experience, the fact that much of the story’s depth relies on external content and not the base game was a point of criticism.

7. Drawbacks

Pacing Issues: FFXV's narrative suffers from pacing problems, especially in the later chapters where the open-world exploration is abandoned in favor of a more linear progression. This shift feels jarring and rushed, and it leaves the final stretch of the game feeling underdeveloped.

Unfinished Feel: Despite updates and DLC, FFXV feels like an incomplete experience for many players. Some critical story elements, especially concerning key characters, are only fully explored through external media, which detracts from the game’s standalone experience.

Repetitive Side Quests: While the open world is vast, many side quests lack depth and can feel like filler. Fetch quests and simple combat missions dominate the side content, which doesn’t live up to the variety of the main story.

8. Conclusion

Final Fantasy XV is a bold and ambitious entry in the series, offering a unique blend of modern action RPG elements and the classic spirit of Final Fantasy. Its strengths lie in the deep bond between its main characters, the vast and beautifully crafted world of Eos, and its emotionally charged narrative. However, pacing issues, an over-reliance on external content, and repetitive side quests hold it back from being one of the franchise’s best.

For fans of the series, FFXV is an unforgettable experience, filled with moments of genuine emotional weight. While it may not appeal to everyone, especially those seeking a more traditional Final Fantasy experience, it stands out as a deeply personal journey of friendship, loss, and growth.