Final Fantasy Versus XIII Becomes Final Fantasy XV

[StewShearerOld]

Final Fantasy Versus XIII Becomes Final Fantasy XV


Confirming previously denied rumors, Square Enix unveiled a new trailer that re-branded Versus XIII as Final Fantasy XV.

Square Enix has been less than punctual with updates when it comes to Final Fantasy Versus XIII. Originally announced in 2006 as a companion to the now long complete (and sequal-ized) Final Fantasy XIII, it's been in development for the better part of a decade now, leaving many to fear that it would never see a release. To quell these fears, Square Enix used Sony's E3 press conference to unveil a fresh trailer showing off new gameplay and, more importantly, re-branding Versus XIII as Final Fantasy XV.

In addition to confirming rumors that <a href=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/117546-UPDATE-Final-Fantasy-Versus-XIII-Becomes-FF15>Square Enix had previously debunked, the new trailer shed light on new story details and showed off the game's combat. The story bits showed off competing political factions seemingly intent on wiping out the Lucis family that Noctis, the game's protagonist, hails from. Their motivation, as with many a Final Fantasy villain, are crystals that Noctis' family assumedly controls.

The trailer also showed off a lot of gameplay which looked fairly faithful to some of the CGI action we'd been shown in the past. Noctis appears to be fairly maneuverable and equipped with teleportation abilities that aid in his execution of powerful melee and magic attacks. If the trailer is accurate, players may be able to partake in the same sorts of flashy action promised by previous peeks at the game. Final Fantasy XV will be released on PlayStation 4.




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[Tahaneira]

But if the main character can teleport, how will the keep him from crossing broken bridges, or impeding his progress with fences and walls? An entire gameplay element doomed!

 

[StriderShinryu]

I haven't been a major FF fan since FF8, but that actually looked pretty cool. Not putting my money down on it tomorrow or anything, but I'll definitely have to start watching out for it.

 

[Ishigami]

I'm kinda glad that it is still alive.
On the other hand the Square-Enix part of the Sony conference was... I don't know how to put this... WTF is SE thinking? Did they loose their mind now completely?

Anyway as for the game: I'm not really convinced any more. I mean I don't know how this is going to play. The gameplay part looked kinda confusing.

 

[Bug MuIdoon]

I haven't felt quite this stoked for a FF game since FFIX! I've been extremely disappointed by every release for the past two generations, but this actually looks pretty cool. It doesn't look like a FF game in any of the normal senses, and maybe that's exactly what the series needed, a good reboot.

Kudos to whoever decided to not use a pre-teen blonde boy as the protagonist too.

 

[Trishbot]

I can't wait to play this on my PS5!...

All kidding aside, it looked really good. I was legitimately impressed. The one-two punch of FF15 and Kingdom Hearts III sealed the deal. I have faith in Square again.

 

[KoudelkaMorgan]

My body is ready.

Hopefully this somewhat heavy nodding to FF4 doesn't go too far past the beginning. I mean it looks awesome, but its pretty much the prince of Myssidia trying to save the Water Crystal from the Red Wings only a billion times more awesome looking.

The umbrella guy intrigues me. Could he be the new Kefka, as the old guy with the crown is the new Geshtal/King of Baron?

Am I the only one that always found the name Baron to be an odd name for a kingdom? Why not the king of Duke, Earl, Viscount, Sultan, or Knight?

The king of Knight, sounds about right.

 

[satsugaikaze]

flashy action

I love me some Final Fantasy all day erry day, but I'm mourning the day where "flashy" is more akin to "utterly incomprehensible cluttered with distracting particle effects".

 

[xyrafhoan]

What a great looking game. Great looking environments that actually seem to serve a purpose (even if there's still a lot of hallways), way more fluid combat, and more grounded design than its predecessor FFXIII. I'm so glad that this is finally on the horizon and looking just as good, if not better, than what was trotted out under the Versus XIII moniker. It made the Lightning Returns gameplay look like a snorefest in comparison.

 

[MammothBlade]

I'm not sure what to make of this. It was originally designed as a spinoff series set in the FFXIII universe, not a "main" Final Fantasy, so what gives? On one hand this looks new and exciting; on the other, I fear it will just be a half-arsed attempt to salvage the costs of protracted development and fan disillusionment.

The gameplay looks impressive, a massive departure from traditional Final Fantasy gameplay. In a way, its new paradigm of combat could be far better than XIII's failed attempt at thrilling action. That's probably a tech demo or concept but there could be some truth in the Action-RPG formula. It seems very ambitious, not that that's a bad thing but I am wary of the Square-Enix hype machine.

 

[Mrkillhappy]

When they showed this trailer I made noises a grown man should not be capable of making I was so hyped I have been anticipating this game since I first saw it (still titled versus) in 2010. Also it was a great one two punch announcing Kingdom Hearts 3 along with this I know so many of my friends will be psyched.

 

[neppakyo]

I've been waiting for this too since i saw a trailer back in 2010.

So, is this a PS4 exclusive?

 

[crimson sickle2]

I was all excited about possibly joining the PC master race, and then Sony's press conference happened. Now I'm probably going to get a PS4, unless something stupid happens...yay?

 

[AxelxGabriel]

I'll admit, I'm cautious about this after how bad FF 13 and 14 were, but the whole concept of how this FF looks much more like our world in ourtime and not some weird cross between fantasy and futuristic honestly has me very intrigued.

 

[Revnak_v1legacy]

It's really pretty and even more over the top Kingdom Hearts, but darker and lacking Disney. They traded one thing I loved for another. I just hope they can deliver.

 

[AbsoluteVirtue18]

You know, before today I was on the fence about even buying a next gen console. Now, after this reveal, TES Online and Metal Gear Solid V, me and my stepdad have pretty much decided on a PS4. I have been waiting too f**king long for this to not get hyped.

 

[major_chaos]

OT: This looked spectacular. I am greatly looking forward to this (though I'll need more info lest I forget what happened to FFXIII)

No, I'm not satisfied with turning FF into a linear third person shooter with parkour elements. Did you happen to notice the entirety of the footage took place within a city, for one thing? Looks like adventure is probably out the window.[/quote]
And yet it still looked more interesting, more innovative, more open, and just generally less skull crushingly awful than XIII.

OT: What is this strange feeling? I... I think I'm actually excited for a Final Fantasy game. that hasn't happened since IX.