I have never played any other Final Fantasy game, and I have no interest in doing so. But from the gameplay I've seen, this latest incarnation is right up my alley. So how do FF sequels work? Do I have to play/research about the previous games to be able to understand this one?
Final Fantasy XV: I want to get it, but...
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They are all standalone to one another with a few exceptions. Even the game mechanics change between titles so it really is a new game each time. The only consistencies are that certain characters being named the same across the series and those characters have similar jobs in each game.
This^Darks63 said:
Also you might miss a few in-jokes but nothing much. But yeah, this game seems closer to Dragon Age Inquistion then any FF game.
The Final Fantasy series is more variations on a theme than direct sequels. For example, there's usually somebody called Cid who runs an airship, but it's a different Cid and a different airship each time. The same summons show up game after game, but they are different executions.
With XV, from what I've gathered, the storyline takes place in the "invisible world" of the Fabula Nova Crystalis universe (Final Fantasy XIII series). If you're not familiar with the storyline I would suggest playing the XIII series or ar least reading some of the lore behind the trilogy. It's not necessary to enjoy XV I'm sure, but it's worth checking out.
In general, plain-numbered entries in the series are stand-alone. If the numbering scheme is all weird and shit, it's likely a direct sequel to a previous game. So, for instance, Final Fantasy X - no previous knowledge needed; Final Fantasy X-2 - direct sequel to FFX, might want to play that one first. So with FFXV, it's a plain numbered one, meaning you can go into it blind.
And even if you were interested in the Final Fantasy XIII mythology, playing the games wouldn't actually be all that helpful. Most of it is hidden in datalog entries. I kinda liked the XIII-games, but that series seriously missed some opportunities...
There's always Chucabo's, there's always a Cid and there always USED to be crystals. Other than that you're good.
The combat is kind of similar to Type-0 HD, I'd recommend getting that (especially if you can get the demo for XV with it still)
The combat is kind of similar to Type-0 HD, I'd recommend getting that (especially if you can get the demo for XV with it still)
Every Roman Numeral sequel (without a 2 or 3 jammed behind it, like X-2 and XIII-2) is its own self contained game, with rare games being tied in loose ways. The worlds are different. The each story doesn't need knowledge of the previous to fully enjoy and the mechanics are so different enough each time that an exert with one game's system may barely understand the next game's. There is no reason why you can't just pick up any in the series and fully understand it as much as a franchise fans who just brought the same game home on launch day and started playing for the first time.
FFXV sound like it plays more like a Kingdom Hearts game than a true Final Fantasy. (And, I wasn't a fan of KH's story, characters, or playstyle, so XV is a hard sell for me.) They are definitely different, but closer than either is to the older FFs. You might want to check out one of the KH titles, too, during the wait for XV.
FFXV sound like it plays more like a Kingdom Hearts game than a true Final Fantasy. (And, I wasn't a fan of KH's story, characters, or playstyle, so XV is a hard sell for me.) They are definitely different, but closer than either is to the older FFs. You might want to check out one of the KH titles, too, during the wait for XV.
According to the lore, I believe it was the Godess Etro that tore herself out of this world and created man. As a result of the power struggle of the gods, the world was split into two parts, the visible and invisible. The 13 series is supposed to have taken place in the visible world, while 15 takes place in the invisible one. But I guess it would be better to call it a series I suppose.Johnisback said:
But no, its not necessary to play through them beforehand, I just think its neat how the two games intertwine.
After digging deeper on the matter, you seem to be correct. A friend showed me a few videos explaining the Fabula Nova Crystalis series while making a reference to XV and their worlds. After failing to find information that reinforces this theory it appears to have been conjecture as you said.Johnisback said:
Shifting back towards the main topic at hand, I must say I'm looking forward to playing XV. The game looks absolutely gorgeous. I've purposely avoided researching too much of the storyline and mechanics. I prefer to come at it with fresh eyes and take it with a grain of salt.
To the OP of the topic, the answer is no, the main titles do not all have to be played to understand the story. You may miss out on the references and inside jokes found in each game, but they are not essential to the storylines.
Each Final Fantasy, except for direct sequels and spin-offs, are their own thing. There may be some tiny references or nods to some games in others but for the most part you won't miss anything if you only play one. Even when it comes to the sequels, they're self-contained enough so that you shouldn't be lost. Keep in mind also that FFXV is the only one in the franchise that plays like that so if you do end up really liking it, it's one-of-a-kind. 1-10 are turn based, 11 and 14 are MMOs, 12 is in the MMO style and, 13...13 is just a mess.