Part 1: Tutorial, Departure & a Somewhat Slow Start

So we start off with the game offering a tutorial. It's been awhile since I played the Platinum Demo and tutorials are always good for a refresher so I said yes.

For the tutorial... WE'RE REUNITED WITH CARBY!!!!!!!! (Carbuncle) AND HE COMMUNICATES VIA TEXT MESSAGES AGAIN. THE BEST.

*coughs*

Anyway... we learn about some of the lore of Eos (the location where Final Fantasy XV takes place) and then we practice combat skills with help from Gladiolus. Pretty nice of him.

We practice dodging, attacking, and warp striking. ONCE AGAIN THIS FREAKING BATTLE SYSTEM. IT'S JUST LIKE KINGDOM HEARTS. THE BEST.

Also... you can hide behind certain areas to recover HP and MP as well. This actually reminds me of some of the stuff I've seen from Persona 5 in trailers. Kinda cool honestly. Extra methods to recover is always good if you ask me.

We also practice parrying and counterattacking as well as teamwork, link skills, team techniques, and spells. Pretty much everything honestly. We even get a tutorial on equipping gear, and elemancy to craft spells. Looks like the customization in this game is the fact that you can craft spells. Never seen that in any other Final Fantasy game. Pretty unique. I like it.

Spells are also quite different in FFXV. You throw them kind of like a bomb honestly. You even have to aim it. It's pretty unique but I can foresee how this may cause problems in the heat of battle when enemies are rushing towards you. Well... I guess that's why you only use it when your sure that you can.

I'm sure your wondering how I did in the tutorial. Well... it was a little of both. By both, I mean at times I did pretty well and at other times I kind of sucked. I think I'll get the hang of it once I get more practice so I'm not to worried.

Either way I'm also introduced to two battle themes as well. Both pretty freaking amazing.

The first is clearly from the Platinum Demo and is the same as the Platinum Demo battle theme:

Spoiler

The next is another battle theme that is likely the main battle theme for the game:

Spoiler

After finishing everything up I finally begin the game for real...

The first thing I see is a weird scene of Noctis, Prompto, Ignis, and Gladiolus in a throne room fighting a HUGE first monster. IFRIT IS THAT YOU?! WHAT THE HELL?!

But that only lasts a while before we end up in a throne room with the king pretty much giving Noctis his blessings for his journey as he is on his way to find his bride-to-be Lunafreya in order to bring 'states together' or something like that by marrying her. So... is this an arranged marriage or are they actually in love? Either way what would Final Fantasy be with a love story?

Noctis and the King have some words and Noctis assures he's not going to back out and the King says some weird stuff about not being able to turn back and to take care. I'M SURE THIS ISN'T FORESHADOWING OR ANYTHING.

So we head out with Prompto, Ignis, and Gladiolus.

However...

Our car, Regulus, breaks down in the middle of a desert road and Noctis and co. have to push it. WOW. GREAT START.

We get a pretty theme though. Which is this:

Spoiler

Eventually we make it to a repair station called Hammerhead where we meet Cindy, a mechanic that is apparently the granddaughter of Cid. Cid is always the character in Final Fantasy that does mechanical work.

We meet Cid and he has some harsh words for Noctis about his jaw getting himself into trouble and him having a long way to go. Whatever you say old man.

But the fact of the matter is that we have no funds at all and our broke so we have to find a way to convince Cindy to help us out as well as possibly trying to find a way to make some money.

Either way the game starts for good this time and I explore a bit. I explore the store and get some information from a guy in a restaurant. I also run around the area collecting items.

I have to admit the game is VERY pretty and CLEARLY OPEN-WORLDED. The first open-world Final Fantasy. The area is HUGE and we're not even in a city.

Unfortunately this was all I was able to do. Trust me I wanted to play more but couldn't.

It's a somewhat slow start but once I actually start doing stuff like fighting monsters, doing quests, and so forth I'm sure it'll turn into BEST. GAME. EVER. like I'm thinking it will.

Next time:

We talk with Cindy to get help with our funds. Will she help us? Well if not this isn't going to be a very long game.