Final Fantasy XV2016

Final Fantasy XV is a fascinating but contentious work. The game delivers visually stunning moments and real male friendships, but you can feel the scars of a years-long odyssey through the developer hell. Originally launched as “Versus XIII”, the project struggled with technical hurdles under Nomura until Hajime Tabata took over the helm. The exploration of Eos relies on road trip atmosphere: With the Regalia you drive to rest areas, camp under the stars and ride Chocobos. However, the open world suffers from repetitive side quests, and from the middle of the game the concept for a linear train journey completely breaks off – a testament to the development pressure. At the heart of the story is Prince Noctis and his friends Gladiolus, Ignis and Prompto. The dynamics of the four carry the game effortlessly, and the emotional finale is among the strongest in the series. The real-time combat system relies on spectacular warp attacks and team maneuvers. Still, one of the best Final Fantasy for me.

Translated from German·Show original