Final Fantasy games may not have the same level of quality that they once did, but one thing that hasn’t changed is the craftsmanship that goes into the CGI scenes that bookend levels. They’ve always been magnificent benchmarks for the rest of the industry, and a part of the franchise ever since the days of Final Fantasy 7. Just don’t expect to see too many of them in the 15th core game.
That flashy over the top action that is usually reserved the the trademark cutscenes of Final Fantasy will instead be actual gameplay, as technology has finally caught according to game director Tetsuya Nomura.
“Since the beginning of 3D graphics, Final Fantasy has largely used pre-rendered movies, but what’s different about this new hardware is that it allows you to direct what has previously been pre-rendered and make it real-time,” Nomura said in a video on Gematsu.
For this reason, even in considerably dynamic scenes, the player can still control their character. The scene we saw at E3 where a Leviathan is rioting through a town, and the main character comes in fighting and flying around in a current of water.
Until now this scene would have been completely pre-rendered into a movie by Visual Works. But now you’ll actually be able to play through it in real-time.
I haven’t exactly been bowled over by the Final Fantasy games of this generation so far. The Lightning saga has left a sour taste in my mouth, and I’m quite happy to see it go when the second sequel in the current Final Fantasy XIII series eventually ships.
XV is looking fantastic though. It may be a departure from the RPG mechanics of previous games, but seeing how I clocked in numerous hours playing Final Fantasy 7: Crisis Core and the Dissidia games, I’m not complaining. Because it looks like a very polished version of those older games.
Last Updated: September 23, 2013
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
September 23, 2013 at 10:19
I really really hope that the game is good. I cannot be let down again like XIII…….
Tarisma
September 23, 2013 at 10:22
It cannot be as bad. Like its not possible. literally
GalacticLordCaptainAwesomeness
September 23, 2013 at 10:47
Wait till lightning returns….
Tarisma
September 23, 2013 at 11:19
Seems you are right
Umar Jaeger
September 23, 2013 at 10:36
I hear you man…..at the very least they showed us gameplay. with 13 they outright lied about the battle system. We all remember that infamous first trailer
Cesar Phillips
September 30, 2013 at 01:15
its tetsuya nomuras game its more than likely to be a masterpiece just look at final fantasy 7 and kingdom hearts series hes also worked on ffx and the bouncer also a few other square games
Tarisma
September 23, 2013 at 10:22
Please let this game be good
Hammersteyn
September 23, 2013 at 10:32
Who do the Japanese pray to. I’m prepared to change my religion if it ensures a good FF game
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 23, 2013 at 10:39
What if they prayed to the almighty Molymoly & his disciple, Cliffy the Benevolent?
Hammersteyn
September 23, 2013 at 11:02
That’s the Americans. Japanese at least has proved themselves as a capable civilization
SaintsRowMurray
September 23, 2013 at 11:29
Then this…
Brady miaau
September 23, 2013 at 12:03
Shintoism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinto
Not sure it will be applicable here
Hammersteyn
September 23, 2013 at 12:06
Wow
TiMsTeR I miss Gta V
September 23, 2013 at 10:25
I think that taking away the cut scenes is both good and bad, as some in the past were amazing, but if they look the part using in game engine then why not especially with added interaction.
Cesar Phillips
September 30, 2013 at 01:18
i dont believe all cutscenes will be playable many are also tied to the story such as the cgi scenes
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 23, 2013 at 10:25
FF games are flash games? No wonder people have complained about the last few. trollol!
Umar Jaeger
September 23, 2013 at 10:33
I am really looking for forward to this, despite my hatred for SE, I really want XV to restore this series and it is looking good. Nomura is known for his extremely convoluted stories, I just hope he keeps it simple enough for everyone to follow while still having complexity. 3rd Birthday was a mess honestly and I can’t forgive what he did to Aya .
Also , I will say this now, FF 7 : Crisis Core is the best Final Fantasy game released in years. It maintains the heart that FF is known for and Zack is honestly one of my favorite protagonists. And Dissidia ROCKS!!
Norris
September 23, 2013 at 11:13
Woah hold yer horses. Nomura only designed the look of the characters. The only that turns Aya into a shitty character in 3rd Birthday is Motomu Toriyama.
Umar Jaeger
September 23, 2013 at 11:28
Ahh I see, I was under the impression he was the Director for 3rd Birthday too. Well Toriyama needs to go, his scripts are really horrible, but even so , Aya looks horrible in 3rd birthday too. Nomura has moments of genius but without a doubt he can get carried away. Look at KH and how far down the rabbit hole this story went.
Norris
September 23, 2013 at 14:52
Yeah, but KH is KH. FFXV has a different team with completely unrelated story. The event is also directed by Jun Akiyama (FFVII, FFT, FFXII, Vagrant Story)
Hard Truth
September 23, 2013 at 20:27
In Nomura’s defense, the fact that the story of KH went the way it did can be attributed to how many games have been released since KH2. His team has been focused on XV for many years, yet KH fans (like myself) have been chomping at the bit for more KH-stuff…hence many handheld games. It is difficult to keep a story fresh and simple with so many entries in the series…it is almost guaranteed to be convoluted. Even then though, I have been able to follow the narrative relatively well (key word: “relatively”).
In this case, I feel that it might be guarded from that. The XV team now has a co-director and others involved, so some oversight could keep the theme from being carried away…at least I hope so. Also, though sequels have been confirmed, apparently they will be separate from the story told in XV, as it has been said that it will be complete to that game.
Clio Canticle
October 6, 2013 at 10:48
Apparently they’re keeping it simple this time around. Foreign nation steals crystal, your party has to go get it back. That’s the springboard for everything else that happens in the game, and it can literally be summed up in one sentence. Also, the involvement of Roan (the fashion label) as clothing designer should limit whatever wackiness Nomura can dish out, while still sticking to the better half of his designs (recognizable silhouettes and unique hair).
hairyknees
September 23, 2013 at 11:16
Crisis Core was a pretty awesome game 🙂 loved it!
SaintsRowMurray
September 23, 2013 at 11:32
Hey, is that JEM in the header there?
Strangely arousing. Did I just type that out loud?
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 23, 2013 at 11:35
It reminded me of Twisted Sister. :/
SaintsRowMurray
September 23, 2013 at 11:43
Which reminded me of Greedy Boy chips. Remember that add? Eighties?
Boy eating Greedy Boy chips, and the teacher (an old fart) asks him:
“Why are you eating those chips, boy?”
And the whole class then breaks out in song: “He’s not gonna take it. No, he aint gonna take it. He’s a greedy, greedy Greedy Boy!”
Ring a bell?
Yes? No?
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 23, 2013 at 11:47
The Eighties? What? I don’t…. remember…. that… erm 🙁
SaintsRowMurray
September 23, 2013 at 11:52
What? You do not remember the decade that gave us Robocop (the real one, not this IMPOSTOR we got coming), Back to the Future, Terminator, Woodpeckers from Space and Sandra??
Alien Emperor Trevor
September 23, 2013 at 12:03
I deny everything, my grey hair is just an illusion, putting me back in all this confusion.
Is that what gramma looked like back in the day? 😉