Ever since we saw that trailer with the car, plenty of FFXV memes were spawned and we all started laughing at the idea of the game as a road trip. But that’s all done on purpose; FF XV is a fantasy based on reality, which includes realistic ways of getting around.
Speaking to Gamespot, game director Hajime Tabata explained that the various towns and cultures are inspired by real places. This was an aspect introduced when the game was still called Versus XIII and influences include Shinjuku in Japan, Cuba’s Havana and of course Venice. But how you get from point A to point B is also important.
The world is connected by continuous land. If those areas were disconnected, it would feel distant from reality. You’ll find that you’ll be able to walk or drive or take a train and travel through this world seamlessly. I feel you’ll be able to experience something similar to a real trip.
Of course Gamespot asked the next natural question – does this mean that there will be no airships in Final Fantasy XV?
To be completely honest, that’s still to be determined. But the development team does understand that this is something everyone is looking forward to. It is a huge technical challenge; as mentioned earlier, all areas are connected. We are trying to tackle that challenge. So at the moment we can’t say yes, they will be included, but we do want to and we’re ready to take on that challenge and see what can be done.
They really need to figure out the technical challenge and make it work; airships are such a staple of the Final Fantasy universe. Even if they just use it as fast travel between two or three main hubs, it’s got to be there. Other things that Tabata has hinted will be included? Summons. In fact, they will have a large role in XV as protectors of the planet. Plus, classic-style dungeons will return in FF XV:
In the most classic Final Fantasy title category, for me, dungeons [were] very scary things that were chaotic and uncontrollable. In the dungeons, there is this kind of strangeness where something that shouldn’t necessarily be there in real life is existing. That kind of strangeness, the non-normal, that feeling you get in those circumstances, will be experienced in XV.
There is still no sign of a release date – apparently there are a lot of challenges to development and the game is nowhere near completion. But at least we get the demo soon; I’m really excited to just get a feel for this Final Fantasy game. Each one is so distinct, it will be fantastic to not only understand the story, but also get a feel for the various characters and the flow of combat and exploration.
Last Updated: January 23, 2015
Admiral Chief
January 23, 2015 at 11:34
But will there be traffic?
HairyEwok
January 23, 2015 at 11:39
Chocobo traffic would be the problem.
ToshZA
January 23, 2015 at 11:41
Nah. Splatter bonus.
Quo Vadis?
January 23, 2015 at 11:43
Carmageddon style.
HairyEwok
January 23, 2015 at 11:47
That’s a game i’d like to properly be rebooted and not the one they made now.
ToshZA
January 23, 2015 at 11:48
Ditto man, big time.
Quo Vadis?
January 23, 2015 at 11:48
I agree. That was a fun game
Her Highness the Hipster
January 23, 2015 at 11:41
obviously not based on Joburg reality or there’d be pothole/taxi dodging mini games
HairyEwok
January 23, 2015 at 11:42
That would be the loading mini games when you head into a new region XD.
Quo Vadis?
January 23, 2015 at 11:43
And annoying street vendors at every traffic light.
Hammersteyn
January 23, 2015 at 11:44
Imagine they try a smash and grab
Quo Vadis?
January 23, 2015 at 11:45
At night. During load shedding.
[Edit] Do the Japanese know what load shedding is?
ToshZA
January 23, 2015 at 11:46
Geez, when did FF become a horror game?
Hammersteyn
January 23, 2015 at 11:46
The pink hair was rather horrific
Quo Vadis?
January 23, 2015 at 11:47
Then it would be FF 1: Joburg Edition. No further editions would be possible, everyone dies LOL
HairyEwok
January 23, 2015 at 11:48
They don’t. They had a 20 min blackout once and thought it was armageddon.
Quo Vadis?
January 23, 2015 at 11:49
#firstWorldProblems
HairyEwok
January 23, 2015 at 11:55
Longest loadshedding if i remember correctly japan had was in 2011 when a power plant got some damage due to an eathquake and the power outage was 3 hours long every odd day for a few months.
Quo Vadis?
January 23, 2015 at 11:59
LOL I agree. Here its “loadshedding. AGAIN! urgh” Over there, someone in charge would be fired for mismanagement, or be sent to jail.
Hammersteyn
January 23, 2015 at 11:37
Is it an electric car? Will the charger be DLC?
ToshZA
January 23, 2015 at 11:41
Only if Nintendo get involved…
Dutch Matrix
January 23, 2015 at 11:45
Nope. They will charge you R11.75/L to fill up.
Ghost In The Rift
January 23, 2015 at 11:38
Since when did Open World become such a big hit that the Japanese are doing it?0_o
HairyEwok
January 23, 2015 at 11:40
They never drive cars so it’s something new hip and happening for them.
Kikmi
January 23, 2015 at 11:38
I wonder if they’ll have to deal with e-tolls
Ghost In The Rift
January 23, 2015 at 11:39
Then your car will get hijacked:-P
Pieter Kruger
January 23, 2015 at 11:41
Don’t care, just as long as it’s really FINAL this time!
Hammersteyn
January 23, 2015 at 11:44
NEVER!
ToshZA
January 23, 2015 at 11:50
That’s what she said?
Hammersteyn
January 23, 2015 at 11:53
My final fantasy is that she says yes.
Quo Vadis?
January 23, 2015 at 12:01
Yes to the restraining order? Odd fantasy O_o
Dutch Matrix
January 23, 2015 at 11:46
Car Armor DLC incoming!
Spaffy
January 23, 2015 at 12:18
That’s the pre-order bonus
Ross Woofels Mason
January 23, 2015 at 12:12
Oh god it’s getting worse @_@ Square, your games name says “FANTASY” take your reality and shove it so far up your collective assholes the sun will never see it again.
Never once has fast travel made me feel disconnected my from a game, ffs it’s a fucking video game. Not a bloody life, the more I hear and see the of this title the more it just sounds less and less like what a Final Fantasy game should be.