What are ya up to?
The thing is, if a game wants me to care about its characters and believe that they're close, it has to make me feel something for them. Games like Persona 5 have you start relationships with various people, and you watch the bond between them grow as the game progresses. Obviously there are almost always going to be pre-established relationships, but the game HAS to make you feel something for them. Final Fantasy XV did not do this. The only real, serious character development between the characters happens in Chapter 9, when you have Gladiolus telling Noctis to wake up and stop lamenting over Luna's death. That was truly the only meaningful interaction between the two, and it happened at the end of the game. Ignis's only serious moment happens in the same section when he becomes blind. And Prompto's only "serious" moment happens in Chapter 13, when his "plot twist" was both forced and awkward. The entire party just brushed off a moment that should have been a big deal for him. Luna basically existed to make you dislike Ardyn and powerup Noctis via her death. She had no identity of her own. It's disgusting how badly they butchered her character, when the original Stella from Versus XIII was supposed to have a much more significant role than this. It's quite frankly unacceptable that the majority of the character development between the cast happens during the anime. If XV had those episodes IN THE GAME, and if it had more meaningful conversations and development between Noctis and his friends, I would have had a reason to give a trout about them. Without the anime, the game offers little reason for you to care at all about the people you're playing as. Final Fantasy is supposed to have more character development than just a couple of jokes during fights and "being bros." I really thought that Ardyn was kind of underwhelming, especially considering he was hyped up to be one of the darkest villains in the series. The dude doesn't even hold a candle to Sephiroth, Kuja, Ultimecia, Jecht, Seymour, or various other FF villains. The first TRULY evil thing he does to Noctis is kill Luna, and that doesn't happen until 9 chapters in the game. It's far too late and felt far too rushed. Even though he was obviously the main villain from the moment he appeared in the game, there was not enough buildup plot-wise before this point to make me care that much. XV definitely does have some great themes, especially Crystalline Chill. But I wouldn't be able to listen to a vast majority of its soundtrack in one sitting like I could for past FF games. Past FF OSTs are tied to the game's story or combat, and this isn't the case with XV.
Well, okay, here are my thoughts: The game itself doesn't go into their relationship true, but you can tell from the opening scene that they do have a bond. All the dialogue during the game, if you really listen, tells you that they all care for each other. Also the anime explains how they met and why they're friends. I know that that isn't the best way to go about explaining their friendship, but I found it to be very enjoyable. I thought Ardyn was a great villain personally. He exploited Noctis' weakness. He seperated him from his friends and made him fight on his own. He was intimidating because he always seemed to be in control and it made you feel helpless. I thought he fit perfectly. I agree, a good OST doesn't make a game good, but it does help. I also agree that XV's soundtrack was not as good as previous entries, but I love the key theme songs. I realize that XV isn't a perfect game, but I personally enjoyed it very much. And I'm sorry if my response before was a bit terse. I tend to take criticism of things I like very seriously. I need to work on being less serious and more lighthearted when it comes to that.
I was hoping you would respond, but sure, we can agree to disagree if you'd like.
Well that's your opinion, I have mine. Let's agree to disagree.
XV doesn't really go into his relationship with them, though. The game doesn't tell you how they met, why they're close or why they're even protecting him aside from him being the king. A bunch of witty one-liners and some banter during fights isn't brotherhood. If you want to see a brother-like character, Ryuji from P5 is the go-to guy. The cast of XV doesn't hold a candle to him. Ardyn was a pretty weak villain imo, to the point where I'm actually forgetting some details about his place within the plot. He just seemed like a very forced villain. Also, just because a game has good music doesn't make it a good game. The Sonic series has great music, but a lot of the games are ass. I actually found XV's soundtrack to be disappointing as a whole. It has good individual themes, but as one entire piece...it isn't as cohesive as past titles. I haven't ever played a Warriors game, so I'm excited to see how this one turns out!
What I really liked about XV was the relationship with Noctis and his friends. They stood by each other until the end. They were like brothers, and I found that very touching. I also really liked the story, although it was a bit vague at some parts, I still really enjoyed it. Ardyn was also my favorite FF villain. No other FF villain got my blood boiling more than he did. It was just very emotional for me, and it's very rare when a story makes me that emotionally invested in the characters. It does have it's flaws for sure, but I enjoyed it so much that they didn't really matter to me. And the theme "Stand By Me" is perfect. I'm actually looking forward to FE Warriors. I really enjoy Dynasty Warriors, so this could be good.
The DLC was less than an hour long. Really disappointing. What exactly did you like about XV? I still plan to play Awakening and Fates. I'm also thinking of playing Warriors when it comes out on the Switch. Yeah, I might replay the original on PS4 and go for all the trophies.
Well, I thoroughly enjoyed XV so I would probably like the DLC too. To each his own! Awwww you didn't bring your 3DS? I was hoping me playing the new FE would motivate you to finish Awakening haha. Yes! Shovel Knight is awesome! You should play Specter of Torment if you haven't already. It's just as good as the original.
Like I said, the DLC was underwhelming. Which is actually like the main game of XV itself. You aren't missing too much. Happy to hear you're enjoying it. I was actually thinking of playing some FE, but I didn't bring my 3DS with me for the summer. Yeah I've played Shovel Knight, that game is awesome.
