Final Fantasy XV Hits Retail
The wait is over as Final Fantasy XV has finally hit retail. Starting today the game is available for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. A Season Pass is also available through the Xbox Games Store and PlayStation Store for $24.99, granting players access to future downloadable digital content and special rewards unique to each console. Reviews have already starting hitting the web and so far the scores are very positive.
According to Metacritic, the game on the PS4 is currently averaging an 84 (29 reviews in at time of writing). There is no question 84 is a rock solid score and should provide a welcome relief to fans but if you are looking for that definitive almost near perfection Final Fantasy experience, it doesn’t appear you are going to get it this time around.
Gamespot was among some of the lower scores (80) and said: “One of the first things you see when you boot up the game is this claim “A Final Fantasy for fans and first-timers.” It’s a strange statement; fans can’t agree on what makes a good Final Fantasy game, and who knows why newcomers shied away from the series in the past. It’s been a long ten years since Final Fantasy XV was first revealed, and tastes have changed in the meantime. While it’s safe to assume fans and outsiders will find some aspect of Final Fantasy XV disappointing–be it the shallow story or finnicky Astrals–it would be hard for anyone to deny that Final Fantasy XV is a fascinating game after giving it a chance. Where its characters fail to impress, Final Fantasy XV’s beautiful world and exciting challenges save the day.”
IGN came in with an 82 and reported: “There is so much good here, so much heart – especially in the relationships between Noctis and his sworn brothers. It just comes with some changes and compromises that were, at times, difficult for this long-time Final Fantasy fan to come to grips with.”
The highest score is from LaPS4 and they said: “Final Fantasy XV is going to be the most remembered game of 2016. It is really different from anything we’ve seen in the series so far, but really traditional at the same time. It has an obsessive respect for the fan that goes along with state-of-the-art audio-visual aspects able to bring life to a humongous map with so many things to do, so many secrets to discover and yes, some lineal, but logic parts. Controversial issues, like combat or summon mechanics are really solid once you get to the endgame, where the experience has already blossomed. Embrace its changes, the JRPG King is back.”
The new gameplay launch trailer, titled “Ride Together”, can also be viewed here:
Have you picked up or downloaded the game yet? Are you enjoying it so far? Tell us in the comments below.