Year: 2016

Final Fantasy XV Fishing is its sad reward

After taking a bold step, Final Fantasy XV fishing seems to be the bane of this game so far for me. Not being able to comprehend how the fishing works, I stupidly start this episode trying to catch that cats’ dinner because I feel bad.  But only seeing the Glowing fish tells me that maybe the specific fish I need obtain is only available to catch in the day time?  I’m not entirely sure but I’m not going to stick around to find out, I got quests to attempt and complete don’t you know.  Ignis makes a good point to take a break before we set out on the latest story quest.  Luckily, he points out a nice and more importantly cheap RV in the distance.

Leveling Up Relaxation

I know I consistently gush over the little cut scenes that play out during such trivial moments but the world-building and attention to detail never cease to amaze.  Showing them set up the table, watching Ignis light the stove in the RV, and then chatting while you level up is just so immersive.  It makes you feel like a major part of this four-person crew. Being able to pick out the images that Pinto has taken is just icing on the cake.  After picking out my favorite images since they’re supposed to come into play later in the game or so I’ve read; it’s time to get back on the road.  A nice leisurely car ride leads to a mountain ridge parking spot, ominous to say the least.

The Return of the Giant Bird

It’s a hop and a skip to the top of the mountain, collecting minerals and enjoying the scenery.  Everything is well until you come face to face with the giant bird that flew over you earlier. The entire game makes an about-face as you duck and everyone starts to whisper. You suddenly must move very slowly and walk right in front of the hulking monstrosity, hoping with all hope that it won’t wake up. The music mixed with scared whispers of the crew make every moment feel like it matters, one wrong step and it’s all over. Luckily getting to the mineral deposit is quite easy if you’re slow and methodical about it.

Going back is where the problem arises, the bird wakes up and everyone starts freaking out (including myself).  Watching it stand up and flex both its wings is kind of awe-inspiring.  Your mind changes gears and you think it’s time to battle. The good thing is that you don’t have to fight it (yet).  The bad thing is that it runs Noctis over as it takes off into the wild blue sky causing massive damage.  Considering that this feels like a cut-scene even though it so seamless, I’m guessing it’s unavoidable but still tense nonetheless.  Nearly falling off the cliff and watching the giant bird fly off is nice and all but it’s time to go hunt some monsters.

Dog Tag Collection Agency

Utilizing the fast travel system that I just got access to allows me to jump right to a mission, the driving is nice, and missing the view sucks but I’m on a schedule.  The head hunter shown above wants me to collect some dog tags from the fallen, sounds easy enough.  A quick trip to the diner to realize I’m too poor to afford a meal and I’m off to collect.  Finding a torn apart camp reveals the monster holding the dog tag.  It’s not too in-depth just walk up and press a button but when your crew notices the monster; it’s cool.  From there just follow the waypoint to a big monster gathering and get ready for a fight.

Fighting some hounds is no problem, just going in guns blazing cuts them down in no time flat.  Employing Pintos Piercer’s special move makes the short work of all the enemies.  All that’s left is to collect the dog tag and turn in the quest.  Thus, closes part 4, this was a productive episode accomplished a lot in a little.  Also, my second attempt at trying voice recording and it in my mind came out better, practice makes perfect right.

Let’s keep moving along and learn all about the Kingsglaive!

Final Fantasy XV: One Small Step

Coming from the road trip last time we’ve got a lot to dig into, but first a word from the man himself.

Wow, so this a hallmark episode of Final Fantasy XV and for me, something I’ve been looking forward to but also extremely nervous about.  Honestly, I didn’t even know the PS4 could record voice over the gameplay, but it can; pro-tip.  But once I noticed that the gameplay is fine and flows nicely on its own I felt like it was missing something, oh duh my idiot voice and charisma; perfect fit I’d say.  It took me well over an hour of hyping myself up before I dared to attempt to do it.  After two practice sessions to see how well the packed in Playstation 4 mic performed; I was confident.  The sound quality isn’t the best but for my first attempt ever in my life I am not going to be too hard on myself, I’ll let the internet do that for me.

It was nerve-racking, sweat-inducing, and in a way very cathartic.  I played the game and just talked, as I tend to do anyway.  But somehow when you know you’re being recorded you act differently and it causes you to play in a new way as well.  When I recorded without my voice, I just wanted to show game-play.  But you flip that switch and world falls below you.  Suddenly everything you say is recorded forever, do you watch your language?  Do you care about that dumb thing you said?  Do you sound like a crazy idiot who doesn’t know anything?  It was a whole new universe that I’ve only seen through the looking glass, but now I’m in the shark tank.

Small Victories

Although the interesting aspect of the whole thing was that by the end of the recording and I had triumphantly caught that fish none of that mattered.  All I could think about was how much fun I was having.  Stopping after a victory, even if it was small as catching a fish felt incredible.  I cheered and said goodbye, then I knew that clip was forever a celebration to my small but ever so sweet victory.  The only real disappointment I have with my first attempt is that it was a kind of nice lazy part of the game.  No combat this episode just traveling down the road, missing a ferry, meeting a new face, and trying my best to help a cat in need.  But enough of me gushing about my first recording let’s get to those sweet gameplay highlights.

After remembering how to drive, the manual was grayed out and I had to choose auto.  This took me too long to realize that even though it was rather confusing.  We’re off to the ferry to move the main story along.  Sit back and relax listening to the radio broadcast some information, that the characters react to which helps world-building, especially this early. The scenery just never ceases to amaze me, no matter where the cameras pointed it all just looks so crystal clear.  After watching Pinto try not to fall out of the car while we park I give it a quick fill-up.  Not sure if doing so served a purpose but it couldn’t hurt in any regard.

Quick Drive and Some New Faces

Simply clicking a sign that I thought was for a monster hunt revealed that Ignis can learn recipes instead.  Which are a nice way to spread these collectibles out and I can’t wait to see the food rendered at my next camping spot.  A quick jog down the pier reveals a new character with some awesome coin flipping skills, he’s gone shortly after so who knows how he’s going to unfold down the road.  Over to the desk reveals a whole mess of spots for things to do, which is exciting no shortage of gameplay content to worry about in the future.

Unsurprisingly we learn that the ferry is out of order and meet yet another new face.  He seems a lot more chill than the coin-flipping guy but he wants a favor.  Needless to say, I’m inclined to get it done.  A gentlemen’s Agreement as it were.  Upon finding out how expensive a room at the boardwalk is I decide to leave. The price is way too hefty this early into the game.  Trying to get back to my car I notice a cat quest giver, it’s hungry and I’m just the man for the job.  This is where everything goes downhill very fast.

Frustrated Fishing

Now I’m guessing I just suck or I need to upgrade my fishing skill quite a bit.  This felt like a real bare-bones approach, I noticed the fishing shop but ultimately didn’t bother which was not very smart.  I spend the next five minutes learning how to fish and not suck at it.  Something as simple as cast line to fish and be patient as you move the lure around to get their attention shouldn’t be this tedious.  They never seemed to pay more attention no matter where I threw the line or how much I did or didn’t move.

Paying attention to the red bar, which is the same bar in combat; some nice consistency there.  I was able to finally land a bite, now it changes to reel in the fish as well as make sure the tension doesn’t break.  This is where it got tense for me; I did not for the life of me want to lose this fish.  Thankfully this second part is way easier just reel in the fish and completes the quick-time event.  Watching Noctis lift that Glowing Barrelfish was a moment of pure joy.  I had learned and overcome something and it was on video with my voice.  Truly a moment to remember, at least for me personally.

Final Thoughts So Far

This was my best episode of Final Fantasy XV yet, yeah it was slightly non-exciting and there was no combat; but I tried something new.  I just tried it when the game decided to slow down for a bit.  Nothing against the game of course but it’s exciting to keep going and growing; in real life and the game.

Pro-tip for the next part, never steal from a giant bird.

Final Fantasy XV: Continues to Impress!

Meeting the Pauper Prince was a great start but Final Fantasy XV is the game that keeps on giving, after an impressive opening the surprises don’t cease.  Waking up from the camp we left off at last episode, scrounging for resources and running to a big hulking beast is the name of the game.  I blew the whole being sneaky aspect but once the battle got going it was just chaos.  The fight was different from anything earlier, it’s fast, flashy, and fun as all get out.  You feel like you took down something above your weight class while still maintaining total control of the battlefield.  Pulling out a phone to tell the quest giver we completed the job was a nice touch, thus not having to run back to turn the quest in.

Final Fantasy XV has Giant Bird Monsters!

The car is ready to be driven and that’s exciting; the trip back, however, is pretty intense.  A seamless cut scene plays causing your team to call out a big thing in the distance, this, of course, causes the camera to shift and giant bird monster fly’s overhead.  It’s exciting as it is terrifying, having just taken down a big monster before.  That monster was tiny compared to what just flew overhead.  But as soon as it appears it’s gone, waiting to be killed later when I’m hopefully more powerful.  May show up earlier and give me a challenge, not quite sure yet.

Monster Hunt / Time To Drive

Returning to the car feels like it’s time for the game to open up and oh man this game’s going to be one awesome road trip.  I then went to take care of a quick monster hunt quest which was a nice lively fight.  Killed them, turned in the quest, and into the car I jumped.  The driving is pretty linear which was surprising.  You just give it gas and pick a tune on the radio as you cruise to your destination.  I went the wrong way and had to pull a U-Turn.  It may not take much brain power but it’s relaxing and all the characters chat which makes their relationship all that more believable. Cut to a flashback and giving a dog a journal wraps up this episode.

Next up we take a small step to a bright future!

Final Fantasy XV: PlayStation 4 Pro Video and Impressions!

I just wanted to show off some early gameplay of Final Fantasy XV, been waiting so long for this game and now that it’s here I can’t believe how good it is!

After a slow opening and pushing a car down the highway, that game unshackles itself and throws you in a big open world.  Upon first inspection, you will be blown away by the graphics, I haven’t been this impressed since Uncharted 4 earlier this year.  Everything has a crisp edge, the skybox is vast, characters have a believable flow between them and their clothing.

The characters are some of the best parts so far, they all are constantly talking and it’s endearing.  You learn about their interests, what they specialize in and the relationship between the four of them simply through the dialog.  The combat and exploration is a steam engine no breaks, they both intermingle rather nicely to create a no-stop attitude.  As with any other Final Fantasy, you’ll go from point to point but the world is so nice to look at you’ll want to run all over the place.

New Fast-Paced Combat

The combat is nothing too complicated but this is just the beginning.  It ultimately boils down to hold the Attack button and then maneuver accordingly.  It keeps you on your toes, one missed dodge could instantly bring your health close to death.  You can dodge but if you dodge at just the right moment you can counter for big damage.  It feels good to land blows and switch weapons on the fly to get some cool combos.  In some odd way, it’s a very bare-bones version of Devil May Cry’s combat.  Fast and frantic but don’t mess it up, hell your even ranked at the end of the battle, and experience is doled out.  Add the warp strike into the mix and have some crazy scenarios.

Cut scenes have no load which creates a nice seamless experience.  Completing quests feels fast and rewarding, watching the characters talk and banter about what you just went through is a nice touch.  The pace is consistent thus far, no stopping and pouring through tons of menus just get what you’re doing done and move forward.  Some nice dialog options are even sprinkled in, although I don’t think they matter much it’s cool nonetheless.

Final Fantasy XV: PlayStation 4 Pro Game-Play

Those are just some of the very early impressions of Final Fantasy XV.  I’m attempting to learn how to record game-play and maybe even throw my voice into the mix.  It would mean the world to me if you watched my first captured video below, it’s even in 1080P!  I’m going to attempt to add my voice for some personality in future videos, which I’m going to try and do daily!  I know this site took forever to get anywhere but I want to change that as of now.

Next up we hit the open road!