FFXV Newest Demo -Thoughts/Review.

[The 13th Kenpachi 4,279]

Final Fantasy 15 has a new free demo-Judgement Disc, spanning the first 90 minutes of the game. Before I start, the demo is exclusive to Japan but if you simply make a Japanese PSN account you can play the demo. Make sure you set your age to above 21 else you'll have to enable parental controls which is a nightmare... Making a Japanese PSN requires no credit card detail inputs or signing up to PSN plus. Your progress in the demo does not go towards your progress in the real game.

 

 

 

Onto the game itself-this review will summarise my first thoughts on the whole game since this is the first 90 minutes of the main story.To summarise my thoughts-this game has exceeded my expectations . Through the demo you can explore this large, barren wasteland. I'm not sure how far you can stray from where you're meant to be-but I've wandered off very far from the main quest without being restricted . 

 

The game is very fun and fluid to put it simply. I remember seeing team attacks and not caring from them, but when you actually have to use them it feels very rewarding. What I found interesting was how the partner attacks can be used in different situations, when I was fighting a group of birds it was best to use Prompto's gun to shoot them down. The warp striking and aerial combos feel incredible and miles better than the awkwardness of Episode Duscae and Platinum Demo.

 

Graphically the game is gorgeous and here are some screenshots from my own PS4! These were put on imgur after being taken so they don't look as good as the actual game when it's on screen. Everything is off a Sony Bravia 1080p TV.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noctis is tired

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One thing I would like to say is that a standard PS4 will generate quite a lot of noise when running certain parts of the demo, but it's nothing major. I do know that people were saying the game was so demanding it caused a PS4 to set on fire at one of the on stage presentations, but my PS4 was not on fire fortunately . In fact, my PS4 has been on for about 4 hours and is only slightly warm, not even nearing 'hot'. Just make sure your PS4 isn't covered so that it can release all the hot air out.

 

Performing basic combos as Noctis feels quite fast and you can feel the impact of every strike, it's easy to switch targets during combat and perform an aerial combo midway through. Noct is quite stylish and even does some wicked backflips before finishing his combo. Blocking and counterattacking adds some more strategy to the game although it's easy to counterattack but more difficult to perfectly block an attack. When you take damage it feels serious, not just something you can dismiss.  Team attacks surprised me and I love performing them, Noctis can come in after his teammate has finished and perform an awesome finishing strike on the enemy. 

 

Another thing we'll all come to love is Prompto's photography, this feature seems pretty meh at first but it's actually really awesome! When you hit the campsite you'll see all the photos Prompto has taken in the day, as the game progresses his photography level will increase-thus he can take better pictures! Also, it's a great way to get some awesome in game screenshots at an even higher quality than PS4 share.

 

 

Here are Prompto's photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'll happily answer any questions and I will update the thread very soon once I clock more hours in. 

Edited November 11, 2016 by Barry Bacon Allen

[Moochieh32 676]

Well, there seems to be a graphical upgrade too so that's good.

 

This demo sounds fun though, I might just go ahead and create a PSN account and try it out.

[Awesome Sauce 634]

When did the whole "PS4 on fire" thing happen?

[Iggy 76]

Since there are no English options, obviously I can't make any solid comments.

 

What I can say, though, is that the framerate improved significantly.  It's not 60fps, but it's otherwise buttery smooth.  Haven't noticed any slowdown or pop-ins anywhere.  Likewise, the controls feel all around smoother and more responsive - for example, Noctis doesn't actually feel like a freaking tank this time around.

 

Graphics are a little bit wonky though.  I've noticed some funky anti-aliasing stuff going on with the hair.  Izunia and Gladio are the worst offenders as their hair ends up looking kind of like a sponge, or styrofoam.  Or polystyrene - whatever!  Combat is...well, the same as it always was.  Love it or hate it.  What does disappoint me though are the guns.  When you want to play it safe, they definitely have their uses, but the lack of movement mid-fire and their insanely weak DPS really make them stand out as the crappiest weapon category.  Here's hoping that giant sniper-rifle from the promo shots will pack some needed oomph in the actual game.

[KHLegendIII 709]

Are you referring to the time the PS4 at PGW overheating? I never heard of a PS4 going on fire because of FFXV.

[The Transcendent Key 12,109]

Well, this is interesting! So in other words, human, you're saying that this game is delivering so far on that human Tabata's promise, eh? If so, then this means that XV will be successful, and the Final Fantasy franchise won't be doomed to fade away!

 

A question that I have is regarding the whole demo in general! How did you feel while playing it? Did it feel surreal?

[Emrys 3,192]

Followed the instructions on that video you showed. Made a jp account. Played the demo. I really enjoyed it. AGGGGHHHH! The days are getting slower the closer this game gets I swear.

[Clouded Sun 1,232]

Well, this is interesting! So in other words, human, you're saying that this game is delivering so far on that human Tabata's promise, eh? If so, then this means that XV will be successful, and the Final Fantasy franchise won't be doomed to fade away!

 

A question that I have is regarding the whole demo in general! How did you feel while playing it? Did it feel surreal?

Oh my god, Golden. You had me rolling on the last one. I probably laughed harder than I should.

 

"Did it feel surreal?"

Edited November 12, 2016 by Clouded Sun

[The Deathdealer 96]

so it's a great game? goood

[The 13th Kenpachi 4,279]

so it's a great game? goood

The core gameplay is a blast and that's what matters most to me anyway.

Well, this is interesting! So in other words, human, you're saying that this game is delivering so far on that human Tabata's promise, eh? If so, then this means that XV will be successful, and the Final Fantasy franchise won't be doomed to fade away!

 

A question that I have is regarding the whole demo in general! How did you feel while playing it? Did it feel surreal?

Definitely, I was playing the opening and it just felt like a smack in the face.

 

Are you referring to the time the PS4 at PGW overheating? I never heard of a PS4 going on fire because of FFXV.

Yeah I think it was at Paris, some small youtuber made a video on it

Since there are no English options, obviously I can't make any solid comments.

 

What I can say, though, is that the framerate improved significantly.  It's not 60fps, but it's otherwise buttery smooth.  Haven't noticed any slowdown or pop-ins anywhere.  Likewise, the controls feel all around smoother and more responsive - for example, Noctis doesn't actually feel like a freaking tank this time around.

 

Graphics are a little bit wonky though.  I've noticed some funky anti-aliasing stuff going on with the hair.  Izunia and Gladio are the worst offenders as their hair ends up looking kind of like a sponge, or styrofoam.  Or polystyrene - whatever!  Combat is...well, the same as it always was.  Love it or hate it.  What does disappoint me though are the guns.  When you want to play it safe, they definitely have their uses, but the lack of movement mid-fire and their insanely weak DPS really make them stand out as the crappiest weapon category.  Here's hoping that giant sniper-rifle from the promo shots will pack some needed oomph in the actual game.

I haven't used the guns yet and I think the graphics look beautiful. This is the most demanding game I've ever played considering the scale and the graphics themselves, it's taking a lot out of the PS4. The hair does look wonky but that's a minor problem for me

 

When did the whole "PS4 on fire" thing happen?

Sometime at PGW I think.

[A Heartless Nobody 120]

Thanks for the tutorial, it helped a lot. Also, any advice navigating the menus in Japanese?

[The 13th Kenpachi 4,279]

Thanks for the tutorial, it helped a lot. Also, any advice navigating the menus in Japanese?

You'll have to google that or watch a playthrough, I'm not too sure on that myself.

[Joker 1,560]

Hows driving? Ive heard that its in the demo

[The 13th Kenpachi 4,279]

Hows driving? Ive heard that its in the demo

It's good but it's very controlled, if you wander off the road you'll automatically be put back on the road. You can't manually reverse the car, you have to press square. You can also stop the car anywhere but it has a petrol meter . In short-it's quite linear and not at all like GTA or any other open world game, you can't even bump another car or jack a car.

[Joker 1,560]

So pretty much what I expected. Not to bad I guess

[The Transcendent Key 12,109]

Oh my god, Golden. You had me rolling on the last one. I probably laughed harder than I should.

 

"Did it feel surreal?"

 

I don't get it, human! I'm not this Golden, of which you speak! I'm Bill Cipher! Got it memorized? 

 

Yeah, that's right, I'm stealing other characters catchphrases now!

 

Definitely, I was playing the opening and it just felt like a smack in the face. 

 

Sweet, sounds great!

Edited November 13, 2016 by The Transcendent Key