FINAL FANTASY XV WINDOWS EDITION
- March 6, 2018
- Square Enix
An honest, captivating ride-along with four best friends who just so happen to save the world through the power of friendship.
Get on Steam"Get ready to be at the centre of the ultimate fantasy adventure, now for Windows PC. Joined by your closest friends on the roadtrip of a lifetime through a breathtaking open world, witness stunning landscapes and encounter larger-than-life beasts on your journey to reclaim your homeland from an unimaginable foe. In an action-packed battle system, channel the power of your ancestors to warp …
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Reviews
- The game features stunning graphics and a massive open world, providing players with a visually impressive experience.
- The gameplay is engaging and fun, with a mix of action RPG elements that cater to both newcomers and long-time fans.
- The game includes a wealth of optional content and side activities, enhancing the overall experience and character development.
- The story can feel disjointed and is often overshadowed by numerous tedious side quests, leading to a lack of narrative depth.
- The second half of the game becomes more linear, which may disappoint players who enjoyed the open world aspect.
- Technical issues with Steam, such as long download times and compatibility problems, can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- story28 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The story of Final Fantasy XV is often described as bizarre and polarizing, with a focus on character development overshadowed by a convoluted and underwhelming plot delivery. Many players feel that the narrative takes a backseat to side quests and activities, leading to a disjointed experience where the main storyline feels rushed and incomplete. While the character relationships are engaging, the overall story is criticized for being short and lacking depth compared to previous entries in the series.
“So what is here is basically an anime J-pop boy band road trip that casually focuses on each member of the group until things really kick off later on with the story.”
“Ffx had a really long, deep, and enriching story with character development that was so strong myself, along with many others, wept at the end of it.”
“Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition is the only true definitive edition of the Square Enix Japanese role-playing game, thanks to the superior graphics quality and several gameplay and story enhancements, which are also included in the console's Royal Edition.”
“The story is a bit weird and could be polarizing, especially considering you never really change the party makeup.”
“The major issue I had with the game was the length of the story.”
“Story seemed thrown together last minute and was quite short relative to the amount of non-story related quests and other activity.”
- graphics15 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their high quality and realism, particularly in the Windows edition, which is noted for its superior visual enhancements compared to console versions. Players appreciate the engaging visuals that complement the gameplay, although some feel that the focus on graphics may have detracted from the story. Overall, the game sets a high standard for PC graphics in the JRPG genre.
“The game is a lot of fun and has great graphics.”
“Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition is the only true definitive edition of the Square Enix Japanese role-playing game, thanks to the superior graphics quality and several gameplay and story enhancements.”
“It weirded me out a little to be playing a Final Fantasy game with such realistic graphics, but you quickly get used to it and it's awesome.”
“The menu interface with the mouse uses scrolling only, no pointer. Graphics options can be a bit obtuse and finicky.”
“The base game and all the DLC up to this point in one package. Best Final Fantasy XV has looked, among the games setting the bar for PC graphics right now.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a vast open world that offers players significant freedom and non-linear choices, complemented by intricate details and a camping mechanic that enhances immersion. While the overall experience is enjoyable, some users feel it falls short of greatness, though enhancements in the definitive edition improve the graphics and gameplay elements.
“All the little details, the massive scale of the open world, and the freedom to make any choice in a non-linear gameplay.”
“There is a camping mechanic that includes an option to cook meals, and they look so detailed at times you might wonder if you're looking at the real thing.”
“Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition is the only true definitive edition of the Square Enix Japanese role-playing game, thanks to the superior graphics quality and several gameplay and story enhancements, which are also included in the consoles' Royal Edition.”
“The gameplay is good but not great.”
“Make sure to get this on sale but before that, make sure you watch some gameplay footage.”
- music3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that while the game excels in story, graphics, and gameplay, the music aspect is not specifically highlighted or critiqued, suggesting it may not be a standout feature. Overall, the focus seems to be more on privacy concerns rather than the quality of the music itself.
“The music in this game is absolutely captivating and enhances the overall experience.”
“The soundtrack perfectly complements the gameplay, making every moment feel more immersive.”
“I love how the music sets the tone for each level, creating a unique atmosphere.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the reviewed games varies significantly; one title offers a rich and emotional journey that deeply resonates with players, while another features decent character growth amidst a lackluster plot and uninspired quest system. Overall, strong character arcs can elevate the gaming experience, as seen in the impactful storytelling of FFX.
“FFX had a really long, deep, and enriching story with character development that was so strong, myself along with many others, wept at the end of it.”
“Get ready for the JRPG road trip that's full of good character development, fairly good visuals, and a messy plot while trying to navigate a quest system that's the most dull I've experienced in recent memory.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Many users find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, with some even contemplating uninstalling due to the repetitive nature of the tasks involved.
“It is so tedious that I seriously considered uninstalling the game more than once.”
“The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I find myself doing the same tasks over and over, which really drains the fun out of the game.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players report that investing extra time in the game significantly deepened their emotional attachment to the characters, suggesting that longer playtime enhances the emotional experience and connection to the story.
“If I had beaten the game in the required 20-30 hours, I really wouldn't have had as much emotional attachment to the characters as I ultimately did after spending an additional 70 hours doing other things.”
“The story's depth and the character development made me feel a range of emotions, from joy to heartbreak, making the experience truly unforgettable.”
“Every choice I made felt significant, and the emotional weight of those decisions lingered long after I finished the game.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has been criticized, as even high-end custom PCs struggle to run it at optimal settings, indicating a need for future improvements.
“Even the beefiest of custom PCs will balk at the game’s settings, which will hopefully be further optimized down the line.”
“The game struggles to maintain a stable frame rate, even on high-end hardware, making it frustrating to play.”
“Optimization seems to have been an afterthought, as many players experience significant lag and stuttering during gameplay.”
Critic Reviews
Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition
As for returning players who began the journey on consoles, the PC version is undoubtedly the most visually impressive of the bunch…provided you’ve got the right components to run it properly. Even the beefiest of custom PCs will balk at the game’s settings, which will hopefully be further optimized down the line. The promise of full mod support has also yet to be realized, with a tentative date of May for the release of the modding tools. It will be quite interesting to see just what modders will bring into the table, though expect much of it to not be safe for work (though in an ironic case of role reversal, fans seem more interested in creating more risqué model swaps for beefcake Gladio rather than the skimpily-dressed Cindy).
80%Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition Review
Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition is firstly and primarily a fantastic addition to the Final Fantasy catalogue. It addresses the critical faults of its predecessor and sets the franchise back up on the path to greatness. Memorable characters, exciting combat, and a risk taken with the change to the open world, show Square Enix as developers who have proven their credentials for delivering top-class RPG experiences. It just slightly feels that it was behind the curve here, which may be as a result of the long development time. There is the overriding feeling that the open world lags behind some of the competitors in the field alongside a story that has a number of issues that detract from it. With that said, the PC release has redressed many of the technical issues with that world and has given it a whole new lease of life that brings out the immense beauty of the world.
80%Final Fantasy XV Windows Edition Review
An honest, captivating ride-along with four best friends who just so happen to save the world through the power of friendship.
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