Ben-DutkaEverything's connected in Final Fantasy XV .
That's not a metaphorical statement; it's a literal one: Game director Hajime Tabata clarified the map's structure in a new GameSpot interview .
Basically, it's going to be one giant land mass, so players can explore every inch of it via walking, driving, or taking the train. The goal is to make players feel as if all locations are connected, and so they are. It's a "fantasy based in reality," after all:
"The world is connected by continuous land. If those areas were disconnected, it would feel distant from reality. You’ll find that you’ll be able to walk or drive or take a train and travel through this world seamlessly. I feel you’ll be able to experience something similar to a real trip."
So, will there be an airship? Unfortunately, that's not something the developers can answer right now because in brief, they haven't decided yet. Tabata said the team "does understand that this is something everyone is looking forward to" but it's a "huge technical challenge." Well, I can do without it but then again, I don't really intend to play it, so I probably don't count.
I'm not sure how this map is any different than any other map we'd find in an open-world sandbox game. They're all "connected." I guess I'm not seeing any distinction between FFXV and GTAV, for example. I will say, however, that if they're still debating adding substantial things like an airship, I fail to see how the game will be ready to ship this year. I'm guessing that won't happen.
Related Game(s): Final Fantasy XV
pfft airships have long since been replaced in these open world types with 'instant travel' map locations.
and yea, this whole connected map thing suggests tons of filler and sub-quests not part of a narrative driven game experience.
EDIT: the story starts as a big intro cutscene to set the stage of the map and the overall plot. A big mid-way point scene that shows how something about the map and main plot has changed. And then some ending to wrap it all up. Afterwhich you can still run around the world to get more powerful and complete unfinished side quests.
Everything in between is disjointed quests and putting out fires and checking off errands for becoming more powerful.
Last edited by Temjin001 on 1/22/2015 12:00:45 PM
FFXII had the tele crystals. I was fine with that.
"if they're still debating adding substantial things like an airship, I fail to see how the game will be ready to ship this year."
That was what I immediately was thinking as well, when reading this. They haven't even decided on the features of the game yet?!
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The airship might just be a dlc lol and one that is not free
Last edited by MRSUCCESS on 1/22/2015 3:42:02 PM
very not free
Connected is better than menu based like Dragon Age Inquisition.
This game must not even be half done. Jesus. Who bets they will slap a fast travel option on at the last moment?
And it'll need to be patched.