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Final Fantasy Type-0 HD Preview

Scheduled release date:
March 17, 2015
Publisher:
Square Enix
Developer:
Square Enix
Number Of Players:
1
Genre:
Action/RPG
Release Date:
March 17, 2015


Okay, so we never got Final Fantasy Type-0 for the PSP here in North America. But that just means we can appreciate a greatly updated version when it drops next year for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Revamped with brilliant high-definition visuals and a few other tweaks and improvements, it’ll come with a playable demo of Final Fantasy XV . Perhaps that’s reason enough to grab it but really, Type-0 has a lot going for it. It’s not the traditional FF style in terms of gameplay but it offers fast, furious, in-depth action that should keep you playing for many hours.

Right off the bat, you’ll notice that the story is significantly darker (and bloodier) than any previous Final Fantasy iteration. Battles are rapid and violent and when someone (or something dies), you’ll know it. Perhaps this grittier visage isn’t what the old-school fans want but at least it’s something different. Another twist: There are actually 14 protagonists in the game, and you meet them all right at the start of the adventure. How you utilize each is critical to your success, as each has distinct traits on the battlefield. Having the freedom to select your party from this grouping of 14 immediately gives the game a deeper, more customizable feel.

The gameplay is essentially an extension of the mechanic in Crisis Core , the excellent PSP entry that made us look at FF in a very different way. And Type-0 is no walk in the park; reportedly, the enemies are so powerful that many have the capability to eliminate allies in only one strike. Unfortunately, in checking some import reviews of the game, it seems the AI can be problematic, as they don’t always respond to being hammered. I suppose we could hope that Square Enix has improved the AI for the new version but I wouldn’t hold my breath. It’s an outdated issue that could drag the entire experience down, but I’m hoping it’s not such a severe problem.