Final Fantasy 15 has skill trees, dynamic dialogue, over 200 quests

In the latest issue of Game Informer magazine, the publication delves into the mythical world of Final Fantasy 15 to unveil a bunch of new content for the game. From the coverage we know that Final Fantasy 15 will have a dynamic dialogue system that allows players to choose answers and paths to specific scenarios, and the game may react to player choices. Noctis may also receive special status effects based on his dialogue choices, which could affect quest outcomes as well.

There will be over 200 quests in the game, and Square Enix wants to boost that number before the September launch. There are four different types of quests: main story quests, mini-game quests (think fishing and Chocobo racing), monster-hunting quests (like the Deadeye hunt in Episode Duscae), and specific regional quests that vary from location to location. Don't forget that FF15 will have a NewGame+ mode, and the main story will be at least 50 hours long.

Interestingly enough, Final Fantasy 15 will have a skill tree for each of the four main characters so that players can customize their party. After every level up, Ignis, Gladio, Prompto, and Noctis will each receive an Ability point. Ability points can be spent on new unlockable skills as well as passive bonuses like boosting your auto-dodge ability. As we've seen in the Platinum Demo, the game treats magic like a usable item--that is you need a specific item to cast spells. Luckily you'll be able to recharge your magic usage at special points.

There's tons more info to digest, and we've broken it down in a quick bullet-list. If this wasn't enough info, Hajime Tabata recently sat down to answer a bunch of community questions, and we have our own Final Fantasy 15 info blowout coverage from months ago.

• When the team was starting Final Fantasy XV, the brand image wasn't very clear.
• Tabata believes the franchise can't move forward without setting pride aside - he knows fans still have hope in where the series could go.
• Tabata and his team at Business Division 2 identified three core qualities they believe define the FF brand: challenging the status quo, providing an exceptional experience and using cutting-edge technology. He thinks FFVII was the last game in the series to use all three points. FFXV is a make-or-break moment - a chance to bring back lapsed fans and new ones into the fold.
• When moving to FFXV, the game disconnected from Fabula Nova Crystallis. Additionally, Stella from Versus XIII was shifted significantly and while the team tried to keep as much as they could from the original concepts they took this opportunity to shape XV into a full range of imagination.
• FFXV's story focuses on friendship, destiny, and legacy.
• As soon as you start the game there is a battle in a location yet to be revealed. This is similar to FFII where you start the game right with a boss battle. It also acts as a tutorial before going into chapter 1.
4
VIEW GALLERY - 4 IMAGES
• Chapter 1 picks up right after the opening sequence with Noctis and friends on the road to Altissia. The Regalia breaks down in the region of Leide and the party has to get out and push the car to the nearest station. This is the first area where players will encounter the open world.
• Early on Noctis and friends meet both Cid and Cidney and she tasks them with several quests while the car is being repaired.
• Fantasy based on reality idea is still intact - at the Hammerhead station an instrumental version of Neil Young's "Heart of Gold" can be heard playing in the background.
• The beginning of the game is said to be heavy with familiar imagery before bending things toward fantasy and wonder.
• There are dialogue choices in the game that leave to different outcomes. For example, Noctis was able to ask his friends for advice rather than asking for a discount or loan from Cidney. The reward for these options seem to revolve around status bonuses similar to eating or resting.
4
• Combat has improved since the demo - controls are more responsive, and weapons can be swapped on-the-fly using the d-pad. GI saw tabs for swords, daggers, lances, firearms, shields, royal arms and elemental spells. There was also a category called machines though their purpose is unknown.
• Magic spells are collected as a resource and can be recharged at various places on the map (think FFVIII's Draw system).
• The Regalia (the car) has a trunk that acts as party storage. You may need to pay money to gas up from time to time but the cost isn't crazy. The car radio plays remixes of classic FF themes such as "Final Fantasy."
• On your way to a destination, Prompto may ask to stop and take a photo. His pictures can be seen during camp and can be shared on social media. Should you continue to take pictures with Prompto, his photography skills will improve.
• All four of the main characters have special talents - Noctis can fish, Ignis can cook, and Gladio has survival instincts - and all of these can be "leveled up" by continued play.
4
• When you call a summon they won't always do the same thing. They are entities that exist in the world itself. So depending on the situation, they will do different things. For example, Titan sometimes will run up and hit an enemy, sometimes he will throw boulders at the enemy, and it's possible he will even give up and leave the battle. They will also act differently in a dungeon than they will in the overworld.
• The black dog seen in trailers is a faithful servant. Its name is Umbra.
• Noctis and friends encounter Niflheim's Ardyn fairly early on while en route to Altissia.
• There are four quest types: for fun (fishing/Chocobo racing), main story, monster hunts and regional quests. Currently, there are over 200 quests in the game but the team are working to add more.
• Later on you can synthesize magic to create more powerful versions like Blizzara.
• Weapons can also be improved with materials collected in the world and won from battles. The main way to improve yourself, however, is through ability points which accumulate as you level up.
• You have the choice on how you upgrade Noctis and his companions like strengthening auto-dodge or teaching them new commands. It's an effort to shape the player's play style.
• Luna is the presence that supports Noctis in order for him to fulfill his destiny. She's also the type of heroine you want to meet but can't quite reach.
• Tabata has no intention to create sequels or anything out of this. He wants people to purchase the game to be able to enjoy it for a long period. That doesn't necessarily just mean additional content but other things to create an interesting experience.

Final Fantasy 15 is slated to release on September 30, 2016 across PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Square Enix will consider a PC port in the future, but only after the console version is out.

If you plan on pre-ordering the game, be sure to check out the two fancy collector's editions.

4