The pre-recorded January ATR event for Final Fantasy XV concluded, with producer Hajime Tabata taking the time to go into some considerable detail about aspects of the game's magic system and the hierarchy and who's-who of the enemy Niflheim Empire. Also included is new gameplay footage showing Solid Noctis attempting to use tactical espionage action to infiltrate an enemy stronghold (where there is indeed a number of Metal Ge- err, Magiteks!).
1. Metal Gear Noctis
Atypical of the Final Fantasy franchise, where stealth and a reliance on environmental manipulation have never been explored gameplay elements yet until now, players will have a variety of options to tackle this daunting mission. They can employ the use of warp abilities to reach vantage points and help evade detection. There is the option of going for the turrets, as well as the option to execute a series of magical fireballs on flammable equipment in the room, if you fancy that unsubtle Michael Bay flavour of action.
Notice also the major overhauls made to the attack and weapons change systems. The camera has seen a drastic evolution, going from its more fumbling, manual setting in the demo to something more automated.
2. Final Progress Report Video
A second progress report video was shown and it shows the build of the game as it was from August to September of 2015. Tabata noted that since the game is essentially in a stage close to beta, all content for the game has reached the final quality target for release, meaning there will be no further progress report videos to show in the future.
Among the things you see in the video are the visual effects for magic, for the quick-flow teleportation attacks in the middle of combat, the ability for a Chocobo to come in and do some kicking action, as well as Noctis in frog form. Tabata said that the locomotion for the toad is complete, if only because certain enemies in the game will be able to cast that classic status ailment of Toad on you.
3. Magic and Combat
You know what was missing in Episode Duscae? Magic. Where is the magic? Yes, the final game will have magic.
While magic in previous games have largely been straightforward affairs whereby you pick a spell, then a target and then you fling your spell at the target and see numbers pop out of their craniums, magic in this game can be a valuable ally and your worst nightmare at the same time.
There is an emphasis on the environment in FFXV. A simple fire spell can certainly cause considerable damage to enemies and the fauna around you, but an unchecked inferno can also engulf your unsuspecting party members. A simple "oops" fire spell on an oil slick next to some flammable items can ignite a tactically advantageous inferno on your enemies, or consume everyone in a massive chain series of explosions.
There are two different disciplines of magic in FFXV – elemental magic and ring magic. The former is magic in its more natural form and derive from the planet. Elemental magic from the earth consists of Fire, Blizzard, and Thunder. These magic attacks have different effects based on the weather and environment. For example, grassy fields are flammable when casting Fire, or if you’re using Thunder in the middle of a downpour, it will deal more damage. If there is water in a Blizzard attack’s initial area of effect, the water will become frozen.
Elemental magic cannot be purchased, but is rather a resource that can be drawn from the world around you. Think FFVIII's Draw System, but hopefully nothing as tedious. The energy you gather from the natural environment can be used to create magic spells and be stored in the inventory, ready to be used as a weapon in battle.
Ring magic only becomes usable after a certain point in the story, and can only be used by the bearer of the royal ring of Lucis (Noctis), passed down the royal line.
4. Niflheim Empire
We can't seem to avoid evil empires. They're practically everywhere. If Cid's Milites Empire in Final Fantasy Type-0 wasn't enough for fans of imperial marches, here's yet another empire to confront in an action-combat Final Fantasy game.
A general hierarchy of Niflheim is shown, giving names to returning faces from both Versus XIII and the earliest FFXV trailers.
Iedolas Aldercapt; supremacist emperor of the Niflheim Empire. At the start of the game, Aldercapt is merely a figurehead of his nation, as he has "semi-retired" from frontline politics. Nevertheless, his thirst for expansionist policies ripples through the entire hierarchy of Niflheim's government.
Ardyn Izunia; he is the true controlling political figure of the Empire, serving as Aldercapt's Chancellor. He is described as shrewd and humorous, which easily makes him a better politician than most.
General Glauca; this horrific love child of a Judge Magister from FFXII and a Cie'th from FFXIII is the head of Niflheim's military.
Niflheim's Magitek Infantry; these aren't the droids you're looking for. The regular infantry of Niflheim comprise of androids, with the higher chain of command being dominated by humans.
Aranea Highwind; first appearing in a Final Fantasy Versus XIII trailer five years ago, the fan favourite blonde Dragoon woman returns as Captain of the Niflheim Empire’s Third Army Corps 86th Airborne Unit.
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