Is Final Fantasy XV worth playing in 2024?
As a long-time Final Fantasy fan and avid JRPG gamer who recently replayed FFVX, I can definitively say yes, it is absolutely still worth playing FF15 in 2024 for both new players and veterans alike.
Despite a mixed reception at launch in 2016, FF15 has seen sweeping enhancements over the years that have transformed it into a must-play open world action RPG.
Let‘s break down what’s changed and why both first-timers and returning fans should give FF15‘s road trip adventure another look.
Visual Improvements Bring the World to Life
Square Enix has released many major graphical patches that have significantly improved FF15’s visual fidelity, resulting in one of the most gorgeous game worlds to explore:
Higher Resolution Assets and Enriched Detail
Higher resolution textures coupled with improved algorithms for shadows, lighting, and antialiasing make characters and environments truly shine at up to 4K/HDR on compatible hardware. Small touches like skin texturing, hair physics, and vegetation density heighten realism.
Farther Draw Distances and Minimal Pop-in
Greatly extended view distances provide seamless immersion combing across sweeping vistas or cruising down highways at 80 mph. Reduced object pop-in prevents jarring transitions when moving quickly.
Smoother Frame Rates For Fluid Combat
Performance optimization now sustains rock solid 60 FPS gameplay for silky combat animations and environmental traversal. Initial sluggishness replaced by thrilling, responsive action.
| Launch (2016, PS4/X1) | Current (2023, PS5/XSX) | |
| Resolution | 900-1080p, 30 FPS | Native 4K, 60 FPS |
| Loading Times | 45-60 seconds | 10-15 seconds |
Playing on a PS5 or high-end PC takes full advantage. But even a base PS4 sees marked gains over the initial experience. FF15 finally delivers the true next-gen technical promise that felt lacking at launch.
Expanded Content and Refined Mechanics
Beyond graphics, nearly every aspect of gameplay design and content breadth has quantifiably improved thanks to 7+ years of updates:
Royal Edition Adds Critical Story Context
Cutscenes restored help better establish villain motivations and emotional attachments between characters. Makes the finale’s bittersweet sacrifice more impactful.
Deep Character Development From DLC Episodes
Individual character episodes featuring Gladiolus, Prompto, and Ignis provide meaningful backstory while expanding each one’s emotional arc exponentially.
Armiger Arsenal and Magic Overhauls
Royal Arms now feel truly ultimate after integration improvements. Armiger Unleashed provides satisfyingly flashy and powerful active mode. Magic feels more strategic with MP limitations added.
New Weapons, Vehicles, and Challenging Fights
Katanas, greatswords, royal vessels, and hidden superbosses offer impactful late game additions to keep optional content exciting rather than a repetitive grind.
| Story Length | ~15 hours (Main) | 40+ hours (with DLC) |
| Combat Design | Simplistic, button mashing | Strategic, varied roles |
| End Game Content | Lacking | Greatly expanded |
Square Enix’s long-term commitment to refinement is evident in making nearly all aspects of FF15 deeper and more rewarding with clear respect for player time and interests.
Lasting Positives Still Shine
For all the weaknesses fixed or mitigated above, FF15 always shined in certain key areas that continue to resonate:
Main Cast Chemistry Still Endears
Gladiolus, Prompto, and Ignis retain charm and likability unmatched by most JRPG parties. Their brotherly bond still tugs heartstrings even on replays.
One of FF’s Greatest Soundtracks
Nobuo Uematsu and Yoko Shimomura deliver a sweeping orchestral score that fuels emotions (especially in campfire scenes) and adrenaline in equal measure. Iconic tracks endure across FF nostalgia and public consciousness.
Jaw-Dropping Vistas Still Breathtaking
Few gaming worlds capture the beauty and majesty of the natural world like FF15’s landscapes, from windswept plains to mystical caverns – a true technical and artistic showcase.
The FF magic has always persisted through characters, music, exploration – pillars untouched even by early mechanical troubles. Their preservation continues to compel revisits.
Mods Expand Possibilities Further
The PC edition now features full mod support through Steam Workshop, enabling the community to remedy lingering flaws or build out more possibilities:
QOL Improvements
Mods enable small but meaningful tune-ups like unlocked framerates, adjustable FoV, key rebinding, turbo speed modes and more – especially welcoming for returning players.
Graphical Overhauls
Reshades, texture packs, model replacements let players customize visuals beyond even Square Enix’s enhancements for their desired stylistic changes.
Mechanics Expansions
From adding weapons to rebalancing Ascension trees, mods allow easy tweaking of mechanics to player preference providing nearly infinite replayability tailoring.
Square Enix created a remarkable sandbox foundation, while mods empower the community to sculpt further greatness.
The Definitive Open World RPG Redemption Arc?
Looking now with fresh eyes from launch to present after deep analysis replaying FFVX, the difference is night and day. Ubiquitous critical flaws transformed into triumphs.
Both statistically and experientially, it’s hard not to see FF15 as one of the most impressive AAA redemption arcs that took nearly a decade of commitment from developers and community alike.
Once derided as perhaps the “worst mainline FF ever”, now FF15 makes a solid case as the quintessential open world action JRPG – marrying Square Enix’s pedigree for storytelling and spectacle with modern Triple-A immersive sim strengths centered around bonding journeys.
Few long-time fans feel as passionately recommending FF15 in 2024 as worth not just revisiting but experiencing for the first time. Both demographics will come away thrilled at how far it has come.
