Final Fantasy XV
A 2016 open-world action RPG in the Final Fantasy series.
Final Fantasy XV, the fifteenth mainline entry in the Final Fantasy series, is an action role-playing game from 2016. Square Enix handled both its development and publishing. It first launched on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in November 2016, then arrived on Windows in March 2018, and later served as a launch title for Stadia in November 2019. Players explore an open world and engage in an action-based combat system that features quick weapon switching, elemental magic, vehicle travel, and camping. After the main campaign, downloadable content expanded the experience with standalone story chapters, additional playable characters, and multiplayer modes.
The story unfolds on the fictional world of Eos. The empire of Niflheim controls most of the planet, leaving only the capital city of Insomnia—home to the Lucian royal family and their magical Crystal—outside its grasp. During peace negotiations, Niflheim attacks the capital and steals the Crystal. Noctis Lucis Caelum, the prince of Lucis, sets out to reclaim the Crystal and defeat Niflheim. Along the way, he discovers his true destiny as the "True King," fated to use the Crystal’s power to save Eos from an eternal darkness. The game shares thematic ties with the Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy subseries, which also includes *Final Fantasy XIII* and *Final Fantasy Type-0*.
Development began in 2006 as a PlayStation 3 spin-off titled *Final Fantasy Versus XIII*, with Tetsuya Nomura as director and character designer. After six years, the project was rebranded as the next mainline Final Fantasy title in 2012, shifting to eighth-generation platforms. Nomura was replaced as director by Hajime Tabata, and the story was rewritten, with some scenes and characters repurposed or removed. The game’s setting was described as "a fantasy based on reality," drawing real-world inspiration for its locations and creatures.
Square Enix supported *Final Fantasy XV* with a multimedia project called the "Final Fantasy XV Universe," which included spin-off games, an anime series, and a feature film. Gameplay and story DLC released between 2017 and 2019. Critics received the game well, praising its gameplay, visuals, and soundtrack, while opinions on its story and presentation were mixed. By May 2022, it had sold ten million copies worldwide, ranking among the best-selling *Final Fantasy* games.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Final Fantasy XV
- Developer
- Square Enix Business Division 2
- Publisher
- Square Enix
- Director
- Hajime Tabata
- Producer
- Shinji Hashimoto
- Artist
- Tetsuya Nomura · Roberto Ferrari · Yusuke Naora · Isamu Kamikokuryo
- Designer
- Takatsugu Nakazawa
- Writer
- Saori Itamuro · Akiko Ishibashi · Takumi Nishida
- Composer
- Yoko Shimomura
- Series
- Final Fantasy · Fabula Nova Crystallis
- Engine
- Luminous Engine
- Platforms
- PlayStation 4 · Xbox One · Windows · Google Stadia
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Final Fantasy XV takes place on the fictional world of Eos; aside from Insomnia, the capital of Lucis, all the world is dominated by the empire of Niflheim, who seek control of the magical Crystal protected by the Lucian royal family. On the eve of peace negotiations, Niflheim attacks the capital and steals the Crystal. Noctis Lucis Caelum, heir to the Lucian throne, goes on a quest to rescue the Crystal and defeat Niflheim. He later learns his full role as the 'True King', destined to use the Crystal's powers to save Eos from eternal darkness. The game shares a thematic connection with Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy, a subseries of games linked by a common mythos which includes Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Type-0.
The game's development began in 2006 as a PlayStation 3 spin-off titled (unnamed in notes). Tetsuya Nomura served as the original director and character designer. After a development period of six years, it was changed to the next mainline title in the series in 2012; Nomura was replaced as director by Hajime Tabata, and the game shifted to eighth generation platforms. Due to the changes, the story needed to be rewritten and some scenes and characters were repurposed or removed. The setting of Final Fantasy XV was 'a fantasy based on reality', with locations and creatures based on elements from the real world.
To supplement the game, Square Enix created a multimedia project called the 'Final Fantasy XV Universe', which includes a few spin-off games, as well as an anime series and a feature film. Gameplay and story-based DLC was released between 2017 and 2019.
Reader's Guide
Final Fantasy XV was well received by critics upon release. Widespread praise was given for its gameplay, visuals and soundtrack, while reception towards its story and presentation was mixed. As of May 2022, the game has sold ten million units worldwide, making it one of the best-selling Final Fantasy games of all time. The game's open world and action-based battle system, called the Active Cross Battle system, marked a significant departure from the series' traditional turn-based combat. The inclusion of a multimedia 'Final Fantasy XV Universe' expanded the game's narrative across an anime series, a feature film, and spin-off games. The development history, spanning from a 2006 spin-off to a mainline title with a director change, contributed to the game's notable production story. The downloadable content released between 2017 and 2019 added standalone story content, additional playable characters, and multiplayer options, extending the game's lifespan and player engagement.
Did You Know?
- The game was originally conceived as a PlayStation 3 spin-off in 2006 before becoming the fifteenth mainline Final Fantasy title in 2012.
- Tetsuya Nomura was the original director and character designer, later replaced by Hajime Tabata.
- The setting is described as 'a fantasy based on reality', with locations and creatures drawn from real-world elements.
- The game sold ten million units worldwide as of May 2022.
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