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Final Fantasy Type-0 Review

Ever fire up a new game and within the first twenty minutes feel morbidly depressed? I have. Recently.

Final Fantasy Type-0 HD is a remastering and localization of the PSP title of the same name. This release comes out of the Square Enix pattern of remastering their games; however, this one is unique because this is the first time it is playable in English. The game follows the story of a country being torn apart by a war comparable to World War II, focusing on a powerful group of young adults trying to make a difference.

SONY DSC
The PSP housed some experimental game design from Square Enix.

Before I go into this review, let me assure my readers that I did take the fact that this is a PSP game on the PS4 into consideration in all aspects of my criticism.

Those teens are members of the most elite group in Akademia, Class Zero. These characters each have their own style, making it fun to experiment with several characters to find one that fits. The combat engine is set in real time, but common battles take place in their own separate space most of the time. Many main quests actually stay in a battle mode, allowing players to engage in skirmishes in the overall war or avoid enemies altogether. There is even a real-time strategy inspired mechanic that appears from time to time. While it adds variety, these segments usually lack depth.

Golem is acquired by talking to someone. . .
Golem is acquired by talking to someone. . .

There are many side missions that often reward curious players with items, spells, and abilities. These missions are fairly bland, but are a nice option, since the main game is fairly short. Unfortunately, there are many rewards that are worth putting up with lame missions. Players will find themselves running back and forth for much of the game just to find cool content.

Sice is one of my favorite characters, even though she fits so many anime cliches.
Sice is one of my favorite characters, even though she fits so many anime cliches.

Visually, Type-0 has an anime inspired look and feel, with detailed character models and effects. Compared to previous Final Fantasy games, Type-0 is much darker in tone, even though it pays homage to several other games in the franchise. Violence drives much of the drama with characters dying on screen with sprays of blood. Classic Final Fantasy creatures are also given an interesting spin and feel more dangerous.

The summons of Type-0 are awesome in design and execution.
The summons of Type-0 are awesome in design and execution.

Class Zero’s warriors each have unique animations that flow well and look great. The choreography alone is worth praise as monsters are chopped up, blasted away, or lulled to sleep by pleasant flute music. Summons still hold up as some of the best moments of the action as powerful allies burst into existence. These beings are also controllable, adding to their presence on the battlefield. The way these creatures are designed are always interesting to compare to past iterations.
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One of the biggest drawbacks to the game is its graphical issues. Action is fast paced, fluid, and cinematic, but the game’s camera has a hard time keeping up. This is especially true when trying to manually pan the camera, as many assets simply disappear in an attempt to have motion blur. I also found the game to be hurtful to the eyes in long stretches, making it hard to play.

Please Square Enix, fix the frame issues.
Please Square Enix, fix the frame issues.

Adding to this is the dreadful pace to the game. The first hour or so of play is filled with gorgeous cutscenes, tons of action, and culminates in the summoning of Odin. These moments set the stage way too high for the rest of the game. Players must prepare for missions by poking around the world in search of events.

The opening segment of the game also forces me to mention another problem I have with Type-0: character development is almost non-existent. This is a game with fourteen playable characters and not a one gets any sort of development in the first three hours. The driving drama of the story is the death of a completely unknown character. Even though the scene is tragic just from its direction, there’s no reason for players to care, unless they’re a Chocobo rights activist. Even after about ten hours of play, I have no idea who any of the characters in Class Zero are, what their motives are or why they’re together. Even side quests don’t offer those key character details that could make the game great. It’s a shame too, cause many character interactions, like those between Ace and Mother or Rem and Machina, ooze possibilities.

I WANT TO KNOW THEIR STORY IN A PALATABLE WAY!
I WANT TO KNOW THEIR STORY IN A PALATABLE WAY!

Before giving my final thoughts, I’d like to take this chance to clarify that I have not finished Final Fantasy Type-0 HD.

Many of the technical complaints I have about the game could, and hopefully will, be fixed in a patch. There could also be more character development towards the end, however, the game’s awesome opening left me with a lot of expectations that have yet to be matched. I want to love this game for its style, darker tone, and fluent combat engine, but its flaws make that impossible.The only thing keeping me playing is the art style.

Well, the trailers were cool. . .
Well, the trailers were cool. . .

In fact, I had lost faith in Final Fantasy after buying Final Fantasy XIII the day it released. Type-0 was a glimmer of hope for me, but I was let down. Luckily, the demo packaged with Type-0 rekindles that hope. Final Fantasy XV looks to be one of the greatest games of all time, but I won’t know for sure until it comes out.

Chichiri-and-Izana-Type-0-HD

Even considering its origins as a portable title, Final Fantasy Type-0 gets six dead chocobos out of ten.

Final Fantasy Summon Origins: Leviathan

A strange sight caught Cecil’s eyes as the boat sailed across the waves. There was a swirl forming, just a few yards from the port side, gaining speed and broadening. The ship tipped as it slowly sucked in. Cries of panic surrounded Cecil and his companions. Unable to do anything, Cecil watched as the water engulfed the sky.

Just before the sea swallowed the boat, Cecil saw an immense serpent coiled beneath the surface. “Leviathan!” yelled a crewman.

Summoning is often one of the strongest and most visually appealing forms of magic in the Final Fantasy series. First appearing as a summon in Final Fantasy III in Japan, Americans did not get introduced to Ifrit and pals until Final Fantasy 4 hit the SNES. Since then, these powerful beings have become icons, often being envisioned in many creative ways for each installment.

While there are many summons to elaborate on, there are a few that could use a bit more discussion. For some excellent insight into other summons, check out Gaijin Goomba’s series on Youtube:

Leviathan’s character is a simple design, a massive sea serpent that summons tidal waves to drown enemies. However, his size and immense power is better described in his origins. Sea serpents have been showing up in literature ever since the days of the Nordic folk. Even the Bible references this massive creature said to be immune to all weapons.

Destruction_of_Leviathan
“Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?” – Job 41: 1

Interestingly enough, this same passage mentions befriending the creature or at least making a pact with it. Considering in Final Fantasy X, many summoners create bonds with their Aeons, this could be a potential influence to Leviathan being created as a summon.

“Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?” – Job 41: 4

There was actually a Final Fantasy IV novel in Japan! Wish it would translated one day. . .
There was actually a Final Fantasy IV novel in Japan! Wish it would translated one day. . .

The first Leviathan in Final Fantasy III showed a simple design and concept. He’s just a regal serpent with long whiskers that summons weather forces. However, in Final Fantasy IV, he becomes a king of beings called Eidolons. The Eidolons are powerful elemental beings that live in a separate plane of existence. It’s here that Rydia (the summoner of Final Fantasy IV) gains her mastery of summoning, also creating an interesting parental connection with Leviathan and his queen, Asura. Both of these royal beings offer rough battles, but end with the prize of being able to call on them.

It’s also interesting that Leviathan’s human form in Final Fantasy IV is that of an old man. He appears frail and wise, sporting a long beard like many of the other sages in the series. In many mythologies, higher beings often have the power to shape shift. For instance, Zeus regularly transforms into animals such as an eagle or a bull, usually to carry away maidens and sometimes young men for, well,  coitus.

This remedy can also be self applied if buy cheap cialis cute-n-tiny.com you have the understanding, nonetheless when very first attempting this method it is finest performed by a physician who will insert a gloved finger into the rectum to feel for an an enlarged prostate. Strong Aphrodisiac For Men Muira puama otherwise “potency wood” is most recognized for its aphrodisiac or “sexual cialis generic no prescription interest improving” effects in men. Sleep restriction: this prevents daytime prescription viagra online naps to promote nighttime sleep. Common details are discount cialis http://cute-n-tiny.com/cute-items/crochet-hot-chocolate/ from particular natural aphrodisiacs like Tribulus, Ashwagandha, and Shilajit and so on. Leviathan’s human form could have connections to Proteus, son of Oceanus of Greek mythology. Proteus could call upon great storms and change his shape, one of which was a snake.

Proteus-Alciato

As far as his design goes, Leviathan does not see much change until Final Fantasy IX. In this game, he is given wing-like fins that give him a more imposing appearance. His color palette also expands to include many shades of purple to accent his blue skin. Also important to note is Leviathan is a female. This makes sense, as summoning is a feminine power used only by Eiko and Garnet. That same motif is carried into Final Fantasy X by Yuna.

Leviathan_FFIX_Art_1

Both MMO Final Fantasy games retain Leviathan’s wings, neither changing the design too drastically. Unfortunately, Leviathan has been absent in true form in later console games. The Sea King lives on in name as an airship and as a plaza.

As of now, its unknown what sort of role summoning will have in Final Fantasy XV. Will the tides rise with the revival of Leviathan? Or will he merely remain a memory? At least, early trailers suggest he (maybe she) will be a massive boss.

FFXV_-_Leviathan

Thus Leviathan remains as a staple for those wanting to add some water to their magic repertoire. His role in the story of the series has been grand and subtle, but one thing is certain, Leviathan is an icon of Final Fantasy.

Drop by next week for a look at everyone’s favorite Celtic warrior gone toxic monster, Cúchulainn.

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