Review for Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV. Game for PlayStation 4, the video game was released on 21/11/2017
That the Final Fantasy XV Universe would have a VR product in its ranks has long been known. Square Enix showed, during E3 2016, an interesting trailer of a VR title in which the player would have impersonated Prompto in one spin-off FPS. Excluding the announcement, nothing more was known about the development of the software except with the announcement, the following year, of Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV.
There have been not a few protests from fans over the clear change of direction and genre of the VR project: the idea of a shooter set in the world of Eos was and remains an intriguing idea and which, according to statements, was not entirely rejected; however, time and technical limits have led developers to focus on something less hectic and equally enjoyable in virtual reality.
The mood of the game can already be understood from the official trailers: Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV wants to be there quintessential light spin-off without too many pretensionswhile remaining consistent and integrated with the game world of the main title, a bit like the filler episodes of an animated series.
The light-hearted atmosphere must obviously not be a justification for making a mediocre product, nor to justify certain shortcomings: first of all, theabsence of a localization of menus and subtitles, despite the initial screen (and only that one) presents the options in our local language. Second, the game has an interface to say the least minimal, although the greatest absent remains any indicator of the remaining resistance to the line; it is likely that the intention was to create a more realistic approach to fishing, but by the time you come to face off against bearded demonic fish as big as an Indian elephant with a crossbow, credibility is likely not exactly first.
Are also present small inaccuracies in commands, which do not always react accurately to inputs especially during the launch of the hook, but these are issues related more to the peripheral than to the software and are frequently encountered in many other VR titles. Same goes for the resolution, lower than full HD due to the inevitable technical limitations of the viewer.
Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV is compatible with both PlayStation Move and Dualshock 4 and both peripherals are comfortable during use: the first aims at greater realism and involvement in the action, the second does not allow independent movement of the arms, but is certainly more suitable for those who love to play comfortably. In that regard, it is It is possible to play both standing and sitting, provided of course you have enough space available and the PlayStation Camera properly adjusted.
The graphics sector of Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV is certainly among the most beautiful so far seen on PlayStation VR: The production of over 100 fish is fantastic, as are the areas where it will be possible to fish. The fishing accessories are also very detailed and the over 60 lures available, inspired by iconic creatures of the saga, are so beautiful that they could easily be part of the official merchandise of the Square Enix Store.
It goes without saying that, in addition to the talent of the developers, merit of a similar aesthetic quality can also be found in reuse of many assets from the original game. Playing Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV plunges the player into a familiar world as a a Hunter, sent from the Meldacio Headquarters to track down and defeat a powerful demon, responsible for dangerous climate change nationwide.
The editor for your avatar is in all respects identical to that of Final Fantasy XV: Comrades and therefore allows a more than good customization, showing the side only in the variety of hairstyles, in this case, however, already available from the beginning. I am instead other accessories and clothing items can be purchased with game money, all already seen in the multiplayer expansion of Final Fantasy XV.
Also the audio component of Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV stands at excellent levels. The original tracks are always in line with the situation and the atmosphere and manage not to annoy even during prolonged gaming sessions; and also You can select music from Final Fantasy XV, Kingsglaive movie and Episode Gladiolus and Episode Prompto DLCs. For obvious reasons, the Episode Ignis OST is missing, but it is likely that this too will be introduced with an update when the DLC is released.
The game modes available include: the Story Mode lasting about 4 hours, where old acquaintances will meet and Daemonfish will be hunted; the Tournament, divided into various categories, through which you can challenge players from all over the world in a competition for the biggest fish and / or the most abundant catch; there Free Mode, with which to engage in relaxing sessions of free fishing and collecting.
Finally, the Hunt: just like in Final Fantasy XV, they involve catching a certain type of fish and rewards in Gil and Ticket, necessary to participate in the Tournament. Completing the hunts will raise the rank of Hunter, up to a maximum of 10, gradually unlocking longer and more complex missions, with fish more and more elusive and reluctant to catch.
Just like the game it is spin-off of, Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV shows its side mainly in this one mode, intriguing on paper, but very repetitive and not very engaging due to the hunts too similar to each other. Nothing to say instead regarding the Story Mode, short but intense and with the right amount of fanservice to make the brand aficionados happy.
Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV is a title that targets a specific and small audience: owners of a PlayStation VR who do not disdain fishing - at least, the virtual one - and faithful enough to the Final Fantasy XV Universe to be desired, at least once. , a campsite in the company of Noctis and his friends. By its nature it is a simple and very repetitive game, which certainly could have been much more refined from the technical point of view, but which still manages to offer a visual experience of great impact and able to give the right satisfactions and some smile.
► Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV is a Simulation-type game developed and published by Square Enix for PlayStation 4, the video game was released on 21/11/2017
