Across its lifetime, theFinal Fantasyfranchise has picked up a lot of little quirks that endear its games to fans. From the optional job changes inFinal Fantasy 1to the assorted sidequests and trials inFinal Fantasy 16, this series has never been afraid to throw everything at the wall and see what sticks. Even different genres entirely, like the shift towards pure action inFinal Fantasy 15and16or the MMORPG natures ofFF11andFF14, have been used in major entries. However, the series’ modern era may have a tough time toppingFinal Fantasy 15in this respect.
Final Fantasy 15is a bizarre and divisive game, and not just because of its rocky first shot at actionized combat. The entire game operates under a distinct road trip structure, jumping between linear sequences and small open world areas in a chapter-based adventure. Supposedly, the story ofFinal Fantasy 15shipped unfinished, and an entire alternate ending was released for it via the first episode of a canceled DLC season and several novels. Among all the fun party interactions and strange side activitiesFF15has to offer, there is one special encounter in it that otherFinal Fantasy’s should probably leave behind.
Final Fantasy 15’s Adamantoise Is Impressive, But Not Particularly Fun
Once players reachFinal Fantasy 15’s endgame or postgame, they can travel back to the pre-timeskip Chapter 15 to tackle launch-FF15’s superboss. It won’t take long before players are face-to-face with an Adamantoise, one ofFinal Fantasy’s rarer recurring enemies, that is literally the size of a mountain. What follows is potentially one of the most epic encounters inFinal Fantasyhistory, with a fittingly enormous battlefield, a unique group party where the whole party warp strikes the Adamantoise’s head, and an epilogue to the fight featuring quest givers from across the game showing up for a celebration.
The Adamantoise Aimed Higher Than Any Final Fantasy Could Hit
It all sounds very cool, and at points it can be. Unfortunately, there may be several hours in between those highlight moments. Boasting thestrongest boss health pool inFF15at a staggering 5,624,400 HP, it accurately reproduces the feeling of fistfighting a mountain. Players with different levels of preparation have reported battle times ranging from under 10 minutes to over 3 hours. This is still an improvement over official claims beforeFF15’s launch that it would take over 30 in-game days, which is close to 15 real hours, but capping the fight at 3 in-game days isn’t much of a condolence to those over an hour in.
What Final Fantasy 15 Reveals About Designing Superbosses
Despite the ambition behind it, theFinal Fantasy 15Adamantoise fight didn’t go as planned, and futureFinal Fantasyentries need to learn from its mistakes. Its biggest folly was massively inflating the Adamantoise’s health and defenses compared to everything else inFF15, something that other numbered entries have been guilty of before.FF10’s Nemesis and Penance,FF11’s Pandemonium Warden and Absolute Virtue, andFF12’s Yiazmat have all famously taken way too long compared to everything else in them, and Yiazmat even allowed players to take breaks. The Adamantoise’s size, while impressive, was also too unwieldy for the combat system to handle.
Final Fantasy 15’s Adamantoise Should Be Avoided In The Future
Patching in Ring of the Lucii cheese strats, probably so the relatively easy but time-consuming Adamantoise doesn’t overshadowFF15: Royal Edition’s new superbosses, also doesn’t reflect well on the fight’s design. Less deliberate cheese strategies like those involvingswapping betweenFF15’s powerful party memberscan still derive some satisfaction from the fight, but at that point, the Adamantoise isn’t even remotely functioning as intended.Final Fantasy 15made an impressive showing in trying to realize the largest and most resilient foeFinal Fantasyhas ever seen, but future entries should let it keep that achievement for itself.
Final Fantasy 15
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Enroute to wed his fiancée Luna on a road trip with his best friends, Prince Noctis is advised by news reports that his homeland has been invaded and taken over under the false pretense of a peace treaty – and that he, his loved one and his father King Regis, have been slain at the hands of the enemy To gather the strength needed to uncover the truth and reclaim his homeland, Noctis and his loyal companions must overcome a series of challenges in a spectacular open world - that is filled with larger-than-life creatures, amazing wonders, diverse cultures and treacherous foes.
