Since the change of the game's title from Final Fantasy Versus XIII to Final Fantasy XV at E3 2013, we haven't seen or heard that much from Square Enix on the latest from its most beloved franchise. Compared to other big-budget titles, details are slim, with the game making a few select appearances throughout the year. One of those appearances this year was at Gamescom, with the release of two trailers showing off gameplay and a fraction of the storyline.
Unlike other trailers — for example, the Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain demos — these were short clips, lasting less than four minutes. Gameplay footage showed the main character, Noctis, and his friends as they traversed a large forest area. They eventually encounter a swamp, which Noctis decides to explore. However, he's unaware that its home to the Malboro, a giant plant with tentacles. Battle ensues with the beast, but it eventually uses its Bad Breath attack, crippling most of the party, and killing Noctis as well.
The Malboro has been one of the staples of the series, so its appearance is expected in the game. However, it seems that the purpose of the trailer was to give fans an idea of how the game will be presented when it comes out on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Then again, many visual changes are bound to occur between now and its eventual release date.
There was another clip titled "Dawn," which gave viewers another glimpse of the game's story. We see a city under some type of heavy military presence, with a long line in the vehicle checkpoint. However, it seems that there are more pressing matters at hand, as we cut to a father, King Regis of Lucis, holding his sleeping son, Noctis.
Regis is saddened, as he knows he has to leave his son soon. In front of him stands a large structure, and the mirage of three giants appears in the sky behind it as Regis prepares to leave his son behind, putting him next in line as heir to the family throne. Details are still slim as to the events that caused the separation between father and son, but hopefully we'll know more soon in the coming months.
One thing that these trailers don't show is an actual release date for the game. The early foundations for the game started in 2006 under its original title, Final Fantasy Versus XIII. Once again, the rumor mill churned during Gamescom, with reports saying that the game will come out next year. However, the game's director, Hajime Tabata, pointed out that while the game will not be out this year, he would not be too happy about the game being pushed to a release date in 2017. Interpret that as you will.
If you really want to get your hands on an early version of Final Fantasy XV, there's always the Episode Duscae demo that comes with the first-print versions of Final Fantasy Type-0 HD. For now, the waiting game continues.
