Behold the Next Generation of Final Fantasy

[John Funk]

Behold the Next Generation of Final Fantasy

​

Square-Enix's Final Fantasy tech demo looks incredible.

We now know that the earlier rumor that Final Fantasy Versus XIII would be rebranded Final Fantasy XV was false [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/117546-UPDATE-Final-Fantasy-Versus-XIII-Becomes-FF15]. So what will the actual FF15 look like? This real-time tech demo from Square-Enix, called "Agni's Philosophy," goes a long way towards answering that question.

Once again, this tech demo is real-time. It isn't pre-rendered. This must be emphasized, because good lord it's beautiful. You can see individual strands of wispy white hair in an old man's beard as they blow in the wind, and those environments are absolutely stunning. The real-time in-engine graphics seen here are heads and shoulders above Square-Enix's legendary pre-rendered cutscenes we've seen in previous Final Fantasies - even the ones in this generation's FF13!

In the video, our heroine, Agni, gets herself involved in some serious trouble when a group of terrorists (?) storms some kind of summoning ritual (?) and just starts blasting away. I don't really know what's going on, but there are hellhounds and solar eclipses and crystals and dragons, and it all looks stunning.

It may only be a tech demo, but I'd love to see "Agni's Philosophy" turned into a real game, whether Final Fantasy or not. The world has a unique and palpable aesthetic that feels very south-Asian - kind of like a city in a fantastic, futuristic version of India. Which would make sense, given that Agni [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agni] is a Hindu deity. If this tech demo ended up forming the foundation for FF15, I'd be psyched for a new Final Fantasy for the first time in years.

Then again, perhaps it's best to not get our hopes up. It wouldn't be the first time Sony has teased a Final Fantasy tech demo and not delivered [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv8cYrGG220], after all.

Permalink

 

[FogHornG36]

um... yes that isn't just an fmv, but that is still just a cutscene, yes, it looks nice, but its character models running around a painted back drop...

 

[Gizmo1990]

10-2 was a kick in the balls but I forgave them. I saw the trailer for FF12 and was very excited, and that was an even harder kick in the balls but still I forgave them. I saw the trailer for FF 13 and I was beyond excited and that game grew arms, got a Cricket bat and beat the shit out of me.

I have no more faith in Square Enix anymore. In fact now I think about it I have never liked a Square Enix game. The last Final Fantasy I liked was 10 and that was the last game made by Squaresoft before they merged with Enix.

 

[Kopikatsu]

if this a final fantasy game? Why are the badguys using AKs?? Shouldn't they be using gunblades instead??

It's not a Final Fantasy game, it's just a tech demo for the engine that they're using.

 

[Absolutionis]

It may be a real-time rendering, but it's not likely on a PS3 or especially not an XBox360. If they want to sell (out), they'll put the game on those consoles.

Plus, this is no better than a cutscene anyways and making i a real-time rendering would make no difference than a simple prerendered video.

 

[EmperorSubcutaneous]

The last Final Fantasy I liked was 10 and that was the last game made by Squaresoft before they merged with Enix.

Actually that would be FFXI. It came out in Japan in 2002, and the merger didn't happen until 2003.

And yes, it was a very good MMO for its time.

 

[Gizmo1990]

The last Final Fantasy I liked was 10 and that was the last game made by Squaresoft before they merged with Enix.

Actually that would be FFXI. It came out in Japan in 2002, and the merger didn't happen until 2003.

And yes, it was a very good MMO for its time.

Fair enough I can admit when I am wrong. I tip my hat to you good sir. But I cannot judge the game. The only MMO I have played is the Old Republic

 

[Migratingchimp]

If they would just go back to actual Gameplay the FF series could be good again, but instead they want to see how much they can make you pay for a movie with basically just quick time events.Not did people fall for it once, but twice with the purchase of FFXIII2. So for those turds that bought the second one thanks for ruining the series because Square is just going to continue raping it, like Speilberg did to Indiana, and Lucas does to Star Wars, with no lube a spiked fetish dildo and not even a kiss on the cheek afterwards.

 

[Richardplex]

Eh, FF13 is still the most beautiful looking game for me. Can't put my finger on why, character design maybe (for the faces). Also, there is absolutely no need to make another engine when the crystal engine looks that good. Stop wasting money Square Enix.

 

[ScruffyMcBalls]

Did I see a different video to all of you? This was either as impressive, or more impressive than the Kara tech demo from Quantic Dreams, and I don't think anyone really appreciates that this came from Square Enix's R&D department, not from a development team. So this is all concept work not tied to any game or with any gameplay in mind, this is just for the sake of showing what can be done visually and in no way wasted money that was going to be used to make a game.
And I don't even like Square Enix...

 

[Covarr]

The YouTube tags say DirectX 11. This thing is running on Windows, probably with a beast of a machine (Dual GTX 690s in SLI, maybe?). Gorgeous though it may be, I can't be nearly as impressed as I would be if this was demonstrating something within consumers' reach. As it is, it's really more of a portfolio item for their graphics team.

P.S. Thanks

 

[KingdomFantasyXIII]

Yes it's pretty, but what about gameplay? What about a small story to go with this tech demo? These are the real questions that need to be answered Square. FF13 graphics were fine as the next big step in graphic design.

I liked FF13, but after FF10, none of the other games interested me whatsoever. FF11 was boring, FF12 made me want to destroy it and FF14 I did not care for as soon as I heard it was going to be an "MMORPG" (way before the whole disaster happen).

Eh, FF13 is still the most beautiful looking game for me. Can't put my finger on why, character design maybe (for the faces). Also, there is absolutely no need to make another engine when the crystal engine looks that good. Stop wasting money Square Enix.

Agreed. Stop wasting money on graphics and start on the other 2 things that make a game good: Story and gameplay.

 

[draythefingerless]

Yes, real time, on a server computer probably. Sorry, you cant run that level of detail, REAL TIME, on a regular computer. It needs to be a colossus no normal person can afford, like...sayyyy...the ones they use at E3 for massive tech demos tons of games and overrunned trailers.

 

[Revnak_v1legacy]

10-2 was a kick in the balls but I forgave them. I saw the trailer for FF12 and was very excited, and that was an even harder kick in the balls but still I forgave them. I saw the trailer for FF 13 and I was beyond excited and that game grew arms, got a Cricket bat and beat the shit out of me.

I have no more faith in Square Enix anymore. In fact now I think about it I have never liked a Square Enix game. The last Final Fantasy I liked was 10 and that was the last game made by Squaresoft before they merged with Enix.

You know, I've seen you post essentially this exact same thing in a strangely large number of threads. It's not that I'm annoyed or anything, just noticed it is all.

So it's a tech demo. I suppose I'm supposed to care about this? Well I don't. When I'm likely not to play a game on that engine for the next several years I find it hard to get worked up over its capabilities.

 

[EmperorSubcutaneous]

The last Final Fantasy I liked was 10 and that was the last game made by Squaresoft before they merged with Enix.

Actually that would be FFXI. It came out in Japan in 2002, and the merger didn't happen until 2003.

And yes, it was a very good MMO for its time.

Fair enough I can admit when I am wrong. I tip my hat to you good sir. But I cannot judge the game. The only MMO I have played is the Old Republic

Turns out I spoke too soon; X-2 was the last game made by Squaresoft before the merger. That's a surprise.

 

[oldtaku]

Yeah yeah, we know Square Enix can do good graphics.

Where are the good games?

(Made, not just published. DX:HR is a good game.)

 

[Gizmo1990]

10-2 was a kick in the balls but I forgave them. I saw the trailer for FF12 and was very excited, and that was an even harder kick in the balls but still I forgave them. I saw the trailer for FF 13 and I was beyond excited and that game grew arms, got a Cricket bat and beat the shit out of me.

I have no more faith in Square Enix anymore. In fact now I think about it I have never liked a Square Enix game. The last Final Fantasy I liked was 10 and that was the last game made by Squaresoft before they merged with Enix.

You know, I've seen you post essentially this exact same thing in a strangely large number of threads. It's not that I'm annoyed or anything, just noticed it is all.

So it's a tech demo. I suppose I'm supposed to care about this? Well I don't. When I'm likely not to play a game on that engine for the next several years I find it hard to get worked up over its capabilities.

wow really? I guess there have been more than a few FF threds recently. Unless you have a really good memory.

Looking back on my post history you are right but this has been my opinion for a long time.