I have A LOT of information on FFEx today
. Atsushi Hashimoto and project manager Takahiro Abe talked more about the 3DS game while speaking with Famitsu:
On the topic: What kind of game is Final Fantasy Explorers-
“To put it simply, it’s an action RPG Final Fantasy with multiplayer as a possibility.” – Hashimoto
“When you think about a Final Fantasy series with multiplayer compatibility, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles comes to mind. However, this game is a different from Crystal Chronicles, as it heavily focuses on multiplayer elements as a multiplayer online-type game that connects through local and internet connectivity.” – Abe
On the topic: If the White Mage would be
only a healer-
“They can be played that way, but there’s also plenty of customizing features, so a ‘battle White Mage” will also be a possibility.” – Abe
- In addition to weapons and equipment, you can switch around abilities to customize your characters, so that makes it possible for all kinds of different party set ups
- Ex: make a party that doesn’t need a White Mage by using healing items or have other jobs that learned the White Mage’s Cure
On the topic: If you'd be able to learn and customize abilities from different jobs-
“Actually, no, the ability acquisition isn’t really connected to the jobs. I thought that the idea of ‘I want to keep playing as a White Mage, but I must change to Black Mage in order to learn offensive magic’ was a little troublesome for this game.” – Hashimoto
“Therefore, you can keep playing as a White Mage and learn Black Mage abilities. This might be a little different from conventional Final Fantasy games, but I felt that this would be a good idea when considering the trends of recent players.” – Hashimoto
“However, the first abilities you’ll unlock will be connected to jobs. For example, an ability that might connect with a Dragoon and spears.” – Hashimoto
- Abe said that Final Fantasy Explorers has most of the jobs you’d expect to see in the Final Fantasy series - Unique new jobs - Also jobs that weren’t in any of the main-numbered Final Fantasy games - 500 different equipment pieces - Armor consists of parts for the head, body, right hand, left hand, legs, and accessories - Items are made through material acquired through battles and gathering on the fields
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Now, in a different interview: Final Fantasy Explorers director Atsuhi Hashimoto and project manager Takahiro Abe spoke more about befriending monsters, the game’s difficulty, and the game’s world.
On the topic- The game's difficulty:
“I’d like to make [the game] into something that even those who aren’t the best at action games can enjoy. There will also be things like specific actions that can be used to cancel abilities, and other technical maneuvers for those who are confident in their skills to enjoy.” – Hashimoto
“Think of it as something that has the strategic nature of an RPG, together with a focus on combining jobs and abilities that just about anyone can enjoy. Of course, we also plan on adding high difficulty quests that will have you going, ‘is this even possible to clear?’ So people who excel at action games will have plenty to look forward to. Additionally, there will be a way to adjust quest difficulty, so those who think ‘this isn’t enough!’ can easily adjust the difficulty to their liking.” – Abe
- Hashimoto and Abe also briefly talk about the “Resonance System”
- This is essentially a system that lets players perform cooperative moves using abilities, which can make them into different and more powerful abilities
- Abe explains that Final Fantasy Explorers is set on an island with all kinds of different areas that can be fully explored
- The Resonance System is being made so it can be used from a distance
- According to Abe, this means players can continue exploring and go out to fields that are quite a distance away from other players, so they made the Resonance System to make it possible for players to interact with one another using cooperative abilities that can be used from quite a distance
- Famitsu mentions that it sounds pretty close to what you’d expect from an open-world game, and that might make it troublesome for players to get around
- In response, Hashimoto said that the devv team is currently working on a system for that very purpose
- Abe teased “When it comes to Final Fantasy… airships come to mind.”
- Regarding transportation, the developers also mention that Chocobos won’t be rideable this time around
- They will appear as monsters that can be recruited
- Recruit monsters by defeating them and obtaining a special item drop
- Once you have this item, you can take it back to town and have that monster born from it
- Collect and raise monsters
- The more powerful and rare the monster is, the tougher they will be to acquire
On the topic- Hashimoto on whether there are event scenes that will show off parts of the story during the game…
“Yes, there’s a main story. Once you make your character, it’ll be your avatar that you’ll play as, but we’re not pushing for the story to have as much emotional involvement compared to the main numbered series.”
“However, the game goes beyond the island that is the setting of the game, and there is a setting for the whole world, with quest content and NPCs with different speaking mannerisms to show for it.”
“[As you play] you might think ‘there are these kind of characters, so it must be this kind of country?’ or ‘the weapon description says this and that, so maybe it was used by someone in the past?’ This might sound typical of an old game, but I want it to be something that works your imagination.”
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Wow, this was a lot! Let me know what you think. I'm speechless, this game looks pretty good, to be honest, I think it will be very similar to Monster Hunter, in terms of the battling and environment, but I'm pleased to see that this game has a story that's behind it, as well as the quests. I'm excited to see the jobs, and abilities. I have high hopes for this game, I'm expecting a lot from it.
..... OMG..... OMG!!!!!!!! YESSSSSSSSS (I had to get that out)
). This must come to EU and NA, without a doubt.
