I still vividly recall the autumn day of November 2016 whenFinal Fantasy 15found its way to me. The air was crisp with the scent of fallen leaves, painting the landscape in vibrant hues of red, gold, and orange. Amidst the rigors of grad school, I made the decision to part ways with my iPad Mini, trading it in at GameStop to fund my acquisition of the game. Money was tight as a college student, but the allure of Final Fantasy 15 was undeniable.
Upon completing the game, I found myself swept away by a torrent of emotions, particularly stirred by its somewhat somber conclusion. Even now, I find solace in the hauntingly beautiful rendition of “Stand By Me” by Florence & The Machine, viewing it through the lens of nostalgia that the game evokes. However, as time passed, I found myself echoing the sentiments of many others – Final Fantasy 15 seemed incomplete, lacking crucial elements in its narrative and crying out for additional content.
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Thankfully, a roadmap of promised DLC offered hope, and I eagerly awaited the day when I could delve into the complete collection, experiencing the story in its intended chronological order. Regrettably, that day never arrived. The roadmap’s final destination was abruptly truncated, leaving its conclusion to be penned into a book that remains unread on my shelf.
The Waiting Game
I anticipated the release of those DLC episodes, each one a treasure trove of new adventures. Personally, I had a soft spot for Gladiolus and his imposing presence, but I disciplined myself to hold off until all the content was available. I reassured myself that the wait would pay off in the end, adding to the excitement of diving into each episode one by one.
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Square Enix released three DLC episodes focusing on the previously non-playable party members Gladiolus, Prompto, and Ignis for the first season pass. Later, they added another episode, letting you take control of Ardyn Izunia, the main villain of the game. These episodes offered a fun alternative to the usual gameplay as Noctis and also allowed the developers to integrate playable party members into the main game. Sadly, Final Fantasy 15 couldn’t avoid its development issues, and Square Enix had to cancel several more DLC episodes before they could be released.
The second season pass was meant to delve deeper into the backstory of Final Fantasy 15, paving the way for an alternate ending. While Episode Aranea, a major addition, never materialized, Episode Ardyn still managed to unveil much of the intended lore. Aranea Highwind, Final Fantasy 15’s resident dragoon, initially led a mercenary group hired by the Niflheim Empire to capture the heroes. Despite not being my favorite character, Aranea played a crucial role in the narrative. The game lacked a prominent female presence, and her inclusion was a step in the right direction. Fans eagerly anticipated her involvement in the endgame and Prompto’s DLC, with hopes of her becoming playable or a permanent party member.
Story episodes weren’t the only DLC planned for Final Fantasy 15. We fans got the multiplayer expansion Comrades. I loved it because I was able to create my own character in the Final Fantasy 15 universe. I created a character that reflected my online persona at the time, enjoying some lighthearted moments with friends in-game. Slashing with Shirikens was a lot of fun!
The promise of future content and bug fixes kept me invested despite some rough patches. It added an extra layer of immersion, allowing me to insert myself into the world of Final Fantasy 15. I relished the idea of aiding Noctis and his companions in a passive role, dreaming of one day meeting them. In 2020, Comrades content was also cut off. It’s still possible to play with NPCs, but it won’t be the same as playing with fellow Final Fantasy fans.
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All Wrapped Up In A Book
The irony of the announcement that future DLC was canceled in November, two years after the release, isn’t lost on me. I remember seeing the headlines, and something in me just… crumbled. To this day, Final Fantasy 15 is the only modern mainline Final Fantasy game that I can’t see myself going back to. Sure, the thought crosses my mind occasionally, especially when I see mentions of it in media or there’s a promotion for a sale, but the problem is I still feel scorned. I feel cheated, and that feeling won’t go away. At least not right now.
The news of the DLC cancellation for Final Fantasy 15 hit me hard. I’d eagerly awaited the continuation of the game’s story for years, only to learn that the remaining content would be concluded in a book. The entire saga would conclude with Final Fantasy 15: The Dawn of the Future, which basically became a written version of all of the events that were going to happen in the remaining DLC.
It seemed like a cop-out, a shortcut to tying up loose ends that deserved firsthand experience. Ironically, as a librarian, I couldn’t find solace in reading about the events I had been so invested in. Video games offer a unique immersive experience that books simply can’t match. I didn’t want to relax in bed with a book; I wanted to pick up my controller and dive back into the world of Eos, to feel the thrill of controlling the action myself.
One positive outcome from this fiasco is that Square Enix appears to have learned their lesson regarding rushed Final Fantasy content.Final Fantasy 16was a blast to play,and in my opinion, it felt like a complete, cohesive narrative. It’s receiving DLC, but the additional content feels supplemental. I actually look forward to revisiting it when I have the chance.
