Overview
Final Fantasy XV is an action-RPG developed and published by Square Enix, released in 2016 on PS4 and Xbox One, then on PC, where I played it. Its development was long and chaotic: the project was announced in 2006 as Final Fantasy Versus XIII before becoming the fifteenth entry in the series.
Story and world
You play as Noctis, prince of the kingdom of Lucis, who hits the road with his three friends and bodyguards, Gladiolus, Ignis and Prompto, aboard the Regalia, the royal car. Their trip is upended by the conflict between Lucis and the empire of Niflheim.
The road trip between mates works very well — it is even what the game does best: you drive, you stop to camp, and you live the trip with the gang of mates.
Gameplay
Combat is real-time: you control Noctis, who can notably warp onto enemies or high points, while his companions fight alongside him.
The first half of the game takes place in an open world you travel by car, with quests and hunts to complete. This open world is pleasant, but the second part becomes rushed and badly stitched together, much more linear.
Verdict
A chaotic development that you can feel, especially in a rushed second half, despite some genuinely graceful moments and a road trip between mates that works very well.