Honest opinions on the Combat System?

[Bodhsativa]

I'm wondering how everyone feels about the new combat?
I think FF has been heading this way the last few iterations, so the new more action based combat is no surprise.
Honestly, I quite like it, but I am also a fan of Kingdom Hearts, so it is familiar to me. KH is way more action based though, and I like the changes they've made here. I feel like it is KH combat through a filter of FF.

I like that combat has retained more strategy and planning than KH. Attacking and defending are single commands, not button mashing for combos. Having to use defense just before the attack is nice touch. It keeps the feel of defense and attakc being a "mode" rather than literal attacking/defending. Because of this, they're more like general commands which control the flow of battle, which allows you to consider your other abilities like your team, direction, the hazardous monster attacks around you, warp points, etc. I feel like it is a super-fast ATB mode. Attack is your base command, with other stuff available when you need it.
Magic is a let-down though. Let's hope the modding tools will give us some nice access to better spells. Even just visually, I'd be happier.

(P.S. Even the animations are KH-like)

[Darthsabre]

Gets some getting used to but it's fun.

[NecromancyBlack]

Takes getting use to yeah, but once you understand it it's fun.

The main issue is the tutorials only seem to cover fighting a single major enemy. Fighting groups is pretty different.

Enemies also don't telegraph attacks as much as you expect, so you really need to get some experiance in fighting them to pick up on what you need to react too.

[Bodhsativa]

Originally posted by NecromancyBlack:

Takes getting use to yeah, but once you understand it it's fun.

The main issue is the tutorials only seem to cover fighting a single major enemy. Fighting groups is pretty different.

Enemies also don't telegraph attacks as much as you expect, so you really need to get some experiance in fighting them to pick up on what you need to react too.

Yeah, when I started I nearly died against groups of basic enemies. I was like WTF am I doing wrong? Then I realised they want you to be prepared for attacks, not just react to them. And also use your warp powers to make distance when it gets to be too much.

[Ryu Makkuro]

My only gripe with the combat is the sort of input lag, at least from my experience in the demo. Otherwise, it's something new and that's pretty much what FF games provide every time, a new gameplay.

FFVII had materia's, FFVIII had junction (crap, but still), FFIX... oh right, that was a copy paste of the old ones, nvm, FFX had the static battles, FFXII has the famous gambit system, FFXIII has paradigm (which in end-game is quite a bit of fun actually) and now FFXV with full on action combat.

As to magic... I'm neither against it nor for it. The magic in this world revolves basically around three elements and warping. It's the lore and that's just it. The spells are pretty strong though, so it's wise to make good use of them in tough battles, rather than be some spammable crap... for which warping exists xD

I'm gonna explore the combat fully and take all that it offers, not just resort to the most efficient route, so my opinion about it may change in the future, but for now it's a solid B.

PS. What I hate about it is that they put this combat into FFVII Remake as it seems... makes that more of a FFVII mod for FFXV than a remake -_-

[Emil]

I think you should wait for FF7 remake (Another 10 years maybe on PS5 or PS6 LOL), That should be same style as Kingdom Heart

[Lily]

Not my favorite combat system, but I am fine with it.

[Bodhsativa]

Originally posted by Ryu Makkuro:

FFVII had materia's, FFVIII had junction (crap, but still), FFIX... oh right, that was a copy paste of the old ones, nvm, FFX had the static battles, FFXII has the famous gambit system, FFXIII has paradigm (which in end-game is quite a bit of fun actually) and now FFXV with full on action combat.

Actually, you're the first person I've seen to write that about XIII. I know the first length of the game was a bit meh, but the battle system really shone through once you went to take out the toughest bosses in the game. I remember trying to farm Long Guis with max efficiency fondly, hahaha.

Also, I actually like that magic does friendly fire damage. It ups the whole "These are your friends" element in battle. They fight with you, be aware of their situation in battle, not just your own.

[Just Fkin Ryan]

from experience ive had from the main game on the ps4, i have gottent the platinum trophy, and have over 100+ hours in it, the combat is really fun, but, its one of those things that when it works, it works really well, but oh boy, when it doesnt work, headaches start popping up, camera angles can get very annoying at times, but i personally love it, its not perfect, but it doesnt have to be, im sure that new comers for the PC version will very much enjoy the game, and with a increased framerate the combat feels more fuild and smooth then it did from the ps4 version.

[⚡Energy™⚡]

Well, like I said several times before, after way more than one decade of turnbased battles in FF I am really tired of them. Exploring the world and just being dragged into a forced battle... I just can't stand that anymore. It's fine now and then, but personally I am very glad they changed that this time.
This was one of the big pro's for me to buy the game, because honestly those RNG fights would have bored me to death.
Sure, the magic system can't hardly be called like that. (well judging from the demo) and they could have added more variety to the whole battle system. (Even the battle system in the SAO games allows for more) but I'm rather attracted by those JRPG "action" battle systems in General at the moment, so I'm fine with it.
Plus, the game is moddable, so there might be mods to change this or that or add to it, make it better in the future. Who knows?

In comparism to turn based battles you can now dodge, block and parry actively, instead of having your stats and RNG alone doing that for you. I personally like it better that way. Either way.

[Bodhsativa]

Originally posted by Just Fkin Ryan:

from experience ive had from the main game on the ps4, i have gottent the platinum trophy, and have over 100+ hours in it, the combat is really fun, but, its one of those things that when it works, it works really well, but oh boy, when it doesnt work, headaches start popping up, camera angles can get very annoying at times, but i personally love it, its not perfect, but it doesnt have to be, im sure that new comers for the PC version will very much enjoy the game, and with a increased framerate the combat feels more fuild and smooth then it did from the ps4 version.

Good to know. Honestly, I also just like games with pretty, flashy aesthetics. I loved Mass Effect 3 multiplayer because the sound and graphics were just ridiculous. Blue telekenis orbs with wobbly bass sounds and mechanical crunches as some poor enemy's body got flung into oblivion. That was its own kind of pleasure, hahaha.

[zachillios]

Not the worst ever, but it's very shallow. It's very flashy, I'll give it that. But the entire game can be easily beaten by holding a button or two which is upsetting. The magic system has a bit of complexity to it, but it becomes broken and cheapens an already easy game if you really put effort towards customization.

[Ceriss]

I think once you get a hand on it it flows really nicely.

When you fight a tough enemy you'll often go in and attack, warp away and then warp to a far point to come in and land a strong warp strike and repeat that.

As you say OP it really gives all of the different action in battle the feeling that they're their own phase.

If this was turned based it go like this.

-Attack phase
-Reposition phase
-defense phase

[Mikasa Ackerman]

its fun , but i also liked Lightning returns' battle system , i just hope FFXVI doesnt also use it , 2 FF in a row is enough ( not counting type 0 or remasters)

[Bodhsativa]

Originally posted by Blanc:

I think once you get a hand on it it flows really nicely.

When you fight a tough enemy you'll often go in and attack, warp away and then warp to a far point to come in and land a strong warp strike and repeat that.

As you say OP it really gives all of different action in battle the feelnig that they're their own phase.

If this was turned based it go like this.

-Attack phase
-Reposition phase
-defense phase

Yeah, I really noticed how important positioning was. Creating distance when you needed it, not getting swamped by a mob because you were being overly aggressive, etc. Where you chose to stand was an imprtant part of strategy.

Originally posted by zachillios:

Not the worst ever, but it's very shallow. It's very flashy, I'll give it that. But the entire game can be easily beaten by holding a button or two which is upsetting. The magic system has a bit of complexity to it, but it becomes broken and cheapens an already easy game if you really put effort towards customization.

I want to see how far I can push it with the system. I'd like harder difficulties. IN the demo I beat the bandersnatch when I was level 11, but it was great fun. It was a massive challange to do it, and I hope there are more opportunities like that.

[zachillios]

Originally posted by Bodhsativa:

Originally posted by Blanc:

I think once you get a hand on it it flows really nicely.

When you fight a tough enemy you'll often go in and attack, warp away and then warp to a far point to come in and land a strong warp strike and repeat that.

As you say OP it really gives all of different action in battle the feelnig that they're their own phase.

If this was turned based it go like this.

-Attack phase
-Reposition phase
-defense phase

Yeah, I really noticed how important positioning was. Creating distance when you needed it, not getting swamped by a mob because you were being overly aggressive, etc. Where you chose to stand was an imprtant part of strategy.

Originally posted by zachillios:

Not the worst ever, but it's very shallow. It's very flashy, I'll give it that. But the entire game can be easily beaten by holding a button or two which is upsetting. The magic system has a bit of complexity to it, but it becomes broken and cheapens an already easy game if you really put effort towards customization.

I want to see how far I can push it with the system. I'd like harder difficulties. IN the demo I beat the bandersnatch when I was level 11, but it was great fun. It was a massive challange to do it, and I hope there are more opportunities like that.

One of this game's strongpoints is you can make it as hard or easy as you want, so if you enjoy a challenge, skip the sidequests and just plow through the story. The super bosses, and post game content don't really make anything harder in a skill based way. They just crank the bosses health and damage up crazy high. But if you do want to make it harder on yourself, that's the way to do it. You can also farm AP without leveling up, so you can still have access to skills and what not so you won't be completely helpless.