'Final Fantasy 15' release date, gameplay: Director Hajime Tabata explains linearity near the end of the game

Final Fantasy XV Square-Enix

"Final Fantasy XV" is easily one of the most ambitious JRPGs ever made and has been in development for a decade. However, during PAX West (via IGN), director Hajime Tabata stated that the game will become a little bit more linear and story-heavy during the end and he did explain why this direction was taken.

"I didn't want to end the game in an open world type of environment," he stated. "At the very end, when the main character and the enemy are going against one another, there's a build up in the story. I wanted to ensure that that last part was a little bit different from the open world environment and more of a packed, condensed type of game experience."

Tabata did explain that this doesn't necessarily mean players won't be able to go back to the open world portion of the game to visit other places and finish other quests. However, transitioning from the final portion of the game back to the previous areas will be different.

According to Tabata, the linear portions begin with a train sequence and this is near the every end. From that point on the players won't be able to physically go through a door or hallway back to the open world and explore. Instead, they'll have to warp back out via a menu option, ensuring players can still travel back and forth.

From that train sequence onward the game focuses entirely on its story as the heroes and villains collide, ensuring the plot is not lost with the open-world mechanics of the previous sections. It will remain this way from that point on until the end of the game.

"Final Fantasy XV" will launch for the PS4 and Xbox One this Nov. 29. No PC version has been confirmed but Tabata has stated in the past that a PC port may be released in the future but it won't be launching simultaneously with the console versions.

News
7 simple ways to stay close to God when you're on holiday
7 simple ways to stay close to God when you're on holiday

Here are 7 simple, meaningful ways to stay connected to God - no matter where you are.

Christians face 'increasingly perilous existence' in Syria; church bombing serves as 'brutal reminder'
Christians face 'increasingly perilous existence' in Syria; church bombing serves as 'brutal reminder'

The bombing at the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, Syria, last month that killed over two dozen people is an indication that Syria's Islamist-led authorities under President Ahmad al‑Sharaa are enabling radicalism that threatens the existence of Syria's Christian community, experts warn. 

Church calls for reform of tax and spend regime
Church calls for reform of tax and spend regime

The document takes issue with Britain’s current “individualised” form of taxation, saying this this puts single-earner families “at a significant disadvantage”.

Four CofE dioceses to receive £30m to spread the gospel
Four CofE dioceses to receive £30m to spread the gospel

More than half of the funds (£17.8 million) are going to the Diocese of Birmingham.