'Final Fantasy XV' gameplay updates: Square Enix shows off 40-minute gameplay of 'Episode Duscae'

[Photo credit: Final Fantasy XV | Square Enix]

Square Enix has always been quiet about "Final Fantasy XV," making gamers panicky about the true state of the much-awaited title. These concerns were put to rest at the studio's latest Active Time Report livestream when game director Hajime Tabata showed off nearly an hour of "Episode Duscae" demo gameplay — 40 exhilarating minutes to be exact. This easily becomes the biggest "Final Fantasy" treat Square Enix has ever put out. 

"Final Fantasy XV: Episode Duscae" facilitates the ultimate money-making jaunt of players as they strive to get the guys' disabled vehicle patched up. There are two ways to do that. Players can either sell the items they hitch from their missions or trounce a behemoth called the Smoke Eye. Tabata himself revealed that succeeding on the latter is the quickest way to get the much-needed cash. He even divulged the monster's vulnerable spot, his one blind eye. 

Delving into the gameplay, players of the demo will be dropped onto Duscae, where open meadows, diverse towns and monster-breeding caverns spread out. When players explore the mainland enough, they will be able to find new maps and quests to get into. However, travelling around will not be a walk in the park as unwelcoming ogres wait in the shadows. 

There will be a pack of Gerula monsters to take care of. Although a stress to slay, beating these horrendous beings will mount up great amounts of XP. Another great thing about defeating these vicious creatures is that players can score meat from them, which Ignis can turn into a sumptuous meal in camp. Speaking of camping, leveling up is only possible when players camp out. There will also be camp locations that will offer bonus XP. 

Players who travel at night should also be wary of goblins that make use of the menacing darkness of caves to wreak havoc. Players will have to annihilate as many of these terrifying creatures as they can or else, they can watch them regenerate and come back thirstier for their flesh. Noteworthy here is that co-op will be possible to kill off the fiends. 

Square Enix is working on the rest of "Final Fantasy XV" as 60 percent of it is complete. While "Episode Duscae" won't be having real time weather effects and the expected 1080p resolution 30fps frame rate, these will all be seen in the full version of the game. Progress in "Episode Duscae" won't be carried over to "Final Fantasy XV." However, Tabata and his team are considering the possibility. 

"Final Fantasy XV: Episode Duscae" will be out with "Final Fantasy Type 0-HD" on March 17. A concrete release date for "Final Fantasy XV" is yet to be determined.