Final Fantasy XV: Royal Edition gives players some compelling reasons to return to the game.
A few days ago, Square Enix released Final Fantasy XV: Royal Edition on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. The most significant addition to the game has to be the "Royal Pack" which adds a lot of new content. While it's not essential, the download expands the scope of the game in a number of meaningful ways.
The Royal Pack contains a new dungeon leading straight to the game's thrilling end. Even seasoned players will find the final encounter challenging, but this seems like a quick route for less advanced characters looking for a tough fight. The final fight is less dangerous than hunting a monster the size of a mountain, but you still need to possess a deep understanding of the combat system to succeed.
Players who download the Royal Pack gain access to a first-person view. While this isn't an extensive first-person mode like what The Evil Within 2 recently received, it still gives you a chance to admire the gorgeous environments, especially on Xbox One X. The ability is more of a gimmick but gives you a new way to appreciate the beauty of the world.
If you're a fan of open-water exploration, the Royal Pack now gives you the ability to completely control the Royal Vessel. The world has been expanded and now allows players to sail the area between Altissia and Cape Caem. This doesn't give you complete freedom, but it's still a new way to enjoy the bodies of water found in Final Fantasy XV. You can also fish on board if you want to since that appears to be quite popular among players.
Aside from these quality-of-life improvements, the Royal Pack increases the size of the Insomnia City Ruins area and adds new side quests. You'll also encounter more enemies such as Cerberus and Omega. Unfortunately, these seem to be the only new missions in the upgrade and they aren't memorable. However, if you're itching for new content, then Insomnia City Ruins should satisfy it.
There's another quest in there which strengthens your car too but it's not necessarily must-play content.
If you're considering getting the Royal Edition or Royal Pack, there are new weapons, car skins, armor pieces, and abilities to collect. While we weren't able to extensively test this in combat, a new accessory activates an upgraded attack called "Armiger Unleashed". Armiger Unleashed is a string of deadly combos that can take out enemies more swiftly. It's a shame that this is endgame content because it's a lot of fun and greatly elevates the combat. These attacks shouldn't have been locked behind a paywall.
The Royal Pack should've been part of the Final Fantasy XV: Season Pass. It seems a little strange that players have to pay for basic enhancements at $14.99 even if they purchased the most expensive edition of the game at launch. Square Enix could've easily given the Royal Pack for free to those gamers who purchased the season pass. This seems like a business decision made in poor taste.
Overall, Final Fantasy XV's Royal Edition and Royal Pack bring a number of improvements to the table which refine the game. Whether you purchase it or not is up to just how much you love the game or the franchise. If you want to use weapons from past Final Fantasy games and gain some new achievements along the way, then this is a simple decision. However, it's not necessary to the standard experience in any way.
If you haven't played Final Fantasy XV yet, the game features captivating characters, stunning visuals, open-world exploration, and real-time combat. Be sure to check it out at retailers if you like Japanese role-playing games. Final Fantasy XV: Royal Edition contains all of the bonus episodes as well as the multiplayer expansion.
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