Brotherhood: Getting To Know Noctis & The Party in Final Fantasy XV
Oct. 15, 2016Brotherhood: Getting To Know Noctis & The Party in Final Fantasy XV
Final Fantasy XVwill land in our laps November 29th, less than 2 months from now and the pre-release hype has been steadily rising. As with past entries in the celebrated franchise, we will be introduced to an entirely new cast of characters thrust into a vast world of danger, intrigue and magic. In the build up to the game’s release, via gameplay videos and theBrotherhoodanime, developer Square Enix has reinforced the strong bonds of the game’s primary party characters. They have also shown that there are several elements that will define each of the 4 main characters:Noctis,Prompto,IgnisandGladiolus. Who are these characters and what do their backgrounds mean for the events of the game? Let’s meet each character and see how their stories will impact their gameplay as well as recap the events of the Brotherhood anime in order to better understand the game’s backdrop.
Noctis Lucis Caelumis the maincharacterin the game. He is the heir apparent to the Lucian throne which is the last kingdown left with power over a crystal that grants access to powerful magic. Shy and rebellious, he looks up to his father Regis, the king, and has had to endure losing his mother at a young age. Through an accident in his childhood, he can see something called the light and has the ability to foresee death. He retains a streak of protectiveness for his people and friends and harbors strong emotions despite not being the most adept at expressing them. Noctis’ trials begin when he sets forth from the crown city with his companions in order to wed theLady Lunafreya Nox Fleuretbut is deterred by a breakdown of his car and learning of the start of a war between the hostile Nilfheim Empire and his home Kingdom of Lucis . Through a sequence of events from here, the game’s main plot will play out as the party unravels the game’s intrigue.
In gameplay, he is the only party member able to wield powerfulRing Magicthrough the Ring of the Lucii, which contains the accumulated powers of past kings. During combat, he can use the special abilityArmiger Arsenalif he has 1 of the properswordsfor it, which summons a barrier of protective swords around him. He is the most versatile character in the party and can make use of any of the availableweaponsin the game as well as their variedtechniques. Noctis is the only character that players can directly control but other party members can be issued orders in the heat of battle.
Prompto Argentumis one of Noctis’ closests friends having met in normal school, despite Noctis’ royal heritage. Prompto is a young man of common birth who finds himself out of his depth when tragedy befalls Lucis. Nevertheless, he strives to carry more than his own weight, lightening his companions’ burdens as well as their spirits. Playful in his demeanor, he strives to lighten the mood, but is troubled by his own feelings of insecurity as they pertain to his troubled upbringing in a lower social status.
Prompto is afirearmsspecialist and the party photographer, and his skills with a camera will improve the more they are used in game. Photos taken by players will actually be shareable on social media as well as have some gameplay impacts. His ranged approach in combat is balanced by having the lowest HP of the party, but he takes advantage of some gun specific techniques to help his friends.
Gladiolus Amicitais Noctis’ friend and royal bodyguard. The Amicitia family has long served as the shield protecting the kings of Lucis and their household, and Gladiolus is its eldest son. The bond he shares with Noctis transcends that of a bodyguard and his liege. With his prodigious strength, he stands ever ready to keep his companions from harm. He possesses a cheer that belies his impressive physique and is an avid outdoorsman.
In combat he fulfills his symbol as a protector wieldinggreatswordswith ease and making use of techniques likeTempestto clear the area of foes. He can also wield shields as a secondary weapon and has the highest HP and strength of anyone in the party. This keeps him upright and provides a tanking role for him and many of his abilities reinforce the duality of attack and defend.
Ignis Scientiais a close childhood friend of Noctis. Ignis was raised alongside Noctis to be adviser to the heir apparent and serves as a strategist. An intensive education instilled in him the resourcefulness and composure required for the role, his tactical acumen proving invaluable over the course of the prince’s journey. His personality is much more serious than any of his party mates, and provides an emotional balance to the otherwise jovial group.
In gampelay he is the primary driver of their car, theRegalia, unless the player opts to control it manually with Noctis. He is also the party’s chef and can prepare recipes at camps, using ingredients gathered in the field. These meals can provide some beneficial status effects to the party. In combat he is adaggerspecialist, and employs speedy attacks on the battlefield. He is able to use hisMarkability to call out points for Noctis to warp to, increasing the precision of the ability.
The 5 part anime series Brotherhood was a way for Final Fantasy XV to show fans the story behind the bonds of the 4 main characters, and set the stage for the events of the game. Brotherhood is available for free onFinal Fantasy’s YouTube Channel.
InEpisode 1, Noctis has set out on his journey to meet Lunafreya, during which he hears about the attack on Lucis’ capital, Insomnia, and must fight off attacks from Niflheim magitek troops. During the episode he recalls the attack in his childhood which left him seriously injured. At the end of the episode, he encounters the being responsible for the attack again as part of a Niflheim attack force.
Prompto’s backstory is explored inEpisode 2as it chronicles his care for a lost puppy found on the road, which turns out to belong to Lunafreya. During this time, Prompto is shy and overweight, and a classmate of Noctis although they are strangers. Upon returning the puppy to Lunafreya, she asks him to befriend Noctis and look after him. By the time they reached high school, Prompto lost a significant amount of weight and became considerably more outgoing, approaching Noctis who recognized him nonetheless thus beginning their close friendship.
Episode 3looks at Gladiolus’s origins. The friendship between him and Noctis are shown through a monster encounter which becomes a friendly competition. Gladiolus initially sees Noctis as a spoiled brat, but changes his perspective once Noctis helps keep Gladiolus’ sister Iris out of trouble by covering for her. This begins Gladiolus’ transition from bodygaurd to close friend.
Ignis’ relationship with Noctis is uncovered inEpisode 4when the group stays in the town of Lestallum, with Ignis attempting to make a favorite dessert of Noctis’. We are then shown Regis feeling the effects of maintaining Lucis’ magical wall, and subsequently entrusts Ignis with caring for Noctis. Seeing the decline of his father, Noctis becomes distressed and argues with Ignis over his future as king. When the truth of the situation finally hits him, Lucis and Ignis are reconciled and resolved to face what is to come.
Episode 5picks up where Episode 1 left off, with Noctis charging at the being that almost took his life. He charges at it alone, and is repelled despite fighting with ferocity. While fighting, he remembers everything about the initial attack, including how his father just managed to drive it away. Noctis finds new strength in these memories, and kills the foe with his companions, stirring immense feelings within him. The party then resumes their road trip, where we will find them at the beginning of the game.
Final Fantasy games are never short on story, and as a result can be a daunting proposition for gamers, but with this summary you should be primed and ready for when the game launches on November 29th for PS4 and Xbox One. With the emotional connections already explored, we can anticipate the game to be the emotional rollercoaster that the series is known for.
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Editor at Fextralife. I look for the substantial in gaming and I try to connect video games to the emotions and stories they elicit. I love all things culture and history and have an odd fondness for the planet Jupiter. I think my dogs are pretty awesome too.
