Combat

First up is an overview of the game's two available control types. Take note that the O and X buttons may change depending on the region of your game and/or console.

You will be offered to take a tutorial on the combat system as soon as you try to start a new game. Combat in Final Fantasy XV is complex and can prove overwhelming even for a franchise veteran if the player were to go in blind. You are free to refuse of course, but I strongly recommend checking it out on your first time through.

Attacking: Noctis performs Blitz (a 3-4 hit combo strike) when you hold down the attack button. And while frontal attacks often suffice, striking a target from behind allows you to perform a Blindside attack which deals 1.5x more damage than normal. Take advantage of this alongside enemy weaknesses to finish battles quickly. You can also switch weapons on the fly with the d-pad.

Warping and Blocking: Holding down the phase button allows Noctis to avoid or at least reduce damage from an oncoming attack. And if the enemy strikes with a move that can be countered, a button prompt telling you to block will appear and should you succeed, follow through with the attack button for a parry then counter with your own combo. Warping on the other hand lets you teleport and hit targets that are far away. However doing so will consume MP. To hit with a Warp Strike, lock on to the target and press the warp button. Taking cover behind large objects also allows Noctis to recover HP and MP at a much faster rate.

Resistances: Here is another RPG staple and you are encouraged to use this aspect of combat to battle effectively. To scan a target, press and hold the lock on button until the circular gauge that appears fills up. You will then be able to see the enemy's attributes and affinites, wherein strengths are shown in purple while weaknesses are orange.

Team Attacks: These are combos Noctis performs with an ally. First up are Link Strikes which are done when Noctis performs a blindside or parry, and ally happens to be nearby. And finally for Techniques, these are performed by allies at your command. To command an ally, hold the technique button then press the designated key on the d-pad. Some of these techs allows Noctis to do a follow-up strike for more damage. Techniques also depletes the tech bar which fills gradually over time.

Recovery and Rescue: Unlike previous entries in the series where characters are KO'd as soon as their HP drops to 0, this game gives you time (albeit limited) to actually rescue an ally and get them back into the fight. When a character's HP falls to 0, they enter a Danger state where he will be unable to fight without being knocked out. At this point, someone will have to rush to that character and press the attack/confirm button to rescue them. If Noctis is the one this happens to, you can still use items by holding the tactical button. It's best to do this in cover for safety. Endangered allies will eventually be KO'd if you take too long to rescue them.