It has been a while since Final Fantasy Explorers have been released outside of Japan, and I can see that a lot of people are so excited with the game, and I am just one of those people. In fact, this is actually the first game that I've ever bought during the day it launched!
So I've played the game a little bit, and I can say that even with the repetitive gameplay (which is a problem in some cases), I can see that it has promise to be a very decent game. I have fun with it, and I am going to invest time on it to make a final verdict. Here are some of the things that I've observed:
1. The game's formula does look like Monster Hunter, but with several tweaks.
While it does to imitate some elements in Monster Hunter, they heavily re-worked on them to ensure that they don't end up like a sorry clone of the latter. The quest system, for example, allows you to receive pre-determined rewards, while also allowing you to get multiple rewards along the way by killing monsters.
2. Each locations are interconnected with each other
The hunting areas in the game are all part of the entire world map, making the environments very organic while offering some decent challenge in the process.
3. The combat is flashy and full of power!
Unlike Monster Hunter where it requires you to hit monsters with extreme precision, Final Fantasy Explorers gives you a selection of movements and skills to make sure that you defeat enemies in any desire you wish. Whether you hack-and-slash all day or go gung-ho with your barrage of spells, Explorers has a lot of ways for you destroy your adversaries.
4. It is not as punishing as it seems to be... I guess.
However, it is up to you whether you make it such. There are certain self-imposed challenges that you can use to make the game tougher. I honestly still don't know on how relevant this system is, but I think it is just to pump up the already challenging missions to a certain degree... and for masochists who always crave for a deliciously good time!
5. Monsters are predictable yet menacing.
The eidolons (which are equivalent to Monster Hunter's large monsters such as the Rathalos and Zinogre) moves pretty much like their RPG counterparts; their move sets, design, and even it's battle structure are all well animated and they offer a decent challenge. However, this also means that their moves can also be easily predicted by word boxes; a common staple in the franchise.
There are many other things that I would like to discuss about this game, however, it is best to find out more on yourself. Besides, self-discovery is far more fulfilling than relying on walkthroughs. Right?! Right! :)
Final Fantasy Explorers has been released in January 26, 2016 in the United States.
