Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD is a bit of a complicated game. On one hand, it’s a simplification of what is a meaty, expansive game. It hits all the main story beats, and even lifts dialogue directly from Final Fantasy XV. If you don’t have the time to commit to the full game, or simply can’t be brought into RPGs, this may be perfect for you. On the other hand, for those who have already played through Final Fantasy XV, Pocket Edition doesn’t offer anything worthwhile for a second go-round.

However, that shouldn’t take away from what Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD tries, ultimately successfully, to do. It’s one of the most fascinating games I’ve ever seen, something unlike anything else out there. While its simplified gameplay is perfect for mobile devices, does it work as a full-fledged console game? Well, yes and no. It’s a game that is deeper than it may appear at first, though much simpler than the game it’s inspired by. However, there is the question of what purpose it serves in the first place.

A Whole New World

The most striking difference between Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD is in the visuals. The realistic art style of Final Fantasy XV is dropped in favor of a chibi world. The cartoonish art style is perfect for what this game is aiming for. Somewhat ironically, Pocket Edition HD almost looks more like a classic Final Fantasy game.

Obviously, the visuals are nothing groundbreaking, but they’re much more impressive than ‘remastered mobile port’ may imply. Everything is crisp, clear, and looks great on the Switch’s handheld screen. The colors are vibrant, and everything just pops on the screen. It may not rival the technical marvels of Final Fantasy XV, but Pocket Edition HD is doing great on its own. The world may be smaller-scale, but it’s perfectly realized nonetheless.

Simplicity is Key

A word I keep going back to when talking about Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD is “simplicity.” As this was originally a mobile title, it was made to be as accessible as possible. Despite that, the battle system is a surprisingly faithful to what was in Final Fantasy XV. As someone who has played Final Fantasy XV, it is somewhat stunning to see the combat translated so well to this truncated version. Everything is on a smaller scale, of course, but it still feels true to the original game.

Maybe simplicity isn’t the right word, but rather “straightforward.” All the fluff that comes with an open world game is eschewed here. Ignis still cooks his famous meals, but this time he’s inspired by ingredients found in whatever dungeon you’re in. There’s a skill tree here, but it is a simple tree that doesn’t branch off in an extreme way. This game is simple in comparison to the original yes, but it still has its complexities. There’s the aforementioned skill tree, as well as the ability to switch whatever weapon Noctis is using on the fly. For what started as a mobile title, Pocket Edition HD is surprisingly deep mechanically.

As the open world is removed, exploration is much more focused. When exploring dungeons, you are essentially guided down a narrow path. Your objective is simple, and its right in front of you. Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD isn’t dumbed-down, yet it’s not overly complex, either. It may be just the game to get those who are generally RPG-averse to try out Final Fantasy XV.

A Familiar Romp

However, that simplicity does have its drawbacks. The elimination of the open-world of Final Fantasy XV means that the gameplay experience is much more streamlined (and narrow). A feeling of repetitiveness did fall upon my playthrough. Maybe it was the simple controls, maybe it was wave after wave of enemies. New mechanics are introduced every so often, keeping things somewhat interesting. However, the longer I played, the less engaged I was getting.

This could be an instance where Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD falls prey to its beginnings on mobile. Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD is obviously not meant to be a modern AAA RPG. Quite the contrary, since mobile titles often center around short burst of playtime. Making things a little more open-ended could’ve helped Pocket Edition HD go a long way. There are side quests offered, but they are small, simple, and insignificant.

It may seem a bit hypocritical to suggest more open-ended gameplay when the whole reasoning behind this game is the removal of that. However, in an RPG, you want to explore the world around you. An open-world obviously would be counterintuitive, but maybe more branching paths in a dungeon. While the world is well-realized, it doesn’t feel fully fleshed-out, which is a big disappointment in any RPG.

Final Thoughts

Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD is a fascinating case study. It eschews the open-ended elements of Final Fantasy XV to create a more tightly-focused adventure. All the elements that make up Final Fantasy XV are still there, just in a simplified form. Home-cooked meals, warping, the road trip are all still here. Pocket Edition HD may be just what some gamers are looking for. The narrative is still intact, just without the sprawling open world that may turn off some players. Instead, a more streamlined experience presents itself, with a more straightforward progression system.

The Question remains: Who exactly this game is for? If you’ve already played Final Fantasy XV, there’s nothing to gain from playing Pocket Edition HD. It repeats all the main bullet points, not offering anything new. However, for those who want to experience Final Fantasy XV without all the fluff the open world brings, this may be the perfect fit for you. In addition, the more straightforward progression and gameplay mechanics may make this a more appealing choice for those who are generally turned off by JRPGs. Of course, this is the only way to experience Final Fantasy XV in any form on the Nintendo Switch, so that’s an audience in itself.

Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD shouldn’t work. Yet somehow, it does, and for the most part, nails it. A surprisingly faithful adaptation of a game that had a long and infamous past, Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD is a great way to experience a landmark title in an unconventional way. It may not offer anything especially new, but it’s a fascinatingly curious game.

Let us know what you think about Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD in the comments below.

THE GOOD Surprisingly faithful adaptation Gorgeous chibi world Complex mechanics THE BAD Feeling of repetivieness Rather redundant in some respects 8 Great Review Summary While it will offer nothing new to those who already played Square’s RPG epic, Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition HD is a fascinating attempt to scale it down.