Written by Jonathan Lee, February 13, 2018. Tweet to: @Writerscube
Square Enix’s Brawler Crossover
Dissidia Final Fantasy NT is the third title of the Final Fantasy crossover brawler series, Dissidia. Much like its predecessors, there’s a lot of frenetic action, favorite characters, and fan-service galore. But now there’s been added a 3-vs-3 component that leads to even more hectic, but visually-astounding battles than ever before. The team-building opportunities are incredible and fun as players get to make their own dream teams. Compared to the previous installments, Dissidia Final Fantasy NT also has the trappings of what could be Square Enix’s entry into the world of competitive console e-sports. Consider this article a piece in progress as I continue to experience the extensive roster and attempt to get my multiplayer gaming on!
Gameplay and Mechanics
Like previous Dissidia titles, it’s a battle of Final Fantasy characters as they’ve been torn out of their worlds and thrown into the interdimensional arena together. But unlike its predecessors, Dissidia Final Fantasy NT has that new 3-vs-3 component, and that’s where this title takes all of its past lessons and amps it up. It’s one thing when you’re just taking on one enemy character. But when you’ve got three enemies and two allies, a new level of strategy as well as action gets introduced, and suddenly what could’ve felt same-old suddenly becomes fresh and exciting. Overwhelming sometimes, but in a good way!
There are several game modes in which to play. In Story Mode, you play as the side of Light as both good and evil characters have been pulled into a whole different world populated by copies of their own Final Fantasy universes. Other offline gameplay modes include Standard 3-vs-3 matchups and a Core mode where you have to destroy the other team’s crystal core before yours gets destroyed.
All favorite characters come with unique move animations. From move sets to special EX skills like Poisonga and Slowga (familiar names to Final Fantasy fans, of course), players craft their own style and strategies around these memorable characters. The summons they’ve included in the game are your classics ranging from Ifrit to Shiva to the big ol’ Bahamut himself.
In both the story and in unlocking stuff through the Standard mode, I’m having quite a blast! It’s incredibly hectic. Admittedly, it takes a few battles to get used to the 3-vs-3 battles. But once you get used to it, the battles feel quite alive compared to just having it be a 1-on-1 match up. Between the old Dissidia titles and this one, I’m sold on this one.
Multiplayer
For anyone that has been able to experience the multiplayer, I urge you to please drop a comment and let us know how it is! Despite my efforts to get into a multiplayer match, I’ve repeatedly found myself waiting forever. And still no matches. While I don’t want to say the multiplayer is dead on arrival, I’m currently trying to get my first match still.
DLC (Updated)
The first of the Season Pass’s six characters has been revealed to be Final Fantasy XII’s Vayne, coming out this April 2018! However, there’s going to be quite the wait if you’re waiting for all six characters. The last character is not to be released until February of 2019. Stay tuned for more characters!
