Online Final Fantasy XV Comrades Beta to Open Early August
Final Fantasy XV’s online multiplayer DLC has been in the works for a while. There’s still not a release window for the content itself, but it’s coming along nicely enough for Square Enix to be feel comfortable putting out a Final Fantasy XV Comrades Beta in August — 3rd to the 8th.
They’ve also released a handful of new screenshots, as well as a breakdown on the sort of content that will actually be in Comrades — both for the Beta, and the full version. Whether this is something you’ve been eagerly anticipating or not, it seems like there’ll be a bunch of stuff to check out from the sounds of it, which is nice to see.
The “closed online test” will be coming to both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. All you’ll need to join, according to Square Enix, is a copy of the Season Pass, as well as PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold membership. Nothing will carry over into the full version, other than the memories in your real life, human brain. Here’s the breakdown of what to expect, from the lips of Square Enix themselves.
How do I join the Final Fantasy XV Comrades Beta?
Test Version
Requires purchase of Season Pass and a subscription to PlayStation®Plus or an Xbox Live Gold membership.
Full Version
Requires FINAL FANTASY XV and purchase of either MULTIPLAYER EXPANSION: COMRADES or Season Pass. Also requires a subscription to PlayStation®Plus subscription or an Xbox Live Gold membership.
When will Final Fantasy XV Comrades be released?
Test Version
Available August 3 to August 8, 2017 (projected)
Full Version
Availability TBD (Details Forthcoming)
What characters will be playable in FFXV Comrades?
Test Version
Create, control, and save up to eight avatars.
Full Version
Develop avatars using experience gained from defeating enemies and completing quests. Updates will allow you to also play as Noctis, Gladiolus, Prompto, and Ignis.
How will I be able to customise my avatar?
Test Version
Customize avatars with elements limited to the test version.
Full Version
Unlock customization elements with item purchases at outposts and quest rewards. Updates will add even more elements.
What will outposts be like?
Test Version
Begin at test version base camp and play through a custom tutorial.
Full Version
Experience a city with much more than the test version base camp. (Details Forthcoming)
What weapons will there be in Comrades?
Test Version
Choose from katana, club, dagger, and shuriken weapons. Attack patterns vary from those of Noctis.
Full Version
Enjoy an expanded arsenal featuring polearm, crossbow, and shield weapons as well, which also feature different attack patterns. Weapons come with preset abilities and experience points, and can be leveled up by meeting certain conditions. (Details Forthcoming)
How will Royal Sigils work?
Test Version
Invoke the powers of sovereigns for your avatar with this new feature. Equip one of four default royal sigils in the test version.
Full Version
Collect and equip royal sigils as you progress. The wide array of enhancements provided by the royal sigils will play a key role in cooperative multiplayer combat. (Details Forthcoming)
What sort of quests will there be?
Test Version
Choose from one of three quests, with up to three legs to each quest. All players will be matched online in the test version.
Full Version
Explore quests with storylines as well as singleplayer quests. Join up to three other players online with a subscription to PlayStation®Plus or an Xbox Live Gold membership, or fight alongside three AI companions.
How will meals factor into Final Fantasy XV Comrades?
Test Version
Retrieve one ingredient per person per quest, and have the camp cook prepare a meal afterward.
Full Version
Encounter more cooks and enjoy a wider range of meal-based boosts.
What are meteorshards?
Test Version
Receive meteorshards as quest rewards. Meteorshards cannot be used in the test version.
Full Version
Gather meteorshards during quests to expand the scope of available activities or to unlock new quests. (Details Forthcoming)
What other added features will there be?
Test Version
Interact with other players using preset chat messages. Also supports voice chat.
Full Version
Enjoy these additional features:
– Make Camps for Meetups with Friends
– Expand/Customize Preset Chat Messages
– Receive Quest Report Cards
– Take New Photographs, and more! (Details Forthcoming)
That seems like quite a bit! Final Fantasy XV Comrades will be available to try in the “online test” August 3rd to 8th on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, with a full release date yet to be confirmed!