2 hour open beta thoughts:
Looks like characters unlock new HP attacks based on character levels (ex. Cecil gets Paladin Force at character level 2).
You start the game with a random summon and gain more based on battles (maybe through the shop as well? IDK)
There are rare/special avatars that you can earn. They will sparkle and shine.
You can earn outfits in the random shop (already known but I got a Kuja one and was disappointed to learn Kuja isn't playable in this beta).
You gain more ex skills by raising your player level.
The story mode sucks. It forces you to play other modes to unlock "memory" sequences (plot) so you can't just play nothing but story. This is kinda bullshit.
This takes place after the events of Dissidia (Duodecim took place in the cycle before DFF and DFF was supposed to be the last cycle). Could be played off differently like this could be an early cycle because of the whole thing where fewer fighters remain after each cycle but I'm not the lore guy for this series.
You can customize music so you get a specific playlist PER CHARACTER.
You can unlock more phrases for characters. I got one for Cecil that says something along the lines of "I've worn this dark armor for so long there isn't a single mote of light left."
Individual character thoughts
Keep in mind I use English voices as that's how I have played just about the entire series.
Jecht:
I'm surprised he can still walk with how badly he got castrated.
New VA, not nearly as epic or deep as his old one.
No special timing needed on his brave attacks. Just hit and go to work, all the fun is kind of lost with this. I need to go tell a specific friend so we can go cry together as we won't have epic Jecht mirrors anymore.
His EX Skill Fake Out is a cancel of sorts. You can use it to cancel out of any attack (if done during HP attacks you won't inflict HP damage) and canceling into Brave attacks and general EX skills seems to be the most effect use for it. You can't really do a fluid cancel into an HP attack.
I'm not as hyped to play him anymore. I'll definitely still use him when I'm bored of the FF4 cast but HE JUST ISN'T THE SAME!
Golbez:
This guy is scary at range.
Seriously, get in close if you aren't play a marksman type character, he has nothing up close.
Shadow Dragon EX skill really makes or breaks his effectiveness.
Shadowflare is decent.
Emperor:
Not sure how to feel about him.
He's improved in some aspects but in others he feels weaker.
His Flares are back as his neutral brv attacks (ground and air) and you can still have both active at once (both track until they blow up).
Took me a little bit to figure out his ground back brave. It is an explosive seal on the ground whose distance you modify by holding the brv button.
Forward Brv air is his explosive shot. Hasn't really changed.
Base HP attack is meh. Second one is okay (I things it is the huge minefield).
No zap trap (unfortunately).
Ramza:
I just don't feel him.
I expected a bit more.
Only time I felt real excitement is when I hit an opponent with his Stone Throw.
Otherwise he seems kinda lacking in special brave attacks.
Nothing really flashy.
Cecil:
Paladin Force you get at character level 2.
Transforms Cecil into Paladin form.
It has almost no vertical tracking (about the same as Luminous Sphere) and the camera for it really needs some work. I'm serious about that, you don't even see half the attack as it occurs because the camera stays where you were for about half the animation if you hit with it and returns to Cecil right before the HP portion of the attack.
Looks like characters unlock new HP attacks based on character levels (ex. Cecil gets Paladin Force at character level 2).
You start the game with a random summon and gain more based on battles (maybe through the shop as well? IDK)
There are rare/special avatars that you can earn. They will sparkle and shine.
You can earn outfits in the random shop (already known but I got a Kuja one and was disappointed to learn Kuja isn't playable in this beta).
You gain more ex skills by raising your player level.
The story mode sucks. It forces you to play other modes to unlock "memory" sequences (plot) so you can't just play nothing but story. This is kinda bullshit.
This takes place after the events of Dissidia (Duodecim took place in the cycle before DFF and DFF was supposed to be the last cycle). Could be played off differently like this could be an early cycle because of the whole thing where fewer fighters remain after each cycle but I'm not the lore guy for this series.
You can customize music so you get a specific playlist PER CHARACTER.
You can unlock more phrases for characters. I got one for Cecil that says something along the lines of "I've worn this dark armor for so long there isn't a single mote of light left."
Individual character thoughts
Keep in mind I use English voices as that's how I have played just about the entire series.
Jecht:
I'm surprised he can still walk with how badly he got castrated.
New VA, not nearly as epic or deep as his old one.
No special timing needed on his brave attacks. Just hit and go to work, all the fun is kind of lost with this. I need to go tell a specific friend so we can go cry together as we won't have epic Jecht mirrors anymore.
His EX Skill Fake Out is a cancel of sorts. You can use it to cancel out of any attack (if done during HP attacks you won't inflict HP damage) and canceling into Brave attacks and general EX skills seems to be the most effect use for it. You can't really do a fluid cancel into an HP attack.
I'm not as hyped to play him anymore. I'll definitely still use him when I'm bored of the FF4 cast but HE JUST ISN'T THE SAME!
Golbez:
This guy is scary at range.
Seriously, get in close if you aren't play a marksman type character, he has nothing up close.
Shadow Dragon EX skill really makes or breaks his effectiveness.
Shadowflare is decent.
Emperor:
Not sure how to feel about him.
He's improved in some aspects but in others he feels weaker.
His Flares are back as his neutral brv attacks (ground and air) and you can still have both active at once (both track until they blow up).
Took me a little bit to figure out his ground back brave. It is an explosive seal on the ground whose distance you modify by holding the brv button.
Forward Brv air is his explosive shot. Hasn't really changed.
Base HP attack is meh. Second one is okay (I things it is the huge minefield).
No zap trap (unfortunately).
Ramza:
I just don't feel him.
I expected a bit more.
Only time I felt real excitement is when I hit an opponent with his Stone Throw.
Otherwise he seems kinda lacking in special brave attacks.
Nothing really flashy.
Cecil:
Paladin Force you get at character level 2.
Transforms Cecil into Paladin form.
It has almost no vertical tracking (about the same as Luminous Sphere) and the camera for it really needs some work. I'm serious about that, you don't even see half the attack as it occurs because the camera stays where you were for about half the animation if you hit with it and returns to Cecil right before the HP portion of the attack.