Unboxing [UK]: Final Fantasy Type-0 HD - Collector's Edition [PS4]

Rather out of the blue, I managed to get a copy of the collector's edition at the last minute before the prices went way up thanks to Amazon adding some stock a few days ago. So here's a good look at what the set provides. Note this is the PlayStation 4 version of the game.

Final Fantasy Type-0 HD is a remaster of the same name (without the HD tag) released on PlayStation Portable back in 2011 as a Japanese exclusive title. It was originally going to receive a localised release but it never happened until E3 2013 occurred. Unlike the original release, the remaster includes new visuals and changes in gameplay (the removal of online multiplayer is one major exclusion but some of the features were moved into the main story mode). It also includes a English dub for those who like to hear English voices in addition to the original Japanese audio (a rare inclusion in the franchise but recently started off with the XIII trilogy).

The version I managed to pick up at the very last minute is the Collector's Edition which wasn't retail exclusive but sold out anyway. The set is pretty huge and is very similar to how Anime Limited handled their Gurren Lagann and Patema Inverted Ultimate Edition sets where it comes with a chipboard box and a slipcover. The box itself is actually a clamshell (like Cowboy Bebop Premium Edition) and once opened contains all of the physical extras like an 80 page artbook, 200 page manga (Final Fantasy Type-0, or Final Fantasy Reishiki if you prefer the orignal name), 5 collectible Ace Tarot-style cards, and a Golden Steelbook with the game, composed soundtrack and Final Fantasy XV: Episode Duscae download code.

Probably the biggest addition to this release (this applies to any first print copies of the game) is the Final Fantasy XV: Episode Duscae demo. This game is still in development after nearly a whole decade and we finally get the chance to play the game. The developers modified the gameplay so that it will fit the demo's needs. For those don't know, Final Fantasy XV was originally named Final Fantasy Versus XII (while Final Fantasy Type-0 was originally named Final Fantasy Agito XIII) and they were all supposed to be part of the same universe with Final Fantasy XIII called Fabula Nova Crystallis. The direction for Agito and Versus ended up being very different to XIII so they were renamed and became its own thing but they kept the main theme of the FNC universe. XV was originally handled by Tetsuya Nomura (most known for directing Kingdom Hearts) but was then passed on to Hajime Tabata (who directed Type-0) to finish the game's development while Nomura moves on to make Kingdom Hearts III. In addition the gameplay to XV is pretty much very similar to how Kingdom Hearts was in contrast to the previous Final Fantasy games and will be the first Action RPG in the main series (various titles before were also Action RPGs but they were mainly spin-offs).

Final Fantasy Type-0 (Main Game)

Format: PlayStation 4 (also available on Xbox One)

Version: UK/Europe

Exclusive: No

Local Players: 1

Online Players: None

Resolution: NTSC 720p, 1080i, 1080p [This is based on the video output, resolution in-game may be different]

HDD Space: 26GB Minimum

Trophies: Yes

Final Fantasy XV: Episode Duscae (Demo)

Format: PlayStation 4 (also available on Xbox One)

Version: UK/Europe

Exclusive: No

Local Players: 1

Online Players: None

Resolution: NTSC 900p

HDD Space: 4.9GB

Trophies: No

The remastered game was released on March 2015 and the Collector's Edition is no longer available. First Print copies are still available if you want to get your hands on the demo (or if you prefer digital copies, the game is bundled with the demo on the PlayStation Network if you own a PS4. Not sure if Xbox One is doing the same but it probably is).

As mentioned, Final Fantasy Type-0 HD is available digitally and physically for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The Final Fantasy XV: Episode Duscae is exclusive to the first print editions for both formats.