Final Fantasy XV Info Pours from Game Informer

It seems like Game Informer's May Issue will be jam-packed with tons of Final Fantasy XV content. We gathered some of highlights found on Nova Crystallis, of which you can find before:

When beginning development for Final Fantasy XV, the brand image wasn't 100 percent clear.
According to Hajime Tabata, the franchise can't move forward without setting pride aside. Fans have hope of the series' future.
Tabata and the team at Business Division 2 have identified three core qualities that they believe define FF: challenging the status quo, providing an exceptional experience, and using cutting-edge technology. He believes that Final Fantasy VII was the last game of the series to master all three points, so Final Fantasy XV is a make-or-break moment. In other words, it's a chance to bring the FF name to light again and have garner new fans and bring back old ones alike.
Originally, Final Fantasy XV was part of Fabula Nova Crystallis as Final Fantasy Versus XIII, but it has since disconnected itself. Stella from Versus XIII has shifted "significantly" and though the team has tried to keep some of the original concept, they decided to go all out with their imagination with FFXV.
Final Fantasy XV's story focuses on friendship, destiny, and legacy.
The game will begin with a battle in an unknown location, quite similar to Final Fantasy II. This battle acts as a tutorial before chapter one.
Chapter one occurs right after the opening scene with Noctis and friends driving along to Altissia. The car, The Regalia, breaks down in a region of Leide and the party has to get out and push the car to the nearest station (like Episode Duscae).
The gang meet both Cid and Cidney and Cidney provides several tasks for them as the car undergoes repairs.
"Fantasy based on reality idea is still intact." - At the Hammerhead station, you can hear an instrumental version of Niel Young's "Heart of Gold" playing in the background.
The beginning of the game is supposedly filled with familiar imagery before going more in the direction of fantasy.
There are different dialogues choices that lead to certain outcomes. For example, rewards change and seem to focus on status bonuses based on options chosen.
Combat has improved since the Episode Duscae demo (evident in Platinum Demo) - controls are more responsive, weapons can be swapped using D-pad, there are tabs for swords, daggers, lances, firearms, shields, royal arms, and elemental spells. There are also machines.
Magic spells are collected from resources and can be recharged at various places on the map, similar to Final Fantasy VIII's draw system.
The Regalia has a trunk that acts as the storage. You may need to pay for gas occasionally, like Final Fantasy VIII once again. The car radio also plays remixes of classic Final Fantasy themes.
On the way to a destination, Prompto may ask to stop and take some photographs, which can be viewed later at camp and shared on social media. His photography is a skill, so the more you take advantage of pulling over, the higher his skill will be.
All four characters will have special talents - Noctis can fish, Ignis can cook, Gladio has survival instincts... and no idea for Prompto, but guessing photography. These can all be leveled up.
Summoning won't always lead to the same result. Depending on the situation, they will do different things. For instance, Titan will sometimes run up and hit an enemy, throw a boulder, or even quit. They also act differently in dungeon than in the overworld.
The black dog is a faithful servant named Umbra.
The gang encounters Niflheim's Ardyn early on the way to Altissia.
There are four quest types: minigames like fishing and chocobo racing, main story, monster hunts, and regional quests. There are currently over 200 quests, but the team is working on adding more.
You can synthesize magic to create more powerful versions, like going from Blizzard to Blizzara.
Weapons can also be improved with materials collected in the world and as spoils in battle. The main way to improve is through ability points.
Upgrading is customizable that suits the players' battling style.
Luna supports Noctis throughout the game, but she's the type of heroine that you want to meet but can't seem to reach.
Tabata has absolutely no intention to create sequel or anything out of this (good, in my opinion, considering sequels tend to just be milked efforts in the end), and he wants fans to just savor the game. There could be additional content, but it's best to savor everything the game offers.

If you want to find out more and check out some cool screenshots, then don't hesitate to pick up a copy of the magazine!

Final Fantasy XV will release for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 September 30 worldwide.