Moving Pictures: Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV

In my attempt to watch through all the Final Fantasy films, I finally got around to watching Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV, a spin-off/companion to Final Fantasy XV and part of the planned Fabula Nova Crystallis subseries, with elements that clearly came from the original plan for XV from the Final Fantasy: Versus XIII trailers.

If I'm honest, the idea that Kingsglaive works as a standalone film isn't something I would believe. It's not a film that really works without the background knowledge of the game, and the fact that it focuses on the titular Kingsglaive (who are a group of elite soldiers who can use King Regis's magic), and not King Regis himself, kind of makes it… struggle. Of course, it explains the overall background between Niflheim and Insomnia, how the kingdoms have been at war for so many years, and the background behind Lunafreya's and Noctis' planned marriage, but that's it.

Nyx Ulric, while an interesting character, just isn't that memorable story-wise. He's referred to as “Hero”, loyal to the crown, and an orphan who lost his sister many years ago — and has always struggled with it. While his allies are uncertain of their roles in the upcoming truce between Lucis and Niflheim, Nyx does seem to have some faith in the kingdom, even if he does have misgivings about the Empire.

Meanwhile, his friend: Libertus, is against King Regis, the Lucis family, and the city of Insomnia, after the death of Crow — a fellow ‘glaive who he treated as a younger sister. While Nyx is affected by Crow’s death, his concern is that he can give Lunafreya the hairpin that she was trying to deliver to her. When she receives it, Nyx essentially discovers it's a homing beacon, and when she is kidnapped by the Empire, it's up to Nyx to save her.

You might wonder where this comes into the story of Final Fantasy XV, and in truth, it explains what happened to Insomnia while Noctis and the boys were headed to Altissia for the wedding. We end up seeing for ourselves what happened in the game, but unlike in XV, we actually see the city of Insomnia that had such a role when it was first Final Fantasy: Versus XIII. It offers us elements that we don't see in the game, and that's something I enjoy.

However, another thing it does is expand on the way the people responded to the truce, and how King Regis' magic and his guards work. But, in that respect, it is somewhat heading into spoiler territory. For example, we meet Ardyn earlier on in the film, and he is already revealed to be working with the Empire and has his own goals. We also see how Luna and her brother, Ravus, differ in their relationship with the Empire and learn more about The Ring, and the Old Kings of Lucis. So, there are some pretty significant plot points that are thrown into the film. The problem is that this would be interesting if it just… wasn't focused on the Kingsglaive.

The fact that Nyx gets access to the magic of Lucis was a feature that meant that anyone deemed worthy could get a chance to use the magic of the Old Kings. We see how Nyx is honourable — sacrificing himself to use the magic to defeat General Glauca, how the ‘glaive felt abandoned by the kingdom, and the way the people of Insomnia treated the elite force.

Now, I can't say it's a bad film. Personally, I did start to like Nyx a lot more after he and Lunafreya started interacting. However, I knew that there was no point in getting attached; after all, he never appeared in Final Fantasy XV for a reason. By all accounts, if you go into Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV expecting a tragedy with expanded world-building and characterisation, it's better. But if you come in before you even play XV? Sorry, but you'll be in for a rough time.

In terms of graphics and animation, I think that the monsters weren't particularly strong, but the motion capture for each character really gave it a realistic vibe. Every actor was good, and the animation was on point. But, while it was beautiful, it had so many elements that just felt like they were added on to pad out what happened to the fall of Insomnia.

If you want to see a film that expands on the world of XV, then by all means check it out. But this is definitely the type of film that only fans of the game will enjoy. On its own as a standalone? Well, it's confusing, and serves as a poor entry point, especially with it being advertised as a prequel.