Love this game but the windows edition is shockingly badly done and will crash randomly. Usually in the middle of dungeons, it's too frustrating to recommend.

this game is like my bread and butter, i remember getting into it even before episode gladio came out, back in its first year. i had it on ps4. i had tried getting into other final fantasy's but the combat threw me off as i was used to more in real time fighting like dragon age. then comes ffxv and boy howdy was i not really into it either at the beginning... but something changed after really diving into the game. i became obsessed with the characters, the setting, everything. this was my gateway into final fantasy and ive been into the series since.

the pros:
- combat is fun and exciting, i love the wait time feature for accessibility, all the different weapons, how you can change to the other guys as you progress
- the characters feel real, there feels like there are stakes in the world and most people want to help and support you on your journey, noctis is by far one of the best protagonists in the series he is so motivated but also so sad and wants the best for his friends and world, but is driven by fate that it leads him down a path of no return. duh boys are so fantastic and so funny and i love them dearly, i am sad every time i see luna pop up i am legit brought to tears because i am cursed with knowledge going into every new playthrough, while other characters seem one noted, they do have a deeper drive and the story focuses on them in enough time that doesnt feel dragged out nor too short. dont get me started on ardyn.... i hate that smelly man but god his STORYYYY!!!!!!!!!!
- the world is alive!!!!!!! open world game developers have such a hard task making the world seem real and alive and lived in, there is so many things to do and to explore and you end up getting items for quests ahead of the quests (this can be a pro and a con) however the open world shrinks and shrinks as you narrow in on your goal, as if the world is telling you to keep on track, fate dragging you and squishing you between a rock and a hard place. some say this is a con, but it works for the story the writers are trying to tell
- the different ways of mobility is so fun, the regalia is a treat and becomes her own character alongside the duh bois (i currently have her a bright pink to be the girlypop barbie mobile) the chocobos are so fun and leveling them up doesnt feel like a slog, and running around is good too as it levels up gladios survival skill and it allows you to explore the beautiful world crafted by the team
- the voice acting is incredibly like oh my god it is so good i love all the vas and while ive never played the game in japanese, i have heard the vas and they are fantastic.. (i love you gladio and promptos japanese vas)
- graphics!! for a game that is almost 8 years old (on release, windows edition is more like 6), she is beautiful. i do get stuttering which is annoying but i can easily get it fixed i am just too lazy to fix it. even on poopy graphics ffxv manages to look so good i want to kiss my screen every time i see ignis' beautifully rendered face
- the episode dlcs are fantastic mwah help build and fill in the gaps of the story so well as well as give you more context and perhaps different ways of seeing the game's endings
- the story is one of if not the saddest final fantasy stories like oh my god i am in tears constantly thinking about this story and its ending and it is well done in my humble opinion
- gladio's cup noodle quest
- ignis (I'VE COME UP WITH A NEW RECIPEH!!!)

cons:
- the grind can be a bit of a grind.... if you want to grind it out. a lot of the exploration is optional (dont know why you would ignore it tho as it helps build up the world) but i understand when people say you feel like you're doing the same thing over and over. there are the main quests and side quests. the main quests are amazing, but the side quest can feel a bit fetch questy at times. especially sania's and dave's, but they are there to kinda serve that function! hunts are super fun though and honestly the best way to earn gil and level up (i am crazy overleveled because i was taking on hunts, i am still in my first playthrough on windows edition as of writing this and i am level 60 on chapter 8
- dialogue is not terrible, but as you are walking around the characters will say the same stuff over and over again which this happens with open world games that have companions, but if i have to hear gladio tell me to lose the jacket one more time.... sometimes the timing is weird when the dialogue triggers in cut scenes so characters speak either in huge pauses between each other or they almost cut each other off.
- PLATFORMING IS SO DIFFICULT, not to spoil anything but this game has optional quests and such that require that most dumb platforming ever... if you wanted to add platforming to your game, make the movement more intuitive as to support platforming. for those who know, i see you and understand your suffering

overall, this game is good and i love it thank you square enix for making this game and getting me into final fantasy, im so glad ff13 didn't sour my impression so much of this series that it didnt get me to not try this out i cant wait to play more final fantasys in the future after my brain worms about this installment are over

Combat = satisfying and fun
Plot = If you're like me and cried in 5th grade to the first Kingdom Hearts? Buckle up. I think you'll dig it.
Progression = Look I freaking dig this game.

My first Final Fantasy game. There are loads of interesting design choices, but the short n skinny of it all is that I love this game. With everything in me. I cried quite a lot. I'm over 100 hours and I'm still not over it. But I've finally hit a point where I can put the game down and relax and enjoy something else. I can't wait to return in a year or so to replay it. Good god do I love this game.