'Final Fantasy XV' story is inspired by 'The Last of Us'

TOKYO, Jan. 6 (UPI) -- As development on Square Enix's highly anticipated role-playing game Final Fantasy XV continues, director Hajime Tabata has cited Naughty Dog's The Last of Us as inspiration for the game's story.

Speaking with the Examiner, Tabata discussed the storytelling goals of Final Fantasy XV and how the plot will interact with the gameplay.

"We are really trying to aim for something where the gameplay and storytelling are really one in the same," Tabata said while also noting, "It's important that the story progresses through the gameplay in a very unforced way, in a similar way that it was done with The Last of Us."

The Last of Us, a critically acclaimed Playstation exclusive launched in 2013, was noted for its emotional and touching story between its protagonists Joel and Ellie, a young girl he was protecting, as they journeyed across a post-apocalypse United States.

Noctis, the main character in XV will be going on a similar journey that, as Tabata explains, "is a really big part of the game."

"One of the important threads of the story in Final Fantasy XV is that tale of how Noctis goes from being a young prince in waiting to becoming the king of the country," the director said before noting how the game will feature "a number of different human connections," and explore the bond Noctis has with his father.

"The car that Noctis and his friends drive through the world is actually the car that he received from his father as a memento," Tabata said. "Through that you sort of see his connection with his father."

Final Fantasy XV is still without a release date but Tabata confirmed that the title would launch in 2016 for Playstation 4 and Xbox One.

The next Active Time Report, a live broadcast where new information about the game is expected to be announced, is scheduled to take place in January.

Recently, Square Enix announced that an older entry in the series, Final Fantasy IX would be re-released on PC and smartphones.