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So, I had mentioned this idea before.
Here's a thread on the real world locations Final Fantasy XV's different areas were based on!
When this game debuted in trailer form as "Versus XIII", the first thing anyone saw was the phrase; this is a fantasy based on reality.
Here's a thread on the real world locations Final Fantasy XV's different areas were based on!
When this game debuted in trailer form as "Versus XIII", the first thing anyone saw was the phrase; this is a fantasy based on reality.
So let's start with the first location you encounter; the city of Insomnia, capital of Lucis and most advanced location on Eos.
In early interviews, it was said Insomnia would be a mix of Shinjuku, New York, and Paris.
In early interviews, it was said Insomnia would be a mix of Shinjuku, New York, and Paris.
In the final game, you spend less time in Insomnia than was likely originally intended, so a lot of these ideas didn't make it it, though in episode Ardyn it seems clear the Shinjuku influence is what came through the most. In terms of signage, color, urban layout, etc.
Though the concept art preceding this also has a kind of "dark New York" feel as well.
But the most obvious Shinjuku nod is the Citadel, the hub of government, which is just a recreation of the Shinjuku government building with extra detailing. First pic is the real building.
But the most obvious Shinjuku nod is the Citadel, the hub of government, which is just a recreation of the Shinjuku government building with extra detailing. First pic is the real building.
The original Lucis would have been much darker, with reaper statues a common sight (and this is something I'm stealing for my own comic as I do alternate reality versions of many U.S. cities.)
It would have also possibly been blanketed in eternal night.
It would have also possibly been blanketed in eternal night.
This is where the darker, older influences like the Paris angle comes in. When it was part of the 13 universe, Lucis was going to have Etro, Goddess of Death, as its patron deity. It's why the characters look so gothy as well.
So parts of it were likely intended to have gothic statuary, and to look like older cities, maybe with a romantic feel. They were never too specific, but I can imagine parts of Lucis looking like Haussmann's famous Parisian boulevards and housing blocks.
But as the XIII/FNC ideas were dropped and Insomnia became presumably less about darkness, AND less of a prominent, visited location, it seems they narrowed it down to just the Shinjuku influence.
That gets us started. I'll take the others in more or less geochronological order;
-Leide
-Hammerhead and outposts
-Galdain Quay
-Duscae and outposts
-Lestallum
-Cleigne and outposts
-Old Lestallum
-Cape Caem
-Altissia
Nifelheim and those areas are an interesting detour.
-Leide
-Hammerhead and outposts
-Galdain Quay
-Duscae and outposts
-Lestallum
-Cleigne and outposts
-Old Lestallum
-Cape Caem
-Altissia
Nifelheim and those areas are an interesting detour.
Okay, Leide.
This is the first region you encounter. It's just outside the borders of Insomnia. Leide is a desert area with jagged rock formations, scrub brush vegetation, and a number of gas stations, diners, road stops, old barns, and oil pipelines sprawling over the land.
This is the first region you encounter. It's just outside the borders of Insomnia. Leide is a desert area with jagged rock formations, scrub brush vegetation, and a number of gas stations, diners, road stops, old barns, and oil pipelines sprawling over the land.
Leide is the American southwest. Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and parts of California. It's very much rooted in the romantic Americana of old Route 66.
Similar geography, roughly, and similar vegetation.
Similar geography, roughly, and similar vegetation.
You've probably seen photos like the one on the left, of Arizona desert roads stretching in tot he distance.
One of the games primary marketing images is very much based on this whole aesthetic.
One of the games primary marketing images is very much based on this whole aesthetic.
Oil rigs, pipes, windmills, metal structures, rusing warehouses, all of these things are present or alluded to in Leide.
Not that these specific structures were used, its more the general impression of the two regions and how well the feel is captured.
Hammerhead, the mines, and the various road stops will get their own separate analysis.
One notable thing is that Leide is the most realistic region in the game. There's not really anything here that couldn't exist somehow in the real world, unlike Duscae and Cleigne.
One notable thing is that Leide is the most realistic region in the game. There's not really anything here that couldn't exist somehow in the real world, unlike Duscae and Cleigne.
But more on that when I get to those.
Finally getting back to this.
Let's talk about Hammerhead!
The first gas station/settlement/road stop you come across, at the very beginning of the game. It's kitschy, with a shark-like plane (?) forming the overhand, a 50's style diner, garage, and colorful sign.
Let's talk about Hammerhead!
The first gas station/settlement/road stop you come across, at the very beginning of the game. It's kitschy, with a shark-like plane (?) forming the overhand, a 50's style diner, garage, and colorful sign.
Hammerhead isn't based on a specific location, but rather a building type. 20's through 60's Americana on Route 66, which as mentioned previously, much of Leide is based on. This is pure southwest. so let's just look t some classic gas stations of this type.
Colorful decorations, unique structures and layouts, bold and distinct signs, and their contrast with the landscape characterize these locations, and Hammerhead captures these traits.
Have a look at a nice article about a few of thesse types of stations.
https://medium.com/motorious/visit-these-iconic-route-66-gas-stations-f1697cdcad73
https://medium.com/motorious/visit-these-iconic-route-66-gas-stations-f1697cdcad73
In addition to the kitschy ones, the west, and esp. the desert area around Palm Springs, has some fantastic mid century modern gas stations.
Same with Takka's diner. It's a basic 50's diner, essentially.
Not a lot to analyze per se, just another classic design type. I love the touch of the glass bricks at the bar/counter.
Not a lot to analyze per se, just another classic design type. I love the touch of the glass bricks at the bar/counter.
I have a huge soft spot for places like this. They speak to me of summer, late nights shortly before or after clubbing, or spending a rainy summer day in one of these with a milkshake and burger.
An interesting book to check out is American Diner, Then and Now by Richard Gutman. A cultural, architectural, and culinary analysis of the history of the diner. Many staples, such as the swivel stools, date back to the 1800's. Plus, diners and food trucks have a common origin.
Additionally, the reason the diner came to be, and why it focused on certain things (sandwiches, coffee), AND why they have early morning, late night, or 24 hours shifts was largely thanks to the burgeoning newspaper business in the United States in the late 1800's.
Specifically, mobile diner carts serving coffee and sandwiches at 5am were specifically catering to newspaper workers who were out and about that early.
Most of the same can be said about the Crows Nest Diners and the Coernix gas stations. Also, I love how similar the Talepar station is to the previously posted pic of the station near the rocky outcropping, in terms of positioning against the landscape.
The basic form of the Coernix station could be seen in this image of an abandoned gas station in the early Versus XIII images.
And from the demo, I love the atmosphere of this, which perfectly captures that late night, remote roadside station feel.
The distinct red and checkered interior and long counter seating is common in all the Crows Nest diners.
In terms of 40's and 50's influenced design, I love the porthole type windows on the gas station near the waterfall in Cleigne.
Now for the next major location in Leide; Galdin Quay. The tranquil beach resort sits just off the coast, and boasts luxury lodgings and a reataurant, as well as a dock for small ships and yachts.
It's pretty obviously based on various tropical/pacific resort hotels, like those the Maldives is famous for.
Pretty similar all around, from geography to building form and atmosphere.
The ambience here is great, and I really, really wish I was somewhere like this right now instead of being shut up in the box of trauma that is my apartment while chuds try to claim everything is fine.
Also, a cool little detail; the Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair (or similar) in the Galdin Quay hotel room.
Now, one more location in Leide I almost left out; Balouve Mines.
Not much to say here. The mine just perfectly captures the feel of a real abandoned mine in Arizona, of which there are many.
Not much to say here. The mine just perfectly captures the feel of a real abandoned mine in Arizona, of which there are many.
One thing I like about FF15 is how the dungeon exploration, and just some of the area exploration, seems so rooted in urban exploration. From the types of areas sometimes visited to the general vibe it gives off.
To get an idea, check out some of the many, many abandoned mine exploration videos on Youtube.
Now, on to Duscae!
Duscae is a region with low wetlands and sloping pine forests, with rocky terrain and caves. It's very much based on the pacific northwest.
Thick grass, hilly terrain, and sprawling green vistas.
Duscae is a region with low wetlands and sloping pine forests, with rocky terrain and caves. It's very much based on the pacific northwest.
Thick grass, hilly terrain, and sprawling green vistas.
From the wider open spaces to the forested trails leading to caves (as in the third pic), Duscae echoes Oregon and Washington State, esp. areas like those around Mount Ranier.
And while there's no Ranier equivalent, the prominence of the Disc of Caulthess almost serves as a similar visual landmark.
The huge arcing stone formations are possibly based on formations in Arches National Park in Utah.
