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Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV Review — Not Worth the Gil for Most Players

Monster of the Deep is a charming VR fishing detour for FFXV fans who already own PSVR, but repetitive play and required hardware make it an easy pass for most others.
Length3 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV is easiest to recommend to a Final Fantasy XV fan who already owns PlayStation VR and wants a relaxed fishing diversion with Noctis and the gang. Its Eos scenery and oversized daemon-fish encounters give it a distinctive charm, but the fishing and combat loop is shallow and can grow repetitive. If you need to buy VR hardware for this one game—or want a deep fishing simulation—the gil is better spent elsewhere.

What is Monster of the Deep, and what do you need to play it?

Square Enix released this PS4 spin-off on November 21, 2017. The PS4 version requires a PlayStation VR headset and PlayStation Camera; two PlayStation Move controllers are supported but optional. The official US PlayStation listing says it is playable on PS5 subject to system software requirements, and that using the PS Camera on PS5 requires a PlayStation Camera adaptor. Check your specific console and accessories before buying.

The same US storefront listing displays $29.99, but that is a regional, changeable listing snapshot—not a guaranteed price for every buyer or date. The official product pages describe a digital PS4 game; they do not establish a physical edition.

What do you do in the game?

The core activity is fishing in Final Fantasy XV’s world, with casts and reels leading into encounters with oversized daemon fish. The publisher describes a story mode focused on confronting the Monster of the Deep and a separate free-fishing mode set among Eos’s scenery. PlayStation also lists bounties, tournaments, and rod, reel, and lure customization.

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#1 Best Overall
Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII Remastered - Twin Pack (Nintendo Switch)
  • Final Fantasy VI - The following extra features are included:
  • 3X speed mode
  • ability to turn battle encounters off
  • battle enhancement mode
  • final FANTASY VIII remastered - The following extra features are included.battle assist options (HP, ATB gauge, and limit break boosts).game speed boost (X3.no random encounters

The appeal is as much about being in the world with Noctis, Ignis, Prompto, and Gladiolus as it is about fishing. VR turns a familiar FFXV setting into a fishing attraction, while the story adds boss-style encounters to the calmer free-fishing activity. Those modes offer variety in framing, but they do not transform the basic fishing loop into a deep simulation.

How good is the fishing and combat?

Reviews differ on how satisfying the controls feel. UploadVR’s David Jagneaux describes casting with one Move controller and reeling with the other, and found the fishing tactile and interactive. He also notes that fine-tuning a cast can be difficult. Push Square’s Sammy Barker similarly found reeling intuitive but criticized difficult casting, cumbersome menus, motion-control wobble, and 2D scenes that break the VR immersion.

Rank #2
Core Crisis - Final Fantasy VII – Reunion
  • Remaster of the original CRISIS CORE - FINAL FANTASY VII-, featuring a complete HD graphics overhaul, a remastered soundtrack, a reimagined UI, and an updated combat system.
  • The story begins seven years before the events of FINAL FANTASY VII (1997) and follows Zack Fair, a young and ambitious Shinra SOLDIER operative. Zack is tasked with tracking down a missing SOLDIER 1st Class operative named Genesis Rhapsodos.
  • But as his adventure unfolds, he discovers the dark secrets of Shinra's experiments and the monsters they create. The game features a number of characters from the FINAL FANTASY VII franchise such as Cloud, Sephiroth, Aerith and others.

GamesBeat’s Dean Takahashi is much harsher about the loop, reporting that fishing and combat become tedious and repetitive, with equipment changes doing little to alter the experience. He also cites obstructive UI, low-resolution visuals and pop-in, and tracking or calibration glitches. In his conclusion, Takahashi writes, “The fishing and combat both feel tedious and repetitive.” These are his review impressions, not a claim about every player’s hardware or experience.

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Does the Final Fantasy XV fan service make it worth playing?

For series fans, the cast and setting are the clearest reasons to give the game a chance. Jagneaux praises the Eos environments and the face-to-face character moments, and his positive verdict is specifically aimed at fans who already own PSVR. Barker’s European-version Push Square review awarded the game 7/10, describing an approximately four-to-five-hour story alongside free fishing, hunts, and online tournaments. He concludes, “This is a hearty package with a surprising amount of meat on its bones.”

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Rank #3
World Of Final Fantasy for PlayStation 4
  • Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories

That favorable view is a meaningful counterpoint to GamesBeat’s 55/100 review. The difference is largely about what a player values: the setting, characters, and varied modes can make a simple fishing game feel like a worthwhile FFXV side trip, while players looking for depth and polish are more likely to notice repetition and friction. Jagneaux sums up the strongest audience fit: “For fans of the series that own a PSVR, Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV is the perfect spin-off.”

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII Remastered - Twin Pack (Nintendo Switch)
Final Fantasy VII and Final Fantasy VIII Remastered - Twin Pack (Nintendo Switch)
Final Fantasy VI - The following extra features are included:; 3X speed mode; ability to turn battle encounters off
$34.29
Bestseller No. 3
World Of Final Fantasy for PlayStation 4
World Of Final Fantasy for PlayStation 4
Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
$28.50
Bestseller No. 4
Final Fantasy IV The Complete Collection - Sony PSP
Final Fantasy IV The Complete Collection - Sony PSP
Final Fantasy IV IS consistently rated as one of the Top 50 games ever
$54.90
Best Value
Steamforged Games, Monster Hunter World the Board Game: Azure Rathalos & Black Diablos Miniatures Set
  • Includes pre-coloured Azure Rathalos and Black Diablos miniatures that visually match their legendary variants, enhancing immersion and table presence.
  • Designed to pair seamlessly with existing Monster Hunter World quests and cards, allowing hunters to experience encounters with accurate monster representation.
  • Features large, highly detailed PVC figures that command attention during hunts, painting projects, or display collections.
  • Ideal for collectors, hobbyists, and experienced players seeking elevated aesthetics without replacing existing gameplay components.
  • Enhances cinematic impact and thematic authenticity during battles against two of the most iconic Monster Hunter adversaries.
Rank #4
Final Fantasy IV The Complete Collection - Sony PSP
  • Final Fantasy IV IS consistently rated as one of the Top 50 games ever
  • Vibrant Visuals And Unforgettable Melodies: A complete graphical overhaul for both Final Fantasy IV and The After Years
  • Original SNES soundtrack, an all-new intro movie and cinematic CGI sequences from previous release, and a monster encyclopedia

Who should buy it?

  • Consider it if you are fond of Final Fantasy XV, already have the required PSVR headset and camera, and want a compact, leisurely VR activity with the game’s cast and scenery.
  • Be cautious if difficult casting, menus, motion-control wobble, or visual compromises would quickly frustrate you; reviewers report these issues with varying severity.
  • Skip it if your main goal is a deep fishing simulation, or if you would be purchasing an older VR setup solely to play this one spin-off. The hardware requirement substantially changes the value calculation.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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