In a recent interview Hajime Tabata described Final Fantasy XV as open world that narrowed as you progressed. A switch as normally you follow a linear path that would open up signaled by an airship. With the script flipped the question comes with sub quest. The towns do have them but it isn’t like the old games where the expand on he characters in your party. In the old days FFVII you would have side quest to gain the limit break or ultimate weapon while learning more about the story.
With the story narrowing as you are going along it means three things. One you will discover what I discussed earlier midway or at different parts of the game. Two it does happen but as part as of the main story instead of separate. The last is it might be part of the DLC episodes we heard. Much like Brotherhood the prince three buddies will be getting their own episodes and it might expand on them through that way rather than the old sub quest at the end. This is just me saying my thoughts but you can tell me too what you think of how this will be.
As always thank you for reading.