The game tells you that if Noctis' max HP falls to zero, the game will end. However, I've had this happen once (damn Galvanades), and though the action stopped, the game did not end. I was then able to use a Phoenix Down on Noctis and resume fighting. This was on normal difficulty; I understand the game will save you on easy mode.
So what actually causes the game to end? Would this normally end the game, but it gave me a pass for some reason? Does your whole party have to wipe out for you to lose and the tip is wrong? Or is it something else?
Best Answer
As mentioned in the comments, I believe that it's pretty difficult to get a Game Over screen during combat, unless you are just out of Phoenix Downs. There were only one or two times during my playthrough of FFXV where I ever thought I was going to get a Game Over (thanks to Galvanades here, as well), but I didn't. Noctis was allowed to use a Phoenix Down on himself with no HP and a depleted maximum HP bar. I believe that unless you fail to use a Phoenix Down within a specific timeframe after losing all maximum health, you will not get a Game Over screen.
According to the wiki page on status conditions, you only have a few seconds to do this:
Additionally, if you are playing on Easy mode, it's even harder to get a Game Over screen during combat, as Carbuncle will show up once per combat to prevent what would otherwise be a Game Over.
However, there are a few other ways to get Game Over screens.
From experience, the most common way (after beating the game) to get a Game Over is to fail to land the Regalia Type-F properly, as failing to land gracefully almost always ends in a Game Over screen.
Another way, mentioned here is to fail to follow Ardyn closely enough when he is leading you in his car.
I didn't personally encounter this, but it sounds pretty funny, aside from the whole making you hit a Game Over, and all.