Final Fantasy XIII

[Setsuken]

I'm surprised there's no thread on this XD

I used to be a hardcore Final Fantasy fan. I still hail Final Fantasy VIII as my most favorite game ever... but I can't help but agree with the sentiments that Square-Enix and FF have been slipping as of late.

Now I have a bit of hope for Final Fantasy XIII. It seems to be more focused on story, and that's good, but from what I've heard around the internet, there are some worrying factors:

1) The battle system is a bit too automated.
2) There are no Towns at all
3) Weapon Customization has not be cared for much at all either
4) The Game is VERY linear.
5) Very few sidequests

Now... it seems like while FFXIII may have a good story, and that'll be enough for me, I can't help but mourn that the RPG elements in FF are getting more and more meager.

I've always been a big fan of good stories, MGS4, FFVII, VIII, IX and even X along with the Shadow Hearts games and what not. I do feel though, that not every game, especially an RPG, should have just a sole focus on stoory and dumb down everything else.

We'll see how it fares 2 months from now I believe.

Other Interesting Tidbits:

1) Square-Enix revealed in an interview that the reason that towns weren't added in FFXIII was because it would be "too much work and a hassle"

2) According to people who've played Final Fantasy XIII on the Tour bus thing that SE has been doing around the US, The x360 version is inferior to the PS3 version.

3) The x360 version of the game is only releasing in North America and Europe.

Sources for Info: RPG Fan, RPGamer, Sankaku Complex, Kotaku

[Casanova]

I've been doing quite a lot of research lately and I'm starting to look forward to the title. I always knew I was going to buy it, but I never got my hopes up because I didn't want to be shot down again.

Still, now I know that a lot of the people who worked on FFX are working on this game and that couldn't make me happier. The battle system no longer looks like a disaster to me. After reading a lot about it and looking at a lot of screenshots I'm almost happy to say that it looks like a hyped-up version of the battle system from FFX-2, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. The Crystarium levelling up system looks and is reported to be a lot like the Sphere Grid from FFX. Also reminiscent of FFX is the fact that the maps are reported to be completely linear with very few points of spontaneous excursion, and also the fact that the weapon customization options are supposed to be boring.

Does all of this make me feel better? Hell to the yes it does because I absolutely detest over-complicated JRPGs. Take FFXII for example, where you had to buy a license before you could use magicks. What's wrong with gaining magic by levelling up and using it there and then like the gaming God intended?!

Am I looking forward to this game now? Almost. Do I care that it's reviews have stated boring features of the game? No. Part of the reason I love FFX so much is because it's just a simple game with an amazing story.

If FFXIII turns out to be half as good as FFX, then it will be twice as good as FFXII, and that's a damn result in my books.

Also, if anyone is interested, here are some scans from OPM UK February issue explaining all the characters, Eidolons, factions and how they all tie in together:

[Doubt]

I can't get this game D1 because I have to save up for Sakura Wars Unforgettable Memories and Strange Journey the same month, but I want to get it eventually.

[Mellusia]

I pre-ordered it because it's suppose to come with a guidebook bonus here in Canada, so it'll be a punch to my wallet in March (especially since I also pre-ordered Strange Journey hat's come out in March >.<).

But damn it, despite all these supposed bad things people say about FFXIII (which doesn't even bother me *shrugs*), I am so psyched for the game. As long as I enjoy it, I don't care what anyone else says.

[Fatal Impurity]

I pre-ordered it because it's suppose to come with a guidebook bonus here in Canada, so it'll be a punch to my wallet in March (especially since I also pre-ordered Strange Journey hat's come out in March >.<).

But damn it, despite all these supposed bad things people say about FFXIII (which doesn't even bother me *shrugs*), I am so psyched for the game. As long as I enjoy it, I don't care what anyone else says.

Thats the same crazy talk alot of people said about FF12 and look where THAT ended up. I personally shall be staying reserved and cautious, I was burned with FF10 and FF12 wasn't that much better, so yeah fingers crossed for FF13 but I stil doubt it'll match the PS1 era.

[Mellusia]

Thats the same crazy talk alot of people said about FF12 and look where THAT ended up. I personally shall be staying reserved and cautious, I was burned with FF10 and FF12 wasn't that much better, so yeah fingers crossed for FF13 but I stil doubt it'll match the PS1 era.

Yeah, but I don't hate FFXII (granted I haven't beaten it yet, but I haven't seen anything in it that made me hate the game all together) and I loved FFX, so at least the so called crazy talk doesn't apply to me ;D

I dunno, I guess it just comes down to tastes and expectations. I've been happy with most of the FF games I've played despite other people's opinions on a lot of them, so I'm gonna have faith that I'll enjoy FFXIII *shrugs*

[Doaj]

I don't have very high expectations. I haven't played FFX, but it's also the only one that I hope or expect to play. FFXIII has some interesting things, but I honestly don't like that the summons are also cars. Are we playing transformers now, or can Bahamut just stay a dragon? Why is Shiva two chicks now, instead of one? And at that, they turn into motorcycles or some shit.

It just isn't how FF used to work. Now, it just doesn't work. D=

[Doubt]

2) There are no Towns at all

Wait, what?!...This fact concerns me.

[Contra Fates]

I've mentioned it before, but I really don't have very high hopes for this game. While it may have an improved plot, it seems to have come at the sacrifice of the main characters being shallow and linear. Hope is like a more-so annoying Larsa character, Vanille is Selphie/Yuffie/Rikku, Fang is Quistis/Lulu/Paine, Sahz is Barret/Zell/Steiner, Serah is Rinoa/Penelo, Snow is just some love-obsessed Seifer, and Lightning...well, she seems to be the ONLY redeeming character of the team. Which is really rare for me, I usually hate the heroes, but Lightning seems like she might be...actually likable.

Now, the ONLY reason I'm going to pay $10 to buy FFXIII through my work, is because of the villains. Character designs aside, they look like a batch of characters that just might be up my alley. But, aside from that? Not too excited. =/

[VxM Edgeworth]

From what I gathered through research, the game is being sold in bargain-bins for $20 in Japan..Not only that, but most stores over there refuse to carry the game in stock, pay the full price to market it to gamers, and it's lost a lot of money. Sources stated that FFXIII is, by far, one of the least sold game units in one week.

Now, aside from all of that, I'm still going to buy it; however, the lack of any towns, and the fact that Cloud looks like AC Cloud with boobs, has me worried. When the 9th gets here, it'll be hard to choose between this and HeartGold.

[VinnyThunder]

I preordered it and so far I think its pretty good. The music is a definite step up from 12, though not of the caliber of an Uematsu score, and though the dialog can be weak, the storyline is fairly entertaining. The characters are indeed rehashes of past characters, and the continued omission of the world map is a bit disappointing, but the leveling system (called the Crystarium), though similar to those of FF 10 and 12, is quite fun to use, and the battle system, though simplified, can make for some pulse-pounding action when sudden paradigm shifts are necessary. I'm currently only on Chapter 6, as I'm playing other games alongside this one. All in all I think it's a real improvement over FF 12, and an enjoyable game.

[Darkside]

I haven't played the game much since i been busy but from what i have played its quite decent I love the battle system and the leveling up system.The story is a bit cheesy but still pretty decent although the only thing that ruined this game for me so far is just Hope.I love all the characters but the best has to be Vanillie and again Hope is just terrible he makes me not want to play the game anymore.

The game is no FFX but its still a fun game to pick up and well not much else i can say since i havent been playing it alot.