Final Fantasy XIII Official Thread (56k, Reviews are in!)

[QUOTE="rragnaar"]

IGN gives it an 8.9.

Amazon says my copy shipped today and that I should have it sometime tomorrow around noonish. I'm eager to start forming my own opinions on the game.

ASK_Story

Seeing the IGN review, the game looks amazingly incredible. Awesome visuals, masterful animation and art, Square-Enix developers are truly talented when it comes to this stuff. I think it's worth playing just for that alone, to see the visual spectacle. As I said before, it's a interactive movie more than a game. ASK_Story

I got that out of my system back when I played The Bouncer.

And I've got nothing against interactive movies disguised as games. My problem is that an interactive movie requires a strong (read: STRONG) narrative and superb acting, and I've seen nothing of that from the industry to date that even comes close to that. It's usually passable at best acting (most recent example was Heavy Rain -- the acting was all OVER the place, some passable, some downright laughable) and narratives that are just inches away from being crippled and poorly edited (MGS4). Ask yourself -- how many people would've sat in a theatre to watch MGS4's story without walking out? I'm not talking about fanboys like me here on forums, I'm talking about dads taking a day away from family duty to see a flick, college girls, and so on? I believe half the theatre would've walked out, just like they did when I went to see Final Fantasy: Spirits Within. This is the inherent danger of games trying to become something they are not currently -- the quality of what can be called a movie that the game company puts out is so far below even gutter trash like Dolph Lundgren and Jean Claude Van Damme movies that Hollywood puts out. If this is indeed an up and coming genre, it has light years still yet to go. If that is indeed what Square was after with this, I have my doubts about how successful they'll be -- narrative has never been all that great in Square games, and voice acting is something they've only been doing for about a decade, and they too have have the horrible hit-or-miss problems when it comes to quality acting.

[QUOTE="ASK_Story"]Seeing the IGN review, the game looks amazingly incredible. Awesome visuals, masterful animation and art, Square-Enix developers are truly talented when it comes to this stuff. I think it's worth playing just for that alone, to see the visual spectacle. As I said before, it's a interactive movie more than a game. Shame-usBlackley

I got that out of my system back when I played The Bouncer.

And I've got nothing against interactive movies disguised as games. My problem is that an interactive movie requires a strong (read: STRONG) narrative and superb acting, and I've seen nothing of that from the industry to date that even comes close to that. It's usually passable at best acting (most recent example was Heavy Rain -- the acting was all OVER the place, some passable, some downright laughable) and narratives that are just inches away from being crippled and poorly edited (MGS4). Ask yourself -- how many people would've sat in a theatre to watch MGS4's story without walking out? I'm not talking about fanboys like me here on forums, I'm talking about dads taking a day away from family duty to see a flick, college girls, and so on? I believe half the theatre would've walked out, just like they did when I went to see Final Fantasy: Spirits Within. This is the inherent danger of games trying to become something they are not currently -- the quality of what can be called a movie that the game company puts out is so far below even gutter trash like Dolph Lundgren and Jean Claude Van Damme movies that Hollywood puts out. If this is indeed an up and coming genre, it has light years still yet to go. If that is indeed what Square was after with this, I have my doubts about how successful they'll be -- narrative has never been all that great in Square games, and voice acting is something they've only been doing for about a decade, and they too have have the horrible hit-or-miss problems when it comes to quality acting.

I don't know how you can have cover art that looks really good...

...and have the spine look so bad...

...anyway... I'm going to say a few things:

1. Square Enix are not 'on drugs'. That statement doesn't mean anything, and it doesn't really contribute anything of substance to this thread, or to an argument.

2. FFXIII is not an interactive movie. It is a game.

3. This thread is not a place to rant about MGS4 for the 1000th time.

4. This thread is about FFXIII, warts and all. People should feel free to discuss the positives and negatives of the game. Be prepared to back up your arguments and you'll be fine.

Proceed.

Oh God, rag, you have no idea how good it makes me feel that I wasn't the only one to stick that game on my shelf and think "Oh sweet Jeebus the spine looks terrible!". Sticks out like a sore thumb. Oh well. Oh but hey, for those that didn't know, the PS3 version initial run has a card in it. If you hold onto it, it gives you a chance at being in the PS3 FF14 beta, as well as some kind of in game item for FF14 if you choose to play. You'd think they would bother advertising that BEFORE it came out to sway multiplatform gamers. Here ya go.

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2010/03/09/final-fantasy-xiii-on-store-shelves-today-includes-ps3-exclusive-bonus-offer-for-final-fantasy-xiv/

"For those of you headed out to pick up your copy, we're happy to announce that FINAL FANTASY XIII for PS3 offers an exclusive bonus offer for FINAL FANTASY XIV. Some of you may remember the announcement we made at our E3press conference last June, but just a reminder that PS3 will be the only console you'll be able to play FINAL FANTASY XIV when it launches in 2010.

Players who purchase a copy of FINAL FANTASY XIII for PS3 will receive a FINAL FANTASY XIV secret in-game item and be able to enter for a potential opportunity to become a beta tester for FINAL FANTASY XIV for PS3.

Included inside copies of the initial production run of FINAL FANTASY XIII for PS3 are Campaign Codes printed on a special SQUARE ENIX MEMBERS Point Card. Players can register at SQUARE ENIX MEMBERS and receive a code to unlock the special FINAL FANTASY XIV limited offer.

For additional details on FINAL FANTASY XIV, check out the official website and be sure to stay tuned to the PlayStation Blog for much more to come on the game this year."

That Square Enix registration site is getting bombarded. I can't get it to load up. I guess I'll just register later on. I've never played an MMO before. I don't know whether I'll enjoy it or not. I'm a more social gamer now than I used to be, so I could see myself getting into FFXIV if it is fun.

Nothing wrong with the spine in my opinion. Either way, we are all playing FFXIV.

...and have the spine look so bad...

rragnaar

Tell me about it. Out of all the Square-Enix games I have, they're spines have been the worst. Incredible cover art with cheap photoshopped text for the spine.

LOL I thought I was being to judgemental when I looked at the spine and went..wow that looks cheap..anyways...I am about 6 hours into the game and I am not disappointed. I was concerend about the battle system due to mostly ignorance and a lack of time to research it completely prior to getting the game.

I can say that I am getting a feel for it and after a few battles with the different paradigm shifts are completed the idea seems a lot more straight forward than what I was initially led to believe. I will even go so far to say that I am enjoying this battles system much more than 10 and 12.

I will even go so far to say that I am enjoying this battles system much more than 10 and 12.Sacif

I ordered this after cancelling 2 orders prior lol.

I took people's pessimism too seriously :P.

If being linear is the biggest complain then who cares, I played FFX and loved it. It seems reviewers forgot how linear FFX really was...

Love that new game feeling. Feels like I've been waiting forever for FF13 then when I walked in from the late shift at work there it was waiting. While its installing on the hard drive thought I'd share my joy. If only I didn't have work tomorrow...

That Square Enix registration site is getting bombarded. I can't get it to load up. I guess I'll just register later on. I've never played an MMO before. I don't know whether I'll enjoy it or not. I'm a more social gamer now than I used to be, so I could see myself getting into FFXIV if it is fun.

rragnaar

I had a chance to pick up this game at my local Blockbuster. They had like ten copies, but I decided not to. :P

Just got it at TRU got a $13 gift card with it. Next week they have a GoW3 deal where you get a $20 gift card. With those $30 I will get GTA Episodes for almost nothing. :) Man does that spine look ugly. dvader654

lol my god! Spines now? I thoguht people complaining about boxarts was idiotic until i read people ****ing over spines! lol, ive seen everything! :lol:

[QUOTE="S0lidSnake"]

[QUOTE="dvader654"]Just got it at TRU got a $13 gift card with it. Next week they have a GoW3 deal where you get a $20 gift card. With those $30 I will get GTA Episodes for almost nothing. :) Man does that spine look ugly. dvader654

lol my god! Spines now? I thoguht people complaining about boxarts was idiotic until i read people ****ing over spines! lol, ive seen everything! :lol:

I just think it's funny that you dont even notice screen tearing and jerky framerate in games, yet spines are an issue to you. :P

Just got it at TRU got a $13 gift card with it. Next week they have a GoW3 deal where you get a $20 gift card. With those $30 I will get GTA Episodes for almost nothing. :) Man does that spine look ugly. dvader654

So 360 only owners and achievement loving multiplatform gamers who want it on that, I say you should go for it.

I've made it to the first dungeony section of the game, Pulse Fal'cie, I'm enjoying wandering around and fighting stuff. The music in this area is fantastic. It is very relaxed and dreamy. Overall, the presentation is top notch, and the voice acting is really solid for the most part. Vanille is a little obnoxious, and some of the dialog isn't as well written as it could be. The art direction is as good as anything else in the series. I'm really impressed with how everything looks.

edit: Speaking of looks:

The screenshots, including mine, don't do this part of the game justice. This area is gorgeous.

I've made it to the first dungeony section of the game, Pulse Fal'cie, I'm enjoying wandering around and fighting stuff. The music in this area is fantastic. It is very relaxed and dreamy. Overall, the presentation is top notch, and the voice acting is really solid for the most part. Vanille is a little obnoxious, and some of the dialog isn't as well written as it could be. The art direction is as good as anything else in the series. I'm really impressed with how everything looks.rragnaar

Oh and just some advice to all players, if you're getting creamed a whole bunch in battle (and you will!) check the crystarium. I just completely forgot about it several times, and was fighting grossly underpowered for a time.

Oh and just some advice to all players, if you're getting creamed a whole bunch in battle (and you will!) check the crystarium. I just completely forgot about it several times, and was fighting grossly underpowered for a time.

SteveTabernacle

Yeah and another little tip is to play around with the customization of your battle paragidm's. Once this part of the battle system is understood the game becomes incredibly enjoyable.

I just got to the second disc and I am very very happy with how the story is progressing as well as how the difficulty is eased in.

I've made it to the first dungeony section of the game, Pulse Fal'cie, I'm enjoying wandering around and fighting stuff. The music in this area is fantastic. It is very relaxed and dreamy. Overall, the presentation is top notch, and the voice acting is really solid for the most part. Vanille is a little obnoxious, and some of the dialog isn't as well written as it could be. The art direction is as good as anything else in the series. I'm really impressed with how everything looks.

edit: Speaking of looks:

The screenshots, including mine, don't do this part of the game justice. This area is gorgeous.

rragnaar

I went and bought the game around early afternoon, but I wasn't able to play it until close to 9 at night because of work. I have to admit that the game has grasped me from the start all the way to where I was introduced to the paradigm system. So fat the game is pretty good. the gameplay is fun and engaging and the graphics are pretty good for a PS3 title. i don't really mind the changes to the game compared to traditional JRPGs.

That Square Enix registration site is getting bombarded. I can't get it to load up. I guess I'll just register later on. I've never played an MMO before. I don't know whether I'll enjoy it or not. I'm a more social gamer now than I used to be, so I could see myself getting into FFXIV if it is fun.

I love the game so far. There are problems to the game such as pacing and Hope (I actually don't mind Vanille at all) but those can be overlooked to some degree. I'm about 6 hours deep into the game and I still feel like I'm in the introduction phase of the game. This, to me, is too damn long of an introduction. The battle system is fine. It's actually really engaging and it keeps you on your toes, especially if you're fighting enemies that require you to swith Paradigm Shifts constantly.

I doubt this game will beat FFXII as my favorite Final Fantasy, but who knows? I'm liking the game so far and that's all that matters. And to people who are complaining about getting the XBOX 360 version, stop! It's gorgeous looking on the system. It isn't Bayonetta level difference.

This game is truly fantastic. It really captures the essence of Final Fantasy, and at the same time giving us something new and exciting in terms of gameplay. I'm glad I bought this game, and I can't wait to brag about beating it to those of my friends that did not pick it up.

I've only put in an hour (daughters had a lot of stuff going on yesterday, so didn't get to FF13 until late at night) but I am really impressed so far.

The combat system is still in the tutorial phase (kinda-sorta), but it seems like it will have a ton of depth and battles are quick moving and fun to watch. The graphics are phenomenal. Typical FF designs, but they are really clear and detailed and the world has a ton of depth to it. The localization is 2nd rate (you can tell the game was originally written in a game other than English, which isn't something one would say about top notch localizations like that of FF12 and Vagrant Story) but the story is fast paced and interesting and the voice actors are mostly good.

They need to get off them so that they can actually make a TRUE FF - not what we see today. Metamania

Define a "true ff" please.

Damn the game sounds awesome from what you guys describe. I can't wait to get it over the weekend.

So is it pretty linear so far? From the sound of it, I'm glad to hear that the game is still great regardless of the linearity.

Sounds like FFX. Which wasn't bad but it was still worth playing through.

I'm still deciding whether to get FFXIII tomorrow or not. I'm kind of wanting to wait for Resonance of Fate reviews or wait till I get a PS3. But we'll see tomorrow. Knowing my impulse buying, I'll probably get it.

[QUOTE="Metamania"]They need to get off them so that they can actually make a TRUE FF - not what we see today. LikeHaterade

Define a "true ff" please.

[QUOTE="LikeHaterade"]

[QUOTE="Metamania"]They need to get off them so that they can actually make a TRUE FF - not what we see today. Metamania

Define a "true ff" please.

[QUOTE="Metamania"]They need to get off them so that they can actually make a TRUE FF - not what we see today. LikeHaterade

Define a "true ff" please.

I've only put in an hour (daughters had a lot of stuff going on yesterday, so didn't get to FF13 until late at night) but I am really impressed so far. The combat system is still in the tutorial phase (kinda-sorta), but it seems like it will have a ton of depth and battles are quick moving and fun to watch.CarnageHeart

So is it pretty linear so far? From the sound of it, I'm glad to hear that the game is still great regardless of the linearity.

Sounds like FFX. Which wasn't bad but it was still worth playing through.

I'm still deciding whether to get FFXIII tomorrow or not. I'm kind of wanting to wait for Resonance of Fate reviews or wait till I get a PS3. But we'll see tomorrow. Knowing my impulse buying, I'll probably get it.

ASK_Story

It's really well done, it's beautiful and engrossing. It's pretty linear until the end part of the game when it opens up. Then again, it works well that way as it has a tight storyline that Square wants to pull you through. The battle system is really well done, and the tutorials are excellent. I found with previous FF games it felt monotonous at times, but with this one i feel really engrossed and there's a pressure to keep things going. I really think it deserves a better rating then what it was given, but then again I generally can't get engrossed in a JRPG (besides Suikoden III for some reason) and with this one I can't put it down...KittyKat