Director: Final Fantasy XIII Criticism 'Was Fair'

http://www.gamestm.co.uk/discuss/final-fantasy-xiii-2-developer-says-xiii-was-not-a-mistake/

"We generally don't feel XIII was a mistake or that we made a mistake with it," Motomu Toriyama, director and scenario designer on both Final Fantasy XIII and its sequel, XIII-2, has told gamesTM. "We don't put it that way. Our goal with XIII was telling a good story with a lot of human drama and that was achieved. Because we wanted to introduce a new battle system that was completely new to the series – Paradigm Shifts and things like that – so in order to get it across to the player, it did require a much longer tutorial, which was criticised for being linear and whatever. Even though the criticism was fair and it was reasonable, it was unavoidable because of the nature of the game – we don't regard it that we made a mistake as such."

Toriyama goes on to spell out in no uncertain terms how Final Fantasy XIII-2 will differ tonally from its predecessor, and how Square Enix has found a way to make the game "have universal appeal across all national barriers."

I say to little to late, one of the biggest dissapointments this gen for sure. The question is can FF XIII-2 be better than the oringal.

Maybe if we suck up enough, they'll buy our next game. :o

Maybe if we suck up enough, they'll buy our next game. :o

DarkLink77

Previous Final Fantays were far more complex in gameplay mechnaics.

I thought the game was great, a solid 8. Gameplay was fun, graphics were awesome, and the soundtrack was pretty damn good too. Linearity is a non-issue for me.

WhereFF XIII failed hard, as a few posters above me said, was the story. Terrible story-telling with too much information hiding in that darn Encyclopedia section of the menu. A game shouldn't make you read a few hundred entries into a muddled menu option to fully understand the story. It's a shame really, the story had so much potential and there certainly was drama and tension in the setting. Had some great characters too. Had the story been better, it could of been one of the best entries into the series. Alas, was not to be.

Still an awesome game though, not a disappointment to me in the slightest.

Haters gonna hate I suppose. I'm like 10 hours in, and its enjoyable for me. It is notasgood as FF7,8,9, or 12 so far(the only FF's I've played), but its still a lot of fun.

While I can understand the disappointment of some diehard Final Fantasy fans, it still boggles my mind at how much hate this game gets. Now I understand that every game has its haters, but it still surprises me when I hear how so many people do not just dislike the game, they absolutely abhor it.

Unless the game gets much worse the longer you play it? Idk but so far 10-11 hours in, my impressions of this game is a solid 8/10. While it hasn't met my "Final Fantasy" expectations, I still think its far from a "mistake".

13-2 looks awesome though. Aside from the cheesy dialogue that plagues JRPG's of course lol :/.

I thought the game was great, a solid 8. Gameplay was fun, graphics were awesome, and the soundtrack was pretty damn good too. Linearity is a non-issue for me.

WhereFF XIII failed hard, as a few posters above me said, was the story. Terrible story-telling with too much information hiding in that darn Encyclopedia section of the menu. A game shouldn't make you read a few hundred entries into a muddled menu option to fully understand the story. It's a shame really, the story had so much potential and there certainly was drama and tension in the setting. Had some great characters too. Had the story been better, it could of been one of the best entries into the series. Alas, was not to be.

Still an awesome game though, not a disappointment to me in the slightest.

MLBknights58

Wow bro were you reading my mind? I swear I just posted my thing before I read your post lol. Great minds think alike huh? :P

Well you finished the game and I haven't, but hopefully when I'm done with it, it'll stay at 8 or be higher.

Meh, the game had its issues, but no more than any other FF game.

People were just really butthurt over XIII for some reason.

Combat and Graphics were outstanding, story, not so much.gamebreakerz__

Story & graphics were fine, but gameplay was horrible.

Combat and Graphics were outstanding, story, not so much.gamebreakerz__

Well, I love Final Fantasy XIII, so y'all and yer criticisms can GTFO. :P

Well, I love Final Fantasy XIII, so y'all and yer criticisms can GTFO. :P

NeonNinja

Neon is awesome. Listen to Neon.

[QUOTE="gamebreakerz__"]Combat and Graphics were outstanding, story, not so much.FPSfan1985

The combat wasn't about controlling individual action like in most RPGs. It was about a broader scale. You control the flow of the battle, not the individual action. Set your team up to do different actions at different times in order to overcome enemies. I personally loved it.

[QUOTE="gamebreakerz__"]Combat and Graphics were outstanding, story, not so much.FPSfan1985

[QUOTE="FPSfan1985"][QUOTE="gamebreakerz__"]Combat and Graphics were outstanding, story, not so much.NeonNinja

The combat wasn't about controlling individual action like in most RPGs. It was about a broader scale. You control the flow of the battle, not the individual action. Set your team up to do different actions at different times in order to overcome enemies. I personally loved it.

[QUOTE="FPSfan1985"][QUOTE="gamebreakerz__"]Combat and Graphics were outstanding, story, not so much.NeonNinja

The combat wasn't about controlling individual action like in most RPGs. It was about a broader scale. You control the flow of the battle, not the individual action. Set your team up to do different actions at different times in order to overcome enemies. I personally loved it.

I loved battle system and graphics it really was a good game...just not the quality of a psone or snes ff.

The combat wasn't about controlling anything. Damn near everything is automated. I don't see how anyone could get through the game, it's like 15 hours of the same thing over and over and over. Reminded me of grinding mobs in WoW aka boring.FPSfan1985

You're complaining about repetition in a video game? :roll:

Also, like others have said, it's not about mashing Confirm aka X/A the entire game. It's more about mashing L1/LB at the right time.

[QUOTE="FPSfan1985"]The combat wasn't about controlling anything. Damn near everything is automated. I don't see how anyone could get through the game, it's like 15 hours of the same thing over and over and over. Reminded me of grinding mobs in WoW aka boring.mmmwksil

You're complaining about repetition in a video game? :roll:

Also, like others have said, it's not about mashing Confirm aka X/A the entire game. It's more about mashing L1/LB at the right time.

Of course I am. Nothing enjoyable about grinding on the same or very similar enemies hours at a time. IMO at least.FPSfan1985

That's the RPG genre. You sorta know what you're getting yourself into, and expecting otherwise... is a might bit foolish.

[QUOTE="FPSfan1985"]Of course I am. Nothing enjoyable about grinding on the same or very similar enemies hours at a time. IMO at least.mmmwksil

That's the RPG genre. You sorta know what you're getting yourself into, and expecting otherwise... is a might bit foolish.

Meh, the game had its issues, but no more than any other FF game.

People were just really butthurt over XIII for some reason.

mmmwksil

True though the story was like a 13 years old girl written story :P so much emo.

Depends on the RPG completely. I didn't grind at all in TW2, or Fallout. More Japanese games should have combat like star ocean that actually require you to actually use more than 2 buttons.FPSfan1985

Star Ocean is a terrible series. :|

Consider using Tales of Series instead as an example.

[QUOTE="FPSfan1985"]Depends on the RPG completely. I didn't grind at all in TW2, or Fallout. More Japanese games should have combat like star ocean that actually require you to actually use more than 2 buttons.mmmwksil

Star Ocean is a terrible series. :|

Consider using Tales of Series instead as an example.

True though the story was like a 13 years old girl written story :P so much emo.

Kashiwaba

It didn't bother me as much. I actually liked the story when viewed at a certain angle (that of Hope). :P

And I loved the combat. Game outshined most other FFs for me, and sits at the #4 spot of favorites in the main series. ;)

Never said it wasn't, personally couldn't finish star ocean 4 the voice acting was laughable. But you can't deny the fact that the star ocean games have some of the best combat in the JRPG genre.FPSfan1985

I can not only deny it, but rant and rave 'till the cows come home. :|

There is little good about their combat system, especially when compared to Tales of.

Haters gonna hate I suppose. I'm like 10 hours in, and its enjoyable for me. It is notasgood as FF7,8,9, or 12 so far(the only FF's I've played), but its still a lot of fun.

While I can understand the disappointment of some diehard Final Fantasy fans, it still boggles my mind at how much hate this game gets. Now I understand that every game has its haters, but it still surprises me when I hear how so many people do not just dislike the game, they absolutely abhor it.

Unless the game gets much worse the longer you play it? Idk but so far 10-11 hours in, my impressions of this game is a solid 8/10. While it hasn't met my "Final Fantasy" expectations, I still think its far from a "mistake".

13-2 looks awesome though. Aside from the cheesy dialogue that plagues JRPG's of course lol :/.

phantomblade220

[QUOTE="FPSfan1985"]Never said it wasn't, personally couldn't finish star ocean 4 the voice acting was laughable. But you can't deny the fact that the star ocean games have some of the best combat in the JRPG genre.mmmwksil

I can not only deny it, but rant and rave 'till the cows come home. :|

There is little good about their combat system, especially when compared to Tales of.

[QUOTE="FPSfan1985"]Of course I am. Nothing enjoyable about grinding on the same or very similar enemies hours at a time. IMO at least.mmmwksil

That's the RPG genre. You sorta know what you're getting yourself into, and expecting otherwise... is a might bit foolish.

Then we just have very different tastes in games.FPSfan1985

I guess we do.

*tips hat*

uhm nope, plenty of RPGs where you dont have to grind.lightleggy

True, but I'm fairly certain those same RPGs allow grinding at some point, or is necessary for completion (be it extras or reaching max level).

The only thing i can say is that Paradigm System is one of the best combat system for a JRPG ever, personally, i didn't mind that much the endless tutorials, it always made the battle system somehow new.

http://www.gamestm.co.uk/discuss/final-fantasy-xiii-2-developer-says-xiii-was-not-a-mistake/

"We generally don't feel XIII was a mistake or that we made a mistake with it," Motomu Toriyama, director and scenario designer on both Final Fantasy XIII and its sequel, XIII-2, has told gamesTM. "We don't put it that way. Our goal with XIII was telling a good story with a lot of human drama and that was achieved. Because we wanted to introduce a new battle system that was completely new to the series – Paradigm Shifts and things like that – so in order to get it across to the player, it did require a much longer tutorial, which was criticised for being linear and whatever. Even though the criticism was fair and it was reasonable, it was unavoidable because of the nature of the game – we don't regard it that we made a mistake as such."

Toriyama goes on to spell out in no uncertain terms how Final Fantasy XIII-2 will differ tonally from its predecessor, and how Square Enix has found a way to make the game "have universal appeal across all national barriers."

I say to little to late, one of the biggest dissapointments this gen for sure. The question is can FF XIII-2 be better than the oringal.

HaloPimp978

I disagree so much. Also I was suprised that he was so mature about the criticism.

[QUOTE="NeonNinja"]

[QUOTE="FPSfan1985"] You mean the combat which consisted of Mashing X until the fight was over? I'll give you graphics, but the combat was awful.FPSfan1985

The combat wasn't about controlling individual action like in most RPGs. It was about a broader scale. You control the flow of the battle, not the individual action. Set your team up to do different actions at different times in order to overcome enemies. I personally loved it.

I love people trying to troll saying that you just mash X through the entire game :lol:

The only thing i can say is that Paradigm System is one of the best combat system for a JRPG ever, personally, i didn't mind that much the endless tutorials, it always made the battle system somehow new.

madsnakehhh

It was basicly one of my favorite battle systems for a jrpg. Felt involved and fun to me.

[QUOTE="FPSfan1985"][QUOTE="NeonNinja"]

The combat wasn't about controlling individual action like in most RPGs. It was about a broader scale. You control the flow of the battle, not the individual action. Set your team up to do different actions at different times in order to overcome enemies. I personally loved it.

madsnakehhh

I love people trying to troll saying that you just mash X through the entire game :lol:

[QUOTE="FPSfan1985"][QUOTE="NeonNinja"]

The combat wasn't about controlling individual action like in most RPGs. It was about a broader scale. You control the flow of the battle, not the individual action. Set your team up to do different actions at different times in order to overcome enemies. I personally loved it.

madsnakehhh

I love people trying to troll saying that you just mash X through the entire game :lol:

[QUOTE="madsnakehhh"]

[QUOTE="FPSfan1985"] The combat wasn't about controlling anything. Damn near everything is automated. I don't see how anyone could get through the game, it's like 15 hours of the same thing over and over and over. Reminded me of grinding mobs in WoW aka boring.FPSfan1985

I love people trying to troll saying that you just mash X through the entire game :lol:

Maybe you were playing a different game, you would have died at the first major boss by just mashing X, try again kid.

[QUOTE="madsnakehhh"]

[QUOTE="FPSfan1985"] The combat wasn't about controlling anything. Damn near everything is automated. I don't see how anyone could get through the game, it's like 15 hours of the same thing over and over and over. Reminded me of grinding mobs in WoW aka boring.lightleggy

I love people trying to troll saying that you just mash X through the entire game :lol:

For the first 5 hours, yeah, maybe, after that, and in bigger fights, not so much.

I also love how suddenly everyone claims that FFXIII is the only JRPG when you can win most of the regular fights by just pressing X, you guys seriously need to play more JRPGs then.

[QUOTE="lightleggy"][QUOTE="madsnakehhh"]

I love people trying to troll saying that you just mash X through the entire game :lol:

madsnakehhh

For the first 5 hours, yeah, maybe, after that, and in bigger fights, not so much.

I also love how suddenly everyone claims that FFXIII is the only JRPG when you can win most of the regular fights by just pressing X, you guys seriously need to play more JRPGs then.

[QUOTE="FPSfan1985"][QUOTE="NeonNinja"]

The combat wasn't about controlling individual action like in most RPGs. It was about a broader scale. You control the flow of the battle, not the individual action. Set your team up to do different actions at different times in order to overcome enemies. I personally loved it.

madsnakehhh

I love people trying to troll saying that you just mash X through the entire game :lol:

The funny thing is I can twist it like they do and say you do the same thing in every other FF game.

[QUOTE="FPSfan1985"][QUOTE="madsnakehhh"]

I love people trying to troll saying that you just mash X through the entire game :lol:

madsnakehhh

Maybe you were playing a different game, you would have died at the first major boss by just mashing X, try again kid.

[QUOTE="lightleggy"][QUOTE="madsnakehhh"]

I love people trying to troll saying that you just mash X through the entire game :lol:

madsnakehhh

For the first 5 hours, yeah, maybe, after that, and in bigger fights, not so much.

I also love how suddenly everyone claims that FFXIII is the only JRPG when you can win most of the regular fights by just pressing X, you guys seriously need to play more JRPGs then.

The funny thing is I can twist it like they do and say you do the same thing in every other FF game.

finalfantasy94

oh noes, but in other FF games you had to "strategically" use magic and other commands. :lol: