There's no denying that it's multiplatform status will shatter FF 7's previously held record of most copies sold. Since it's announcement at a certain E3 event this was the first thing that would come into anyone's head. This record will only increase as SE continue to dilute the series to other platforms, and hopefully include the PC, the Wii (its successor that is), and available Apple products so that they can gain even more profit for minimum effort while their teams do... whatever it is that they do.
And in light of recent events, most of the "flaws" are really a non issue since previous Final Fantasies didn't see the need to include alternate voice acting, for example. After all, just because a format is capable of something doesn't mean a company will utilize it. What possible benefit could Square Enix gain from it? Just look at the entirety of the ps3 really. Practicality is always the most important rule, and the ps3 doesn't follow it too well.
Also, believing that any company would achieve photo-realistic graphics at this point is unfair, not to mention extremely costly, to the developers. It doesn't matter if the game has slight jaggies or a less-than-perfect-look. SE have been doing something these past 4 years haven't they? They have been doing their very best to achieve a worthy product, and so what if they instigate tired old mechanics? Having the game seem "cut up" or what have you is perfectly reasonable. Rumors of them shortening the length of the game must certainly be taken out of context, or at least be not the way it may sound. Sure they were able to release back to back stellar games in the past, with FF 9 and 10 having only a year's difference.
But that doesn't mean the time they've spent now isn't proportionate to the quality of the game, which I'm sure will last gamers many many hours of enjoyment. Which is the whole point isn't it? At $60+, an 8 hour or so game isn't going to cut it if you plan on buying many of them. Unless you're 13 years old and enjoy goofing off online with just one single (and very old) game (case in point, my cousin) as you've bought an enhanced bluetooth device which alters the tone of your voice (and at 13 years old, this seems to never get old apparently. Or so I'm told)
At the end, you have to take a step back and tell yourself, "it's just a videogame". Getting riled up because SE have been total *****'s to the ps3 for this entire generation and complete hypocrites is not justifiable, as Square Enix wish to not fall victim to the recession's claws, and must stay on top lest they have hundreds of employees lose jobs and become unable to support their innocent families. Sure they haven't released any other rpg's for the ps3 this whole time, sure there was no reason to withhold Star Ocean 4 as more copies sold would surely boost SE's revenue. But they must have something to show for their lackluster contribution to this generation of gaming. And I'm sure FF 13 will prove that by taking the time to focus on one game, the pay-off will be worth it.
Who agrees? Am I missing anything else? I feel like I'm missing something important, but I just can't quite put my finger on it. Please feel free to add information I might have missed and would find beneficial.
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