Final Fantasy 13... One of the most hate/love games I've had the pleasure to play. What do I think of it? I love it.

People complain about how different this game is to any other Final Fantasy game, and how it's so linear it hurts. Well, this game was designed to revolutionize the JRPG genre. It isn't supposed to be like any other Final fantasy game. It isn't supposed to have the old elements, it's supposed to make it's own, and be the new RPG generation.

When you pop in Final Fantasy 13 (both consoles are good) you have to keep a open mind. You can't be thinking about the other game sin the series. you have to think of FF13 as it's own game, remain impartial. If you keep an open mind and remember the games intention in regards to RPG's as a whole, it will be a amazing experience.

Although I will openly admit I love this game, it has it's flaws, like every game. The first one that come's to mind is the first 10 hours and pointless battles. I mean sure, it helps you learn HOW to fight, but, without being able to level up right away, it makes all those fights and progression feel pointless. I mean, I understand WHY Square decided to do this, (it was because of the storyline) but still, they should have made it earlier.

I really, really want to say I didn't mind how the game is so linear, but I just can't. I know that games are linear in general, I mean, they have to be, but In FF13, your always going 1 direction; forward. I didn't think it would be this bad, but I'm on disk 3 (Xbox User I is) and every map has basically been the same. It's really noticable if you always look at your map like me. But if you look at the enviroment, the scenery and what not, it's takes away from how linear the game feels by shear beauty. This game is bloody beautiful. The game play itself looks like a cut scene itself (in other games of course). There isn't a lot I don't like about FF13, but the things that I don't like, stand out.

Should I go over what I like? The list is long but I think you should know.

The absolute greatest thing that I love about Final Fantasy 13 is the characters. Almost every one plays at your heart. Not to mention Lightning (Main Character) was designed to be a female equivalent to Cloud. But I found them to be very believable, especially Sahz. As the player you get so into the character development that you can really feel their feelings. Either its the mourning of a passed on family member, or lover. Or it's the struggle to find who you really are, or, the struggle to do anything for the one you love, it's all there, and it's all real. Each character is unique, and has it's own background, much like Final Fantasy 7 (One of my favorite things about that game is the characters btw).

I also love how beautiful the whole game looks. EVERYTHING looks good in this game! The only thing I found that didn't look good was the characters fingers in game play cut scenes (I pay attention to the little things). I don't even want to get started with the Movie clips. Ever watched Final Fantasy 7 Advent Children Complete? Yea? well it looks just as good. I haven't seen a game look this good before.

I also love the battle system, something I didn't think I would. before the release, I watched countless video's of Battle Game play and just got lost. I didn't understand why this character was attacking 4 times at once and all I could think of was "F***. It's like X-2" But once I played it, and got past the tedious 10 hours I really got into it and now I love it. One of the best things about it is its fast-paced style. It isn't too face paced like X-2, but it's enough that forces you to pay attention throughout the whole battle, especially if you like to pick the attacks you want to use (There is a auto-battle feature that auto-picks your moves if you don't feel like thinking). Also, I love how you can't just grind for hours and hours and then destroy your enemies. No, instead you have to rely on skill and performance to win the battles, how to balance your roles and what not. It makes battles unlike anything we have ever seen, and fantastic.

Although many people complain about this, It is one of my favorites about the game, and it is the story.

Most people say its confusing, simple, overused, but I say, its great. It's like FF12, but with a love story in the mix. The best thing that I like though, is what everyone dislikes. and thats how you have no idea what is really going on the whole time. I'm assuming that everything will come together at the final chapter (I've been told, but I haven't finished the game yet) and that's what I love about it. It leaves me wondering what the hell is going on, and makes me excited to get to the last chapter. I'm hoping it's going to be mind blasting, but we'll see.

So I've rambled on about the things I like and don't like, time to hear what you think of what I have to say.