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Off-topic forums => Completely Unrelated => Topic started by: Masa-Buster on 2010-02-24 15:30:34

Title: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Masa-Buster on 2010-02-24 15:30:34
I know its not out in N.A. yet but I might as well make this topic before someone else does  ;)

For people who already got it, share what its like. So far from what I heard is that its a Dungeon Crawler -_- Still a Final Fantasy game, and a Must-Have.

After I manage to see some gameplay vids and actually get it and clear up space on my PS3, I'll post my thoughts. Until then, Good Luck !
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: titeguy3 on 2010-02-24 17:27:48
edited.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Bosola on 2010-02-24 17:35:51
I don't care if it's called 'Final Fantasy'. After the horrific mess that was XII, I'm treating it as Guilty until proven Innocent. And the reviews I've so far encountered don't leave it much hope.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Kudistos Megistos on 2010-02-24 20:40:16
I'm sure KM would beat me to it if I don't post this, but, this is the complete map of the first 6 or so hours of the game:

The map of the first six hours of the game is a squashed white image saying the name of a certain site that I like to lurk and steal stories from? ;D

Anyway, here it is (http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/2876/finalfantasyxiiiextreme.jpg). :P

EDIT:

NANI?

The image titeguy3 linked to seems to appear sometimes and not at other times ???
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: obesebear on 2010-02-25 02:08:59
My thoughts?  It is going to be horribly bland and lack almost any creativity just like most other "next-gen" games.  FFXII was horrible, and this might be a little bit better, but still just as boring as FFX.

Instead of wasting your money, if you have a PS3, buy Heavy Rain.  It is remarkably well done and hopefully its success will encourage other developers to be creative and try new things with videogames.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: titeguy3 on 2010-02-25 03:45:01
My thoughts?  It is going to be horribly bland and lack almost any creativity just like most other "next-gen" games.  FFXII was horrible, and this might be a little bit better, but still just as boring as FFX.

Instead of wasting your money, if you have a PS3, buy Heavy Rain.  It is remarkably well done and hopefully its success will encourage other developers to be creative and try new things with videogames.

Is it true that Heavy Rain only has one ending? I've heard that it makes a better rental than a buy...
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: KnifeTheSky77 on 2010-02-25 03:49:02
I'm liking heavy rain so far. a. lot.
 If I were to call any game coming out this year for the psTres a rental it would be ff13  :-D
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: sl1982 on 2010-02-25 04:13:03
I play RPG's mostly for the story. So if 13 is totally linear for the first half it doesnt really bother me at all.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: obesebear on 2010-02-25 05:07:35
My thoughts?  It is going to be horribly bland and lack almost any creativity just like most other "next-gen" games.  FFXII was horrible, and this might be a little bit better, but still just as boring as FFX.

Instead of wasting your money, if you have a PS3, buy Heavy Rain.  It is remarkably well done and hopefully its success will encourage other developers to be creative and try new things with videogames.

Is it true that Heavy Rain only has one ending? I've heard that it makes a better rental than a buy...
11 different endings that I've heard of.  Every decision you make actually does alter the story.  To the point that main characters can even die and the story continues and just takes that into account.   I've only played like 3 hours and its starting to get really really good
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Tekkie.X on 2010-02-25 12:14:24
I don't have a PS3 any more (got tired of all the exploiting and camping in MGO and most of other games I had I couldn't play with friends because they were region locked for online play) but Heavy Rain just comes across as being really slow and boring, it's one giant Quick Time Event.



As for the subject at hand, I'll probably wait a little while and pick FFXIII up pre-owned and possible with trade-ins.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: obesebear on 2010-02-25 18:21:06
Heavy Rain just comes across as being really slow and boring, it's one giant Quick Time Event.
That's why I like it so much.  It takes me back to a time when nearly every game I played felt new and innovative.  I used to have a massive collection of games in the early to late 90's.  Nowadays, I have 5.  Almost every "new" game feels exactly like the last.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: KnifeTheSky77 on 2010-02-25 19:02:20
Heavy Rain just comes across as being really slow and boring, it's one giant Quick Time Event.
That's why I like it so much.  It takes me back to a time when nearly every game I played felt new and innovative.  I used to have a massive collection of games in the early to late 90's.  Nowadays, I have 5.  Almost every "new" game feels exactly like the last.

We aren't so different, you and I.
Heavy Rain has completely blown my mind. I have found the game exhilarating in the least, but definitely not boring
I recommend it to anyone with a ps3
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: titeguy3 on 2010-02-26 06:00:44
11 different endings that I've heard of.  Every decision you make actually does alter the story.  To the point that main characters can even die and the story continues and just takes that into account.   I've only played like 3 hours and its starting to get really really good
Really? that's awesome, I'll have to check it out! Sounds like one of those old Holographic goosebumps books (loved those way back when).
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Opine on 2010-02-26 23:29:25
My thoughts?  It is going to be horribly bland and lack almost any creativity just like most other "next-gen" games.  FFXII was horrible, and this might be a little bit better, but still just as boring as FFX.

Instead of wasting your money, if you have a PS3, buy Heavy Rain.  It is remarkably well done and hopefully its success will encourage other developers to be creative and try new things with videogames.


Ooh, it looks interesting. (Not like I have a PS3). It actually looks like a cross between an X-Files game I had & Bladerunner. Except, you know, probably much better...
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: obesebear on 2010-02-27 01:45:56
We aren't so different, you and I.
Heavy Rain has completely blown my mind. I have found the game exhilarating in the least, but definitely not boring
I recommend it to anyone with a ps3

After getting past that first "chapter" I've been on the edge of my seat almost the entire time paying attention to every detail.  I really like that things go on around you no matter what.  So if you take your time responding to them, or ignore them, they simply go away and the game changes.

I'm going to have to replay at least 5 more times I think
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: sl1982 on 2010-02-27 01:48:16
Isn't this a thread about FFXIII?
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: obesebear on 2010-02-27 02:29:38
Isn't this a thread about FFXIII?
Nope.  This thread is now about a good game  8)
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: sl1982 on 2010-02-27 02:38:56
Have you played 13?
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: obesebear on 2010-02-27 02:42:07
No.  But I did already play 10.  I don't need to play it with updated graphics.

Versus 13 COULD be good.  I'll pass judgement once it gets a little closer to release.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: sl1982 on 2010-02-27 02:43:57
So you are taking someone elses word that 13 = 10? Interesting. I prefer to draw my own conclusions.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Matron Orlha the Insane on 2010-02-27 02:46:28
No.  But I did already play 10.  I don't need to play it with updated graphics.
 

....  /facepalm
Why the needless hate for a game that hasn't even been released yet?
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: titeguy3 on 2010-02-27 02:48:10
Hey 10 had some great gameplay mechanics! It just happened to be the case that the plot was dry and the characters were dull.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: obesebear on 2010-02-27 02:51:01
Lol.  No I'm not taking anyone's word for it.  But I disliked 10 and 12, and seems to me this will be just as entertaining as those were.

Like I said about Heavy Rain, I'm tired of playing the same old games over and over with new colors.  Make something creative or innovative and I'll spend my money and time on it.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: sl1982 on 2010-02-27 02:52:43
So your thoughts on FF13 is that you like heavy rain? lol
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: KnifeTheSky77 on 2010-02-27 06:07:28
FF13 is worth at least renting, the story is pretty good. I watched some weeabo kid play through the entire game.
It gets pretty repetitive, "run down path, get in fight, continue down path, get in fight, cutscene, boss, run down path"
One of the reasons i liked ff7-ff9 was the explorability in the game, everything was downhill for me after that.
So strange a feature, i like having an explorable world map. If there were a world map in ff10 it would have felt like 7-9, at least to me
As would ff13, gran pulse doesnt count as a world map in my eyes. At least the graphics are pretty good  8)
There is still hope for ffv13 however
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Bosola on 2010-02-27 14:29:39
Quote
Hey 10 had some great gameplay mechanics! It just happened to be the case that the plot was dry and the characters were dull.

Likewise. Pure turnbased and the ability to easily telegraph turns made for better battles, and offered the player scope to actually plan their strategies, rather than fumble around, hoping that Enemy X won't attack before Tifa gets fullcured or whatever. Status inflicting attacks actually worth using, enemies with intuitive and useful weaknesses, and cleaned up battle mechanics all made FFX a strong game.

On the other hand:

Quote
HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA. HA.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Kudistos Megistos on 2010-02-27 15:24:03
Hey 10 had some great gameplay mechanics! It just happened to be the case that the plot was dry and the characters were dull.

This. I quite enjoyed FFX from a gameplay perspective.

Likewise. Pure turnbased and the ability to easily telegraph turns made for better battles, and offered the player scope to actually plan their strategies, rather than fumble around, hoping that Enemy X won't attack before Tifa gets fullcured or whatever.

This is why I changed the battle system to "wait" in FF7. :P

Also, this "Heavy Rain" sounds a lot like a visual novel, except in 3D; it's quite intriguing.

Are there any H-scenes? :D
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Tekkie.X on 2010-02-27 15:56:43
It has boobies in it, yes.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: titeguy3 on 2010-02-27 17:36:02
It has boobies in it, yes.
buying it.
 :D
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Jari on 2010-02-27 17:47:13
Well, their previous effort, Fahrenheit had even sex minigame. ;D I was surprised enough to almost miss it, before I realized it's an akshual QTE. :P

To prevent people getting the wrong idea; Fahrenheit is an excellent game. With the worst plot twist ever. But still excellent. And it's not sleazy or anything like that - it's simply aimed at adults.

Heavy Rain is probably the only PS3 exclusive I'll miss. It's too bad it won't be coming to PC.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Chocobo_Girl on 2010-03-01 01:13:45
Well, their previous effort, Fahrenheit had even sex minigame. ;D

Haha that reminds me of this optional sex mini game toward the beginning of God of War. The camera moves away as you get into bed with two prostitutes and you have to press the right buttons/spin around the analog stick at the right time n you get orbs at the end if you did good. o___o (Since when do prostitutes pay YOU?)
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Jaitsu on 2010-03-01 13:16:52
but still just as boring as FFX.

TT.TT i liked FFX
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Jari on 2010-03-01 15:48:55
(Since when do prostitutes pay YOU?)

Since you became Kratos. ;D

Kratos - much like Chuck Norris - is different. It's only logical that prostitutes would pay him for the privilege.  :-D
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Opine on 2010-03-05 18:20:21
NPR just reviewed Heavy Rain (http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2010/03/an_emotional_parent_plays_heav.html?sc=fb&cc=fp), and their first sentence mentions FF7 :lol:

(there should really be a rofl smiley for moments like these)
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Immortal Damyn on 2010-03-05 18:31:31
I agree that an explorable world map make a game seem so much better. When everything is set paths, it seems far to linear, and predictable. If there were a world map in FFX it would have been more fun to pilgrimage around Spira because you wouldn't have a set path, and not necessarily know where you're going the entire time. And be able to veer off into random areas. Sometimes you even find something new in those areas.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Timu Sumisu on 2010-03-05 18:38:05
I kind of understand the linearity in ffx, as given summoners had been going on pilgrimages for near to a thousand years, the path they took was probably fairly well known. It would've been nice to have a bit more diversity, but at least vs. ff13, although you did always tend to go "forward" in ffx, not all the maps were straight lines :P
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Kudistos Megistos on 2010-03-05 21:28:43
So, the Xbox360 port of FF13 is getting raped all over the internet (http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2010/03/06/final-fantasy-xiii-ps3-vs-xbox-360-definitive-comparison/) (possible NSFW, and no, the game isn't getting literally raped :D).

A lot of people are making a big deal of the fact that the game takes up 18GB across the three 360 discs compared to 38GB on one blu-ray. What none of them ever seem to mention is that the situation is worse than that: if they'd modded FF7 ;D, they'd know that a lot of that 18GB is redundant data that had to be repeated because it needed to be on the three discs. FF7 is, what, something like 1.6 GB across the discs? But it's really only about 2/3 of that, because everything except the movies has to be shared on all of the discs, resulting in hundreds of megabytes of redundant data. It seems that people commenting on this issue think that splitting a game over several discs is like splitting a .rar file: it isn't. Then again, I hear that PS3 games often have redundant data in order to lower the load times or some stupid shit like that...
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Bosola on 2010-03-05 22:00:25
So basically, the above told us that the PS3 is slightly better from a technical perspective? Someone should find that journo and welcome him to 2007 ; )
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Kudistos Megistos on 2010-03-05 22:05:54
Well Squeenix made a big deal about both versions being equal, so it's rather amusing that they're not.

Also, multiplats are often better on the 360, for some reason (apparently it's easier to make games for it or something because the PS3 is weird). Bayonetta is a classic example of this.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: therage800 on 2010-03-06 01:10:42
Instead of wasting your money, if you have a PS3, buy Heavy Rain.  It is remarkably well done and hopefully its success will encourage other developers to be creative and try new things with videogames.

Well I'm still getting FFXIII but what the hell is Heavy Rain exactly? I read the wiki and that NPR article Opine linked, but they both left me saying WTF?
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: obesebear on 2010-03-06 01:17:48
Heavy Rain is basically an interactive movie.  A "choose your own destiny" sort of game.  It's very good, and you'll have to replay it at least one more time to truly appreciate it.
If you have a PS3, download the demo.  And then realize that the two parts you play aren't even almost the best parts of it.

Don't look up too much of it though, you don't want to ruin the twist at the end.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: therage800 on 2010-03-06 01:23:08
Alright, I'm sold. I'm going to have to at least download the demo. It sounds... different but deep (which is good).
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: sl1982 on 2010-03-06 01:28:31
Perhaps someone should change the topic to thoughts on heavy rain
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: gjoerulv on 2010-03-10 21:14:59
Heavy rain... Yeah, great story with good twists and choose your own destiny stuff. But, man, the gameplay  >:(. Really annoying at times. Why should it be a challenge to open a friggin door? </offtopic>

I haven't played ffxiii yet, but, to be honest, I don't have high expectations. Stilll, I'm convinced there's more good things to say bout' it than bad things. Why absolutely focus on the negative. Adaptation and open mind anyone?
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: obesebear on 2010-03-10 21:28:56
Heavy rain... Yeah, great story with good twists and choose your own destiny stuff. But, man, the gameplay  >:(. Really annoying at times. Why should it be a challenge to open a friggin door? </offtopic>

I haven't played ffxiii yet, but, to be honest, I don't have high expectations. Stilll, I'm convinced there's more good things to say bout' it than bad things. Why absolutely focus on the negative. Adaptation and open mind anyone?
SE is much like my dog.  After I see him fail to understand how to open my screen door countless times, my hope in him actually figuring it out is pretty minimal.  But on rare occasion he does get lucky and figure it out, though that's only after countless scratches and ear piercing whining.

I give myself a 9/10 for that analogy
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Immortal Damyn on 2010-03-11 19:48:54
I think Red XIII should make a cameo appearance in this game... >>
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Tekkie.X on 2010-03-12 18:13:41
Just got back from the store a little while ago, BRB "FACING DESTINY"
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Jaitsu on 2010-03-17 18:55:11
i find it slightly funny, alot of people on here thought it would suck big time and now, alot of people on here are praising it :P
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Masa-Buster on 2010-03-17 22:01:55
Got my copy of XIII last week, only started playing today. just got halfway to Ch.2 and got to the introduction of the new leveling system.

ITS A SPHERE GRID IN 3D!
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Covarr on 2010-03-18 03:02:58
Got my copy of XIII last week, only started playing today. just got halfway to Ch.2 and got to the introduction of the new leveling system.

ITS A SPHERE GRID IN 3D!
Fuck, I hated the sphere grid. Maybe I won't get this game.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: therage800 on 2010-03-18 04:38:38
Got my copy of XIII last week, only started playing today. just got halfway to Ch.2 and got to the introduction of the new leveling system.

ITS A SPHERE GRID IN 3D!
f***, I hated the sphere grid. Maybe I won't get this game.

Well, there is no collecting spheres if that makes a difference for you... You just use your exchange your CP (Earned like EXP)
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: sl1982 on 2010-03-18 04:41:04
The thing i like about this is you can level up a bit after every battle. No waiting to hit the next level for stat boosts.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: therage800 on 2010-03-18 04:44:23
You obviously haven't gotten to chapter 11...
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: sl1982 on 2010-03-18 05:08:18
You obviously haven't gotten to chapter 11...

Nope not yet.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: hay on 2010-03-18 11:48:53
Well you still have to meet cost requirement so if a fight gives you 1.5k and you need 8k it's not THAT easy, but still easy and often longer than it should be.

Perfect example of bad design of combat system.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: therage800 on 2010-03-19 04:29:37
You obviously haven't gotten to chapter 11...

Nope not yet.

Costs 4000 per... And don't even get me started on learning new roles! Ha ha ha, hope I didn't scare you  ;) :-o
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Masa-Buster on 2010-03-20 00:49:28
I just got the 3D Sphere grid (Yes that's what I call it), pretty nice. Mastered Snow's Level 1 grid in about 5 minutes, working on Lightning right now, too little HP, crystal Rain from the boss (Forgot its name) gets Lightning with 1 cast (2 Hits). And I just noticed, the start of FF 13 is WAY too much like FF7.
And here are the reasons:

The First Boss, is a giant thing, with a tail, your black friend has a gun and/or guns, your other friend has a memorable Sword, and the start out of the boss fight is exactly the same as FF7. (Same Positions). Also, you start off in a huge city, (Midgar), and on a train (Intro of FF7). I don't know about you guys, but this just bugs me a bit. Something I can live with, but they could have been more creative.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Jaitsu on 2010-03-22 01:02:25
i just got FFVIII as an early birthday gift and, even though its linear, i actually quite like it, its quite fun and the battle system can keep you on your toes against certain bosses
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Prince Lex on 2010-03-28 14:58:19
i just got FFVIII as an early birthday gift and, even though its linear, i actually quite like it, its quite fun and the battle system can keep you on your toes against certain bosses

FFVIII?


Beware, what I'm about to say is kind-of spoiler-ish. And I wish someone had said that in an earlier post because I hadn't played the game 2 weeks ago when I first read it.

I just completed it this morning. I enjoyed the game as a whole, I thought it had a good balance of gameplay and cutscenes. If you think 4k is a lot for the next crystal, it now costs me 60,000.

I liked the battle gameplay, fast and enjoyable to watch. Though for the better part of the first 9 chapters I just spent forever pressing "auto-battle, auto-battle, auto-battle". It gets a bit more complex the closer you get to the end.

The story was interesting at first and ended very well (though I was upset by this), but it felt like it was missing something for me. That big reveal that usually happens 3/4's of the way through the game just wasn't there. You learn Lightning's real name passively before a boss and it doesn't feel like a big thing at all. Also something Barthandelus says after the first time you beat him made me cringe with "I've heard this before" crapness. I was LOVING the story until that point. Another character reveal about Fang and Hope the first time you play as Fang was great though (about Fang and Vanille) - I wasn't expecting that one.

You are allowed almost no degree of customisation until chapter 9, when you can finally configure your party (which is fine, I spent a lot more time from chapter 9 onwards than I did leading up to it) however, it's still extremely linear. The removal of towns makes you feel like you're living to walk and fight, walk and fight.

A feature I liked is the "kind-of" new game plus. When you finish the story, you save it, and if you load that save, its back before the final boss (though they all still appear in "Enemy Intel"). Which is necessary because you only get the final Crystarium expansion after beating the final boss. This is the best time to do all the side-quests on Pulse.

The game itself doesn't really open up till Chapter 11, and in my opinion, there isn't that much content beyond the main story, even with the optional areas. I quite like the Cie'th Stone sidequest though.

The ending was as emotional as any other FF game (bar XII - that game had almost no emotion whatsoever) but the story itself felt a bit messy towards the end.

The game is quite solid though and extremely enjoyable. I was gutted by the ending so I can only infer that I must have bonded with the characters and story a bit more than I realised. Which is a good thing. My favourite character is Fang, by far. Barthandelus pissed me off but I did feel actual fear the first time he transformed, I found it quite shocking. And I don't like Sazh.

That may seem like a bit of a long list of things I didn't like about the game but there were a lot of good points too. This is already tl;dr so I won't outline the good ones here. It definitely doesn't beat any of my favourites but the story and battle system far exceeds XII. The graphics are EFFIN FANTASTIC.

My score (which probably means nothing to most of you)

Story: 8/10
Battle System: 9/10 (if the party leader gets KO'd, it's game over. This enraged me a few times)
Voice Acting: 8/10
Outside Battle Gameplay: 7/10
Music: 4/10

Overall - 7.2/10. Personally.


Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Jaitsu on 2010-04-02 01:13:56
i just got FFVIII as an early birthday gift and, even though its linear, i actually quite like it, its quite fun and the battle system can keep you on your toes against certain bosses

FFVIII?


Beware, what I'm about to say is kind-of spoiler-ish. And I wish someone had said that in an earlier post because I hadn't played the game 2 weeks ago when I first read it.

I just completed it this morning. I enjoyed the game as a whole, I thought it had a good balance of gameplay and cutscenes. If you think 4k is a lot for the next crystal, it now costs me 60,000.

I liked the battle gameplay, fast and enjoyable to watch. Though for the better part of the first 9 chapters I just spent forever pressing "auto-battle, auto-battle, auto-battle". It gets a bit more complex the closer you get to the end.

The story was interesting at first and ended very well (though I was upset by this), but it felt like it was missing something for me. That big reveal that usually happens 3/4's of the way through the game just wasn't there. You learn Lightning's real name passively before a boss and it doesn't feel like a big thing at all. Also something Barthandelus says after the first time you beat him made me cringe with "I've heard this before" crapness. I was LOVING the story until that point. Another character reveal about Fang and Hope the first time you play as Fang was great though (about Fang and Vanille) - I wasn't expecting that one.

You are allowed almost no degree of customisation until chapter 9, when you can finally configure your party (which is fine, I spent a lot more time from chapter 9 onwards than I did leading up to it) however, it's still extremely linear. The removal of towns makes you feel like you're living to walk and fight, walk and fight.

A feature I liked is the "kind-of" new game plus. When you finish the story, you save it, and if you load that save, its back before the final boss (though they all still appear in "Enemy Intel"). Which is necessary because you only get the final Crystarium expansion after beating the final boss. This is the best time to do all the side-quests on Pulse.

The game itself doesn't really open up till Chapter 11, and in my opinion, there isn't that much content beyond the main story, even with the optional areas. I quite like the Cie'th Stone sidequest though.

The ending was as emotional as any other FF game (bar XII - that game had almost no emotion whatsoever) but the story itself felt a bit messy towards the end.

The game is quite solid though and extremely enjoyable. I was gutted by the ending so I can only infer that I must have bonded with the characters and story a bit more than I realised. Which is a good thing. My favourite character is Fang, by far. Barthandelus pissed me off but I did feel actual fear the first time he transformed, I found it quite shocking. And I don't like Sazh.

That may seem like a bit of a long list of things I didn't like about the game but there were a lot of good points too. This is already tl;dr so I won't outline the good ones here. It definitely doesn't beat any of my favourites but the story and battle system far exceeds XII. The graphics are EFFIN FANTASTIC.

My score (which probably means nothing to most of you)

Story: 8/10
Battle System: 9/10 (if the party leader gets KO'd, it's game over. This enraged me a few times)
Voice Acting: 8/10
Outside Battle Gameplay: 7/10
Music: 4/10

Overall - 7.2/10. Personally.




really? i actually liked the music, though thats personal liking ^_^
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Prince Lex on 2010-04-02 07:47:07
I didn't completely hate it, it's just not at the standard I'm used to. There are a few songs that are OK-ish, and two or three that I really like. The rest are unremarkable IMO.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Tekkie.X on 2010-04-02 12:05:21
Most of the music sounded the same, as if a lot it had the same basic beat, the battle theme was exactly adrenaline inducing like in previous games.

8/10 for the voice acting? No chance, Vanille sound like an American trying to do an Australian accent switching to British every now and again even though the actress is actually Australian, Lightning is just another mood protagonist, and has no life in her voice, Snow just sounds like a dumb jock that's fallen madly in love with one of cheerleaders, hope, well, he sounds like every other whiny teenager has since FFX.

Although FFX still has the worst voice overs, Tidus's voice will haunt me till death and Wakka just makes me cringe.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Prince Lex on 2010-04-02 19:49:23
I thought it was really well done, but it is just my opinion, as is stated in the original post. I don't know what you mean about Vanille's accent, I didn't get a British vibe at all. Sounded all Australian to me. As did Fang's.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Covarr on 2010-04-03 05:29:13
I thought it was really well done, but it is just my opinion, as is stated in the original post. I don't know what you mean about Vanille's accent, I didn't get a British vibe at all. Sounded all Australian to me. As did Fang's.
All Australian except for the parts where it's not even remotely, because it becomes arbitrarily American.

My guess, the actress was trying to do American, but failing miserably.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Prince Lex on 2010-04-03 12:19:24
All Australian except for the parts where it's not even remotely, because it becomes arbitrarily American.

My guess, the actress was trying to do American, but failing miserably.

Well, each to their own I guess. I just didn't really notice any fluctuations in the accent. See this. (http://palgn.com.au/playstation-3/15922/final-fantasy-xiii-georgia-van-cuylenburg-interview/)
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Nightmarish on 2010-04-12 17:44:47
Lol.  No I'm not taking anyone's word for it.  But I disliked 10 and 12, and seems to me this will be just as entertaining as those were.

Like I said about Heavy Rain, I'm tired of playing the same old games over and over with new colors.  Make something creative or innovative and I'll spend my money and time on it.

Have you ever played Fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy?
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: Tekkie.X on 2010-04-12 18:13:27
Yeah, the plot made no sense and it was just one giant pile of minigames and QTE sections.
Title: Re: Thoughts about "Final Fantasy XIII"
Post by: obesebear on 2010-04-13 06:24:17
Have you ever played Fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy?
Yeah, Indigo Prophecy here in the US.  I really enjoyed it.  That first scene where you killed a dude and had to hide his body in the bathroom, that was excellent.  And the rest of the story went really well (until the very later parts).   

So I'm glad Heavy Rain did the opposite and started off slow as hell, but got GREAT after that first chapter.  Just better and better and better.

Worth $60?  No.  Maybe $30.  But damn well executed.  I think it really raised the bar for good storytelling.  Of course, now that I know the twist I've since sold it.  I'll never feel like logging 10 hours into a story that I know the ending(s) to.