Final Fantasy XIII

[黒と赤「KUROtoAKA」]

Lately, I've been seeing plenty of criticism over the Japanese release of Final Fantasy XIII.

For example:
http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2009/12/18/final-fantasy-xiii-as-linear-as-a-piece-of-string/
http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2009/12/20/why-final-fantasy-xiii-is-a-bad-game/

I had been looking forward to this game and I really didn't want to such news dissuade me from buying it, but it really isn't looking good. Is anyone else disappointed? Who still plans on buying the game?

[Shin_No_Kokoro]

To be honest with you ive been utterly dissapointed with the FFX series since FFXII came out i honestly can't believe it got worse T_T. I don't recommend buying it for playing value but if your a collecter of the sereis much like me you'll probably end up buying it

[Oni]

Well, I've been waiting for FFXIII for ages. I've even skipped over FFXI and FFXII.

Yes, I am glad the heroine is a female this time (no Yuna will never be a main-main character in my eyes).

[黒と赤「KUROtoAKA」]

To be honest with you ive been utterly dissapointed with the FFX series since FFXII came out i honestly can't believe it got worse T_T. I don't recommend buying it for playing value but if your a collecter of the sereis much like me you'll probably end up buying it

Actually, I enjoyed FFX and FFXII. I thought XII was going to be bad, but it turned out all right in my opinion. I only started playing at FFVII, which I also enjoyed very much, but I know many have said that the entire series has just been getting progressively worse. I haven't played anything before VII, so my opinion may be skewed.

[Oni]

The games prior to 3D, most notably VI and IV, have got to be the best in the series.

[黒と赤「KUROtoAKA」]

The games prior to 3D, most notably VI and IV, have got to be the best in the series.

So I've heard. ^_^ I got VI recently, but I haven't gotten around to playing it yet.

[Shin_No_Kokoro]

i honestly remember playin FF on the SNES when i was a kid, I'm telling you right nao there was no such thing as cloud or yuna xD But it has indeed lost its charm and it becoming more of an adventure game rather than rpg, now Xenosaga that was as gud as 3D rpgs get

[Oni]

VI has got to have the very best villain. Sepheroth can't hold a candle to Kefka.

[Shin_No_Kokoro]

I totally agree with that, i remember dyin like 20 times b4 gettin him and still it was a close call

[黒と赤「KUROtoAKA」]

I totally agree with that, i remember dyin like 20 times b4 gettin him and still it was a close call

In that case, I forsee plenty of frustration in my future. ^_^

[Shin_No_Kokoro]

Dresspheres definately not ftw, had to be said

[Kanashimi]

I will definitely still be buying it. Now it should probably be noted that I buy plenty of games all the time, so this is something I want to judge for myself. Reviews I always take with a grain of salt, even if they all happen to be right... I want to be the one to say that. I've heard so many times a game is great just to find it isn't my type of game or I personally dislike it. So my views are a bit different than most.

I'll be picking it up with an open mind, and if I truly dislike it then I'll tell you then.

[Shin_No_Kokoro]

Kana is right i mean thats exactly what a gamer should do all the time, rely on your preference rather than other

[黒と赤「KUROtoAKA」]

Dresspheres definately not ftw, had to be said

I actually enjoyed that game too, lol. The story was lame, but I did enjoy the gameplay while others hated it.

I'll be picking it up with an open mind, and if I truly dislike it then I'll tell you then.

I'll most likely be doing the same.

[Oni]

I'll bet I am the only one who enjoyed FFVIII and FFIX. xD

[黒と赤「KUROtoAKA」]

I'll bet I am the only one who enjoyed FFVIII and FFIX. xD

^_^ I know a lot of people who enjoyed IX, including myself (except for the end, WTF was that about?). Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of VIII, and it remains the only FF (out of the one's I've played) that I haven't finished.

[XIamSogekingX]

Same here about FFVIII, I just couldn't get through the whole thing...Oh well.

I will definetly pick it up and try it out. The linear map article does make it look boring but the videos of the battle system look very interesting and definetly want to try that out.

If anything, I kinda want to look into FFXIV (the new MMORPG) I played some of FFXI but because my friends were playing WOW, I switched over. I've also been interested in FF Tactics and FF Crystal Chronicles series. They bring new battle systems with familiar classes and settings and that's what I like :D

[黒と赤「KUROtoAKA」]

If anything, I kinda want to look into FFXIV (the new MMORPG) I played some of FFXI but because my friends were playing WOW, I switched over. I've also been interested in FF Tactics and FF Crystal Chronicles series. They bring new battle systems with familiar classes and settings and that's what I like :D

I never got into the Crystal Chronicles series, mainly because I didn't have a Gamecube when the original came out. But since the new one is for the Wii, I may give it a shot. As for Tactics, I have the original, I haven't played it yet, but I always hear it's amazing. I did play Tactics A2, which was really good, but I never finished it because I kept getting sidetracked redoing missions and boring myself.

[XIamSogekingX]

Gamecube Crystal Chronicles was good when you had another person to play with though I was able to have fun with it even by myself. It also gave me a chance to use my GBA Gamecube cable which gave me some bonuses in the game. The Wii one is getting some good reviews and will no doubt be a must have for the FF fan.

Yeah going through all those missions can be a pain but I think it's good that you have all those missions so if you are not strong enough to pass a key mission, you can do a side mission to bring up your level.

[ImagineBreaker]

IMO FFXII was good story / character wise, but the fight system was awful.
Also,FFVII is the most over rated FF. FFIX is very under rated, along with VIII.
FFX got loved because of the gap between IX and X, Ps1 to PS2.

More on the topic anyway, im siked for XIII.
Ive looked at every thing i could find about it, i recon it will be awesome.
Only thing i dont like is when they went all multi platform, then downgraded the original plan.
Then to fix the angry people like myself then did the PS3 exclusive "Versus".
Now apparently i have to buy 2 games.


As for FFXIV, also looking forward to it, but it has some big shoes to fit in MMORPG atm with Aion racking in alot of people, not to mention before that warhammer for all the warhammer junkies.


my 2cents anyway, i guess we just got to wait for them to come out before we can say they suck.

[Bonediddly]

They all sucked after V. I couldn't be less interested.

[zanctium]

^_^ I know a lot of people who enjoyed IX, including myself (except for the end, WTF was that about?). Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of VIII, and it remains the only FF (out of the one's I've played) that I haven't finished.

I have found FFVIII to be one of the best FF games ever. It had the most unique story ever. It had a system that actually made you excited to collect things. (GF's, magic, weapon upgrades all played a major part in stats and over powering) It had a great story that involved a lot of unique people. And the secrets you can find are amazing and rewarding. The music is amazing and is probably the best in series. And for the day the look was simply awe striking. And to a lesser extent the card game is totally awesome and actually serves a purpose when you get Card Mod.

I hope you reconsider it.

[G U R U]

My fav FF is 10. Idk something makes me feel like 13 is gonna suck. Just a hunch.

[Kate]

My fav FF is 10. Idk something makes me feel like 13 is gonna suck. Just a hunch.
Trailers full of drama?

[Shadowblade Edge]

Trailers full of drama?Drama! What a foreign concept to Final Fantasy, just like linearity. They need to stop ♫♫♫♫ing up the formula.

[Oni]

My fav FF is 10. Idk something makes me feel like 13 is gonna suck. Just a hunch.

Why? It's along the same lines at X.

[G U R U]

Yah that's true but that also might be part of the problem. FFX isn't just my fav FF it's one of my fav games of all time so it's kinda hard for me to get my hopes up when I have such high expectations.

But I hope Square proves me wrong.

[黒と赤「KUROtoAKA」]

I have found FFVIII to be one of the best FF games ever. It had the most unique story ever. It had a system that actually made you excited to collect things. (GF's, magic, weapon upgrades all played a major part in stats and over powering) It had a great story that involved a lot of unique people. And the secrets you can find are amazing and rewarding. The music is amazing and is probably the best in series. And for the day the look was simply awe striking. And to a lesser extent the card game is totally awesome and actually serves a purpose when you get Card Mod.

I hope you reconsider it.

i wasn't putting it down or anything, i just haven't gotten around to finishing it. i'll consider picking it up again since you're opinion is so encouraging. ^_^ actually, i didn't stop playing it because i didn't like it, rather i got stuck in some place where i had no idea what to do. XP

[Kanashimi]

The song... that "My Hands" song is driving me crazy. The melodramatics is just a huge annoyance.

[victorious0702]

Ive played just about all the number FFs and enjoyed them all (some more than others)
My favorite Final Fantasys are FFVI, VII, and Tactics - Yeah FF Tactics had a great story.
the other ones if i were to rank them would be as follows, they are japanese release btw.

FFVIII
FFIV
FFV
FFIII
FF
FFII
FFIX
FFX
FFX-2
FFXII

i didnt really like the "Draw" system in FF8 but other than that it was a great game with many fun sidequests and a great card game.

[dbull620]

I've played most of the Final Fantasy games. The only one I haven't played is XI (I don't do pay-to-play), and the only one I never finished was XII (got sick of the gambit system essentially playing the game for me, and the fact that the BGM didn't change when you encountered enemies on the field map didn't help either).

I'm optimistic about this one, in general the first FF game in each console generation is my favorite (can't make up my mind about the PS1 FF games, all 3 had their own merits that made them great).

[Elc1247]

oh man... ive been hearing a large amount of complaints about the game... and the fact that its being sold new in japan for the price of a old used PS3 game is a serious indication as to how good it is... FF7 was the last FF game i know that could be considered "great" in my opinion. as far as i know for FF games... id rank them high to low of ones ive played

FFVII
FFVI
FFIV
FFX
FFIX
FFXII
FFVIII

but then there are some square games that should also be considered as amazing RPGs too... i remember the heyday of Square games... back in the day of Chrono Trigger, FFVI, and Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars...

but anyways, im not going to just toss FFXIII aside just because of how the Japanese took the game... im going to at least try it out and see for myself how well it can hold itself to the old classics.

[Oni]

but anyways, im not going to just toss FFXIII aside just because of how the Japanese took the game... im going to at least try it out and see for myself how well it can hold itself to the old classics.

What's 'holding up to the old classics' got to do anything? I wasn't aware we were afraid of change still.

[Bonediddly]

What's 'holding up to the old classics' got to do anything? I wasn't aware we were afraid of change still.

I'm preeetty sure he meant 'how good it is in comparison with the games we (pretty much) agree are good', not 'I hope this is exactly like the originals'.

[Oni]

Well, I just don't where all the prejudice is coming from though. We don't even have the game yet, just trailers.

[Kanashimi]

Well, I just don't where all the prejudice is coming from though. We don't even have the game yet, just trailers.

I'm pretty sure it's due to how the Japanese market pretty much trashed it. While Japanese reviewers such as the magazine Famitsu gave it great scores, many people spoke up saying it was terrible. People are naturally taking any negative they hear over the good. It doesn't help that several news outlets in the states have already agreed that with the fact that the game isn't very good, then again most RPGs in terms of reviews don't do that great over here.

So it's a matter of perceptive and influence. It's naturally going to happen.

[Oni]

-Googles-

Ah, I see it now. It's basically FFX, but with less stuff, yet more walking...like FFX.

[Zero Gravity]

Despite the Japanese market, I've taken note that in America the Xbox is King and PS3 is the Jester while in Japan it's the complete opposite.
I honestly think FF13 will do well here, and I don't expect a dramatic price drop for the game until a year or so from now.
All I know is...
It won't be all Sugar and Rainbows after this
-shot-

points to anyone who gets that

[Llian]

I've been hearing everyone hated it just because of it's linearity. I think that's a bit of an overstatement. DMC, Bayonetta, just to name are few are all linear as well yet no one criticizes them for it. It could be a really good game... Not as nice as it COULD have been mind you, but nice nevertheless. I myself was looking forward to versus more than anything.

[Oni]

I've been hearing everyone hated it just because of it's linearity. I think that's a bit of an overstatement. DMC, Bayonetta, just to name are few are all linear as well yet no one criticizes them for it. It could be a really good game... Not as nice as it COULD have been mind you, but nice nevertheless. I myself was looking forward to versus more than anything.

Well, both DMC and Bayonetta are also action games though.

[Llian]

Well, both DMC and Bayonetta are also action games though.
Mm, well that's true but.. I still think that it shouldn't take away from the game 'that' much, ya know?

[Oni]

Mm, well that's true but.. I still think that it shouldn't take away from the game 'that' much, ya know?

Well, they're no RPGs, and at least I can look around for stuff.

[Llian]

Bahumbuck! I think there's more to the game other than walking around on a big map with the possibility of getting lost (and you will get lost) for hours on end. >_>

[Oni]

Well, yeah, but there is also more to a game than just a story, specially in Final Fantasy's genre of RPG.

Since there aren't any actual towns, I don't presume there are any side quests, which even games like Final Fantasy VII and VIII managed to pump out.

[Zero Gravity]

I can't decide whether or not to purchase this game, although the $60 price bothers me, and the wildly believed "price drop he should follow in a month's times or so"
But it looks so darn pretteh

[Kanashimi]

Since there aren't any actual towns, I don't presume there are any side quests, which even games like Final Fantasy VII and VIII managed to pump out.

Twenty to thirty hours in there are side-quests. The thing people are complaining about is how linear it is up until that point.

[Oni]

Twenty to thirty hours in there are side-quests. The thing people are complaining about is how linear it is up until that point.
Which is the 50% line, so around 20-25 hours till you get to any.

[Elc1247]

Despite the Japanese market, I've taken note that in America the Xbox is King and PS3 is the Jester while in Japan it's the complete opposite.
I honestly think FF13 will do well here, and I don't expect a dramatic price drop for the game until a year or so from now.
All I know is...
It won't be all Sugar and Rainbows after this
-shot-

points to anyone who gets that

well actually... its not quite like that when it comes to comparing japan and the US,

in japan, the 360 is almost non-existent, its a failed product, microsoft isnt even offering XBox live anymore since noone wants the system, the game stores are offering ¥500 for a used 360 elite since they cant sell them... BRAND NEW 360 games are in the bargain bin for ¥500... thats pretty bad if you ask me...

over here in the US, its leaning a good amount towards the 360, but the PS3 still has a good hold on the market and is expanding slowly. its not like the PS3 is out of contention and noone wants it. it has a strong user base here in the US.

but enough about that. looking at how some gamestores (it ends with "stop") are still selling a bunch of old games at the full $60 price... i dunno if the price on such a big title as FF13 is going to drop anytime in the next 5 years, at least for a "certain" gamestore...

i dunno... im going to be borrowing it from a friend of mine who is buying it, i dont have money to throw around for brand new games.

[Zero Gravity]

well actually... its not quite like that when it comes to comparing japan and the US,

in japan, the 360 is almost non-existent, its a failed product, microsoft isnt even offering XBox live anymore since noone wants the system, the game stores are offering ¥500 for a used 360 elite since they cant sell them... BRAND NEW 360 games are in the bargain bin for ¥500... thats pretty bad if you ask me...

over here in the US, its leaning a good amount towards the 360, but the PS3 still has a good hold on the market and is expanding slowly. its not like the PS3 is out of contention and noone wants it. it has a strong user base here in the US.

but enough about that. looking at how some gamestores (it ends with "stop") are still selling a bunch of old games at the full $60 price... i dunno if the price on such a big title as FF13 is going to drop anytime in the next 5 years, at least for a "certain" gamestore...

i dunno... im going to be borrowing it from a friend of mine who is buying it, i dont have money to throw around for brand new games.

looks like I know what I'm picking up when I go to Japan

[Elc1247]

looks like I know what I'm picking up when I go to Japan

oh... one note... the japanese 360s are PAL, so you cant play US games on them since the US format is NTSC i believe... so the cheapo 360 cant even read US games, plus im not sure they will allow you on XBox live... since they are suspending service for Japan soon. plus... what happens when it RRoDs? you cant really send it in to get it repaired... haha... plus its not like you can buy the games in japan for cheap since u have to mod ur US 360 to play them... and M$ will permaban your 360 if they detect any modding whatsoever... just lots of things to think about...

but if u buy it in japan and get a ton of games... it would be an ok investment i guess, no online interaction, but a bunch of cheap 360 games for your single console enjoyment... though im not sure they are even going to release new 360 games in japan anymore...

its a sure shot with FF13 though... if you can read japanese, by all means go over there and buy the game and system for like $30 or something, since well... in japan, FF13 is like ¥1500 or something.

[Oni]

well actually... its not quite like that when it comes to comparing japan and the US,

in japan, the 360 is almost non-existent, its a failed product, microsoft isnt even offering XBox live anymore since noone wants the system, the game stores are offering ¥500 for a used 360 elite since they cant sell them... BRAND NEW 360 games are in the bargain bin for ¥500... thats pretty bad if you ask me...

over here in the US, its leaning a good amount towards the 360, but the PS3 still has a good hold on the market and is expanding slowly. its not like the PS3 is out of contention and noone wants it. it has a strong user base here in the US.

but enough about that. looking at how some gamestores (it ends with "stop") are still selling a bunch of old games at the full $60 price... i dunno if the price on such a big title as FF13 is going to drop anytime in the next 5 years, at least for a "certain" gamestore...

i dunno... im going to be borrowing it from a friend of mine who is buying it, i dont have money to throw around for brand new games.

Okay, like, no. (http://www.xbox.com/ja-JP/live/)...Yeah... (http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/japans-xbox-live-stats-indicate-proneness-to-japanese-developed/).

oh... one note... the japanese 360s are PAL,

No, they're NTSC-J. There is pretty much a 50% compatibility rate with NTSC-U games.

[Zero Gravity]

Thors swings Mjöllnir
Oni swing Arrogant Truth
lol

don't take it too personally Oni
Regardless, what does everyone think? for the 360 or PS3?

[Oni]

Thors swings Mjöllnir
Oni swing Arrogant Truth
lol

don't take it too personally Oni
Regardless, what does everyone think? for the 360 or PS3?

Arrogance? It was hard to disprove such information. On another note, I'm not a 360 fan, so what's arrogance got to do with this?

[Zero Gravity]

oiy Oni... nevermind...

[Llian]

Hey guys...watch it. Let's nip this at the bud and get on with our wonderful lives shall we?

[Elc1247]

>_> ok... well i got some of the information wrong, since i dont own a J-360

but that paragraph you highlighted in your analysis of my statement stands true, ask around japan... look at the trends of japan as of now...

w/e you believe what you want man... to each their own reality.

[Oni]

Alrighty, I think you were aiming for 5,000 yen though. I doubt they'd be sold at US$5 (500 yen).

Also, I did link you to a trend. Japanese gamers are buying lots of games off of Xbox Live, as of early January. That negates Live being pulled from Japan.

Hell, if that was the state of the Xbox there, Japanese developers wouldn't bother, would they?

[Elc1247]

Alrighty, I think you were aiming for 5,000 yen though. I doubt they'd be sold at US$5 (500 yen).

Also, I did link you to a trend. Japanese gamers are buying lots of games off of Xbox Live, as of early January. That negates Live being pulled from Japan.

Hell, if that was the state of the Xbox there, Japanese developers wouldn't bother, would they?

im really sorry man... but i have some evidence to show the decline of the 360 in japan...
im not saying its a bad system or anything... its just its a doomed console in japan if it goes at the rate its at at this point... and microsoft pays a handsome sum of money to make games 360 exclusive (only for 360 for a year or something like that), so with such and incentive, many developers have taken that money to further develop their games for their PS3 versions, IE: Namco, SquareEnix (Tales of Vesperia, Star Ocean: The Last Hope) but at this point, with the 360 in decline in japan, they are not as willing to risk not making enough sales because of the anger it causes the fans of certain series and other reasons.

a bit of a mistake was made on my part, M$ is stopping original XBOX live service, not 360. but you will no longer be able to play original xbox games online, nor get any support for them.


stories:
http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2009/05/25/xbox-360-retail-humiliation/
http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2009/10/09/xbox-360-sales-collapse-completely/
http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2009/10/24/ps3-sales-surge-707-xbox-360-sales-plummet-70/
http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2010/01/19/xbox-360-now-worth-only-5/
http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2010/02/06/microsoft-ends-xbox-live-service/
Sources(google translated):
http://translate.google.com/translate?langpair=auto|en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fjin115.com%2Farchives%2F51513496.ht ml
http://translate.google.com/translate?langpair=auto|en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.livedoor.jp%2Fhtmk73%2Farchive s%2F346248.html
http://translate.google.com/translate?langpair=auto|en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.famitsu.com%2Fgame%2Fnews%2F122 8790_1124.html
http://translate.google.com/translate?langpair=auto|en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fjin115.com%2Farchives%2F51624052.ht ml
http://translate.google.com/translate?langpair=auto|en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.xbox.com%2Fja-JP%2Fsupport%2Fmessage_100205.htm

I know some of them are not from 100% reputable sources... but some of them are obviously reliable, but im sure the fact that games that are pretty much brand new being in the bargain bin is a bad sign when there is a 50% markdown on price or more... and im pretty sure the Famitsu source can be trusted... well... since its FAMITSU...


for all original x-box owners and owners of online multiplayer original xbox games, my sympathies... you will officially no longer have X-Box live for original xbox games starting on April 15, 2010. (that means that you wont be able to play Halo 2 online)

im just throwing what ive seen out there, but this conversation should be taken elsewhere. should be about FF13 here... which i still plan on "trying it out" (borrowing from my friend when hes done with it).

[Oni]

But...the original Xbox Live service is also being ceased in April of this year in the west (http://www.el33tonline.com/past/2010/2/5/original_xbox_live_service_to/), so I have no idea why that is relevant. Hell, one of your link's confirms this. It's most likely a business decision, all online services are discontinued eventually.

Also, I'm really sorry man, but one store's decision =/= every store's decision. And a 50% markdown isn't based upon US sales prices, games there most likely cost around 10,000 yen.

And yes, a topic should be made for this.

[Elc1247]

But...the original Xbox Live service is also being ceased in April of this year in the west (http://www.el33tonline.com/past/2010/2/5/original_xbox_live_service_to/), so I have no idea why that is relevant. Hell, one of your link's confirms this. It's most likely a business decision, all online services are discontinued eventually.

Also, I'm really sorry man, but one store's decision =/= every store's decision. And a 50% markdown isn't based upon US sales prices, games there most likely cost around 10,000 yen.

And yes, a topic should be made for this.

why must you persist... ive made it clear in my last post i made a mistake sir... and games in japan are usually ¥6000-¥8000 or so, its a bit more than in the USA, and about how much its worth in your Australia sir, having games like Prince of Persia which only came out a few months at most ago, go for ¥1500 is pretty bad sir... though i may have overstated how cheap the games are, it still does not change the fact that sales are sharply dropping and that overall, the japanese attitude on the 360 is not that great.

thats it, thats all im going to say on this topic, more from you and i would consider it trolling. thank you very much.

now... on to FF13, i wonder how the 360 FF13 set looks like... i believe the game is on 3 disks? ive only seen one other game with that many disks on the 360... and thats SO4. and too bad the game isnt just on 1 disk... less of a hassle if it was. i remember having to swap out disks whenever i wanted to travel in SO4, which was a bad decision on the game developers part >_> why couldnt they have the last disk contain all the locations you can get to in the end? like in FF 7 and 8... well i might have heard that it installs on the HD enough to not require frequent disk swapping for FF13 on 360... but i dunno where i heard that if i did at all... plus its a bit dubious if its even necessary given the reported amount of linearity the game supposedly has... oh well... we shall see shortly how things work out. ah... maybe it will remind me of the old days of the PS1... i expected the whole "multidisk game experience" to die with the current gen of game consoles but i guess i was wrong...

[Oni]

why must you persist... ive made it clear in my last post i made a mistake sir... and games in japan are usually ¥6000-¥8000 or so, its a bit more than in the USA, and about how much its worth in your Australia sir, having games like Prince of Persia which only came out a few months at most ago, go for ¥1500 is pretty bad sir... though i may have overstated how cheap the games are, it still does not change the fact that sales are sharply dropping and that overall, the japanese attitude on the 360 is not that great.

thats it, thats all im going to say on this topic, more from you and i would consider it trolling. thank you very much.

now... on to FF13, i wonder how the 360 FF13 set looks like... i believe the game is on 3 disks? ive only seen one other game with that many disks on the 360... and thats SO4. and too bad the game isnt just on 1 disk... less of a hassle if it was. i remember having to swap out disks whenever i wanted to travel in SO4, which was a bad decision on the game developers part >_> why couldnt they have the last disk contain all the locations you can get to in the end? like in FF 7 and 8... well i might have heard that it installs on the HD enough to not require frequent disk swapping for FF13 on 360... but i dunno where i heard that if i did at all... plus its a bit dubious if its even necessary given the reported amount of linearity the game supposedly has... oh well... we shall see shortly how things work out.

"Consider it trolling", hah. I'd love if that statement worked in real life, and didn't just look like you were retracting statements.

The Japanese attitude may not be great, but it also isn't failing. Sakaku Complex likes to take articles and pretty much embellish them, and add opinions. Just an observation.

It does seem that a lot of people are mistaking linear for bad. I mean, Uncharted was pretty linear. Other than the treasure finding aspect, it pretty much went from start to end.

Well, anyway, wasn't FFXIII designed with the PS3 in mind...if you can even say that game design was designed for a next generation console, which it wasn't. Final Fantasy is at the stage, it seems, where it might be beneficial to sell off the franchise to another company (like the state Sonic is in).

[Elc1247]

"Consider it trolling", hah. I'd love if that statement worked in real life, and didn't just look like you were retracting statements.

The Japanese attitude may not be great, but it also isn't failing. Sakaku Complex likes to take articles and pretty much embellish them, and add opinions. Just an observation.

It does seem that a lot of people are mistaking linear for bad. I mean, Uncharted was pretty linear. Other than the treasure finding aspect, it pretty much went from start to end.

Well, anyway, wasn't FFXIII designed with the PS3 in mind...if you can even say that game design was designed for a next generation console, which it wasn't. Final Fantasy is at the stage, it seems, where it might be beneficial to sell off the franchise to another company (like the state Sonic is in).

sigh... im surprised you dont consider "trolling" an action you can do in real life >_> i was correcting myself if you havent noticed... my memory likes to be hazy on things i dont use on a daily basis and saw quite a while ago.

Uncharted shouldnt be compared to FF in general when it comes to linearity... since Uncharted is a platforming game (naughty dog is known for them, IE Crash Bandicoot) the game was built with the expectation that it was going to be linear... you usually dont expect RPGs in general to be super linear.

i agree that it was very frustrating to see what Square has done to FF13 from the development standpoint, they started it as a PS2 project, but never really changed everything to accommodate the full power of the current gen systems. if they pulled a MGS4, than it would have turned out much differently and more synonymously accepted as an amazing game, at least, i would think it would be. MGS4 started as a PS2 project, but was moved to the PS3 and they took full advantage of the hardware, and, well... it looks like a real life movie at times... except you have control over the characters. you would expect that Square, with its deep pockets and experienced teams, would have been able to release something that would be taken as well as MGS4... but alas, they have been dropping in the overall quality of their final fantasy games... just look at FF12... the combat was pretty fun and the graphics were great for a PS2 game... but the rest of it was pretty shoddy... what happened to a great story where all the "main characters" have a key role or at least SOME respectable role in it? *cough* vaan and penelo *cough* i have to agree... square should probably sell FF off to someone, preferably someone that will make something epic out of it.

[Oni]

sigh... im surprised you dont consider "trolling" an action you can do in real life >_> i was correcting myself if you havent noticed... my memory likes to be hazy on things i dont use on a daily basis and saw quite a while ago.

Uncharted shouldnt be compared to FF in general when it comes to linearity... since Uncharted is a platforming game (naughty dog is known for them, IE Crash Bandicoot) the game was built with the expectation that it was going to be linear... you usually dont expect RPGs in general to be super linear.

i agree that it was very frustrating to see what Square has done to FF13 from the development standpoint, they started it as a PS2 project, but never really changed everything to accommodate the full power of the current gen systems. if they pulled a MGS4, than it would have turned out much differently and more synonymously accepted as an amazing game, at least, i would think it would be. MGS4 started as a PS2 project, but was moved to the PS3 and they took full advantage of the hardware, and, well... it looks like a real life movie at times... except you have control over the characters. you would expect that Square, with its deep pockets and experienced teams, would have been able to release something that would be taken as well as MGS4... but alas, they have been dropping in the overall quality of their final fantasy games... just look at FF12... the combat was pretty fun and the graphics were great for a PS2 game... but the rest of it was pretty shoddy... what happened to a great story where all the "main characters" have a key role or at least SOME respectable role in it? *cough* vaan and penelo *cough* i have to agree... square should probably sell FF off to someone, preferably someone that will make something epic out of it.

No, I was saying that claiming someone to be trolling during an argument isn't valid. It's a way of getting out of trying to disprove someone, because you lack the resources to do so.

And why don't you expect RPGs to be linear? They are Role Playing Games (on a console, you can't bring up DnD at all. In a console RPG, the dice have already been rolled for you. Your destination, goal, final stand point and ending are pretty much already decided. There is no Game Master), after all. If I remember correctly, every Final Fantasy has been pretty linear. The side quests have little to do with the actual plot, and are often just things like "collect that" or "defeat this". Hell, even the Disgaea series, a TRPG series, is extremely linear. Item Worlds don't really count as side stories, and the games only go off on a tangent after end game, as is with RPGs in general. The ending will most likely change due to how much effort you put in, though, but that's based purely on level, not decisions.

Well, you have to learn the PS3's hardware and then change your understanding to better fit that console's capabilities. Maybe the studio didn't have nearly enough funding? Either that, or is was too late in the project. Keeping the PS2's limits on the game would have most likely worked out better than trying to change it, but failing half way.

JRPGs haven't been doing too well these days, it seems.

[Elc1247]

sigh... you still have no valid point, i have told you before, to try to stay on subject, that it is over, but no, you must bring it up again, if thats not trolling... well, then you have an odd definition of such a thing.

but when it comes to linearity, i believe the general consensus is the lack of an ability to do any exploring, you are given a hallway to run through, theres no big dungeons that you trek through every nook and cranny to find extra items and possibly uncover a side story of sorts. what is usually referred to as the notion of linearity in video games is the inability to have any freedom to explore. as an example, you cant really explore in platform games usually, IE sonic, old mario games, crash bandicoot, uncharted, etc. nor in most generic FPS games either IE call of duty.
another note there are DnD type games in video games, one recent example is Dragon Age, you cant say that there are no "non-linear" rpgs because the game developer is technically the "dungeon master", its like playing with a dungeon master that already has the entire game made up in his mind, all the areas and key events, and there is random chance in most rpgs, instead of rolling dice manually, you use a random number generator, most "RPG" games are in a sense, DnD, just how close it is to the "oldschool" DnD with paper and dice, depends on the game >_> by your definition, the only kinds of games that would come even close to a "non-linear" game are open sandbox games like Elder Scrolls and the like, but even those would be considered linear to your standards because things are already decided for you, the game has a definite end and you are limited as to what you can do in the world. linearity has different standards when it comes to video games depending on the kind of game it is.

i could go on, but i would be wasting my time, its only going to get worse. must you try to discredit my opinions at every turn and try to provoke me? seems like you are a pretty unfriendly lot when it comes to others stating their thoughts.

sigh... i think ill go ignore the forum for a while, i thought i could pop in every once in a while and throw in my two cents and join in the fun, instead i get in a petty squabble.

[Bonediddly]

seems like you are a pretty unfriendly lot when it comes to others stating their thoughts.
Don't tar us all with the same brush just because Oni likes to argue >.>.

I'm going to have to agree with Elc on the topic on linearity. Running from point A to point B isn't incredibly exciting.

[Llian]

Okay enough of this now, either discuss the topic or don't post in this thread at all. Someone let the argument die for peace sake.

Anyway, ON TOPIC. I saw IGN's review yesterday; they gave it a 8.5 I think. Fans are just irritated with lol linearity.

[Oni]

sigh... you still have no valid point, i have told you before, to try to stay on subject, that it is over, but no, you must bring it up again, if thats not trolling... well, then you have an odd definition of such a thing.

but when it comes to linearity, i believe the general consensus is the lack of an ability to do any exploring, you are given a hallway to run through, theres no big dungeons that you trek through every nook and cranny to find extra items and possibly uncover a side story of sorts. what is usually referred to as the notion of linearity in video games is the inability to have any freedom to explore. as an example, you cant really explore in platform games usually, IE sonic, old mario games, crash bandicoot, uncharted, etc. nor in most generic FPS games either IE call of duty.
another note there are DnD type games in video games, one recent example is Dragon Age, you cant say that there are no "non-linear" rpgs because the game developer is technically the "dungeon master", its like playing with a dungeon master that already has the entire game made up in his mind, all the areas and key events, and there is random chance in most rpgs, instead of rolling dice manually, you use a random number generator, most "RPG" games are in a sense, DnD, just how close it is to the "oldschool" DnD with paper and dice, depends on the game >_> by your definition, the only kinds of games that would come even close to a "non-linear" game are open sandbox games like Elder Scrolls and the like, but even those would be considered linear to your standards because things are already decided for you, the game has a definite end and you are limited as to what you can do in the world. linearity has different standards when it comes to video games depending on the kind of game it is.

i could go on, but i would be wasting my time, its only going to get worse. must you try to discredit my opinions at every turn and try to provoke me? seems like you are a pretty unfriendly lot when it comes to others stating their thoughts.

sigh... i think ill go ignore the forum for a while, i thought i could pop in every once in a while and throw in my two cents and join in the fun, instead i get in a petty squabble.

Trolling? I know a biased opinion when I see it. If that wasn't biased, like you have been about the DS as well, then I don't know what is. I was able to reveal the exaggerated prices you were quoting, $10 cheaper then has been specified on the net, and I was also able to reveal how Live for the 360 has not been pulled, and that Live on the original Xbox is a global thing. Not some Japanese-only thing. If that wasn't just me providing counter-argument, I don't know what is.

There is a reason there are two different definitions for "RPG", and it is clearly specified that the definition for a table top and console RPG are very different. The story in a table top RPG can be shaped via every member of the game, due to the fact that the game master is a living, breathing human being who is present for the entire game, not only just pre-game. What happens there can be shaped by what I say, I don't have to save the princess, my friend can instead while I slay the dragon. Capice? Where in a console RPG, I have to save that princess and someone else will have to beat that dragon for me. I have no choice in the matter.

Elder Scrolls, like Fable, have a different system though. By my choice, I can choose to do evil things or good things, or both, which will determine the end game. It isn't based on something as shallow as a digit next to my character's name.

To others stating their opinion? Unfriendly? Hah. If you're going to waltz into a forum and be ready to start tossing opinions and trying to pass off individual facts as the one whole truth of the matter, you're going to run into people with opposing opinions and the other set of facts that you leave out due to irrational thinking. Just because my opinion differs doesn't mean it's wrong, or that you are wrong either. I can, however, challenge your opinion. This is a controversial topic about a game that hasn't even reached our shores.

Also, what's this 'lot' business? I wasn't aware that the forums shared one personality as a collective.

[quote=Llian]Anyway, ON TOPIC. I saw IGN's review yesterday; they gave it a 8.5 I think. Fans are just irritated with lol linearity.[quote]

We have been. Read said argument, rather just skimming it. The last 3-4 posts have clearly been about FFXIII.

[Llian]

Yes because talking about FXIII after your brawl with Xbox live and it's popularity in japan is relevant to FFXIII right? If you didn't quite understand, I was talking about that. Notice my subtle sarcasm. If you both agreed that a topic should be made..so go make one :ouh:. Or if it bothers you that much take it up in pm.

Now IGN said it's not all that bad, despite the linearity. Which means it should still be a very good game. Square Enix is used to producing and coming out with certian types of game such as these. Notice TWEWY was linear as well; but it was still a fun game to play <3.
http://ps3.ign.com/dor/objects/826843/final-fantasy-xiii/videos/ff13_vdr_030810.html

[Kibs]

PS3 version is superior, Xbox version is inferior.

End of story.

Discuss the actual f-ing game, now.

[Oni]

PS3 version is superior, Xbox version is inferior.

End of story.

Discuss the actual f-ing game, now.

There's not much else to discuss, other than the design and the possible reasons for it. None of us have played the game Kibs, it's kinda hard to discuss the story and characters if we've never experieced them.

Right?

[Kibs]

Then don't discuss it, it's out now, it was out when my post was posted, if you haven't played it yet why are you judging it?

[Oni]

Because where I live it was only just released today, at $120.

Besides, pfft...lol. "Then why are you judging it?" I'm sorry, but I found that line hilarious. By that line of logic, this thread should have been closed long ago, then re-opened when the game was released.

Besides, one doesn't need to play the game themselves you know about design flaws. There are videos for that. Pfft...lol.

[Kibs]

Because where I live it was only just released today, at $120.

Besides, pfft...lol. "Then why are you judging it?" I'm sorry, but I found that line hilarious. By that line of logic, this thread should have been closed long ago, then re-opened when the game was released.

Besides, one doesn't need to play the game themselves you know about design flaws. There are videos for that. Pfft...lol.Lern 2 Amurika.

Point being I'm trying to stop the ridiculously long argument posts, and you're not helping, behave yourselves. End of discussion.

[Kanashimi]

I have the game, I just happened to open it. Playing it on the other hand might mean free time, which I lack. We'll see though, I'll try and play some before the Ali Hillis interview tomorrow so I'm not so in the dark.

[Zero Gravity]

So... since i discovered that winning the swag meant i couldnt win a FF13 I used Plan B, when that didn't work I resorted to Plan C.

Eventually I finally hit Plan Q after everyone of them failed, so I traded in Halo 3 ODST and paid the rest off. So I got it for PS3, and registered for the Beta on #14.

Now its a matter of waiting for the TV to be free -_-

[zaburai]

Well have played it for 25 hours thus far and I have to say, it seems a lot shorter than the predeccessors, I am nearly completed chapter 10 out of 13....convenient number, I know that side quests will bump it up but still VII - IX took at least 60 hours to complete, I think X was around the same.

Here are my 2 pennies thus far:

The graphics are the best I have seen for any multiplatform game, it rivals Uncharted 2 and MGS4 and Batman: Arkham Asylum.

The story is pretty damn good, not as good compared to others in the franchise but better than what has come out of SE since FFIX.

The battle system is brilliant, it is like Persona 3's battle system if they actually did it right.

People have complained about the linearity of the game, I dont care, no JRPG is fully free roaming, 90% of all JRPGS aren't....screw that 99% are linear.

If you like your bishies you will love Snow and Cid Raines.

Now for the bad parts, yes I am afraid that there are some problems:

The characters for the most part are not really that great or memorable, except for 2 people Snow and Sazh, Snow because he is an optimist who will help anyone in need and he is a tank. Sazh because at the start you don't know all that much about him and it slowly opens up revealing a really deep character that is easily relatable with, though why do they always give the black guy guns?
I dont really have anything to say about the other characters because they are clichéd.

As I have said before it is shorter than other FF games.

The walkthrough is usless against bosses.

The plot though good can be predictable at times.

Hope is an angsty teen and I am really hating them at the minute and he is the strongest mage in the game, which I am annoyed about while they make Sazh near useless, why not balance out the characters SE?

The difficulty difference between bosses and normal enimies is quiet big which is annoying, yes the bosses can be really hard at times as early as 2 hours into the game

The soundtrack is okay nothing really memorable

I have said this in the IRC a couple of times, but why is Leona Lewis singing in this game.....she isn't good and the song that was chosen sucks. I know this is to make...it...appeal..to..a..wider..audience...JRPGs are a niche genre that no-one other than nerds (afraid to say it is true most RPG players are nerds or are really into anime...in which case they are probably a nerd) touch, so that attempt is wasted, just keep the Japanese song in it, mabye translate it but use the same goddamn singer, it worked really well in IX, I actually prefer the English version of Melodies of Life to the Japanese and it was done by the same singer. I should have guessed this would happen when the Gods themselves left SE.

The summons are not that great they are good in Gestalt mode but thats it.

Well that is my opinion of the game, hope I didn't bore you with this wall of text lol.

PS There is practically no androgynous characters, Hope is slightly questionable in this aspect but other than that YAY YATTA YATTA YATTA...sorry about that, though I will admit that I do disagree with Sage's review quite a bit for this game.

[Rhetorical Gamer]

Ok I know this post is old. But I played the first six FF games and
I would like to play FF 13 on 360. Could someone lay out the pros and cons
(good and bad) of FF 13 to see if I should buy it.

[Dist]

I got as far as the third disc on it. Basically where it barely introduces you to the open world map, but due to being stuck on the final boss on the second disc, I never touched the box ever again.

I also got tired of pressing "A" every few minutes.

[Zero Gravity]

>>
<<

Is it sad to say I still haven't played past Snow's first part?

[Rhetorical Gamer]

So avoid it? Sound like it a button masher and no map and difficult bosses.

[Kanashimi]

Actually, I suppose I should talk about this game since I've beaten it at this point. The game isn't bad by any means, it relies heavily on story and plays up dramatics so the player is forced to like every character. They do a pretty good job at that. There are some flaws, and it is a more commercial roleplaying game, but regardless it was still nice to play and beat.

I'd recommend giving it a try. It's true that the game doesn't get good until thirty hours or so in, but at the same time it means there's more than eight hours of playtime here, which is honestly something I've been missing lately. Enjoy it for what it is.

[Rhetorical Gamer]

AAAAAAAHHHHH I wish you put this earlier because instead of getting FF 13 I bought splinter cell conviction instead..........

[Kanashimi]

Haha, my bad. I completely forgot about this thread in all honesty, so I apologize. Either way maybe next time~

[Rhetorical Gamer]

Yes Yes Yes :\ Thanks

[Zero Gravity]

I suppose i'm gonna have to give this game a chance while I'm on leave