Final Fantasy 13 Review Part 1

[DarkHalo003]

Hello guys, I'm going to begin reviewing some games I have played and I thought to begin with the former FF13. Part 1 is simply Discs 1 and 2. Part 2 will come later. The Format is simply "The Good," "The Alright," and "The Bad" and then there's the reviewers noted. A spoiler warning will be alerted later. Let's begin.

The Good:
-Gameplay is generally fun. I've seen many complain that the gameplay is too linear, but I disagree with calling it so. It calls for some serious strategy and perfect timing to properly execute a win without too much of a hassle. It has a ton of potential and I honestly wouldn't mind seeing something of the same manifestation appear in FF15 (considering 14 is assuming meh). I like the different kinds of roles that characters can play and the Paradigms are a nice way to utilize those roles, allowing them to be switched any time.
-The monsters and vistas are fantastic. With that said, you may end up gawking at the scenery more than your actually gametime. It really is nice. The mosters are convincing in appearance and that affects how a player can gauge their enemies. On the topic of monsters, the dubbed Boss Fights are legitimately great. You know you expect a fight when you fight the major bosses and you generally don't lose your sanity when you die the first few times from most of these bosses. But more on that later. On the topic of vistas and sense appeal, the music was very good too generally speaking.
-The weapon upgrading system is good too, not just because you upgrade your weapons to a better state, but also because you can actually buy materials at decent prices. I took Lightning's original Saber and brought it to Lv.20 without really a hassle, and I still had plenty of resources remaing. This is definitely a right step forward.
-The Stagger mechanic is also a nice concept to actually give players a reason to use all of the roles and properly too. To fill that guage you need to use the right roles. It keeps gameplay smoothe and generally gives the player a objective when fighting a battle.
-Crystarium: the reincarnation of the beloved Sphere Grid from FF10. The Crystarium makes leveling so much more within the player's grasp. Instead of "you get what you get," it's more like "here's what's available, you decide." It allows more freedom for the player to do what they want and when they want to with their character. Of course, it's an alternative to some other good leveling systems as well.

The Alright:
-Mini-bosses are common and rarely announced. There is some struggling with these enemies too, especially when there shouldn't be. Most of my characters were pretty well leveled too. It's important to have tough bosses, but some of these bosses were difficult even when Protect, Shell, and Veil were cast on my characters. Enemy attacks also pierced the safety of Sentinel protection most of the time with these mini-bosses, which really diminished the point of the role in some situations. However, the enemies were generally rewarding in their own right and allow players to level up faster than normal, so in the end it's alright.
-The treasure system is alright until you try to obtain the few guarded by the enemies that you simply cannot defeat due to the party size or because the enemy engagement/warning range stretches too far or lasts too long. Although it's not a big issue, it bothers me simply because I love collecting treasures.
-The Preemptive Strike is also worth mentioning because it's something you decide and something you can manipulate. It creates almost an immediate Stagger with all enemies in the ambushed battle. However, that doesn't go without saying it's usually uncommon to achieve in many important encounters. Or rather, Deceptisol, which creates the ambushes, vanishes midway through Disc 2. Many enemies also have a wide perception radius, which makes it tough most of the time.
-Story telling was okay. The voice acting was good consistently throughout and you knew what was generally going on. However, the story doesn't always like telling you what certain aspects are within the first 3 hours, so it leaves some clue as to what the major components of Pulse, Pulse l'Cie, and other terms actually mean. It also is rather rugged in terms of climax. Segments are choppy and inconsistent. One moment, the story is fast-paced. Another, the story is a flashback. Then, something crazy happens that moves the story up to the lengths of hours you just spent trying to comprehend what happened within the first hour or so. The story feels rushed sometimes, but is ultimately cool when you get the full picture.
-The Upgrading system is very linear, however. You can only increase the effects of the item you're upgrading and cannot add any effects. This simply is just lax in terms of usefulness, especially considering the wide arrays of items there are and how some are simply far more useful/expendable than others. If effect addition and a decent balancing of experience versus items would have been in place, then the system would have been a lot nicer.

The Bad:
-A major flaw with the Paradigm system is that each one has to load for crucial seconds that you need to heal or defend from an enemy. The guages used to allow a character to use an ability are simply odd sometimes because there can be considerable moments of silence in battles. These gaps aren't the bad parts though; it's that one moment you need a medic, the next you need a saboteur, then you need a medic again. It just ends up a hassle for a three-character team, especially when you only have so many openings in the enemy. Being a Medic, Sentinel, or Saboteur also becomes generally unwanting later on simple because the battles become so fast-paced and difficult that it's tough to figure out what needs to be done at crucial intervals.
-The general AI is also as standard as it gets with RPGs; attack the chracter with the lowest HP and then some special moves. It's a good strategy, but it becomes repetitive. All a player has to do is hook a medic in with a synergist and commando and after the positive effects are in place the roles simply can switch to two medics plus a commando. These are only the common enemies though. The main bosses are a bit different simply because the attacks are powerful enough and widespread enough.
-The battles with Aeons (I know they're called something else, but I call them Aeons from FF10) are frustrating and are generally confusing at times. It's easy to die a few times from each one and "Retry" sends you back through a load of cutscenes (which even though are skippable still cause a raging player to lose a temper). They make sense in retrospect and are greatly rewarding afterwards, but the counter is cruel and your main character can still die before it's up.
-Which reminds me of the WORST feature of all: if the leader character KOs, it's game over. It doesn't matter if your two other characters have perfect health or not, if the player's character faints then the battle is automatically lost, which makes little sense considering your allies can revive other chracters eventually and that they still have the ability to fight. A simple remedy to this would have simply to allow the AI to use Phoenix Downs when this occurs, or better yet, use the Renew ability in battle. I mean, all an AI has to do is gang-up on the player's character and it's game over. This problem is where the widespread damage of enemies becomes an issue; the Sentinel role, which is supposed to take damage for other characters, doesn't matter and the medic is at the whim of time. Potions do jack and there is no "Hi-Potion" or "Mega-Potion." If this gimmick would have been ommitted or fixed, then this game would be a lot more fun.


Other than those noted above, Discs 1 and 2 are a lot of fun. It's best to ignore the people who say that this game's non-traditional gettup makes it linear and boring; it has great potential and is a satisfying game most of the time. I'm going to play Disc 3, so stay attentive for Part 2, which will include level spoilers, the Disc 3 review, and the final grade!

Please post all thoughts constructively, thanks for reading!

[PlasbianX]

I have to agree with everything you've posted. However, I don't really see much problem with the Paradigm shifts. Sure, you have a few moments of down time when theyre changing, but i dont mind.

I do notice a few problems with your review. The Aeons, are called Eidolons. If you use a librascope on them or a libra, they tell you EXACTLY what you need to do in order to beat them. I've 5 starred every single battle against them at this point (i have all fought them all but the last one. Not there yet in the game).

For weapon upgrades, you can get to a point where you can combine weapons to give additions effects on them.

As for the story, I absolutely LOVE what's going on so far with the story. I'm on disk 3, don't wanna ruin anything yet for you, but it definitely has a great story in my opinion.

[Arteen]

-Gameplay is generally fun. I've seen many complain that the gameplay is too linear, but I disagree with calling it so. It calls for some serious strategy and perfect timing to properly execute a win without too much of a hassle. It has a ton of potential and I honestly wouldn't mind seeing something of the same manifestation appear in FF15 (considering 14 is assuming meh). I like the different kinds of roles that characters can play and the Paradigms are a nice way to utilize those roles, allowing them to be switched any time.
I don't see how anyone could see FFXIII as anything other than linear. There is nothing to the game other than going from point A to point B, cutscene to cutscene, fighting autopilot battles.

Compare FFXIII to FFX. FFX has places that feel real. Everything you encounter has some purpose in the world, some reason it's there. The places all connect to each other in a geographically understandable way. There are towns to explore, NPCs to interact with, puzzles to solve. Sidequests involve more than finding and killing some arbitrary monster, both in terms of gameplay and setting. FFXIII is just lifeless. FFX feels like everything FFXIII tried to be, despite coming out a decade earlier.


-The weapon upgrading system is good too, not just because you upgrade your weapons to a better state, but also because you can actually buy materials at decent prices. I took Lightning's original Saber and brought it to Lv.20 without really a hassle, and I still had plenty of resources remaing. This is definitely a right step forward.
I don't see what's enjoyable about the inventory/upgrade system. It's tedious work, more complicated than it needs to be.



-Story telling was okay. The voice acting was good consistently throughout and you knew what was generally going on. However, the story doesn't always like telling you what certain aspects are within the first 3 hours, so it leaves some clue as to what the major components of Pulse, Pulse l'Cie, and other terms actually mean. It also is rather rugged in terms of climax. Segments are choppy and inconsistent. One moment, the story is fast-paced. Another, the story is a flashback. Then, something crazy happens that moves the story up to the lengths of hours you just spent trying to comprehend what happened within the first hour or so. The story feels rushed sometimes, but is ultimately cool when you get the full picture.

I enjoyed the conflicts between the characters and how they develop, but the story itself is trash. The ending especially so.

Also, the Snow/Sarah relationship has a creepy pedophile vibe about it. Come on, Japan. Stop that.



The Bad:
-A major flaw with the Paradigm system is that each one has to load for crucial seconds that you need to heal or defend from an enemy. The guages used to allow a character to use an ability are simply odd sometimes because there can be considerable moments of silence in battles. These gaps aren't the bad parts though; it's that one moment you need a medic, the next you need a saboteur, then you need a medic again. It just ends up a hassle for a three-character team, especially when you only have so many openings in the enemy. Being a Medic, Sentinel, or Saboteur also becomes generally unwanting later on simple because the battles become so fast-paced and difficult that it's tough to figure out what needs to be done at crucial intervals.
I didn't have a problem with delays in the Paradigm system. It just requires being more prepared.



-The general AI is also as standard as it gets with RPGs; attack the chracter with the lowest HP and then some special moves. It's a good strategy, but it becomes repetitive. All a player has to do is hook a medic in with a synergist and commando and after the positive effects are in place the roles simply can switch to two medics plus a commando. These are only the common enemies though. The main bosses are a bit different simply because the attacks are powerful enough and widespread enough.
Basically, 95% of battles are spamming auto-attack with a Com/Rav/Med until everything dies.



-Which reminds me of the WORST feature of all: if the leader character KOs, it's game over. It doesn't matter if your two other characters have perfect health or not, if the player's character faints then the battle is automatically lost, which makes little sense considering your allies can revive other chracters eventually and that they still have the ability to fight. A simple remedy to this would have simply to allow the AI to use Phoenix Downs when this occurs, or better yet, use the Renew ability in battle. I mean, all an AI has to do is gang-up on the player's character and it's game over. This problem is where the widespread damage of enemies becomes an issue; the Sentinel role, which is supposed to take damage for other characters, doesn't matter and the medic is at the whim of time. Potions do jack and there is no "Hi-Potion" or "Mega-Potion." If this gimmick would have been ommitted or fixed, then this game would be a lot more fun.
The combat is just so shallow. They should just let the player switch the leader mid-battle, switch individual classes as well as paradigms, and get rid of the leader death=game over mechanic. It would still be shallow, but magnitudes less so.

[PlasbianX]

I don't see how anyone could see FFXIII as anything other than linear. There is nothing to the game other than going from point A to point B, cutscene to cutscene, fighting autopilot battles.
Did you play the entire game? I know this doesnt really go against your argument, but on disk three there is a point where its finally no longer linear and you have 65 sub quests you can do and a huge open land so you don't have to go straight from point A to B. You can stop and do everything else.


Also, the Snow/Sarah relationship has a creepy pedophile vibe about it. Come on, Japan. Stop that.
She's 18, snow's 21. I don't see the pedophile vibe.

[DarkHalo003]

Working on finishing Disc 3 right now. I may have to wait until later tomorrow to write the review; I'm on the last Chapter right before the Final Boss. It's getting seriously tough though. Disc 3 definitely reveals the use for the Saboteur role a great amount.

I know they're called Eidolons, it's just I played FFX for a long time and Aeon is virtually the same thing. And you WILL get a 5-Star in the Eidolon battles no matter what simply because you met the legitimate requirements of that certain battle, which is usually what a 5-Star incorporates; you exploit the weakness of the enemy and defeat them.


This game has so much potential. If they would have given a bit more thought to backtracking to/through the place with all of the sidequests right before the last chapter, then I'd be alright with it, probably end up buying the game. However, unlike FFX which is so incredibly awesome when it comes to sidequests, the game waits until after you've completed it before you can revisit Chapters 10-12. More or less, it kind of defeats the purpose of that big land, especially since you characters are so well capable of actually fighting against the creatures after the Superpope battle.

EDIT: I found out after looking through Orphan's Cradle that you can revisit Gran Pulse and Eden before the final battle. Whoops.

[PlasbianX]

Have you seen FFXIII: Versus? It's set in the same universe as FFXIII, but it uses the same combat system as Kingdom Hearts but it's an extremely dark version of anything Square Enix has done. I think it's actually due out this year. I know this doesn't exactly relate to the fact you're reviewing FFXIII, but I just saw info about that game today and I gotta say I'm impressed on all of the changes they're making and how open ended its gonna be. It's like what FFXIII should of been.

[DarkHalo003]

Have you seen FFXIII: Versus? It's set in the same universe as FFXIII, but it uses the same combat system as Kingdom Hearts but it's an extremely dark version of anything Square Enix has done. I think it's actually due out this year. I know this doesn't exactly relate to the fact you're reviewing FFXIII, but I just saw info about that game today and I gotta say I'm impressed on all of the changes they're making and how open ended its gonna be. It's like what FFXIII should of been.
Dude, if that's how it ends up, then I definitely will buy it if it's on the 360. Kingdom Hearts is probably one of my most favorite series out there, definitely alongside FF and Halo.

I'm at the Eden Grand Foyer and it's 1:40 AM. I'm tired and I think I'll wait until the next time I decide to rent FF13 to finish it. I started on Wednesday/Thursday and I just don't have time for it after this. Oh well. I have played enough to create Part 2 without spoiling the ending, so it's all good in the end.

[sleepy1212]

Basically, 95% of battles are spamming auto-attack with a Com/Rav/Med until everything dies.

Pretty much, or rather, you'd like to switch to Relentless or Ruthless but even if you grind out your levels you're going to get ass raped if you don't have a med. Mostly I start with com/syn/sab until everyone has haste at least then com/syn/med and finally com/rav/med once i've got whatever en- i need.

I'll add this, Libra is a shit skill and librascope needs to be for sale. It usually takes two tries to get a complete read on an enemy using Libra unless you let your characters try out a bunch of shit on them first. Once i noticed little checkmarks next to the enemies i 'scoped' in the datalog i realized they were just trolling me. I also noticed the saboteurs will often do nothing unless the enemy has been scoped.

Grinding for CP right now because Dahaka is a dick.

[DarkHalo003]

Pretty much, or rather, you'd like to switch to Relentless or Ruthless but even if you grind out your levels you're going to get ass raped if you don't have a med. Mostly I start with com/syn/sab until everyone has haste at least then com/syn/med and finally com/rav/med once i've got whatever en- i need.

I'll add this, Libra is a shit skill and librascope needs to be for sale. It usually takes two tries to get a complete read on an enemy using Libra unless you let your characters try out a bunch of shit on them first. Once i noticed little checkmarks next to the enemies i 'scoped' in the datalog i realized they were just trolling me. I also noticed the saboteurs will often do nothing unless the enemy has been scoped.

Grinding for CP right now because Dahaka is a dick.
I agree completely here. Librascopes need to definitely be for sell and having an item that replenishes TP during battle helps too, especially when using an Eidolon.

[PlasbianX]

I agree completely here. Librascopes need to definitely be for sell and having an item that replenishes TP during battle helps too, especially when using an Eidolon.

Elixers replenish TP. Also I dunno if I'm at Dahaka or not, but I know I'm at Chapter 11 grinding CP off the stone quests.

[DarkHalo003]

Elixers replenish TP. Also I dunno if I'm at Dahaka or not, but I know I'm at Chapter 11 grinding CP off the stone quests.
Dahaka takes a few tries if you don't have your team setup right. I can't remember exactly what I did for him, but I remember getting close a couple of time and then finally dying from the same attack he's used the entire battle. I might have just use COM/RAV/MED and COM/MED/MED, mixed with a little COM/SYN/MED and COM/MED/SAB. It was Lightning, Hope, and Vanille I think. I used that party a lot during that time, but I honestly can't recall considering all of the party changes I did after that.


If you think Dahaka is tough and evokes rage, just wait until the next part. SEEKERS SUCK. THOSE LITTLE FLYING SCREAMING THINGS SUCK. FREAKING BARTHANDELUS SUCKS. Just warning you ahead of time is all. Oh yeah, and Eden is a bitch of a level when fighting multiple enemies. Those Fish-Kip-Jackwads you fight in a small portion of Chapter 11 may make you rage a few times. So will Humbaba and Protobehemoth. The soldiers are also actually difficult enemies in Eden too.


But yeah, like I said earlier, I reached the Grand Foyer area right before the Orphan's Cradle, which judging from the videos I watched is very very weird. You can return to Chapter 11 there though.

[sleepy1212]

before i started grinding i got him within a sliver before he casted all those status effects and then that really really high damage attack he has. I left the tower and went back through the springs and the tunnels and killed that tyrant and those juggernauts, plus everything along the way. now everyone is maxed on their primary roles and then some on the others. might wait and travel back to the steppe to do some missions. i was getting my ass kicked so i started off for Oerba right away instead of doing the missions.

Hope AND Vanille!? idts tim. I've stayed on Snow/Sazh/Vanille ever since i got to Pulse.

[PlasbianX]

before i started grinding i got him within a sliver before he casted all those status effects and then that really really high damage attack he has. I left the tower and went back through the springs and the tunnels and killed that tyrant and those juggernauts, plus everything along the way. now everyone is maxed on their primary roles and then some on the others. might wait and travel back to the steppe to do some missions. i was getting my ass kicked so i started off for Oerba right away instead of doing the missions.

Hope AND Vanille!? idts tim. I've stayed on Snow/Sazh/Vanille ever since i got to Pulse.

Snow/Sazh/Vanille? Ive been using Lightning, Fang, and Hope since I got to Pulse. Lightning is a great commando / ravager and does well as a medic when I need her to be. Fang is great with her debuffs (except compared to Vanille she doesn't have Doom, but I don't think I have doom on vanille yet anyways) and also the best commando in game as well. For Hope, he's the best medic even though he has the worst HP, and sometimes I do wish he had Haste. I might toy around with a new setup, I'm not too keen on using snow though since the only thing Snow really excels at is tanking and I do use Fang as a commando a lot with Lightning as a ravager.

Also I looked up Dahaka on the wiki.. 2 mil HP? That's weak :P there's a boss in Grand Pulse with 18 mil HP

[sleepy1212]

Also I looked up Dahaka on the wiki.. 2 mil HP? That's weak :P there's a boss in Grand Pulse with 18 mil HP

it's not much really, juggernauts have 1.6 but Dahaka has some serious attacks, diluvial wtf (massive satus assrape), and he uses haste alot. I was underleveled to fight him last time.

I hate Hope. Maybe it's just me but he casts slow and I end up screaming " CURE YOU LITTLE SHIT, CAST IT NOW!!!!FUCKFUCKFUCK" I'm constantly PDing him because there's not enough TP to keep renewing to make up for his suck. Plus Sazh is a fine SYN and I like having SAB and MED together so I can keep My COM+RAV going.

I used Lightning almost entirely except for Palumpolem when i used Fang as lead COM. Problem with Lightning is at lvl4 she still has over 1000 less hp than Snow although as a back up MED she's great. Snow is great at tanking, excels is the right word. I haven't taken him off of COM since I put him in. The only real difference between the two parties is Tanking vs optional MED since the paradigms end up being the same combinations of roles.

Also, I highly recommend the Moogle's Survival Catalog as early as possible for upgrading.

[PlasbianX]

Im having a lot of trouble finding a good CP grinding spot :x

EDIT: Megistotherian vs Behemoth battle is a great way to gain CP. They fight each other and when you initiate the battle, both start at half HP. First thing you HAVE to do is stagger the Behemoth and make sure you have a commando to launch him in the air. Time your attacks so he never hits the ground. If he touches the ground, he transforms and can 1 shot everyone in your group. After hes dead, kill the megistotherian for 6600 CP. Ive 5 starred this battle like 10 times now, working good.

[DarkHalo003]

I hate Hope. Maybe it's just me but he casts slow and I end up screaming " CURE YOU LITTLE SHIT, CAST IT NOW!!!!FUCKFUCKFUCK" I'm constantly PDing him because there's not enough TP to keep renewing to make up for his suck. Plus Sazh is a fine SYN and I like having SAB and MED together so I can keep My COM+RAV going.

I used Lightning almost entirely except for Palumpolem when i used Fang as lead COM. Problem with Lightning is at lvl4 she still has over 1000 less hp than Snow although as a back up MED she's great. Snow is great at tanking, excels is the right word. I haven't taken him off of COM since I put him in. The only real difference between the two parties is Tanking vs optional MED since the paradigms end up being the same combinations of roles.

I'll say here that you will both be in for a rotten surprise against that 18mil HP boss. You need to kick serious ass fast. That's all I can say.

I HATE HOPE. Without another medic, I usually forbid him being in my party. I used to use him all of the time before Barthandelus in Chp.9 as a medic, but then once enemies actually did high damage I learned he's a bit of an asshole. I usually have Lightning/Fang/Sazh or Lightning/Hope/Vanille/. Sazh has better moves than Hope does and can be a pretty good Commando/Ravenger. The party also allows Cerberus and varying other crucial combinations. I've recently found Fang to be a very good Leader, simply due to Bahamut destroying stuff and that her Saboteur role is priceless after you obtain most of her abilities, especially Daze, Fogga, and Slowga. Once you reach Eden, which is the premise behind chapter 10, then you'll understand completely.

But if you think these bosses are tough stuff right now, then you are in for a very unpleasant surprise. Just saying.

[PlasbianX]

I'll say here that you will both be in for a rotten surprise against that 18mil HP boss. You need to kick serious ass fast. That's all I can say.

I HATE HOPE. Without another medic, I usually forbid him being in my party. I used to use him all of the time before Barthandelus in Chp.9 as a medic, but then once enemies actually did high damage I learned he's a bit of an asshole. I usually have Lightning/Fang/Sazh or Lightning/Hope/Vanille/. Sazh has better moves than Hope does and can be a pretty good Commando/Ravenger. The party also allows Cerberus and varying other crucial combinations. I've recently found Fang to be a very good Leader, simply due to Bahamut destroying stuff and that her Saboteur role is priceless after you obtain most of her abilities, especially Daze, Fogga, and Slowga. Once you reach Eden, which is the premise behind chapter 10, then you'll understand completely.

But if you think these bosses are tough stuff right now, then you are in for a very unpleasant surprise. Just saying.

Except for the fact that despite his HP, Hope is the best medic ingame. Hope for me right now has 3 accessory slots. I got one for +400 HP, another for +5% def / m.def and idr what the other is off hand, but he does fairly well with me right now.

[Arteen]

Did you play the entire game? I know this doesnt really go against your argument, but on disk three there is a point where its finally no longer linear and you have 65 sub quests you can do and a huge open land so you don't have to go straight from point A to B. You can stop and do everything else.
That was my favorite part of the game, but it's still pretty simplistic.


She's 18, snow's 21. I don't see the pedophile vibe.http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100414205355/finalfantasy/images/thumb/c/c5/Lightning_birthday.png/830px-Lightning_birthday.png
She looks like a child compared to Snow and Lightning.

[Higuy]

Gotta agree with linearity, compared to any of the other Final Fantasy's this game has to be the worst in gameplay. In graphics, thats a whole different story.

So far my favorite and what I think to be the best ff is VII. Great story/characters/gameplay system. They really should of tried to create an open environment similar to what that game had (and like the other FF's.) that way it wasn't linear and still continued the story.

[DarkHalo003]

Gotta agree with linearity, compared to any of the other Final Fantasy's this game has to be the worst in gameplay. In graphics, thats a whole different story.

So far my favorite and what I think to be the best ff is VII. Great story/characters/gameplay system. They really should of tried to create an open environment similar to what that game had (and like the other FF's.) that way it wasn't linear and still continued the story.
VII has only one issue, which is merely the lack of technology available at the time I believe: when you die, you have to start from the last save point. I like how in FFXIII you can die and still revert to right before the battle you died in. Otherwise, I can see how the game is linear, but that really just doesn't bother me too much. I guess for me the pros outweigh some of the cons that affect other people, though some cons really can badger down the pros.

[sleepy1212]

Im having a lot of trouble finding a good CP grinding spot :x

I prefer the mines right after that. Large groups of Hoplites and Cryohedrons can easily be wiped out in seconds and they drop bomb cores. It's just a little less CP.


So far my favorite and what I think to be the best ff is VII. Great story/characters/gameplay system. They really should of tried to create an open environment similar to what that game had (and like the other FF's.) that way it wasn't linear and still continued the story.

That's where they fucked up. XIII could have been a much better game but SE just didn't bother. My favorite was X. To me it had the best combination of looks vs gameplay although the world wasn't as open as the previous titles. The leveling system was good and I liked the weapon upgrade system...poison sword anyone? I'm really missing simple things like casting zombie and finishing off enemies with healers and hi-potions.

[PlasbianX]

I prefer the mines right after that. Large groups of Hoplites and Cryohedrons can easily be wiped out in seconds and they drop bomb cores. It's just a little less CP.



That's where they fucked up. XIII could have been a much better game but SE just didn't bother. My favorite was X. To me it had the best combination of looks vs gameplay although the world wasn't as open as the previous titles. The leveling system was good and I liked the weapon upgrade system...poison sword anyone? I'm really missing simple things like casting zombie and finishing off enemies with healers and hi-potions.

I shall now introduce you to Final Fantasy XIII - Versus

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It's set in the same universe at FFXIII, but it's not a sequel or prequel to FFXIII. Also, it's an open world and the combat system is the same system as Kingdom Hearts.
In terms of storyline, Square Enix said this is their darkest game to date storyline, so this should be great.

If you want an actual trailer, see this:
SWS_n26d2ro

[DarkHalo003]

I say it's more of a prequel simply because they're using wheeled vehicles. But that's just my guess.

[PlasbianX]

I say it's more of a prequel simply because they're using wheeled vehicles. But that's just my guess.

It's been stated its not a prequel or a sequel. Its just within the same universe. Remember, FFXIII doesn't take place on Earth.

[Warsaw]

Are there any Final Fantasy games that do take place on Earth?

Also, why is the text in the trailer backwards? Apart from that, Versus looks to be good. Maybe they'll pull out all the stops for it.

[PlasbianX]

Theres been a domain registered for FinalfantasyXIII-2 :D!

[DarkHalo003]

Are there any Final Fantasy games that do take place on Earth?

Also, why is the text in the trailer backwards? Apart from that, Versus looks to be good. Maybe they'll pull out all the stops for it.
It's mirrored to avoid copyright infringement by the uploader i believe. That or SquareEnix wanted to be cool.

By far my most favorite Final Fantasies have to be FFX, FF7, and FF4. FF2 and FF1 come in close behind FF4, but 2 can be very obnoxious at times and 1 can be very easy to own in. X was my first FF game on PS2, so it kind of cultivated my experience of Final Fantasy on the modern consoles. The music, characters, and basically everything is great in that game in my opinion, except a few bossfights that'll destroy you if you're not ready in time (Centipede/Scorpion/Thing). FF7 is the one FF game I play on my computer; with that said, I'll play it when no other RPGs are available. That game has only two shortcomings, one due to limitiations (always reverts to last save when gameover) and the other is really just my wanting more (no replayable sidequests). FF4 is just great in its own right; good story, catchy music, classic battle system, etc. These of course don't include Kingdom Hearts, which I categorize as a different gaming series even with its affiliation with FF characters.

Speaking of games, the review for Part 2 is postponed until I can rent another FF13. I don't want to review it until I've finished it. However, in the mean time, I still hace two other games to review in the mean time, so keep eyes peeled for those ones.

[Donut]

darkhalo did you ever play final fantasy 6? if you like 4 and 7, i think you would like 6. i started with 6, and iv played 1,2,4, and 7, and i have to say 6 is my favorite so far, with 7 not far behind.

i still havnt finished 7 though, so things may change if i ever decide to play it again. its been like 2 years, lol.

[DarkHalo003]

darkhalo did you ever play final fantasy 6? if you like 4 and 7, i think you would like 6. i started with 6, and iv played 1,2,4, and 7, and i have to say 6 is my favorite so far, with 7 not far behind.

i still havnt finished 7 though, so things may change if i ever decide to play it again. its been like 2 years, lol.
Maybe. I looked at 6 a bit and didn't like the characters or setting that much at first glance. I'll play it if i ever get the chance though.

7 and X had the best expositions and environments in my opinion. The stories kept me intrigued until the end and the characters are some of the most memorable of all time. Seeing them return in games like Kingdom Hearts is always a welcome sight. Which reminds me, since I've basically finished KH: Recoded (basically as in I finished the story mode and mainly just working on sidequests), I should probably begin a writeup for its review.

Speaking of KH, has anyone happened to play Birth By Sleep? At the same time, has anyone thought that FF7: Crisis Core was a good game?

[sleepy1212]

How the hell am I supposed to beat 3 Tonberrys?

[DarkHalo003]

How the hell am I supposed to beat 3 Tonberrys?
Knights of the Round......oh wait.

Gestalt mode?

[Arteen]

How the hell am I supposed to beat 3 Tonberrys?
That's the exact point I gave up on the end-game content.


Speaking of KH, has anyone happened to play Birth By Sleep? At the same time, has anyone thought that FF7: Crisis Core was a good game?
I haven't played BBS, but I've heard great things about it. I'll pick it up if I can ever get it for cheap. As for CC, it's alright. I've been meaning to finish it sometime. It's got nice graphics and strong production values, and the combat feels a bit awkward and button-mashy but isn't bad. My main issue is the story, which isn't compelling/comprehensible for a player like me who wasn't a huge fan of the original.

[DarkHalo003]

That's the exact point I gave up on the end-game content.


I haven't played BBS, but I've heard great things about it. I'll pick it up if I can ever get it for cheap. As for CC, it's alright. I've been meaning to finish it sometime. It's got nice graphics and strong production values, and the combat feels a bit awkward and button-mashy but isn't bad. My main issue is the story, which isn't compelling/comprehensible for a player like me who wasn't a huge fan of the original.
From what I've seen, I liked the story a lot. It fills in a lot of gaps the sequel/whatever had and does it in a decent enough fashion. One thing I'm skeptical of is the synthesis system though. How is it? Is it basically blind synthesizing for new materia and weapons or is it easy enough to tell what you're making?

[sleepy1212]

Knights of the Round......oh wait.

Gestalt mode?

I haven't really tried out the Eidolons much (I used Shiva maybe twice). It doesn't seem worth it....but maybe i'll that out.

[DarkHalo003]

I haven't really tried out the Eidolons much (I used Shiva maybe twice). It doesn't seem worth it....but maybe i'll that out.
Eidolons will make tough battles 10x easier. It's especially awesome when using them to play the system regarding enemies' most powerful attacks. Bahamut is one of the strongest, so definitely try using Fang as a party leader.

[Narida]

Eidolons will make tough battles 10x easier. It's especially awesome when using them to play the system regarding enemies' most powerful attacks. Bahamut is one of the strongest, so definitely try using Fang as a party leader.

Where did you find that eidolons helped? They were great when farming the Adamantoises with the death trick but otherwise I always found that they did ridiculously low damage and had the added disadvantage of resetting the chain gauge... The different attacks wern't really explained so I always ended up spamming A which is kinda boring xD And it was usually slower than beating them manually...

But maybe thats just me, i dunno?

[sleepy1212]

that's pretty much what i thought. plus there are more valuable uses for TP, especially when you've already wasted 2 on libra.

[Arteen]

From what I've seen, I liked the story a lot. It fills in a lot of gaps the sequel/whatever had and does it in a decent enough fashion. One thing I'm skeptical of is the synthesis system though. How is it? Is it basically blind synthesizing for new materia and weapons or is it easy enough to tell what you're making?
The game tells you what you'll get from any combination which is nice, but like all crafting systems in RPGs, it still comes off as tedious.

[DarkHalo003]

that's pretty much what i thought. plus there are more valuable uses for TP, especially when you've already wasted 2 on libra.
L2Librascope. But I know what you mean. When you run out of Librascopes, it does become a bit annoying.


Where did you find that eidolons helped? They were great when farming the Adamantoises with the death trick but otherwise I always found that they did ridiculously low damage and had the added disadvantage of resetting the chain gauge... The different attacks wern't really explained so I always ended up spamming A which is kinda boring xD And it was usually slower than beating them manually...

But maybe thats just me, i dunno?
Bahamut and Ixion (Lightning's Eidolon) are really the only two worth using. If you like using Hope, then Alexander is a great Eidolon to use sometimes too, but Shiva, Sazh's Eidolon, and Vanille's Eidolon are relatively quirky/weak. IF you use Eidolons right, though, such as just build up their attacks to a substantial amount for the Gestalt Gauge, then they'll do great against enemies. However, they are best for softening up enemies before the team finishes them off.


The game tells you what you'll get from any combination which is nice, but like all crafting systems in RPGs, it still comes off as tedious.
Well at least it tells you the result. I was watching a TV show today and some audience members received a $500 Best Buy gift card. Oh how cool it'd be to have $500 to buy electronics. Relative to the conversation, the first thing I thought of when I saw it was buying a PSP, Birth By Sleep, Dyssidia, and Crisis Core.

[DarkHalo003]

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/114/1145870p1.html

From IGN, it's about some things in FFXIII Versus.

[fincsher]

I agree completely here. Librascopes need to definitely be for sell and having an item that replenishes TP during battle helps too, especially when using an Eidolon.

I have to agree too.. Nothing oppose.. :D

[werntonb]

Best graphics for my whole games! :D