Final Fantasy 13 (PS3/XBOX 360)

[LionsFanNJ]

Re: Final Fantasy 13 (PS3/XBOX 360)

After reading up on this i can say that i've lost all interest i've had in this FF. I still have some hope for Versus 13, but very little. I guess its another 3 or 4 year wait for 15 for me.

So disappointing.

[mrprice33]

Re: Final Fantasy 13 (PS3/XBOX 360)

I think he was referring to when they get hit into the air and land pretty hard into the ground.

yeah, that's what i was referring to. it looks a lot more organic in general, which is very nice. can't wait.

[Pokes]

Re: Final Fantasy 13 (PS3/XBOX 360)

After reading up on this i can say that i've lost all interest i've had in this FF. I still have some hope for Versus 13, but very little. I guess its another 3 or 4 year wait for 15 for me.

So disappointing.

What exactly about it is disappointing you?

[J-Clutch1]

Re: Final Fantasy 13 (PS3/XBOX 360)

What exactly about it is disappointing you?

I'm wondering the same. I'm personally very excited. Has the game opened up for you yet?

[Pokes]

Re: Final Fantasy 13 (PS3/XBOX 360)

Found a website that has comparisons between the 360 and PS3 versions of the game.

Final Fantasy XIII PS3 vs. Xbox 360 Screenshot Comparison

[Pokes]

Re: Final Fantasy 13 (PS3/XBOX 360)

I'm wondering the same. I'm personally very excited. Has the game opened up for you yet?

Yes, I just got to that part about an hour ago. Supposedly its the halfway point in the game and world just got HUGE. I almost don't know what to do now, as its not linear like before and you can now do sidequests. I'm probably going to do a lot of grinding since I need to level up my gear.

[Cyros]

Re: Final Fantasy 13 (PS3/XBOX 360)

Yes, I just got to that part about an hour ago. Supposedly its the halfway point in the game and world just got HUGE. I almost don't know what to do now, as its not linear like before and you can now do sidequests. I'm probably going to do a lot of grinding since I need to level up my gear.

Nothing like the thrill of Rpg grinding.

[Pokes]

Re: Final Fantasy 13 (PS3/XBOX 360)

Nothing like the thrill of Rpg grinding.

Its a bit different since you don't level up your characters per se, but rather your weapons and accessories.

[LionsFanNJ]

Re: Final Fantasy 13 (PS3/XBOX 360)

What exactly about it is disappointing you?

The game being so linear for so long is a big one. If i was playing an action game like Bayonetta or Uncharted i can see it. But this is supposed to be a RPG. Plus for all intents and purposes the battle system is even MORE hands off than FF XII, and that you don't level up characters just kills this game for me.


Perhaps one day when its in the used bin I'll pick it up.

[Pokes]

Re: Final Fantasy 13 (PS3/XBOX 360)

Just saw this posted on Strategy Informer:

Final Fantasy XIII Preview

The story itself should prove to be one of the better ones to emerge in a Final Fantasy game, although things were still slightly confusing during the opening segments. However, with a reported 40-50 hours worth of content, there's plenty of time to figure out what's going on, as well as be enthralled by what looks like it could be a very gripping tale. The beginning portion of the game is very start/stop, with the action regularly shifting from one set of characters to the next. Things calm down a bit when the 'gang' are finally all together, but then with the inclusion of flashback scenes as well, be prepared for an experience slightly akin to Metal Gear Solid 4.

As you will know, this game has brought in a lot of changes to the structure and gameplay, and whilst it still 'feels' like a Final Fantasy, there's plenty of new things to get to grips with. These changes mainly focus around combat, which we will go into in a bit. You get the impression that a lot of the more inconsequential gameplay elements have been stream lined. For example, shopping and upgrades are now done through the save points. Upgrading of weapons as well is actively encouraged, with more practical benefits available that make simply getting the 'better' weapons not the only viable option.

It's in the combat however where things really get interesting. Final Fantasy 13 blends the real time combat of FF12, with the Active Battle System found in earlier titles. Enemies will appear on the game world environment, however unfortunately you still 'load' into a separate battle area, although the load time is almost negligible. Combat mainly revolves around 'jobs' and Paradigms. Each character has a certain set of 'jobs' that they can do, each with their own subtle emphasis in terms of stats and abilities. If you combine the focus of all of the characters in your team, you have a 'Paradigm', which again is a general focus for the whole team.

Different enemies will require different 'Paradigms' in order to be defeated, especially bosses and higher level mobs. Shifting paradigms during combat is actively encouraged, and as you level up and use them more, the more roles and paradigms will be unlocked. This helps keep the game play fluid, and avoids character archetypes - although everyone does have some kind of general specialisation. Combat also no longer follows the 'line' format, where the two sides would basically line up and take pot shots at each other, before retreating back into formation. Now, everyone moves around the match as they attack and defend, although all of this is controlled by the AI.

The second area of combat is to do with summons. As the game progresses, everyone is paired up with an 'Eidolon', that they have to master so that they can use them in battle. These Eidolons (read: summons) seem to be bio-mechanical in nature, as on one level they fight alongside you, but then they also transform and the two of you fight as one. (Don't think true combination, but as you may know, Snow's Eidolon turns into a bike that he can then ride - most 'Gestalt' modes are along this line.)

One of the most odd changes in the battle dynamic however, is the fact that you can only 'control' one person at a time. Just like with the movement during battle, the AI controls the actions of your team mates. This limits what you can do during battle, and in the early levels when you don't have many abilities, there is a danger that fighting can get a bit stale. I mean, not only do you not have much to do, but you have not much to do with only 1 person. Things get more interesting as levels go up, but it seems a bit of an odd move to make. Not only can you control only one person at a time, but you have no say as to who that person is either. That is dictated purely by what's happening in the story. As mentioned above, the story does jump around and switch perspectives a lot (sometimes too much), so you will get through everyone eventually, but taking away control over the group kind of removes part of the strategy to the game.

[Pokes]

Re: Final Fantasy 13 (PS3/XBOX 360)

The game being so linear for so long is a big one. If i was playing an action game like Bayonetta or Uncharted i can see it. But this is supposed to be a RPG. Plus for all intents and purposes the battle system is even MORE hands off than FF XII, and that you don't level up characters just kills this game for me.


Perhaps one day when its in the used bin I'll pick it up.

Well, its just as linear as FFX and when it opens up the game does get rather large. As for the battle system is not as hands-off as you would think since you actively have to manage how your party functions.

[Flawless]

Re: Final Fantasy 13 (PS3/XBOX 360)

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Wow, seriously?

[Pokes]

Re: Final Fantasy 13 (PS3/XBOX 360)

I should have held off a bit on importing because the JP version just dropped 40 dollars in price and now has free shipping to the US.

[tj1182]

Re: Final Fantasy 13 (PS3/XBOX 360)

Found a website that has comparisons between the 360 and PS3 versions of the game.

Final Fantasy XIII PS3 vs. Xbox 360 Screenshot Comparison

Like the comments say on that site, they're Photoshopped. Every single image is identical, lighting, shadows, water reflections, etc... Just the buttons are different. I've never seen any multiplat game look this similar, there's always some differences.

[Pokes]

Re: Final Fantasy 13 (PS3/XBOX 360)

A commerical for the game somone snagged off ESPN2.

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