Never played an RPG until Final Fantasy XIII

[Admiral50]

Re: Never played an RPG until Final Fantasy XIII

Funny thought considering FF13 is as far from an RPG as any of the FF's but cool that you're enjoying it and considering previous games.

I loved pretty much all the FF games up to 10. Even 9 (which is due on PSN soon) was really good, despite what the much lower sales would suggest.

My love for RPG's started way back on Ultima 3. I think it was an early 80's game.

Man I wish Ultima 3, 4 and 5 would come to PSN or iPhone or something.

[PVarck31]

Re: Never played an RPG until Final Fantasy XIII

So whats the verdict on FF13? Is it similar to the old FF's or did they try to re-invent the wheel?

[tj1182]

Re: Never played an RPG until Final Fantasy XIII

Man I wish Ultima 3, 4 and 5 would come to PSN or iPhone or something.

I can't remember, but sometime last year some website had the whole series for download. For free.

[Admiral50]

Re: Never played an RPG until Final Fantasy XIII

Yeah I've still got them all from the Ultima 9 collectors edition, but it would be nice to have them portable on my iPod or HD'd up on PSN

[jfsolo]

Re: Never played an RPG until Final Fantasy XIII

So whats the verdict on FF13? Is it similar to the old FF's or did they try to re-invent the wheel?

There will never be anything resembling a consensus on FF XIII. Many who have played all the FF's, hate it. I've played all the FF's and I love it. Some newbies to the genre think its awesome, others newcomers think its trash.

Your feelings about the game will be determined by what aspects of JRPG's are most important to you.

Graphics, sound/music, story, characters/character development, cuts scenes are in the tradition vein of Final Fantasy games.

The combat system is an amalgamation of several different styles: Turn-based, RTS, Squad-based, with "Jobs", and "Gambit" principles mixed in. It works for me, but may not for everyone. The big hangup for many is the fact that you can only control one person in the party at time, and for a large part of the game, can't choose you who is in the party.

The traditional "Level Up" methodology is gone. You still improve your stats/abilities, but you don't have a primary number indicating that you are level 99 or anything. You can improve your stats in the various roles that are available to each character.

The most radical departure from traditional FF games is concerning exploration. Your movement through cities, and other locals, is very tightly controlled. Interaction with NPC's is limited, and completely scripted. The reason why exploration and combat are the way they are makes total sense with in the context of the story, but I can see why many people would chaff at the restrictions.

I haven't gotten to the part of the game yet where it is supposed to allow more freedom, but I would imagine that the exploration will still not be to the liking of those who prefer more "Open World" gameplay.

People on the fence should definitely rent, or wait for the price to go down, so that they don't pay full price for game that they may not come close to finishing.

Some people like to pejoratively say that the game isn't a RPG. I won't even both to argue against that stand. I'll just say that I thing that it is a great game, regardless of the genre name affixed to it.

[demstix]

Re: Never played an RPG until Final Fantasy XIII

i think the exploration aspect of these games is what turned me off in the beginning. i'm a little more patient now and get the role that exploration plays in the enjoyment of these games.

that being said, i don't have a need to comb every square inch of the digital terrain of a game to enjoy it. so i'm glad that the game pushes the story along with its linear setup.

if this isn't a role playing game then i need someone to help me understand why. the key story elements are there, magic, leveling up, epic scale, huge boss battles, turned based attack system.

why do folks not consider it an RPG?

I'm having a blast with it. I spend more time managing my squad and browsing the menus than actually playing. probably due to my inexperience.

[demstix]

Re: Never played an RPG until Final Fantasy XIII

As far as games go, I would add the game that is, in my not so humble opinion, the best console game of all time: Xenogears-(for the PS1) Good luck trying to find a new copy for under $100 thought.

what the heck? why are these games so expensive?

[TheShizNo1]

Re: Never played an RPG until Final Fantasy XIII

The only FF I played was on the PSP. While I didn't hate it, it was nothing special. Should I try out this FF on the PSN?

[Pokes]

Re: Never played an RPG until Final Fantasy XIII

what the heck? why are these games so expensive?

Old Classics that are hard to find and people want them for collections.

[Solidice]

Re: Never played an RPG until Final Fantasy XIII

I like RPGs, but I never could get into the FF series. I tried to play 6, 7, and 8, but never got that far in either before losing interest in them. haven't tried a FF game since.

any RPG that BioWare develops are usually great. I've probably played every game they made with the exception of Jade Empire. I suppose you could say I prefer the "western" RPGs more than the jRPGs. I did enjoy Lost Odyssey though.

[jfsolo]

Re: Never played an RPG until Final Fantasy XIII

what the heck? why are these games so expensive?

Some of the games like Xenogears or Suikoden were unexpected hits therefore few copies were released in the U.S. making them ultra difficult to find, thus the prices. Until FF VII brought them to the mainstream RPG's were a super niche market in the states.

[PVarck31]

Re: Never played an RPG until Final Fantasy XIII

There will never be anything resembling a consensus on FF XIII. Many who have played all the FF's, hate it. I've played all the FF's and I love it. Some newbies to the genre think its awesome, others newcomers think its trash.

Your feelings about the game will be determined by what aspects of JRPG's are most important to you.

Graphics, sound/music, story, characters/character development, cuts scenes are in the tradition vein of Final Fantasy games.

The combat system is an amalgamation of several different styles: Turn-based, RTS, Squad-based, with "Jobs", and "Gambit" principles mixed in. It works for me, but may not for everyone. The big hangup for many is the fact that you can only control one person in the party at time, and for a large part of the game, can't choose you who is in the party.

The traditional "Level Up" methodology is gone. You still improve your stats/abilities, but you don't have a primary number indicating that you are level 99 or anything. You can improve your stats in the various roles that are available to each character.

The most radical departure from traditional FF games is concerning exploration. Your movement through cities, and other locals, is very tightly controlled. Interaction with NPC's is limited, and completely scripted. The reason why exploration and combat are the way they are makes total sense with in the context of the story, but I can see why many people would chaff at the restrictions.

I haven't gotten to the part of the game yet where it is supposed to allow more freedom, but I would imagine that the exploration will still not be to the liking of those who prefer more "Open World" gameplay.

People on the fence should definitely rent, or wait for the price to go down, so that they don't pay full price for game that they may not come close to finishing.

Some people like to pejoratively say that the game isn't a RPG. I won't even both to argue against that stand. I'll just say that I thing that it is a great game, regardless of the genre name affixed to it.

Thank you very much. Just went into my Gamefly Q.