Final Fantasy XIII-2

[Spongedaddy]

Re: Final Fantasy XIII-2

I will give it a chance. FF 13 was flawed, but I still enjoyed a lot of it for what it is. I never finished it, might have to change that now.

[jfsolo]

Re: Final Fantasy XIII-2

Like Kitase said earlier, we did take it seriously that there was a huge criticism over no towns—we know people didn’t like it and so we took that and have towns in the new one. And you can explore the town and you can talk to all the people, and that will lead to other situations. Shops, as well now in XIII-2 you can find certain characters you can talk to and they can sell things to you and you can make purchases. I think if we created towns in the same way as we did for Final Fantasy VII-IX, it would be quite boring, and so it is very difficult. So with that we put an AI in every single person living in the town so they can do their own things. They may sit down and chat, or they may talk to their family members, or somebody they want to talk to, so they do their own actions. In that sense, it’s a quite different type of town you would find in a Final Fantasy [game].

I was most likely going to buy the game anyway because of the characters, but this locks me into a purchase for sure.

[bcruise]

Re: Final Fantasy XIII-2

Toriyama: There isn’t an awful lot I can tell you on this subject, but we have changed that structure, because obviously people didn’t like it—there is a new one. For details on that, we’ll have to wait until TGS, but one thing I can tell you is that for the first time in the Final Fantasy series, XIII-2 will have multiple endings.

Pretty sure X-2 had legitimate multiple endings that branched at a certain point during the main ending.

[Flawless]

Re: Final Fantasy XIII-2

Final Fantasy XIII-2 Drops in January

Square Enix today confirmed a North American release window for Final Fantasy XIII-2.

The sequel will hit in January 2012 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Other regions were not confirmed at this time.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 was first announced earlier this year and will be on display at the San Diego Comic Con this week for attendees to play and preview.

[Flawless]

Re: Final Fantasy XIII-2

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[Flawless]

Re: Final Fantasy XIII-2

This just keeps sounding better with each new update.


Non-Linear Time Traveling, Sidequests, New Great Locations:

https://member.eu.square-enix.com/en/blogs/we-discuss-time-travel-with-final-fantasy-xiii-2s-Motomu-Toriyama

https://member.eu.square-enix.com/en/blogs/new-final-fantasy-xiii-2-screenshots-and-intro-historia-crux

• Could you give us an overview of what the Historia Crux is and how it works?

The Historia Crux is a new gameplay system that functions like a compass for time travel. As the portal which allows the player to select areas and time periods to go to, it functions a bit like a home menu and is at the heart of the story and gameplay progression of FINAL FANTASY XIII-2. The player can enjoy travelling through time by freely choosing between all the time-space locations where gates have been opened up. Although these locations proceed onwards into the future, you also have the option of rewinding time so it will be possible to experience many different historical possibilities.

• What specific fan feedback are you trying to respond to with the Historia Crux?

The original game, FINAL FANTASY XIII, was primarily story driven and progressed in a very linear manner. For the sequel, FINAL FANTASY XIII-2, we are going for a much more player driven concept, so this time around the gameplay and story itself will alter to fit the player’s choices. You will be able to freely come and go between all the areas; the game will provide not just simple environmental exploration, but also a multi-layered exploration of history through the Historia Crux.

• How does the Historia Crux affect the gameplay in FINAL FANTASY XIII-2?

The Historia Crux branches off into multiple different routes depending on the player’s choices. You will be able to take a detour into areas that have branched off of the route you have taken, perform side missions and turn back time in each of the areas to experiment with all possibilities. It is of course also possible to progress simply following the main story, like in the original FINAL FANTASY XIII. The flow of areas accessible via Historia Crux has been structured so that all of the player’s actions and decisions will influence the gameplay.

• Many fans have been longing for an explorable World Map for a while. Do you feel that the Historia Crux is a good alternative?

The Historia Crux divides the world into multiple layers, overlapping with the different time periods that can be played with the feeling of jumping freely around several world maps. This is a completely new system and experience, so it cannot be unconditionally compared with other options; however, when considering the key concept of “player freedom”, I believe it to be an optimal system for combining the best parts of open-world style games with the story-driven aspects of FINAL FANTASY XIII. The player can adjust their play style to either delve deeply into everything available and be engrossed, or just make more straightforward choices while going along their adventure.

• Is it possible to share more information on how the Historia Crux allows for sidequests and hidden objects to feature in the game?

In the original game, the sidequests were only unlocked in the second half of the story in Gran Pulse, but in the sequel we have put in many different sidequests right from the start. Due to the overwhelming demand from players of the original, we have also included many strong and colourful mini games, a tradition of the FINAL FANTASY series. You will be able to return to any of the times and places whenever you like from the Historia Crux, so it is completely up to the player in what way they choose to play these.

• Is it possible to return to time periods you've already visited and replay them as if it’s your first time you have visited the area?

It will be possible to wind back time in each of the areas you visit and replay them. Character levels and equipment etc will be carried over so it will be possible to play the game as if doing a “New Game+” for each of the areas at different times. It will be possible to play through from the start using your levelled up characters, once you have completed the game. We have taken care to put a number of elements into the game system to make replays more exciting and user-friendly.

[KSUowls]

Re: Final Fantasy XIII-2

Can't wait for this game. It is still weird seeing Serah fighting like that.

[myghty]

Re: Final Fantasy XIII-2

Like others, Im sad that you can't play as Lightning as your main but the story line has me intrigued. I did like the battle system so that a plus for me. Cant wait to see more.

[Flawless]

Re: Final Fantasy XIII-2

More good news in Famitsu this week.

• 1 disc for 360 this time. Same volume of content as XIII, but less FMV with event scenes being realtime. Added bonus of these scenes showing off your different armor.
• You can change your leader during battle, and the battle no longer ends if your leader dies.
• The Crystarium system in XIII would gradually unlock along with the story, but for XIII-2, it's fully open from the beginning. No restrictions.

[Chrisksaint]

Re: Final Fantasy XIII-2

I got 13 through gamefly but didn't finish it cause yeah it wasn't the FF inwas used to, not sure I'll pick it up again but I'll definitely buy this one so far.

The wonders of the Internet should help what I missed lol

[Flawless]

Re: Final Fantasy XIII-2

Beginning of the trailer spoils the first game. Everything looks good, except for that voice acting. It would be great if XIII-2 included the Japanese VA this time.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zRDij-wHKok" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[KSUowls]

Re: Final Fantasy XIII-2

More good news in Famitsu this week.

• 1 disc for 360 this time. Same volume of content as XIII, but less FMV with event scenes being realtime. Added bonus of these scenes showing off your different armor.
• You can change your leader during battle, and the battle no longer ends if your leader dies.
• The Crystarium system in XIII would gradually unlock along with the story, but for XIII-2, it's fully open from the beginning. No restrictions.

Love that you no longer die if the leader dies. Also love that I don't have to wait for the story to advance to unlock the crystarium.

Maybe I'm in the minority though, but I love FMV in game. It's like watching a movie. I just sit back, relax, and enjoy.


eta: I have to say. So excited to finally see a trailer that really featured Lightning a lot.

[Flawless]

Re: Final Fantasy XIII-2

New Screens

[myghty]

Re: Final Fantasy XIII-2

I wonder if you have to upgrade your weapons like in the first one. Thats one part of the game I was meh about. I like to find new weapons like in past FF games & not upgrade them...

[KSUowls]

Re: Final Fantasy XIII-2

I just didn't understand the upgrade system in XIII. Maybe it was just me but it seemed very convoluted.

Overall though I do agree. I prefer to just find the weapon itself as opposed to something like FF VIII where you had to find multiple rare parts to upgrade your weapon.