Final Fantasy XIII

[treachery]

I'm only at chapter 6 about 13-14 hours into the game.

I like the game so far. I don't think the rather low scores (83 at metacritic) is justified (I do think 83 is a good score though but I think the review scores in this business is rather inflated. That's another discussion though).

Back on topic. Like most FF games, XIII is gourgeous and very japanesee, i.e. a few silly characters (and a few super cool) and a dialogue that just is too much at times. It takes itself very seriously. However, the story and the character development so far is very well told. Don't expect something revloutionary story-wise though, but the narrative and production value is strong!

The game is very linear which I don't mind in this case. It's not very hot to make linear games these days. Most new games seems to at least give you the illusion of freedom. Personally, I don't mind the linearity as long as it is interesting. In fact, after everything from Oblivion to Assassin's Creed II, I kind of enjoy it. Apparently you will be able to walk around 'freely' at the end of the game to slay some hard bosses and level up your characters/gear. Will be fun, for a while.

What makes this game fun is the beatiful graphics, fun battle system and the strong narrative. Just like the Final Fantasies before it. I don't know why FF X has a score of 95 and this one 83.

 

[treachery]

OK, no one here seems to be very intrested but anyway..

Finished the game last night. Well I finished the last side mission. The story was done about 20-25 hrs (/played) ago.

The story is not that great to be honest. But the gameplay gets very fun later in the game. It takes about 60 hours to finish the story and then another 20-25 extra to kill all extra bosses (64 side missions, with some grinding). If you are an achievement whore you'll need to do alot more grinding (for gold basically). You get alot of gaming time for 50 EUR!

[delling]

As long as you like playing exactly the same game as everyone else...

What were the final sales figures? The first-week sales were HUGE.

[treachery]

true, but sometimes its nice to just tag along for the ride. the graphics are nice and the battles are fun. some movies and books are very linear too, its not always bad. besides, haven't all FFs (ive only played since 7) been linear? personally I think they are great couch games.

that being said, i dont want every game to be 80 hours with 40 hrs of corridors. it worked for me this time though.

[kawe]

I think the metacritic score was pretty fair - I thought it was probably an 8 of a game. Too flawed to be any higher, but plenty of good stuff and bonus points for trying new things.

Regarding linearity: there's linear and then there's LINEAR. The fact that the first 5 or 10 hours of the game are simply holding forward on the analogue stick to go along a straight line of road and press x whenever a battle comes up until it's over doesn't help matters.

When, after 50ish hours, I got to the part of the game where there were actual environments rather than magical floating straight roads with differing textures and backgrounds, I wondered a little why they couldn't have made the whole game the way they made the final parts of it.

Without trying to sound too harsh, it's easily the weakest of any core Final Fantasy release since 7 (and in honesty, many would argue the previous games too). It's tough not to treat it as a let down - final fantasy's first current gen outing, so very long in production, especially when stood against the exceptional FF12.

Hopefully they'll realise that the huge sales are in no small part due to the fact it's both the first current gen FF, was released on both platforms and the first core FF release for 3-4 years - a lengthy drought. Not that they couldn't get away with another railroaded straight line fest, but I don't know for how many releases, and it certainly wouldn't be good for the gamer nor Squeenix's credibility as a top RPG developer.

[treachery]

kawe (or anyone else): have you played demon's souls? im pretty interesting in any input here. might go for it next time i buy a game.

[warrior]

I finshed the game in under a week but was very dissapointed.
YES the fighting mechanics and scenes are good. The movie clips are also good.
Ive finished several times Final Fantasy 7,8,9,10.10-2
but 13 was just crap. even 10-2 was crap. FF10 got my vote only cos of blitzball.
Till today they cant creat a Final Fantasy as good as 7 or 8.

The mini game in ff13 is not even part of the actual game and the ultimate weapon is not even something to long for. I finshed the game without even having to go back and train!.

Overall quite disspointing come from a final fantasy fan for the past decade.

I doubt ill buy anymore of them now. 

[delling]

Hah... of course you will... it's Final Fantasy

[kawe]

Xspada, the fact that you bought and played 10-2 (and finished it multiple times?) but not 12 tells me you are complete gutter trash. I blame you for all of 13's ills.

[warrior]

Update was a typing error I have finished 12 aswell xDxDxDxD just to add to the collection.

Ive finish so many i forget whats what gosh lol

now i blame you for wow not making chocobos

[kawe]

Ahem