E3 2011: Final Fantasy XIII-2 Interview (Xbox 360)

@Vyvi I totally agree that some complaints are silly and/or invalid, but I also recognize that there are some very significant gripes out there as well. And no, I certainly don't think any developer should give into or even have an ear for every complaint. We'd never have new games to play if that were the case because they'd be in perpetual development hell. You and I are definitely in agreement on it being a balancing act between consideration of critism and one's own creative and/or original ideas. It seems that SE took what was good about XIII and kept it while taking the valid complaints into consideration and improving on what was seen as some of it's more major issues. As I said before, good for them.

@horizonwriter It's true that the players opinions matter in that sense, but I personally don't trust most opinions. I think that many gamers in general are pampered and whiney, and that many of your complaints are silly and invalid. While yeah, if they want to keep making bank they will take the complaints into account, at the same time it's up to them to make the game how they want. If you bend at the whim of every complaint you would lose my respect, at least. I like seeing people go with their own creative voice to an extent. So it's a balance between taking criticism into account and sticking to your guns. A videogame is a videogame, Final Fantasy XIII was good if you could just get out of "complain mode" and get into "enjoy mode".

I hope that the music will have more depth and better continuity. Nothing ruins a scene that is supposed to be intense by having inappropriate music. A classic mechanic is to have environment music carry over into battle so that the feel is not lost, and to only implement this in times of great earnest of sadness.

Sounds great! But I hope they at least designate a true ending among the multiple endings. Just leaving such a plot driven game with several endings wouldn't be a good idea.

@true_hurdler he said "mo-mo- mod clock or mod core" at 1:42-1:43

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

@slainta its been confirmed to release in january 2012 just a few weeks after the jpn version releases in december.

@exiledsnake: It's in the mail...

What I want are some references to previous games ( Chaos, sephiroth, Garland and Gilgamesh are some people who I would like to see)

Early 2012?! Blimey. It has been postponed already!! How unusual... :D

I just hope that this isn't a further attempt to westernize. Linearity is underrated and oftentimes misunderstood. Not all forms of it are inferior, many superior.

Anyone else hears the backround sexy voice?XDXD

thought i seen the return of wakka and tidus at the begining

Damn . . . Part of the reason why I loved FF 13 was because you could see the monsters there before you. I dislike running into a field blind. If this is the case, then I suppose that preliminary strikes are gone? But I'm glad they are listening to the fans. Loved FF 13. I hope FF 13-2 will be even better. :D

@true_hurdler Its "Mog Clock". So where's my 100 bucks?

Sad to hear about minigames (I can't stand those) but can't wait for this to come out. I love FFXIII!

100 bucks to ANYBODY who can tell me what the heck he said at 1:42-1:43!

I think the sense of freedom in previous FF's is because you could visit any location or town throughout the progress of the game. Btw looking forward to it!

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

what did he say about the ending? I couldn't understand

@NickyWithATicky Of course they're going to beat themselves up about it. The amount of critism levied on a title in a long running series affects the sales of future titles and the FF line hasn't exactly been earning critical acclaim with it's latest games. That's not to say that they haven't received some positive reviews, just not an overwhelming amount from fans or critics alike. Yes, FFXIII has it's fans but it also has it's very fair share of haters. As far as long-time fans of the entire series go, this FF probably has the biggest split of supporters vs. nay-sayers, so yes SE should take note of it and apparently they have. Good for them. @Vyvi Just because you think it's great doesn't set it in stone that it is. Take it as is? The series has been around since 1987 and by now most people know that each game plays a little (if not drastically) differently than the one before it, with a story unrelated to any that preceeded it unless it's a direct sequel like X-2. We pretty much all know to take it as is, and if players don't like it as is they are well within their rights to voice it. No, SE doesn't owe us anything per say, but when you are trying to make a profit off a long running series there are certain expectations that come along with it and you should be prepared to face the backlash should you fall short (which a decent chunk of their consumers felt they did). It's just good business sense... if one has the maturity to see beyond their own opinion.

ff13 was a nice beta..

@Ps3Guardian you mean the demo thats posted at Gametrailers already lol

Seems like the fixed version of FFXIII. I hope that by "player driven" they don't mean they're going to give us a menu and have us pick the "missions". Final Fantasy IX was the last great FF produced.

I still haven't beat FFXIII 'cause lack of time but so far, I've loved it.

It sounds like a return to random encounter system. It also sounds like they've listend to the feedback from FF13. Cannot wait:D

i'm glad they're listening to player feedback. lol collecting monsters in crystals, going into towns, unseeable monster encounters, anyone else get a pokemon vibe from this?

@NickyWithATicky i agree with you and i can't wait for demo toworrow :D

13 had it's flaws but it wasn't a bad game in anyway. I enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to this.

i was extremly exited for this game then he had to utter the words multiple endings......dang it. just dang it,

Other than the lack of mini-games how was 13 any more linear than 7? Just because of the world map? Because if running across a bland map to the next part of the story is "non-linear" than I guess I'll stick to my straight detailed path.

He's saying "Multiple" endings

He said that "Final Fantasy XIII-2 has a _____ ending" at 3:15. Can anyone fill in the blank for me? Couldn't understand it.

I don't understand how some of you whine like the creators of the game OWE you something. Really. They can do what they want. The problem with you guys is you don't take it as it is. I guess that's how kids are, though. Personally I feel XIII was great, and I'm sure this one will be great too. The only personal gripe I have with the FF series is that sometimes it's a bit melodramatic. That's not a fault, however, it's just the way it is.

I couldn't understand a lot of what the translator was saying... :\ Subtitles maybe? lol! Xbox three six zero...

@chad28_69 yeah id say it was... both fantastic games however I like the fact they've took everything on board and they are changing things for the better. Should be a fantastic game :D

I feel a little sorry for them. XIII was linear but I still really enjoyed it. I'm glad that they're making XIII-2 less linear but please stop beating yourselves up about it.

so they took all the criticize and improved the game nice (Y) i still enjoyed FFXIII anyway :)

is this going to be turn based like most FF games? or is it like kingdom hearts style? if it is like kingdom hearts then i'll get it for sure!

Kitase, please changed the battle system for FF13-2. that was the biggest gripe. and you are reusing it with some added tweeks.battle system is literaly the same with minor tweeks. cinematic action aside. looks like towns were added but that is not enough to convince me. i though square said this game will SURPASSED FF13 in a whole new level. too early to judge but i am not impress at the moment.I might pass on this or if i find it cheap and i am really bored. Just my though. i am not a hater but feel free to believe that if you want..

Wish PS3 version is more beautiful than XBOX

I'm liking the crystal concept, though i'm curious as to how level up will work or if they keep the crystarium, if it will be more complex.

i never played 13 (because i don't own any system that plays it) but is it more linear than ffx?

Toriyama: "all over the world i heard linearz, linearz, linearz. Well, this game will NOT be linear" haha

Non-linearity and mini-games make a welcome return. I did enjoy XIII but recognised its limitations. I do hope that XIII-2 will surpass XIII. Fingers crossed.

Sounds like they could be improving the concept.

I can't wait :D

Looks nice, I'm glad they're addressing the problems. Looking forward to it.

i love their games no matter what can't wait for ff13-2 to come out