Final Fantasy XIII Official Thread (56k, Reviews are in!)

Releases March 9th 2010 on PS3 and 360.

Reviews:

Review Embargo Ends tomorrow morning, some sites have posted theirs early...

Gamespot-8.5

IGN UK- 8.3

Game Informer- 9.25

CVG- 9.2

Eurogamer- 8.0

Movies:

International Trailer

Demo Walkthrough

TGS Trailer

US Release Interview

Paradigm Shift Interview

Screens:

From the reviews I've read the most impressive thing about this game is its technical achievement, gameplay is great too. It seems that this clearly isn't the best in the series.

Great thread. Oh man does this game ever look fantastic. Looking forward to seeing the reviews start rolling out tomorrow. I'm definitely looking forward to finally getting the game in my hands next week even moreso though. :D

I took some screens for the sake of proving there are towns. Maybe you're interested? They're not quite as nice as the pics you have posted, but ..

From the reviews I've read the most impressive thing about this game is its technical achievement, gameplay is great too. It seems that this clearly isn't the best in the series.

D3s7rUc71oN

From the reviews I've read the most impressive thing about this game is its technical achievement, gameplay is great too. It seems that this clearly isn't the best in the series.

D3s7rUc71oN

For me, it's the latter especially after the excellent open-ended FFXII.ASK_Story

[QUOTE="ASK_Story"]For me, it's the latter especially after the excellent open-ended FFXII.SteveTabernacle

That's YOUR opinion, not mine.

But I do agree with you on FFVI.

That's YOUR opinion, not mine.ASK_Story

I took the time to read the IGN UK review, and it reaffirms everything I already knew, more or less. Not the best Final Fantasy in his view, but very likely the best JRPG we've had so far this generation. I liked Eternal Sonata and Tales of Vesperia, but they they just didn't quite scratch my itch. I have yet to finish Lost Odyssey because my last copy had a bum third disc and I just kind of lost interest by the time I got it replaced I may actually play it the next few days to get in the mood, as it's so far been the closest thing we've had to a Final Fantasy this gen. Either that or Final Fantasy 8. (vastly underappreciated game) The most recent NEW "J" RPG (actually made in Korea) I played was Magna Carta 2, and it was only midly less toxic a product than the first one on PS2.

I'm looking forward to washing the taste of that game out of my mouth with this. Too bad he didn't review the 360 version, I'm still intrigued to see how the two versions compare. I'm getting both, PS3 for my first play through, and 360 for my second. Speaking of the 360 though... when will SE let me pay them too much money to dress up my stupid avatar as Snow? Oh and the North American IGN site will not be reviewing the game until Monday, as the PS3 version was their lead platform for review, or some such thing, but was delayed due to the APOCALYPS3 affecting the debug units most sites use for reviews. I guess they don't want to post them seperately. I hope this didn't also delay Gamespot, if any editor reads this and wants to opine, please do.

I already preordered my copy for the XBOX 360 yesterday. I'll be up bright and early on Tuesday to get this game. Also, it's Spring break for me so I will have a few days to play this game without any interruptions.

I already preordered my copy for the XBOX 360 yesterday. I'll be up bright and early on Tuesday to get this game. Also, it's Spring break for me so I will have a few days to play this game without any interruptions.

Kreatzion

Why wouldn't you get the PS3 version (just curious)? Unless you have a SDtv than it wouldnt really matter.

Personally Im kinda glad its really linear, I get confused with JRPGs and end up getting stuck with world maps. I remember playing Chrono Cross and eventually got stuck once the world map opened up, I even had a 60 page guide! I enjoyed the towns in that game though so its unfortunate that won't play a big role in this game (termina was really memorable). Ya that was my last JRPG besides the little I played of FFX but nonetheless I look forward to this.

I don't see future FF's being better in this regard cause their main problem was how expensive and time consuming it was to make towns with the lush HD graphics and all that. I mean, look how long it took to make this, a super linear game with minimal towns. Imagine if they went the traditional route. I wouldn't mind prerendered backgrounds tbh if it blended well with everything else.

[QUOTE="Kreatzion"]

I already preordered my copy for the XBOX 360 yesterday. I'll be up bright and early on Tuesday to get this game. Also, it's Spring break for me so I will have a few days to play this game without any interruptions.

F1Lengend

Why wouldn't you get the PS3 version (just curious)? Unless you have a SDtv than it wouldnt really matter.

Personally Im kinda glad its really linear, I get confused with JRPGs and end up getting stuck with world maps. I remember playing Chrono Cross and eventually got stuck once the world map opened up, I even had a 60 page guide! I enjoyed the towns in that game though so its unfortunate that won't play a big role in this game (termina was really memorable). Ya that was my last JRPG besides the little I played of FFX but nonetheless I look forward to this.

I don't see future FF's being better in this regard cause their main problem was how expensive and time consuming it was to make towns with the lush HD graphics and all that. I mean, look how long it took to make this, a super linear game with minimal towns. Imagine if they went the traditional route. I wouldn't mind prerendered backgrounds tbh if it blended well with everything else.

I have an HDTV. I'm getting the XBOX 360 version because that's my main system. I usually only buy exclusive titles on my PS3 minus Dead Space, Dragon Age: Origins, and RE5. The only reason I got Dead Space and RE5 for the PS3 was because my XBOX 360 was acting up at the time of their releases. Dragon Age is due to the XBOX 360 version being sold out on Black Friday.

rragnaar

Good to see the giant chickens are back!:P

Reminds me of that awful movie "Chicken Park".

Yes, it's a movie about an amusement park with giant chickens running amok Jurassic Park sty|e.

Looks beautiful. But I may wait till after GoW3 to pick it up. Even though I disliked FFX there is no denying it was a great game, I feel this will be the same thing.dvader654

I took some screens for the sake of proving there are towns. Maybe you're interested? They're not quite as nice as the pics you have posted, but ..

hakanakumono

[QUOTE="rragnaar"][QUOTE="dvader654"]Looks beautiful. But I may wait till after GoW3 to pick it up. Even though I disliked FFX there is no denying it was a great game, I feel this will be the same thing.dvader654

About the issue of linearity, do gamers have much choice when it comes to games of other genres? Why not think of it as "not just a JRPG" and play it the way it was intended?

I'm picking this up on the EIGHTH!

From what I hear its ultra linear until Chapter 10 (out of 13) - and then in opens up just as much as any other Final Fantasy game - you also can't really grind out your levels until then either do to Chapter related level caps. I'm really not sure that it bothers me too much. I really like the stories presented in these games - and if the focus really is on the story early on that may be a bonus, and I usually don't really grind or search out hidden treasures until the end of the games anyways so that isn't really a flaw to me.

One thing I DO like - and its something I loved about Last Remnant - is the fact that you heal after every battle automatically. So if you win you don't need to item up on the map like you do usually. If its anything like Last Remnant was than that will mean that every battle should feel like a boss battle or mini-boss, you may not be able to just dominate every enemy like in past FFs. Some may not like that - but to me it was one of the better aspects of LR.

Regardless - I'm sure I'll enjoy the heck out of this game like I do most every Final Fantasy, and I can't wait till Tuesday to finally start playing.

Digital Foundryhas their comparison of the PS3 and 360 versions up.

GamesRadar - 10

IGN AU - 8.4

Edge- 5/10

The reviews are really all over the place.

Edge are just attention whores, pay no attention to them.

Oh, happy March Birthdays guys, mines in 1 week, but I don't get presents...I could sure use GOW3 though.

Gamespot gives it an8.5. The review embargo is up, so I'll be digging around for more reviews.

Edge are just attention whores, pay no attention to them.

Oh, happy March Birthdays guys, mines in 1 week, but I don't get presents...I could sure use GOW3 though.

F1Lengend

Pay no attention to any in general...

From the reviews I've read the most impressive thing about this game is its technical achievement, gameplay is great too. It seems that this clearly isn't the best in the series.

D3s7rUc71oN

Here are some towns that don't exist:

In terms of linearity here, which I see many people are disappointed to hear about, IMO it's a non-issue. FFIV is probably the most linear out of them all, and it has always been my favorite in the series, and probably always will be. That game had a lock on the storyline and you had no control over who was in your party. That doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing. In fact, it's a nice break from all of the nonlinear games today. Just my $.02

In terms of linearity here, which I see many people are disappointed to hear about, IMO it's a non-issue. FFIV is probably the most linear out of them all, and it has always been my favorite in the series, and probably always will be. That game had a lock on the storyline and you had no control over who was in your party. That doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing. In fact, it's a nice break from all of the nonlinear games today. Just my $.02

LikeHaterade

[QUOTE="LikeHaterade"]

In terms of linearity here, which I see many people are disappointed to hear about, IMO it's a non-issue. FFIV is probably the most linear out of them all, and it has always been my favorite in the series, and probably always will be. That game had a lock on the storyline and you had no control over who was in your party. That doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing. In fact, it's a nice break from all of the nonlinear games today. Just my $.02

nocoolnamejim

You are correct. I think that many should just go into this game with the right mindset. Linearity doesn't necessarily have to be poor. If the game has an outstanding storyline, I'm not complaining.

[QUOTE="nocoolnamejim"][QUOTE="LikeHaterade"]

In terms of linearity here, which I see many people are disappointed to hear about, IMO it's a non-issue. FFIV is probably the most linear out of them all, and it has always been my favorite in the series, and probably always will be. That game had a lock on the storyline and you had no control over who was in your party. That doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing. In fact, it's a nice break from all of the nonlinear games today. Just my $.02

LikeHaterade

You are correct. I think that many should just go into this game with the right mindset. Linearity doesn't necessarily have to be poor. If the game has an outstanding storyline, I'm not complaining.

[QUOTE="dvader654"][QUOTE="rragnaar"] I'm getting it as a birthday present, otherwise it would probably be taking a back seat to GOW3.rragnaar

Well Happy early Birthday to you guys. Mine is also this month but not until the 28th and I can't wait that long so I'll be picking up FFXIII myself next week. Isn't March just the greatest month ever. :P

"They don't have any towns!"

Dude posts pictures of towns.

"They didn't do enough different!"

Reviews cite how different the game is as a possibly divisive point for fans.

Oh internet, you never cease to amuse and confuse.

"They don't have any towns!"

Dude posts pictures of towns.

"They didn't do enough different!"

Reviews cite how different the game is as a possibly divisive point for fans.

Oh internet, you never cease to amuse and confuse.

SteveTabernacle

I was reading the Digital Foundry comparison of the two versions, and they made it sound like the 360 version is good enough, but vastly inferior to the PS3 version. But I honestly couldn't tell, even seeing the video witht he games running side by side, they look like the exact same game, sans a bit more studdering on the 360 version. By the way they worded it, I expected the 360 side of the screen in their video to look like Sega CD FMVs or something. So I guess it really doesn't matter a bit. I was pretty sure this would be no "Bayonetta" incident, and I still think I'm right. The 360 has far more JRPGs released on it so far, and when you compare FF13 to them, it is easily the most technically proficient JRPG on the system.

is it surprising that some people want MORE changes from the standard formula and others want LESS? There are quite a few fans of FF out there...nocoolnamejim

There have been so many games in the series, that each game has changed in it's own way(some small, others drastic). From the looks of it, FFXIII is sticking to it's roots in terms of linearity, and bringing in what looks like some new, flashy gameplay that still has that FF, look and feel, to it. Looks and sounds great. My opinion anyways.

[QUOTE="nocoolnamejim"]is it surprising that some people want MORE changes from the standard formula and others want LESS? There are quite a few fans of FF out there...LikeHaterade

There have been so many games in the series, that each game has changed in it's own way(some small, others drastic). From the looks of it, FFXIII is sticking to it's roots in terms of linearity, and bringing in what looks like some new, flashy gameplay that still has that FF, look and feel, to it. Looks and sounds great. My opinion anyways.

I think this comment gets into differences in WHAT areas people want changes or don't want changes. For example, I think the deviations from the standard formula when it comes to having lots of towns to explore, minigames, sidequests, etc. would be a bad thing if true. These are cIassic hallmarks of the FF franchise and a lot of what I love about the series would be lost if these things were taking away. On the other hand, I'd really like some deviations in terms of introducing more decision making that leads to branching story arcs (like many WRPG games have) and less linearity. But that's just me.nocoolnamejim

Exactly. That is what I was trying to get at before. :P

To each his own.

On the other hand, I'd really like some deviations in terms of introducing more decision making that leads to branching story arcs (like many WRPG games have) and less linearity. But that's just me.nocoolnamejim

damn...so much for it being the best jrpg this gen

Demons Souls still takes the crown. (I think..if you even consider it a jrpg anyway)

damn...so much for it being the best jrpg this gen

Demons Souls still takes the crown. (I think..if you even consider it a jrpg anyway)

Shinobishyguy

It's just one of those things about numerical reviews that I hate with a passion. GS recognized the linearity of the game in a negative fashion, and therefor the game suffered in the score. Oh GS... Can't take you serious anymore, along with any reviews based on numerical scale. Here's a good example on what I believe reviews should be.

Sorry to change the subject. Back on topic, does anyone know if the creatures that are summoned controllable as in X, or will they have an awesome cut-scene, and then disappear?

[QUOTE="nocoolnamejim"]On the other hand, I'd really like some deviations in terms of introducing more decision making that leads to branching story arcs (like many WRPG games have) and less linearity. But that's just me.SteveTabernacle