Final Fantasy XIII (PS3, 360!)

[Huntn]

Anyone getting excited about this near future title (March)? The cinematics in the PS2 version (FFXII) impressed the heck out of me although the some of the goofy mobs, like killer tomatoes left a little to be desired. Coop would be nice but based on history I'm not planning on it.

[peskaa]

I have been anticipating this since I ordered it from Amazon back in June, 2006. I've currently got the standard and Collectors Edition pre-ordered, and frankly March couldn't come any sooner.

Still annoyed that they're doing a 360 port, as reports I've read have noted a downgrade in visuals from the PS3-only builds to the cross-platform ones.

[sikkinixx]

PStriple version here I come. Hope it's good... Squeenix hasn't been on their A game in a good while.

[Dagless]

I'll be getting this for my Xbox, probably not in March (Pokemon cometh). I'm not usually bothered by big screen RPGs either but I've been sucked into Final Fantasy over the past couple of years. And never owning a PS2 I skipped out on 12.

[MacRumorUser]

Haven't decided whether to get or not, but if I did it would be on the PS3 probably.



edit...

My reservations apply to most JRPG's and have prevented my enjoyment of a lot of current this gen RPG's (Last Odyssey, BlueDragon and more...) are random battles; back tracking to needlessly increase game length, unlikeable characters with terrible dialogue that goes on forever, old fashioned inventory systems that have not changed since the 16Bit era.

I know it will look pretty, but if those old throwback gameplay mechanics persist - I will struggle with FFXIII

[sikkinixx]

Haven't decided whether to get or not, but if I did it would be on the PS3 probably.



edit...

My reservations apply to most JRPG's and have prevented my enjoyment of a lot of current this gen RPG's (Last Odyssey, BlueDragon and more...) are random battles; back tracking to needlessly increase game length, unlikeable characters with terrible dialogue that goes on forever, old fashioned inventory systems that have not changed since the 16Bit era.

I know it will look pretty, but if those old throwback gameplay mechanics persist - I will struggle with FFXIII

Just play Persona 4 MRU. Do it.

[2nyRiggz]

Turn based rpgs suck(yes I said it) so I'll be skipping it....I really wish I could get into it but it bore the hell out of me.



Bless

[SilentPanda]

I'll most likely be getting the PS3 version. I tend to play on the 360 more but something just feels weird about playing a Square Enix game on a non-Playstation device to me...

I'm even taking that week off from work I think to have ample time to get underway on it... :p

[Nermal]

I'm getting it; I preordered it back in 2008 when the 360 version was first announced. I'm also a sucker for soundtracks and I'm expecting the FFXIII one to turn up today :D

Having said that, I should get out of this thread now. I'm trying not to read much about the game now that it's out in Japan; I don't want to accidentally pick up any spoilers!

[SilentPanda]

I've never beat a Final Fantasy game... closest I ever came to the end was FFVII. I got to the end boss and died once and then I got distracted and quit or something... maybe just was worn out... I played the last Final Fantasy game but I think after I killed like 3 tomatoes I quit.

[Dagless]

I've never beat a Final Fantasy game... closest I ever came to the end was FFVII. I got to the end boss and died once and then I got distracted and quit or something... maybe just was worn out... I played the last Final Fantasy game but I think after I killed like 3 tomatoes I quit.

Same!
FFI- stuck, got 1 crystal.
FFII- own it but not played it
FFIII- got to the frog tower place
FFIV- up to the magnetic cave boss
FFVII- up to the big cave near the end
Dissidia- only beat Clouds story :o
FFT+A2- very early into both :o

[stainlessliquid]

The japanese really dont like this game. It sold like crazy in the beginning since its FF but quickly dropped in the charts after everyone talked about how bad it was.

They hate it because theres no towns and its as linear as a piece of string (http://community.eu.playstation.com/t5/image/serverpage/image-id/43338i8BE8FE457F2B3AFD/image-size/original?v=mpbl-1&px=-1), they also hate how you are constantly being interrupted by cinematics. For the japanese not to like something because its too linear you know its got to be bad.

Im not going to get this game, if its one thing I hate its linearity.

[macfan881]

I have been anticipating this since I ordered it from Amazon back in June, 2006. I've currently got the standard and Collectors Edition pre-ordered, and frankly March couldn't come any sooner.

Still annoyed that they're doing a 360 port, as reports I've read have noted a downgrade in visuals from the PS3-only builds to the cross-platform ones.

From what I've Read the 360 is 3 Discs Compressed audio and the suposivly removed about 16GB between Video and Audio Compresion.

[pcypert]

If I made it through Eternal Sonata I think I can make it through this. I actually enjoy linear every now and then and like turn based play so it'll fill a niche for me. These aren't games I play all the time but sometimes I just like to know exactly where to go without having to look around all over the place...

Paul

[DdMac679]

I am really looking forward to getting a hold of this game. I only hope it isn't as boring as FFXII was.

[DISCOMUNICATION]

Been playing the import since the Japanese launch date. Played the hell out of it over the first weekend then hit a wall with one of the bosses. Gave it a rest for almost a month (got too busy to put in any real hours between work and life), but started playing it again over the past 2 weeks. Trying to beat it before the english release. Much of the negative stuff is true, but there is some logic behind the game's over all design. I'm over 30 hours in and feel like I'm about a quarter or a third of the way through. All of the mechanics and options have finally been given to me. I've got one summon left to earn. I've met a villian, who may not be the main villian. I've seen a couple of major plot twist. Cinematics aren't that frequent or long. Nothing close to the length of MGS4 cut-scenes.
It's kind of late and I just saw this thread so I haven't really had a chance to properly gather my thoughts. I'm gonna try to clock in some major hours over the weekend and maybe post some bullet points to the rumors and criticism. In the mean time feel free to ask me anything. Oh, and I like what I've played so far.

[Dagless]

... linearity.

That's a bit off putting. Of all the old FF games I've been playing I've loved the free roaming aspect, with all the little nooks and crannies of the map and the sidequests.
I think I'll wait for reviews now.

[Huntn]

I've realized "linear" can be good if the story telling is superb (like DAO), but generally I prefer open world RPGs (like Oblivion).

It's been a while since I casually played Final Fantasy (XII PS2*), but I don't remember it being turn based?

*Sorry I had an extra V in there... I was talking of FF 12.

[Dagless]

Final Fantasy 17 was the game that made turn based battles popular again! Don't you remember the preview of it at 2018's E3?

[peskaa]

Final Fantasy 17 was the game that made turn based battles popular again! Don't you remember the preview of it at 2018's E3?

Pretty sure they meant XII, which was indeed not turn-based. XIII marks a return to the traditional ATB system.

[DISCOMUNICATION]

A white FFXIII Xbox 360 Elite bundle! I might finally own all 3 current gen consoles. Especially since the PS3 version of Tales of Vesperia is officially not coming to America anymore. Still might import that though. Plus I was waiting for a version with a larger hard drive.

[peskaa]

A white FFXIII Xbox 360 Elite bundle! I might finally own all 3 current gen consoles. Especially since the PS3 version of Tales of Vesperia is officially not coming to America anymore. Still might import that though. Plus I was waiting for a version with a larger hard drive.

Lame bundle. It's a standard white 360 with a 250GB drive, unlike the JAP PS3 with actual decals etc.

[DISCOMUNICATION]

Lame bundle. It's a standard white 360 with a 250GB drive, unlike the JAP PS3 with actual decals etc.

Could care less what it looks like. It's a 360. It looks like a cheap Dell desktop no matter what color it is. If I'm gonna get one it better have the largest hard drive. Think I'll still get FFXIII on the PS3 when I play it in english though. I think I'll be finished with the japanese version by this weekend.

[Dagless]

Could care less what it looks like. It's a 360. It looks like a cheap Dell desktop no matter what color it is. If I'm gonna get one it better have the largest hard drive. Think I'll still get FFXIII on the PS3 when I play it in english though. I think I'll be finished with the japanese version by this weekend.

From the trailers I've got the impression that its a mix of FF7 (setting) and 10 (linearity), is that the case or did they just do a good job throwing people off? Also how long is it until completion?
Been watching the trailer a few times whilst my work computer was being repaired. Gotta say I'm really pumped for it now :o.

[Clete2]

I can't wait! :D I'm buying it at midnight. (PS3)

[DISCOMUNICATION]

From the trailers I've got the impression that its a mix of FF7 (setting) and 10 (linearity), is that the case or did they just do a good job throwing people off? Also how long is it until completion?
Been watching the trailer a few times whilst my work computer was being repaired. Gotta say I'm really pumped for it now :o.
The trailers are very misleading about some of the settings which leads to some surprises and some let downs... well one let down. A lot of the scenes that look like they are taking place in the same area are in completely different places. I'd say more but that would be spoiling it.

I get a very FFX vibe from the over all structure, the maps, the sphere grid like leveling system, and the whole honored heroes now hunted rebels. Of course X was the only one I've beaten. The battle system is closest to X-2 with the ATB gage, but take that with a grain of salt since I barely remember that game and it's the one I've played the least of. Actually the action can be so fast paced at times it feels like a menu driven Devil May Cry. Let me rethink this.

I'm a little over 50 hours in and I've got 2 or 3 chapters left. The later chapters seem to be longer than the earlier ones. I hear it's suposed to be a 50-60 hour game with 2 areas for side quests. These could pad the game out to 100 hours. These grinders heavens are basically monster hunts that will let you level up fast and earn rare items. These quests are called missions and I believe there are over 60 of them. I'm not certain if that's per the 2 different areas or total.
I arrived at the first one at my 30 hour mark when the game gave me full control. I didn't hang around long because I got the feeling I could be there a while and the arrow on my map was pointing to the way out. I arrived at level 3 and left at level 4. I think the leveling system maxes out at 9 otr 10. Oh and the cinema that introduces the first area will make your jaw drop. I could compare it to another popular game, but that would ruin the surprise. On my current grindy area note. It's not much of a spoiler to say if this game didn't remind me of Devil May Cry before it certainly does now.

I started typing a longer post last night that turned into a full review. Think I'll save that till I beat it this weekend. In the meantime ask me anything about the battle system, cut scenes, graphics, story structure, party members, setting. I can't stop typing. I'll try not to spoil it.

More background on my Final Fantasy experience. I own every game except FFXII, but have only played X, X-2, VIII, and VII. (bought the anthologies and IX dirt cheap and just never got around to playing them) Never got out of Midgar in FFVII kind of lost interest at the cross dressing mission. Played more of FFVIII, but that was on PC so it looked like crap and it was borrowed so i had to return it before I could beat it. I should probably revisit it now that I own it. I've also played some Saga and Tales games.

[DISCOMUNICATION]

Just beat Final Fantasy XIII. Picked one hell of a day for it too (PS3 leap year bug). My save data is alright, but all my FFXIII trophies are gone. That can't get me down though. I really enjoyed the ending. I almost don't want to play it in engish now.
If I where grading it I would give it an A-. Really enjoyed the story and battle system. The maps could have been better designed. And the story could actually use a little rebalancing.

[txa1265]

Just beat Final Fantasy XIII. Picked one hell of a day for it too (PS3 leap year bug). My save data is alright, but all my FFXIII trophies are gone. That can't get me down though. I really enjoyed the ending. I almost don't want to play it in engish now.
If I where grading it I would give it an A-. Really enjoyed the story and battle system. The maps could have been better designed. And the story could actually use a little rebalancing.

I heard there are *no* side quests ... is that true or typical internet hysteria?

[DISCOMUNICATION]

I heard there are *no* side quests ... is that true or typical internet hysteria?

There are a huge number of missions that can done at the middle of the game. If you skip these you can go back and complete them any time during the final chapter if you need to grind or after you beat the game with some bonuses. The few that I have done are just monster hunts, but I hear you can find hidden treasure and there are even areas on the map you can't access without riding a Chocobo. The monster hunts are all for monsters that don't normally appear unless a mission has been accepted. The game can be beaten between 50 and 60 hours. The misions make the game well over 100 hours.

[spyker3292]

Question.... Should I get this game?

I sometimes have a hard time completing RPGs, because I don't really have time, and I just can't get sucked into them (Fallout series). However, there are still some action RPGs that I really like, and just can't stop playing (Mass Effect, Fable). I've never really played any of the newer FF games, and was thinking about getting this one... :\

[MacRumorUser]

^ I'm the same as you in regards to the traditional structure of JRPG's (as opposed to the more action west rpgs). I mean 30+ or 60+ hours is a hell of a commitment, especially when it seems that 65% of that time is grinding, 10% cutscenes & 25% adventuring & chatting to npc's...

I'll still buy the game though :D


After completing DA: origins, I'm currently 4 hours into Star Ocean & 2 hours into White Knight..... Whether I ever see the middle or end of either is questionable though.

[DISCOMUNICATION]

^ I'm the same as you in regards to the traditional structure of JRPG's (as opposed to the more action west rpgs). I mean 30+ or 60+ hours is a hell of a commitment, especially when it seems that 65% of that time is grinding, 10% cutscenes & 25% adventuring & chatting to npc's...

I'll still buy the game though :D


After completing DA: origins, I'm currently 4 hours into Star Ocean & 2 hours into White Knight..... Whether I ever see the middle or end of either is questionable though.

Actually I hardly had to grind at all. The majority of the cut scenes are short. I fear a lot of people will just give up before the story and game mechanics fully open up over 20 hours in. The real meat of the game is the battle system. It's not so much having enough HP, but using the right tactics in a fast paced battle. You want to finish fights quickly to get a higher rank and get better item drops. You can play it safe and defensive and just chisel away at an enemies life bar, but that gets boring and you won't rank very high. Unfortunately in the beginning you will feel like you are just hitting x not to die.
Wonder if 360 version will still outsell PS3 version now that it's showing up on torrents.

[spyker3292]

Hmm, maybe I'll pass... I like it when stories open up quick, so I just want to keep playing to find out what happens.

Oh, and ya... I rarely like JRPGs... :(

[sikkinixx]

After completing DA: origins, I'm currently 4 hours into Star Ocean & 2 hours into White Knight..... Whether I ever see the middle or end of either is questionable though.

The answer of course is no. You will be far too busy trying to decide which of your companions pants you want to get into in Persona 4. The tomboy? The shy hottie? The masculine exterior-girly interior sluth? The pop-star? The bad girl? THE CHOICE IS YOURS MRU!!!!!!!

[sikkinixx]

For the obsessives

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-final-fantasy-xiii-face-off

In short: Sloppy port to the 360. Poor CGI compression. 360 actually gets better framerate though it doesn't affect gameplay (they attribute this in part because the 360 is not running at 720p rather at 1024x576 then blown up to fit 720). Overall buy it on PS3 if you have the system. However, they seem generally disappointed that a game that took nearly 5 years and had such a budget is so bush league.

[MacRumorUser]

Oh good god, do Digital Foundry realise how much vitirol they are going to unleash on the interweb from all the fanboyz on either side now?

Actually just watched the peformance analysis video in HD. I can not see this difference they are talking about at all. Framerate looked pretty much identical and graphically again I can't see the difference.

[peskaa]

Oh good god, do Digital Foundry realise how much vitirol they are going to unleash on the interweb from all the fanboyz on either side now?

Actually just watched the peformance analysis video in HD. I can not see this difference they are talking about at all. Framerate looked pretty much identical and graphically again I can't see the difference.

I agree with you on the framerate, but I can see a graphical difference between the two, with the 360 definitely losing out.

[DISCOMUNICATION]

For the obsessives

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-final-fantasy-xiii-face-off

In short: Sloppy port to the 360. Poor CGI compression. 360 actually gets better framerate though it doesn't affect gameplay (they attribute this in part because the 360 is not running at 720p rather at 1024x576 then blown up to fit 720). Overall buy it on PS3 if you have the system. However, they seem generally disappointed that a game that took nearly 5 years and had such a budget is so bush league.

I think there are about 1 or 2 pre-rendered HD video cutscenes per 13 chapters. It felt like less because there are so many short ones that are rendered in engine. You can usually tell because the hair, wind, and particle effects are all much better, but the easiest way to tell is the characters fingers don't look like french fries. They usually save the prerendered stuff for bigger plot points, or big open vistas. It felt like there were only 5 or 6 of them where you could really see where all the money went. The ending felt a cut above everything else. Like you could almost reach out and touch it.

[ghall]

Oh good god, do Digital Foundry realise how much vitirol they are going to unleash on the interweb from all the fanboyz on either side now?

Actually just watched the peformance analysis video in HD. I can not see this difference they are talking about at all. Framerate looked pretty much identical and graphically again I can't see the difference.

The textures on the 360 version don't look as sharp, but other than that I can't tell the difference.

I have the PS3 version preordered for release date delivery from Amazon. Can't wait to come home to it on the 9th. :D

[MacRumorUser]

360 only owners, should just rejoice that they are getting it.

I will be getting it on ps3 regardless.

[DISCOMUNICATION]

So the 360 version isn't even rendering the simpler cutscenes that use in game assests either? (http://www.1up.com/do/blogEntry?bId=9022412)

[txa1265]

The textures on the 360 version don't look as sharp, but other than that I can't tell the difference.

I think what he was implying was that the fact that there is a difference will unleash an epic force 5 nerdrage regardless of whether anyone can see the difference without using a magnifying glass on still images ...

[MacRumorUser]

^ exactamondo.

[Nermal]

I have mine! :D

http://www.tempestonline.net/ff13/ff13-1.JPG

Sorry about the cellphone camera. Installing now...

Edit: A quick "review" of the 360 version:

No dropped frames, no texture pop-in (this isn't The Last Remnant!), looks great, and although I haven't seen the PS3 version to compare, I have no hesitation with suggesting the 360 version.

[DISCOMUNICATION]

Here is a tip for anyone wanting to do a speed run and get to the main plot. There is no leveling up in the first 2 chapters. You can just run past a lot of the enemies without any penalties against your progress. Don't skip any tutorials if you want to get all the trophies. I skipped the first one because I had already done it in the demo last summer. Now the 1st trophy is the only story related one I don't have. Once you get the leveling system try not to avoid any fights and you won't need to grind. The game is pretty well balanced so I rarely need to grind. Here is an update on my progress. I'm at near 120 hours I've done the majority of the miissions post finishing the game and still have less than half the trophies. As far as I can tell all the missions are just monster hunts. Also got to ride a chocobo to most of the hidden areas. I think I'm finally getting sick of the game. Might take a break before I play it again in english.

[peskaa]

Just had my pair of PS3 copies arrive (Limited Edition & Standard), and the Xbox 360 Super Elite bundle. Champing at the bit to finish work...

[MacRumorUser]

Just had my pair of PS3 copies arrive (Limited Edition & Standard), and the Xbox 360 Super Elite bundle. Champing at the bit to finish work...

You need 3? ;). Showoff :D


I just got the standard PS3 version. Was going to get special edition but they were all sold / preordered in advance.

[ghall]

Just had my pair of PS3 copies arrive (Limited Edition & Standard), and the Xbox 360 Super Elite bundle. Champing at the bit to finish work...

That seems a little excessive.

[Nermal]

You need 3? ;). Showoff :D

Hehe, I have a friend in the US that's also bought 3 copies; one US PS3, one US 360, and one PAL 360 CE (since they don't have the CE over there) :eek:

[peskaa]

That seems a little excessive.

Well, the CE is for me, and as its going to take ages, I got a standard copy for the other half to play (we have two PS3s). The 360 copy I am selling.

[sikkinixx]

I grabbed the PStriple version. Traded in Batman AA (which I got for $23 brand new when it came out) because I bought it on GFWL for $12 so it was expendable. Also traded in Twilight Princess (they gave me $35 for it!) so it was a wash. Yay!

[Dagless]

I almost bought this for the 360 but then the PS3/360 comparisons came in... I was already teetering on the edge and they had to go and push me over! But without a PS3 I guess I'm going to have to wait :o.

[MorphingDragon]

I got the collectors edition!

[Nermal]

I got the collectors edition!

Took you long enough :p ... I figured that you'd have it on release day, given your avatar!

[MorphingDragon]

Took you long enough :p ... I figured that you'd have it on release day, given your avatar!

Now Im only waiting for Versus 13! I always wanted to play a non-disneyified game like Kingdom Hearts.

[Nermal]

Well, that was quick. I'm at 8:30 played and it just asked me to swap to disk 2. I hope the other disks are longer than the first or it's going to be a short game! :eek:

[DISCOMUNICATION]

Well, that was quick. I'm at 8:30 played and it just asked me to swap to disk 2. I hope the other disks are longer than the first or it's going to be a short game! :eek:
The story is back heavy. One of my personal negatives besides the uninspired map design. Chapters 11 through 13 are almost as long as first 10 chapters combined. Interestingly GameTrailers stated that it's a 40 hour game, but all the english speakers who imported the game for the last 3 months have universally been saying they finished it between 50 and 60 hours.

[Nermal]

Well, 40-60 hours sounds encouraging. It took me 75 to get through XII, which was too long in my opinion (although I did a good number of sidequests).

It's time for me to leave the Whitewood until tomorrow and get some sleep now though! :)

[kelvicharlie]

I am a huge fan of FF series so bought PS3 and I am playing Final Fantasy XIII game on it.Final Fantasy XIII is a story about 6 lCie who must find their mission that was given to them by the FalCie. But there’s a catch: They don’t know what their mission is.So far the game looks quite pretty.

[MacRumorUser]

Ok not enjoying it as much as I thought I would. I am not digging the sci-fi theme, it's all a bit meh! and I honestly have no care for any of the characters. 60+ hours in the company of this group of unpleasant characters is not an enticing prospect. The only one who's got any character is the chocobo ;)

[Taustin Powers]

I think the last Final Fantasy game I played was on the SNES.

Oddly enough, my favorite game of the series (of the ones I have played) was Final Fantasy Legend II on the Gameboy! I loved it so much - maybe they can just remake that one for PSN? :D

[peskaa]

Ok not enjoying it as much as I thought I would. I am not digging the sci-fi theme, it's all a bit meh! and I honestly have no care for any of the characters. 60+ hours in the company of this group of unpleasant characters is not an enticing prospect. The only one who's got any character is the chocobo ;)

See, I'm the opposite - I'm enjoying it, more so as time goes on. The battle system is opening up to the point where it is more challenging and tactical, and the characters are slowly revealing the reasoning behind their attitudes. I don't really like the character of Hope, but the others I'm finding believable (well, within FF logic) and in many cases endearing.

As for the theme? Square always change their settings, and I'm glad to see a move away from "medieval" side of things for once. Sci-fi is fine, but I expect they'll move in other direction of XV.

[sikkinixx]

See, I'm the opposite - I'm enjoying it, more so as time goes on. The battle system is opening up to the point where it is more challenging and tactical, and the characters are slowly revealing the reasoning behind their attitudes. I don't really like the character of Hope, but the others I'm finding believable (well, within FF logic) and in many cases endearing.

As for the theme? Square always change their settings, and I'm glad to see a move away from "medieval" side of things for once. Sci-fi is fine, but I expect they'll move in other direction of XV.

They haven't been "medieval" since FFIX (save FFXI). XII was kinda sorta but still was filled with guns and technological ships etc. This game seems very much in the vein of FFVIII although more so. Squeenix' sci-fi-anime look seems really cookie cutter nowadays...

[SilentPanda]

I'm about 12 hours in, just got the 5th or 6th trophy... the combat is okay. The boss fights can certainly be challenging but the in between fights are generally auto-ability. I really dislike the map design. I don't ever know or care where I am. It's not like I have a choice as to where to go.

I need to find a story summary. I'm not getting what is going on... who is fighting who and why. It seems like my characters all hated this one faction but now they... I don't even know what.

[nobunaga209]

I'm about 12 hours in, just got the 5th or 6th trophy... the combat is okay. The boss fights can certainly be challenging but the in between fights are generally auto-ability. I really dislike the map design. I don't ever know or care where I am. It's not like I have a choice as to where to go.

I need to find a story summary. I'm not getting what is going on... who is fighting who and why. It seems like my characters all hated this one faction but now they... I don't even know what.

I was in the same boat until I actually started reading the Datalog after long cut scenes. The log actually explains the story in a much better fashion than the clips do....IMO.