Final Fantasy XIII Impressions

Bond · 03-09-2010, 03:06 PM

Wanted to separate our actual impressions of the game from the previous thread. Possible spoilers may follow.

Typhoid · 03-09-2010, 04:32 PM

I picked this game up today and I'm only about an hour in - and I love it so far.
One of the best looking games I've played, and the storyline actually doesn't seem too bad.
The transition from battle to 'world mode' is flawless. I like how you enter an oldschool FF-style battle in this one.

This game also has it's own Zell, Tidus, Cloud and Rikku.

Bond · 03-09-2010, 05:49 PM

What do you mean by "enter an oldschool FF-syle battle?"

Typhoid · 03-09-2010, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bond

What do you mean by "enter an oldschool FF-syle battle?"

A separate screen for battles. They don't just take place on the world map.

TheSlyMoogle · 03-10-2010, 12:41 AM

Totally decided not to get this right now, as too many of my electronic systems r failing right now.

Typhoid · 03-10-2010, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSlyMoogle

Totally decided not to get this right now, as too many of my electronic systems r failing right now.

Bad choice.

TheSlyMoogle · 03-10-2010, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Typhoid

Bad choice.

Meh need to fix my computer first.

Typhoid · 03-10-2010, 04:10 PM

Since I'm the only one who's actually played this so far, I'll share what I think so far.

So far, I like the storyline. You get thrown straight into it, so the whole thing feels much bigger than just you. The gameplay is fun. All enemies are on the world map, but when you get into a battle, it's in a seperate 'world map', like most other FF games, but immediate after the battle - and after you get graded on speed, and get your spoils, you're immediately back at the world map. No load times. It's very fluid. The battle system itself is pretty cool. I thought I would hate the fact you get healed after every battle, but the reason it's good is because that means battles can be more intense. The paradigm shift - the best way I can compare it - would be to the class system in FFX-2. You can change at any time (You have to have the paradigm created before you enter the battle), and in fact most battles need you to shift paradigms for success. There are roles your characters play in battle. I'm still early on, so they all haven't been revealed, nor unlocked for each character - but the ones you start with are Commando - typical attacking, Ravager - attacking with a bonus to chains (Chains help you stun enemies if you get the chain bar high enough, which then lets you cause a lot more damage to an enemy) Medic - self explanitory and Sentinel - purely defensive. You only control 1 character - your leader - for each battle, but the CPU's know what they're doing. They do exactly what their role is, and they don't do it stupidly. The leveling up system in it is best described as the Sphere Grid from FFX, but 3d.

Don't read this if you want the game to be a surprise. Major beginning spoilers:
The thing I like is that none of your characters - except for 2 - actually know eachother. This massive shitstorm just happens, and you guys get lumped together from time to time. It's a common goal, to a degree. A common goal with moral issues behind it. The basic premise that I've got so far is that it's basically a genocide taking place. Without getting too far into it - because it would be confusing as hell without playing the game, you all get targeted as what the genocide is...well, targeting.

TheSlyMoogle · 03-10-2010, 06:03 PM

Quoted from my friend Ryan Bill on the leveling system:

Meh it's not really like the sphere grid:

Grids don't overlap
As you defeat bosses you either improve your paradigms or unlock other branches
Your skills are capped and locked to each paradigm
Different characters have different paradigms unlocked, along with varied times for when they get certain skills or stat boosts
No branch jumping to other characters paradigms, at least not yet.

So that makes me semi ok with the paradigm system.

Luckily, he's going to send me his copy of the game when he's finished. Hooray.

DarkMaster · 03-10-2010, 06:28 PM

I'm about 3 or so hours in. I do love it so far, to play an actual RPG again is a great feeling. The game is insanely beautiful, and the combat very impressive thus far. Can't wait to have a final fantasy weekend this weekend.

Bond · 03-10-2010, 11:52 PM

Good to hear you are enjoying the game so far, Typhoid. I can't wait to start playing in about two weeks.

TheSlyMoogle · 03-11-2010, 04:14 PM

Don't know if you guys have Costco anywhere near, but FFXIII is only 49 dollars there.

I picked up a copy. Impressions to follow soon.

Also the costco I went to only had 360 games no PS3. SORRY!

uber_paddler · 03-11-2010, 05:00 PM

Put about 10 hours into it day one, absolutely love it. Unfortunately, I haven't had any time to go back to it since then. It's killing me.

ZephyrFate · 03-11-2010, 05:33 PM

This game has: amazing music, amazing graphics, and the best jRPG battle system I have ever played.

That said, the story is garbage.

TheSlyMoogle · 03-11-2010, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZephyrFate

This game has: amazing music, amazing graphics, and the best jRPG battle system I have ever played.

That said, the story is garbage.

I'm going to disagree about the battle system. At what I first thought was depth has turned into "mash a until hp is low, shift to healer paradigm, let heals happen, mash a again"

This probably slightly changes later, as I'm open to more abilities, but I'm a little over 5 hours into the game and it has yet to change.

The game is beautiful. BTW all those screenshots from the 360 version, I don't see any of that blurry lines bullshit. The only problem is, when the game does the soft load stuff like when you're running and stuff through the areas, it will sometimes give a little jump similar to when you lag online for a split second, but not as bad even. I wouldn't call it a problem, and not sure if it happens on PS3 or not. I did however catch a glimpse of the loading times on PS3... Jeezus christ.

Baby Chocobo is super kawaii uguu! (That means super cute in Japanese!)

I've got this strange feeling I aint seein any moogles in this game.

Uhm I find I'm not entirely hating the Crystal grid. Even though everyone has a ravager class right now, each of them learn different spells and abilities which is pretty cool.

The other thing that bothers me is Preemptive strikes in this game. It would have been nice if it just said "Preemptive strike" instead of you actually going around with your leader and attacking each enemy. I got into a battle with 10 enemies earlier and managed to preemptive strike them, and found myself wishing I hadn't. Took like 2 minutes for lightning to go around and whack them all with her sword.

Surprised to say the voice acting is actually pretty good. Snow and Sazh have great voice actors, and lightning isn't so bad.

Absolutely hate Leona Lewis and the fact that her song is in this game makes me feel a little nausea when I hear it. Also when I see the commercial.

For the most part find myself hating all the characters in this game so far except Sazh.

Vanille's Voice actor is fucking terrible, but I enjoy her character so far.

Snow isn't so bad I guess.

Mostly just Lightning and Hope really bug me.

Also lightning's hair just looks stupid.

Oh and I agree with the story being garbage.