Early Thoughts / Impressions ?

[Zidane007nl]

Final Fantasy XIII has been officially release today!

I got the game by mail today and I've played it for 4½ hours now and so far it's great. The battle system is good, but easy if you select Auto-Battle everytime and everything goes fast.
The ability system looks promising so far too.

[SoulEaterQUEEN]

I have played for about only 3 hours, and so far I like it. It was a lot better than I thought. I am really excited to start assigning roles to my party members.

The switching around the characters was really confusing to me at first for the beginning Chapters though. I hope I get a little more control!

Oh and is Vanille's voice actor australian? Her accent is quite interesting.

[Dead_End]

Hopefully I'll have the game at the end of the week. Want to get the collector's Edition with soundtrack. Should only be 20 bucks more than the regular version.

[Zidane007nl]

Want to get the collector's Edition with soundtrack.
The soundtrack is only a selection of ten tracks. Nothing special really.

[Xarim]

How I wish to be able to be there with you guys - playing Final Fantasy XIII -, but it's a shame; I don't own a next-gen console to play it on, nor have I any money at the moment to buy it. It does look very promising tough!

[SoulEaterQUEEN]

If you are looking into getting a next gen console - I would definitely look into the Xbox 360 first because I think it is actually much cheaper than the PS3.. Unless you are a crazy die-hard Final Fantasy fan :) then go for the PS3 because I believe Final Fantasy Versus 13 is being released on there.

Has anyone tried to Xbox 360 version of Final Fantasy 13? Are there any differences?? I have only played the PS3 version so I was kinda curious!!

[Xarim]

If you are looking into getting a next gen console - I would definitely look into the Xbox 360 first because I think it is actually much cheaper than the PS3.. Unless you are a crazy die-hard Final Fantasy fan :) then go for the PS3 because I believe Final Fantasy Versus 13 is being released on there.

Has anyone tried to Xbox 360 version of Final Fantasy 13? Are there any differences?? I have only played the PS3 version so I was kinda curious!!

Well; I heard that the xbox 360 version has more discs, but that's because it doesn't use blueray.

I was going to buy an xbox, but now I decided to go to Italy in stead, so I might go for a Ps3 eventuelly, especcially if Versus will only be released on it..

[Zidane007nl]

Has anyone tried to Xbox 360 version of Final Fantasy 13? Are there any differences?? I have only played the PS3 version so I was kinda curious!!
No, but I red that the biggest difference is that the PS3 version runs on 720p while the 360 version runs on 576p. So it just looks even better on the PS3.

[Crystarium]

I heard graphical difference and frame rate but dunno if its true. Ive had the game since the 5th March, last chapter and im loving it! The huge difficulty spike made me love it even more (happens around chapter10).

The battle system, story and characters are amazing, i am really impressed with it all. I hope they keep this battle system for future FFs.

[Rebellion]

I like the development system and the paradigm system is nice because its quite tactical, it makes you think what paradigm is needed to defeat each boss battle.
The characters are good too since they all vary in what their personalities are and how they relate to each others problems.
So far I am liking the game and if I wasn't forced to by a lot of work I wouldn't stop playing this game.

[Zidane007nl]

What I don't like about the game is that after every battle you are completely healed. Potions are almost completely useless now.
And that there are a lot of save points. Every 10 ~ 15 minutes I run into one.

[SoulEaterQUEEN]

What I don't like about the game is that after every battle you are completely healed. Potions are almost completely useless now.
And that there are a lot of save points. Every 10 ~ 15 minutes I run into one.

Hahaha I actually like how there are a lot of save points especially when I need to be off at a certain time, I don't need to find one like half an hour before I have to get off.

Hmmm I have to admit though, the whole healing thing is useful but it does make me feel like a lazy gamer - like the game is very easy in a way. It certainly isn't made for Final Fantasy veterans if you ask me!

Oh and where are the towns? I loved visiting towns in the FF games because I was curious about the different cultures/whatnot.

I also hope that eventually in the game we get to have a little more control (I like linear but I mean after awhile it gets a little out of hand) - and that we get to choose who is on our team :P

But I am immensely enjoying the story like thus far :)

[Xarim]

What I don't like about the game is that after every battle you are completely healed. Potions are almost completely useless now.
And that there are a lot of save points. Every 10 ~ 15 minutes I run into one.

The save points sound like a good thing to me. I remember playing Final Fantasy's, when I suddenly had to stop playing, thus making me re-do about 30min-an hour a day later. The more save spots the better I'd say!

[Crystarium]

So many save points because its also the shop and upgrade place. Using them often is pointless because when you die, you return to a checkpoint anyway. I think its kind of good relly, you will see why when you get further on, the game has a really sharp difficulty curve.

[Zidane007nl]

The save points sound like a good thing to me. I remember playing Final Fantasy's, when I suddenly had to stop playing, thus making me re-do about 30min-an hour a day later. The more save spots the better I'd say!
Yeah, if you want to play the game for a short time it's good.

[Xarim]

Yeah, if you want to play the game for a short time it's good.

And if you play for a long time, you could just ignore them, or some of them;)

[SoulEaterQUEEN]

Haha okay what is with the "retry" option when you die :P
That doesn't feel like a Final Fantasy element if you ask me!

So far, no towns D: Now thats totally not cool. Part of my Final Fantasy game experiences was to stroll down the towns :) Like in FF10 Luca, FF9 Alexandria and Lindlum!!

The battle system is fun though :) but I wish we could be able to actually customize the character's abilities in a more diverse way.. So for like I can combine some Ravager abilities with Commando's and also for Medic and Syncherist!

[Kityarah]

I am totally loving it. Am on chapter 7 at the moment and just grinding some gil to upgrade weapons while I have a good spot to do it in.

I was worried the Paradigm system was going to be a little overboard, but it was surprisingly easy to get used to.
The save points are good for me, I always save often because there have been some games with more "rare" save points, and it's either keep going (when you need to stop), or lose progress if you have to quit for some reason.
The no towns things does bug me a bit, and the interview I read as to "why" just makes it bug me more.... guess we get no towns until the next game (which they did mention, but that will be quite some time......).

Being a die-hard Final Fantasy fan, the only real disappointment to me so far is the battle/win theme is gone after having it for so many games.

The graphics are wonderful (blue-ray or hd or not they are very nice no matter how you look at it) and the soundtrack is great. I could not see spending the extra 20 for 10 songs though, so I did not get the CE for this one.

Overall I give it a 9/10 (always a few changes I would make to any game, even FF games).

Had to do a quick edit as I got to chapter 8.... at least they kept the Chocobo music! And added some lyrics to it??? kinda cute lol. (sorry if that "spoils" it for anyone but I couldn't resist as that would have killed me if they left out the Chocobo tune!)

[Crystarium]

Just completed it at 50hours, im so glad the ending is not like most FFs, it was really and the last boss...omg..... i could of killed my friends PS3 (luckily it wasnt mine, otherwise I would of lol

The no town thing maybe annoying, but from a story standpoint it makes sense.

[SoulEaterQUEEN]

Just completed it at 50hours, im so glad the ending is not like most FFs, it was really and the last boss...omg..... i could of killed my friends PS3 (luckily it wasnt mine, otherwise I would of lol

The no town thing maybe annoying, but from a story standpoint it makes sense.

You completed this game in 50 hours? I am barely passed half way and I have spent like days on this game lol! Some chapters take me like 4 hours to get through - it is insane!!

So far I am really enjoying the storyline though, it really tugs at my emotions. This is quite refreshing because FF XII (sorry to FFXII fans) had left a bad taste in my mouth.

[Kityarah]

I probably "could have" beat it in 50 hours.... but after spending $60.00 on it, that seems a waste to me. I want to play through and enjoy it. The first 9 chapters went fast enough, so now I am going to take my time a bit more. Not exactly sure what my clock is at right now, but I want it to take longer than 50-ish hours lol.

[Rebellion]

I probably "could have" beat it in 50 hours.... but after spending $60.00 on it, that seems a waste to me. I want to play through and enjoy it. The first 9 chapters went fast enough, so now I am going to take my time a bit more. Not exactly sure what my clock is at right now, but I want it to take longer than 50-ish hours lol.

yeah the same here. I don't want to rush through the game after waiting so long for it to finally release. I am taking my time and try to do all if not most of the crystarium grids with everyone and upgrade weapons as high as i can before completing it.

So far I am on Chapter 7...

And the storyline is still opening up. If it was Final fantasy XII the storyline would have been gone by now lol.

[Crystarium]

You have to complete the game to complete the crystarium anyway, not rushing through the game as alot of stuff you cant do until you beat it. Dont think thats a spoiler, but edit my post if it is.

Just depends on how you play, until grand pulse the game is just a straight path so there is not much exploring, i did the 10,000 steps and all low level c'eith stones before even completing the game, so what seems rushing to others is just casual for other people.

[Rebellion]

You have to complete the game to complete the crystarium anyway, not rushing through the game as alot of stuff you cant do until you beat it. Dont think thats a spoiler, but edit my post if it is.

Just depends on how you play, until grand pulse the game is just a straight path so there is not much exploring, i did the 10,000 steps and all low level c'eith stones before even completing the game, so what seems rushing to others is just casual for other people.

thanks for the info

I guess i will take the game as it comes until I reach Grand Pulse then.

So far i am in chapter 7 and it is at the moment my favorite chapter in the game.

[Assassin]

To me, personally, I can't wait to be done with it. Being a big FF fan for years, this one has really annoyed me. Don't get me wrong, it has a lot of good things, but since you're probably more interested in the bad, let's get to the point.


First thing I hate is that emo kid - Hope. I "hope" he dies in the end of the game. He just annoys me so much.

Second, I want to control more than 1 character. Turn-base made FF for me. In this game it's just mash A to kill or LB to heal. The auto-battle NEEDS to be taken out, it just makes me feel like I spent $60.00 to watch an extra long movie.

Third, it annoyed me when I finally got to the Eidolons, and than it switches me to a different party, or I'm a different character. Maybe this is different in the later parts of the game, but one thing that motivated me to buying this game was the new Eidolon control.

Fourth - Vanille needs to walk like a normal person please. I know it's part of her character, but when I happened to show my friends the game... I was Vanille in lil Avatar land. . . they refered to Sazh as my pimp (and he kept mentioning the view... I hope he was talking about the mountains and trees and not my buttoks)

Fifth - it's too repetative in my opinion. The only thing that makes a battle hard is because you're sick of spending 500 minutes trying to kill a boss or creature and you make all your party members a fighter instead of one being a medic and the enemy does an attack that takes away 75% of your health. Other than that, it's just too easy and too long. Maybe I'm playing the game wrong, but I use all my synergy skills, all my curses or whatever the class is called, and Libra all the enemies to know their weaknesses and health. It's just too repetative. Also, it feels like I'm running through the same area over and over and over and over again until I get to the boss.

Sixth - unless there's a twist in the game, I'm confused by the story. I get that the government was trying to prevent L'cie from completing their focus because they're enemies of cocoon, and if people don't complete their focus they are Cleith or whatever, but why was the government sending people to Pulse that weren't L'Cie? And why didn't Hope just die, his mother was way cooler than him.

It's a fun game, and I enjoy playing it, but compared to other FF's, it's definently far from the best if you've played the earlier games. I just wish Square-Enix would stop trying to re-create FF7 with different games.

Oh I donno what chapter I'm on, but I just played Fang for the first time and now I'm Snow again.

[SoulEaterQUEEN]

Fourth - Vanille needs to walk like a normal person please. I know it's part of her character, but when I happened to show my friends the game... I was Vanille in lil Avatar land. . . they refered to Sazh as my pimp (and he kept mentioning the view... I hope he was talking about the mountains and trees and not my buttoks)

Fifth - it's too repetative in my opinion. The only thing that makes a battle hard is because you're sick of spending 500 minutes trying to kill a boss or creature and you make all your party members a fighter instead of one being a medic and the enemy does an attack that takes away 75% of your health. Other than that, it's just too easy and too long. Maybe I'm playing the game wrong, but I use all my synergy skills, all my curses or whatever the class is called, and Libra all the enemies to know their weaknesses and health. It's just too repetative. Also, it feels like I'm running through the same area over and over and over and over again until I get to the boss.

Sixth - unless there's a twist in the game, I'm confused by the story. I get that the government was trying to prevent L'cie from completing their focus because they're enemies of cocoon, and if people don't complete their focus they are Cleith or whatever, but why was the government sending people to Pulse that weren't L'Cie? And why didn't Hope just die, his mother was way cooler than him.

Oh I donno what chapter I'm on, but I just played Fang for the first time and now I'm Snow again.

You are on Chapter 7 I think.

For why the Sanctum "purges" citizens is because they are paranoid that they may have become infected by the Pulse Fal'Cie. When they mean infected I am not entirely sure what category you have to meet, it could either mean that they are worried that have become L'Cie too or that they be in support of the Pulse Fal'Cie... From what I get from the story, the Fal'Cie are always full of surprises and you just don't know what they are really up to.

Yeah I was annoyed how Vanille walked as well, it seemed way too ditzy.

[Serah]

i try to avoid the huge dinosaur things O.o no way am i fighting those things

im on chapter 9 and loving it.

[Crystarium]

Assassin you are only half way through the game, just like the Tidus comments. Hope's mother was killed infront of him and he's a teenager, id like to see you not act emo when your mother dies, mmkay.

Story gets explained more as you progress.

Vanille's walking? Her voice is far worse lol

Wait til you get to grand pulse and see how easy and boring it is then, a huge difficulty curve and no linearity. I mean, grand pulse is huge. Ive completed the gameand im still finding new areas and new cutscenes

You are not froced to use auto battle btw, you ca select the abilities your self if its too boring.

[SoulEaterQUEEN]

i try to avoid the huge dinosaur things O.o no way am i fighting those things

im on chapter 9 and loving it.

Dinosaur things?? Which are those?

Haha I am on Gran Pulse :) and I love the freedom I have... But I get smooshed when I fight these big dog lizard monsters XD they remind me of behemoth's I think... But is that normal that I am no match for them yet??

I think I cried when they started casting Thundaga on me ._.

[Serah]

the things that look like shelled trexs and u look like flies when u go near them

[Assassin]

Assassin you are only half way through the game, just like the Tidus comments. Hope's mother was killed infront of him and he's a teenager, id like to see you not act emo when your mother dies, mmkay.

Story gets explained more as you progress.

Vanille's walking? Her voice is far worse lol

Wait til you get to grand pulse and see how easy and boring it is then, a huge difficulty curve and no linearity. I mean, grand pulse is huge. Ive completed the gameand im still finding new areas and new cutscenes

You are not froced to use auto battle btw, you ca select the abilities your self if its too boring.


Hope annoys the crap out of me. He just started liking snow and he still annoys the crap out of me. Worse FF character by far in my opinion. Sad thing is he gets Alexander who is awesome.

You get use to Vanille's voice, but when she ran away from the army crying she walked like she normally does. It was suppose to be a very depressing moment, and she walks like that? I'd have shot her.

I am starting to learn the story. Infact right after I posted this they finally explained it more. I just don't really like games that never tell me where to go instead of a little marker.

Yeah, I know I'm not forced to use auto-battle but why not? It selects the skills I was going to use anyways (most the time). I just think they made this game more for dumber people than real FF fans. The only hard parts I've ran into really are the Eidolons.

Right now I'm on some flying ship. I forgot the name of it.

[Rebellion]

Hope annoys the crap out of me. He just started liking snow and he still annoys the crap out of me. Worse FF character by far in my opinion. Sad thing is he gets Alexander who is awesome.



Why do people keep hating on Hope?

and i don't think he was the worst character FF, I quite liked Hope and anyone would react the way Hope did if they saw their Mother die right in front of their eyes.

If you want to see the worst FF character look no further than FF XII there are a bunch of them there.

[SoulEaterQUEEN]

Haha. I don't mind Hope actually, like he isn't my favourite but I still think he is quite necessary to the story.

I agree, of course he would not be totally cool with his mother's death... That is putting it in realistic terms. You can't always have fantasy-like characters in games - it would just make the game unbelieveable/cliched!

[Assassin]

I donno, I just don't like him. Probably because he's a kid. He sounds annoying (I perfer Vannile and that's saying a lot), with whatever he does (getting hit, casting, curing, whatever).

I understand his mother died infront of him, but I wish they'd cut the crap. Now all of a sudden he's in love with Snow?


Moving on - is it just me or are the women much better than the men?

You've got your best commando in Lightning. You've got your best Sab in Fang, who is also a great commando and sentinel. And you've got your best medic in Vanille, who also is a good ravanger.

Maybe I'm playing the game wrong but right now I'm on Raines (I got killed once he put his wings on, I wasn't playing seriously since I was talking with a friend who arrived and turned the game off afterwards) and using Vanille, Fang, and Lighting got me a lot further than dying trying to have Sazh be a synergist, hope trying to heal, and well... I never gave Snow a chance because I don't need a sentinel when Fang is a lot better at overall performance in my opinion.

I first start with Lightning being commando, Vanille my medic, and Fang my Sab. Lighting just deals damage while Vanille heals and Fang does her good stuff. Than I switch to Relentless assault, trying to get my oponent staggered. When I get low on health, I either do commando/commando to keep the stagger bar steady and have Vanille heal, or I switch to medic, sentinel, medic incase of an emergency (as in massive AoE).

It works out fine for me.


Question - people say a difficulty curve. Does it get easier or way harder? And is this game like FF9, where you leave one of the last areas than have the world openned up and can gain massive levels? Because so far grinding for CP in these certain areas has been very boring and I don't get much CP per hour.