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A Look At the Final Fantasy XIII Demo, Early Analysis 103

Posted by Soulskill from the slowly-but-surely dept.
A demo for the PS3 version of Final Fantasy XIII was released in Japan this week, and people have had a chance to try it out and report back. In fact, video footage of the demo in its entirety was streamed and then posted on YouTube shortly after finding its way into customers' hands. Eurogamer got a chance to give the demo a test-drive, and they had this to say: "The characters are likeable — Lightning for her mysteriousness, the members of NORA for their banter and camaraderie — the setting is compelling, and the whole thing is as sumptuous visually as you'd expect of a next-generation Square-Enix title. The plot's the only thing that I couldn't get a definite feel for from the demo, beyond the basic set-up of an oppressive regime, a resistance fighting against it and a character with mysterious powers brought to aid them in a twist of fate. But forty minutes with Final Fantasy XIII have left me with nothing but anticipation for what else it has in store."
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A Look At the Final Fantasy XIII Demo, Early Analysis More

A Look At the Final Fantasy XIII Demo, Early Analysis

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  • Last video 9:40 (Score:4, Funny)

    by sakdoctor ( 1087155 ) on Friday April 17, 2009 @04:10AM (#27608641) Homepage

    Camera focuses on "man cleavage"

    W T F!

  • Hmm (Score:1, Insightful)

    by Haiyadragon ( 770036 )

    "The characters are likeable -- Lightning for her mysteriousness, the members of NORA for their banter and camaraderie --"

    I don't know why, but this gives me a bad feeling about the game. It sounds very contrived.

    Let's hope the game's storyline will at least be somewhat compelling this time.

    • Re:Hmm (Score:5, Insightful)

      by SpottedKuh ( 855161 ) on Friday April 17, 2009 @05:24AM (#27608887)

      Let's hope the game's storyline will at least be somewhat compelling this time.

      If they want my money, how about making the game fun -- that seems like a good goal. FF4-FF7 were incredibly fun, but they seriously lost their way with later games. FF8 was an exercise in redundancy (draw, draw, draw...). FF10 had a painful level dynamic (having to bring every character into every fight, in order to actually level up your party). FF12 lost me the moment I realized that if I opened the wrong treasure chest at the beginning of the game, I'd be screwed out of something much later in the game.

      Focus on pure fun, the way FF5 did (the job system was great); or, tell an amazing story in a fashion that is enjoyable to play, as FF7 did. If they can't fix this horrifically paced, guidebook-requiring style of game that FF has become, I'll spend my money on a different game.

      • Re: (Score:3, Informative)

        by Creepy13 ( 239104 )

        Even in FF VII you had to bring every char in your party to level them (as in most FF's!). In FF X things just got easier because you could swap then right in the battle instead of only via the overworld menu.

        FF12 lost me also. Story wise and character wise.

        • Re:Hmm (Score:4, Insightful)

          by bigstrat2003 ( 1058574 ) * on Friday April 17, 2009 @07:02AM (#27609243)

          Even in FF VII you had to bring every char in your party to level them (as in most FF's!)

          Not true. In FF7, characters not in your party level up with your party, but are held back. They'll be usually 3 or 4 levels behind the party members. It makes it so that you aren't screwed over if you want to switch party members, but you still have some incentive to pick a party and stick with it.

          • But you couldn't master materia in FF7 without having characters in battle, so it really wasn't that big of help. At least in FFX you could use spheres on anyone in your party.

            • Well yeah, but why would you have a set of materia that you limited to one character anyway? I only ever had one set of materia, that I gave to whichever characters were active.

      • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

        by bigstrat2003 ( 1058574 ) *
        I dunno, I found FF8, FFX, FFX-2, and FF12 to be quite fun. For example, drawing spells is annoying in FF8, but it usually stops being something you need to focus on after the early game, and the junction system overall gives you an unparalleled amount of control over your characters. All those games were rather fun to me, even though they had some drawbacks.

        • FF8 was a horrible battle system, drawing sucked, the guardians took forever to use, were hard to find without walkthroughs, and you were supposed to push fucking buttons during the cutscenes?

          I enjoyed FF9 and X and X-2, but ff8 is a black spot for me, i simply could not bear to play it when I realized that to properly build my characters I'd have to spend boring hours drawing shit.

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by Homburg ( 213427 )

            I realized that to properly build my characters I'd have to spend boring hours drawing shit.

            No, you don't. After the first mission or so, you should be refining magic from objects, not drawing it.

      • The character swap in FFX isn't a problem because you WANT to swap them because early on, each character works best against specific enemies. So if you want see that "" show up early, you want wakka to fight the flying enemies, Tidus the fast ones, Auron the armored ones, etc. In fact, early on, only Wakka will be able to hit those flying enemies regularly, the others won't be able to.

        • Plus the swapping is 100% painless. You don't even lose the character's turn--they come in, and you get to use them immediately.

      • Re: (Score:3, Insightful)

        by brkello ( 642429 )
        I actually really liked FF8's story and thought it was fun. The ones since haven't had as much impact, but all solid titles that I have finished (except x-2 which I try not to remember). I am looking forward to the next one apart from the fact it will force be to buy a PS3.

      • Re: (Score:1)

        by bunuel ( 1061042 )

        I liked XII a lot, I would say it is my favorite FF. I wouldn't have been aware of the chest-opening thing unless I had read it in a FAQ, I can see your point there, but it didn't affect my enjoyment of the game.

    • Re:Hmm (Score:4, Funny)

      by Cathoderoytube ( 1088737 ) on Friday April 17, 2009 @09:21AM (#27611075)
      A Final Fantasy game without a contrived storyline is like a gallbladder without bile.
  • The game looks amazing visually.

    The plot's the only thing that I couldn't get a definite feel for from the demo,

    I'm a bit worried about this, but I'm hoping it's just because the demo is short.

    It's a shame I'm boycotting Square-Enix over the whole Star Ocean/PS3 thing.

  • Has anyone even played this game? I hear people say 7 was awesome (which it was...the best game for PSX if not more) 8 was crap (again...I agree), 10 was even worse and those other games that shant be mentioned. It seems like everything tanked after the greatest game they've ever made. Well, what about 9?

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by Sardak ( 773761 )
      VII was my favorite, and I actually liked X (but not really X-2). I tried to play IX a long, long time ago, and couldn't get more than a couple of hours into the game. Maybe it just started too slow or something, but it just never seemed to be able to hook my interest. Several friends of mine, however, swear it is better than VII in their opinions.

    • Don't know how you can bash FFX, it's second in quality only to 7... *grumble grumble*

      Anyways, I hated 9 (or more accurately, was really disappointed by it). It's not a terrible game (even the worst FF is still better than a lot of other games), but it definitely was my least favorite in the series. The characters were annoying as hell, the battles were tuned too hard for how scarce resources were, the limit break system is goddamned awful*, it makes you keep items after they're not useful just to learn abi

      • The coolest thing about X was blitzball. That was fun. I didn't mean to say that 10 was the worst (that belongs to X-2...dresses??? WTF?!?!) It just seemed a bit...off. It was too much of a diversion from the older FF games which I still play. 3 was fantastic for the Famicom (thanks to translations) I haven't played the DS remake but I hear it's well made. The PSX remakes of the other games were horrendous! They are so much better on SNES/NES/GBA and the load times...ugh... I'm excited but reserved

        • I haven't played the DS remake but I hear it's well made.

          It is. If you have a DS, pick that up as well as the FF4 remake, both are good.

          The PSX remakes of the other games were horrendous!

          Eh, I liked 'em. I never really noticed any load times. The PS1 is the form in which I own FF1,2,4,5,6, and Chrono Trigger, and I have no regrets.

          I'm still waiting for a re-release of 7, but that is looking less and less like a possibility.

          You and me both, brother. I wish they'd stop teasing us with it already (damn you, Crisis Core post-ending!!!). If they're going to make it, make it. If they're not going to make it, stop hinting they will!

          I understand there is a PC version with updated graphic textures

          Save yourself the trouble. I played the PC version before the PS1 version, and th

          • FF7 for the PC tends to look great, because there aren't many textures; most of it is shading. A notable exception is Barrett's arm tattoo. But the increase in resolution is handy.

            FF8 PC, on the other hand, uses textures pretty heavily, and doesn't work out as well...

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by anss123 ( 985305 )

        Anyways, I hated 9 (or more accurately, was really disappointed by it).

        Heh. Final Fantasy 9 is my favorite, followed by the original. Don't remember what trance was about, but I do remember that I never had to grit my character before a boss fight. My end boss characters went up some 10 levels on the last dungeon. Fun game.

        As for FF7, Hated Aeris and I'm probably the only one that cheered when I recognized a standard death scene set up. Still FF7 was descent enough. FF2,3,5 and 8 never managed to keep my interest. Don't have a PS2 but FFX and XII seems pretty bleh to me.

        • As for FF7, Hated Aeris and I'm probably the only one that cheered when I recognized a standard death scene set up.

          Oh, me too. But I think the game is nonetheless brilliant.

        • Re: (Score:1)

          by gid ( 5195 )

          Man, I so wished there was a way to keep Aeris--her high level limit breaks were phenomenal.

          And while I'm at it. I really really wish they will release XIII for the PC. I mean, it's being developed ON a PC, but they're not going to release a PC version? I don't do consoles.

          • Actually, I heard tell of a hack for the PC version of FFVII that let you add Aeris back into your party after she'd died. I never bothered to look it up, but I'd imagine it had something to do with modifying the save file.

            Console-only really ticks me off - they'd probably sell a lot more copies if they released a PC version. I guess the problem with PC versions is you'd have to release it on BluRay or about half-a-dozen DVD's, and neither of those options is very convenient. Oh, or it could be downloaded,

      • Yep, X is my second favorite too, with VI being the third.

        The worst thing about IX is the bleeping Playonline integration in the strategy guide. Followed by non-fun Tetra Master (not as much fun as FFVIII's Triple Triad), and the fact that the game seemed to be designed with the PS2's ability to Fast Load and Texture smooth PSone games. Load times on a PS1 are a litle on the slow side.

        But each Final Fantasy has it's own annoyances.

        • Wow. Thanks for bringing that up. I'd almost forgot about it, but the Playonline integration in the strategy guide really, REALLY pissed me off. I had a tradition with all the FF games I played. I would beat the game by myself, then replay it with a strategy guide to see all the stuff I missed. FF9 was the first FF game I failed to beat the second time simply because of how terrible the strategy guide was. Looking back, I should have asked for my money back.
          • I had the exact same problem as you guys... I can't think of that game without being pissed at the strategy guide.

          • Oh how I hated that strategy guide. I looked up the first few clues (on my second playthrough dammit!) and just said "screw it" and went to GameFAQs. I actually haven't bought an RPG strategy guide since then.

        • The worst thing about IX is the bleeping Playonline integration in the strategy guide. Followed by non-fun Tetra Master (not as much fun as FFVIII's Triple Triad), and the fact that the game seemed to be designed with the PS2's ability to Fast Load and Texture smooth PSone games. Load times on a PS1 are a litle on the slow side.

          Guess it's a good thing I waited so long to play it, then. The guides on GameFAQs were well-developed, ripping the discs to RAM beats anything the PS2 could do for load times, emula

    • Re: (Score:3, Interesting)

      by endianx ( 1006895 )
      Everybody has their own opinions. I loved 10, for example. It was probably my 3rd favorite FF (after 7 and 6). 9 would be my 4th favorite, probably. Didn't like 8 and 10-2, and couldn't get in to 12.

      Non of them are bad games, it just depends what aspects of the game you like.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by rob1980 ( 941751 )
      FFIX was good. That's it, just good. I enjoyed it when it came out ten years ago, but I didn't enjoy it enough to want to play through it again. The music was generic and I couldn't tell you the first thing of what the game was about unless I looked it up first. My imported SNES copy of Final Fantasy V sees more action than the copy of FFIX I have collecting dust on the shelf at home.

      Also, am I the only person who legitimately enjoyed FFVIII?

      • Re: (Score:1)

        by Bardez ( 915334 )
        No. I f'in' loved VIII. The game up until the Garden battle was awesome, though I have to admit that afterward the game's plot slowly became pants.
      • Nope. VIII is my third-favorite, after VII and X, respectively.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by Nick Ives ( 317 )

        I liked IX and would probably play it again. I disagree about the music too, I still occasionally get random bits of music from IX stuck in my head.

        I think most of the hating on VIII is down to the fact that it came after VII and Squall. The scene at Fisherman's Horizon between Squall and Rinoa is the only time I've ever wanted to punch a video-game character in the face; Squall is such a massive dick.

        Looking past the fact it came after VII and tolerating Squall are the keys to enjoying VIII.

        • Actually, what I hated the most about 8 was those parts where you had to play in the past as those three dudes. I can't even remember why I hated it, but I did. Maybe because you had to reequip them or you didn't have all your magic or something. eh, I can't remember.

          • Re: (Score:2)

            by Nick Ives ( 317 )

            Heh, this is looking a little bit marmite: I liked those bits! It was annoying having to re-equip but I liked their story plus it acted as a nice teaser for the big time-compression finale.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by 7Prime ( 871679 )

        It's my favorite in the series, and I know a lot of FF fans that loved FF8 as well. Most people who started with FF7 don't like it too much because it really didn't follow in FF7s footsteps, but many who had played since the SNES days loved FF8. I thought it was fucking brilliant myself. The story may be a lot more simplistic, but it's better told, and the characters felt a lot more flushed out than in FF7. Best music in the series too... though FF9 and FF6 are right on its heals.

      • Also, am I the only person who legitimately enjoyed FFVIII?

        VIII was a good game, but there wasn't enough stylistic continuity with the others to justify calling it a Final Fantasy game.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Kintanon ( 65528 )

      IX was my third favorite of the games, V being my favorite and VI being my second fav.

      I liked the return to a slightly cartoony look, the story was good except for the random twist bossfight at the end, the characters were generally likeable. There were plenty of sidequests you COULD do, but you didn't really HAVE to do them to beat the game. I beat it the first time without ever riding more than 1 chocobo I think...
      I give it much love.
      X was better than VIII, X-2 was shittastic, XII was so annoying that I c

    • I liked 9, it was somewhat simplistic but I recall enjoying the game all the way through.

  • I was impressed by what I saw. The series has been on a downward slide for me since FFIX, but after watching the demo I think I'm ready to jump back into the pool again. I plan on importing this if it gets released on time in Japan, as I'll actually be over there when it gets released here.

    One comment though, any other Japanese speakers notice the manner Lightning was speaking in? After years of male protagonists who could get mistaken as chicks, now we have a female protagonist who talks like a dude.

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by ookaze ( 227977 )

      I was impressed by what I saw. The series has been on a downward slide for me since FFIX, but after watching the demo I think I'm ready to jump back into the pool again. I plan on importing this if it gets released on time in Japan, as I'll actually be over there when it gets released here.

      For me, the series is on a downward slide since FFVIII, FFVIII being my worst FF ever (still didn't finish it and probably never will). I'm still mixed about importing this one. I wasn't impressed at all actually, but I have a better feeling than before, when I believed it would be a complete failure. It's still not good enough for me to buy the demo though. Oops, I mean, buy the movie (which is region free, or at least works with region A and B BRD players) with the demo.

      One comment though, any other Japanese speakers notice the manner Lightning was speaking in? After years of male protagonists who could get mistaken as chicks, now we have a female protagonist who talks like a dude. For once I'd like to see a protagonist with no sexual identity issues and no antisocial behavior. Is that even possible anymore?

      You lost me there.
      Someone who has e

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by rob1980 ( 941751 )
        But I see this said a lot by mostly USA gamers, who seem to have huge problems of insecurity as soon as sth could remotely make them labeled as gay. So I see lots of these comments, and it's fascinating to read, because I just can't understand where is this coming from.

        Well, applying the American mindset to a Japanese protagonist probably isn't the smartest thing to do in the first place. I certainly don't see them as gay, but I grew up watching TV shows where the heroes were supremely confident and com

      • By sexual identity issues I think the point is that the game has these characters who are supposed to be male but end up looking like girls. It's not that they're depicted as being conflicted about their gender, although they might be.

        It is no uncommon to see japanese girls who do have boyish voices. As for the girly guys, I think it's really drawing on fashion trends in Japan where young guys do sometimes appear somewhat effeminate.

        Given the kinds of activities these characters engage in they really should

        • Re:I was impressed (Score:5, Informative)

          by ookaze ( 227977 ) on Friday April 17, 2009 @02:57PM (#27618113) Homepage

          By sexual identity issues I think the point is that the game has these characters who are supposed to be male but end up looking like girls.

          But that's the point, they actually don't look like girls, like not at all.

          As for the girly guys, I think it's really drawing on fashion trends in Japan where young guys do sometimes appear somewhat effeminate.

          This is what I think is fascinating: they are not girly guys, like not at all.
          Those fashion trends you talk about are for music pop stars most of the time, which are made to appeal to girls. So these characters are actually fashioned to attract girls, meaning to be beautiful. How can this become girly guys for some cultures, or rather for some guys? I wonder.

          Given the kinds of activities these characters engage in they really should appear tougher and more masculine.

          Actually no, they shouldn't. But most western cultures mostly make use of the strength in the higher part of the body, and thus are only being able to see someone as strong if he develops always the same muscles. These are the easier to master because they are the most obvious moves. eastern cultures usually concentrate on all the other muscles and moves that are rarely used, and don't require you to have huge muscles bulging everywhere. The best way to understand that is through traditional martial arts. Meaning, for judo, not the judo you see at the olympics, but the true traditional one. The one that makes experts that go stronger when they get older (up to 70 years older and older), while westernized ones must give up after reaching 35 (and I'm generous).
          When you understand, or rather feel this cultural difference, there is no way slender characters look girly at all.

          But I bet only younger gamers find them girly, I'm sure even in the USA, older gamers have no problem with these characters, and don't think of them as girly.

          • This is what I think is fascinating: they are not girly guys, like not at all. Those fashion trends you talk about are for music pop stars most of the time, which are made to appeal to girls. So these characters are actually fashioned to attract girls, meaning to be beautiful. How can this become girly guys for some cultures, or rather for some guys? I wonder.

            There's a small problem in your argument, though. They're designed, as you said, to appeal to girls. Men are actually manliest when they're trying

            • Re: (Score:2)

              by ookaze ( 227977 )

              if these so-called pop stars are being made up that way to attract girls, that really doesn't say anything about how they are considered amongst Japanese males.

              But guys that attract lots of girls impress other men who don't (which is most), so it all perfectly makes sense.
              The protagonist in your typical JRPG is this guy that is very tough and also is attractive to girls.

              • Not really. Look at the Hanson brothers. Look at the Jonas brothers. Look at Justin Timberlake. Girls love those guys, but most guys aren't at all impressed by them. In fact, most guys can't stand them. What attracts females and what impresses guys are two very different things. You don't see many football players on the cover of teen beat magazine, but those are the kind of guys other guys tend to idolize.
    • FF6 port to PS3 please. I want to use some of Edgar's lines as soundbites.

  • Pacing the gameplay with the story (Score:1, Informative)

    by Anonymous Coward
    Through the three Final Fantasy games I've played, IX, X, and XII, there's been a point where steadily the monsters get harder and harder, while my characters lag behind while the story progresses, leading to a moment where I have to go out and grind on the same monsters over and over again to progress. Final Fantasy XII was the worst in the grinding respect. If it were better, you would be able to sufficiently level up on story line missions combined with side quests. Not only that, but in Final Fantasy X

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