A Look At the Final Fantasy XIII Demo, Early Analysis 103
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."
Last video 9:40 (Score:4, Funny)
Camera focuses on "man cleavage"
W T F!
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Since most FF male heroes look like girls, it's not such a big deal.
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Hmm (Score:1, Insightful)
"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)
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.
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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)
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Man, you are so wrong. I think you just over-levelled and made it too easy which is a design flaw inherent in all RPGs (well, maybe not Oblivion, but look how well its levelling system went down). I loved the battle system in FF12. I can see that it did expose more than usual the diry secret of RPGs in that all you do is the same moves over and over to win fights but that is not the gambit system at fault, it is the same in other FF's where you select "Attack" or "Firaga" from the menu every single turn.
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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.
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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.
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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)
Looks pretty (Score:1)
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.
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I'm sure they'll go bankrupt because of your boycott.
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FFIX?! (Score:1)
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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
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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
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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...
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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,
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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.
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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.
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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
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Non of them are bad games, it just depends what aspects of the game you like.
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Also, am I the only person who legitimately enjoyed FFVIII?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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VIII was a good game, but there wasn't enough stylistic continuity with the others to justify calling it a Final Fantasy game.
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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
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I liked 9, it was somewhat simplistic but I recall enjoying the game all the way through.
I was impressed (Score:2)
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.
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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
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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
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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 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.
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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
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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.
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Pacing the gameplay with the story (Score:1, Informative)
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...but I guess that means Lightning lives.
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(if you don't get the joke you probably aren't familiar with an old meme regarding FFVII)
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I get it, it's just not funny.
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Do you even KNOW why it's called "Final" Fantasy?
Even if you think about it, just for a second, the title doesn't even imply it's a final game of any kind. It's a final dream.
Go look it up. There is an explanation why it's called Final Fantasy.
Besides, they have nothing to do with eachother.
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Besides, they have nothing to do with eachother.
Well, there was that one time [wikipedia.org]
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We don't like to talk about that one
Unless we're alone with our action figures
I told you never to call me in here!
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Uhhh. According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_(video_game) [wikipedia.org] it's called "Final Fantasy" because it the creator thought Square would go out of business. He thus named it so because he anticipated it being the last fantasy game Square would produce.
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Sorry, Blu-Ray in the PS3 has a faster transfer rate that the 360's DVD.
Get your facts straight please, and stop spreading the Microsoft pre-PS3 launch FUD...
What? (Score:1, Flamebait)
1x BRD = 36Mbps.
1x DVD = 10.5Mbps.
PS3: 2x BRD = 72Mbps.
360: 12x DVD = 126Mbps.
Re:What? (Score:5, Informative)
Nice bit of cherry picking there. Microsoft will be proud. However to ruin your FUD, I have the bits you decided to leave ON the cherry tree.
Firstly, the Xbox360 only reads DVD4.3 at 12x, I can list all the DVD4.3 titles on one hand. The other 99% of Xbox360 games are on DVD9, which is read at 8x.
Whoopsie...
Secondly, it seems you have either deliberately, or accidently forgotten the CLV/CAV differences. The PS3 can read the entire disk at 72Mbit/sec, however the Xbox only reads a very small percentage at 8x ( 80.4Mbit/sec), then rest is on a downward spiral from there.
In summary, 1% of the Xbox DVD is marginally faster than the PS3 BD drive, the other 99% is increasingly slower..
Go back to your masters at Redmond and tell them you need more FUD training..
Re:What? (Score:4, Insightful)
No need to become paranoid-delusional over it though; I just looked it up as you should expect any reasonable person to do and happened to miss a few things. Relax.
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Looks like you got too close to a rabid fanboy there. There's no reasoning with them. Just back away slowly and avoid eye contact, they'll get distracted by some other perceived slight and run off.
I learned something as a result of your post, so I'd say that's a win in your column.
Re:What?^2 (Score:4, Interesting)
You are comparing the PS3 CONSTANT speed, to the MAXIMUM speed of the 360.
The 360 DVD, like most DVD reads tracks on the outer edge of the DVD faster than it reads them on the inside.
BD discs are read at a constant speed, from start to finish.
The 360 *average*, on a full disk, around 64Mbps.
and finally, Xbox uses 12xDVD, not 16 as you used.
http://forum.beyond3d.com/showthread.php?t=42157 [beyond3d.com]
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and finally, Xbox uses 12xDVD, not 16 as you used.
He used 12x as far as I can see. Anyway, while load times don't generally bother me (assuming we're not talking minutes), the PS3 is reported to load slower than the 360 and does not speed up significantly even when fitted with a faster 7200 RPM HD (on games playing from HD of course).
So there might be a bottleneck in the disk drive interface holding the PS3 back.
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BD discs are read at a constant speed, from start to finish.
lol what? Might want to compare the circumference of the bluray disc at the center and the outside edges again!
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Huh, maybe thats why real-world performance of the PS3 shows slower load times than the 360. Forcing the drive to constantly adjust the rpm as it seeks doesn't seem like a great strategy.
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Or it will finally be the first game to take advantage of the HD-DVD add-on! ;P
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The xbox now allows you to store games on the harddrive. At worst, this means an initial instillation of the disks and nothing more. I guarantee if this game is large and fits onto one blue ray, the ps3 will STILL require you to upload it to your harddrive just like it does with Metal Gear Solid. So it's really the same for both systems.