screen shot from gamersyde.com
I recently had the ability to rekindle my love for video game hacking. Being out of the loop for a good 4 to 5 years can feel like a chore of catch up given the next generation of systems that have come out since my last period of gaming indulgence.
The Final Fantasy series started for me in junior high with VII like most gamers my age. These games have continued to evolve with every release since and regardless of the different ideas within the battle system or even concept or atmosphere the games bring, I have always given them a shot. Being a big fan of VII I am pleased to see the new XIII looks to take the original turn based battle mode back possibly dropping the gambit system that established XII as one of the biggest hit or miss titles in the series. Plus the atmosphere of this soon to be released title has a similar feel to VII and VIII with the visuals and attitude.
Words really do not describe how epic this title looks to be. And thank you Square Enix for releasing this title after the hefty price tag on PS3 and XBOX dropped!!!! That is right my friends, you now have a choice as its the first game in the series to let go of exclusive rights to Sony.
From repeatedly watching new gameplay footage, my favorite character so far is the guy with a baby chocobo riding in his afro. Check out additional gameplay footage at gamersyde.com.
ALSO!! There is a second title being released under the same XIII umbrella called VERSUS. Part of three Final Fantasy XIII games from Sqaure-Enix, Versus is the story of a young king sworn to defend the last crystal in the world from the “hectic order” outside of his kingdom. It’s a fight between ancient and modern techonology, and the struggle of one king to protect the old ways.
Release Day 3/9/2010
Well today is the big day… Will I join the masses complaining that the game is too linear? Or will I not give a shit and enjoy the fact that like all titles that are currently evolving to a new platform, Final Fantasy XIII is going to be the most cinematic experience yet?
What are your thoughts before and after experiencing this exciting release?
afros and turn-based and chocobos, OH MY! STOKED!
Comment by andrew linde — April 16, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
also…. lol… there’s a chocobo on the front page of our website, hahaha…. need sleep…
Comment by andrew linde — April 17, 2009 @ 5:25 am
My FF XIII experience began before I even returned home from the store. As I picked up the game (and hardcover guide, of course) in my dress attire another business type was picking up the game (and guide) as well. It just made me realize that there’s this entire generation in step with me that grew up with Final Fantasy and still find time to devote to one of their favorite gaming series, no matter how busy they are or how many responsibilities they might have.
With that said, I could care less about the fairly linear progression of the beginning chapters. If I had all the time in the world then I would be invested in an MMORPG, but I don’t and I’m not. With FF XIII I’m getting the quality visuals, intricate story and engrossing battle system the series is known for. I couldn’t be happier with the game and can’t wait for the next block of time I can devote to it after work.
And yes, I do find myself attached to the afro-riding chocobo.
Comment by Rich — March 10, 2010 @ 3:03 pm
Very cool you grabbed the hardcover it sounds beautiful!! Coffee table stuff regardless of company ha!
It is great to hear you are able to justify the gaming experience still to this day. Often we can feel guilt and not allow ourselves the mind frame to actually relax and enjoy some of the little things that made us who we are today. I feel the developers of XIII have kept that in mind for the fans that have grown up with the games yet new technologies allow them changes necessary for engaging new audiences.
I also often think about the generation of individuals that grew up with and still enjoy these games. It’s interesting to think about how growing up with Final Fantasy may have wired a small part of our brains in terms of problem solving and what not… Depending on a persons “role” in our increasingly digital world, perhaps engaging in these games is more beneficial than we thought.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience Rich. Happy gaming!
I have a feeling the chocobo will finally get some spot light in the story eventually!
Comment by timothy java — March 12, 2010 @ 1:54 pm
Having bought this game early on Tuesday morning and completing it today, FFXIII has been a very strange experience for me. I’ve been looking forward to it for such a long time, and when I finally got it, I couldn’t wait to sit down and play it.
I wasn’t disappointed.
From the get-go you are thrown into the action, pulled along by the story without time to stop and take a break. I found this extremely fun, yet I think people who haven’t been following the build up to a game may have a little trouble dealing with the terms l’Cie, fal’Cie and Focus. A sort summary would be that l’Cie are humans chosen by the god-like fal’Cie, who are then given a set task, known as a Focus, to complete. In order to complete this focus, they are granted special powers and abilities, etc. And as Vanille would say, that’s the basics ‘in a nutshell’! The game places you on a set path for the first 20 hours or so. While this is all well and good, as it develops a story, the lack of towns or side-quests means that the constant pattern of dungeon-cutscene-dungeon-cutscene-quiet area-dungeon-cutscene-dungeon-cutscene and so on can be a little exhausting.
Character development is fantastic. At the beginning, I despised Snow and Vanille, but as the story goes on, their flaws are explained, as are the reasons behind them, and the result is a cast of characters who you feel emotionally attached to. The battle system is strategic and fast-paced, more engaging than any other FF game I’ve played. The Paradigm Shift system allows you to effectively adapt to constantly changing battles, and the AI isn’t the slightest bit clunky in supporting your party. The visuals are brilliant, if a little subpar on the 360 version (which I played), and the story is especially engrossing.
I almost feel a little sorry that I’ve completed it so quickly.
Time to start on the side-quests!
Comment by Bex Spence — March 12, 2010 @ 4:47 pm
wow you cruised through that thing!! i just got into gran pulse and am starting to realize the people complaining about it being to linear were online complaining and not putting in the time to get to this area… its almost overwhelming yet most of the story has been developed now so I don’t feel lost and have only gained more interest!
no doubt they start you off with an almost preconceived notion that the player will know a lot of the story before picking it up. when i pre ordered my copy they gave me a mini guide composed of 30 pages of the full strat guide so i was ready to go and thinking about the game engine and story before it was even in some peoples hands.
So far that could be the only downfall to the game which im personally not worried about so HELL YEA!! way to go Square Enix you still got it!!
Thanks for stoppin by!
Comment by timothyjava — March 23, 2010 @ 1:46 pm