Intro:
I am a huge fan of RPG's and it wasn't long before I got into some Japanese RPG's or JRPG's. Final fantasy xiii is the third JRPG I've played so far. and just how good was it.
Story:
The story follows five characters at first and ten you acquire a sixth later on. Despite what some may say, there is no one main character. All six are focused on. For lightening and Snow, it's all about saving lightning's sister AKA Snows fiance. For Hope it about revenge and you get the idea. They all have things they are fighting for. I could try to explain the whole story setup but it's way too complicated to state in a review. Heck it was almost too complicated for a game. You won't find anyone who gets the story the first time completely without digging on the internet. That was one of my problems. In all RPG's, the story has to immerse you into it. Especially when that's what it mainly focuses on. Most American RPG's are also action adventure but I couldn't say the same for the Japanese. There for the story has to be awesome and was it awesome in final fantasy xiii. Sort of, I was really intrigued by it at first. But it always seemed like there were secrets about them that were never revealed. Not even at the end. I just really had a hard time following. The thing I liked about the TALES series like " tales of symphonia" was that there were optional cut scenes to further develop and explain if you wanted it or if you just wanted to move on then you could which I liked.
Battle system:
It was Ok, they tried something new, and although it was fun for the new experience I never want to try it again. You basically give the characters commands and then they do them while you watch. It was kind of fun at first but god tedious after a while. leveling up was also fun at first but got really long after a while.
There are different weapons but honestly I never used them. The first weapons are good enough. This system kind of bothered me. Sure it was unique but got boring for me most of the tie I'd just press A excessively to keep myself busy. I prefer free roam systems or really engaging tactic ones like paper mario. Seeing how almost all the game was battles and cut scenes, then you better make them awesome and I'm not sure they accomplished that. Both kind of got dry after a while.
Graphics and Music:
At least there was one awesome thing in this game, and that was the breath taking scenery and the great music that went with it. This is the most beautiful game I've scene yet that makes full use of the HD. That's what made this game from OK to Good. In fact, you might just want to get the game for the graphics and music alone.
Ending:
All good stories have to end well, and that is to say they need to be powerful. I was kind of mislead however. My friends told me there were hours and hours of side quests and I got all excited. More stuff to do after you beat the game. That's awesome. Fable and paper mario did that and I loved it but here's the catch. The side questing doesn't take place after you beat the game. After you beat it the game sends you back to right before the final stage and then you can go back and do side quests like that. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING. I want to know what happens after the main story. Where do the characters end up and doing what. After the game ends that's it. Nothing. Not even a little cut scene after the credits. On top of that ( Warning may be a spoiler) it's a sad ending. Now not really sad but it leaves you with an empty feeling. It would have been nice to have something after the game.
Linear aspect:
Here's something I'm not sure of. That is whether I like the linearity of the game. Most people hate it and I see why. With all te beautiful places. I want to explore the darn place. See everything. Do stuff. But all you can do is fight and have the same empty ending at the end. What happened to all the side characters. We can assume like you do in law and order but that's why I hate that show and hate this part of the game. At first I thought people were being too harsh on the linearity but after thinking about it and finishing the game I agree it need to be more open and have more variety. It looked like an interesting world. One that you'd want to explore but they don't give that option. This factor alone kept it from being a Great game and so it was only good.
Creatures:
Some creatures I loved and some I hated. I really didn't like the "odians" (or whatever they were called). Lightening's knight one was cool and so was Snows but the rest weren't that theatrical and so I never used them. The gave too many options of fighting that no one wants to use. However for the most part all the creatures were done very well.
PLayers:
This was only one player with no online option which was annoying. I love RPG's that are two player and I wish this one was.
Final thoughts:
Despite all the negative things I have to say, I think you should still get the game if you're a fan of RPG's. I believe that we're entering a new form of gaming graphics and I can't wait for the next final fantasy as it's an MMORPG meaning it's online and multiplayer which is great and the graphics look just as good. Final Fantasy XIII is still way better then most of the crap people are releasing now so if your looking for a game then I strongly recommend it.
I am a huge fan of RPG's and it wasn't long before I got into some Japanese RPG's or JRPG's. Final fantasy xiii is the third JRPG I've played so far. and just how good was it.
Story:
The story follows five characters at first and ten you acquire a sixth later on. Despite what some may say, there is no one main character. All six are focused on. For lightening and Snow, it's all about saving lightning's sister AKA Snows fiance. For Hope it about revenge and you get the idea. They all have things they are fighting for. I could try to explain the whole story setup but it's way too complicated to state in a review. Heck it was almost too complicated for a game. You won't find anyone who gets the story the first time completely without digging on the internet. That was one of my problems. In all RPG's, the story has to immerse you into it. Especially when that's what it mainly focuses on. Most American RPG's are also action adventure but I couldn't say the same for the Japanese. There for the story has to be awesome and was it awesome in final fantasy xiii. Sort of, I was really intrigued by it at first. But it always seemed like there were secrets about them that were never revealed. Not even at the end. I just really had a hard time following. The thing I liked about the TALES series like " tales of symphonia" was that there were optional cut scenes to further develop and explain if you wanted it or if you just wanted to move on then you could which I liked.
Battle system:
It was Ok, they tried something new, and although it was fun for the new experience I never want to try it again. You basically give the characters commands and then they do them while you watch. It was kind of fun at first but god tedious after a while. leveling up was also fun at first but got really long after a while.
There are different weapons but honestly I never used them. The first weapons are good enough. This system kind of bothered me. Sure it was unique but got boring for me most of the tie I'd just press A excessively to keep myself busy. I prefer free roam systems or really engaging tactic ones like paper mario. Seeing how almost all the game was battles and cut scenes, then you better make them awesome and I'm not sure they accomplished that. Both kind of got dry after a while.
Graphics and Music:
At least there was one awesome thing in this game, and that was the breath taking scenery and the great music that went with it. This is the most beautiful game I've scene yet that makes full use of the HD. That's what made this game from OK to Good. In fact, you might just want to get the game for the graphics and music alone.
Ending:
All good stories have to end well, and that is to say they need to be powerful. I was kind of mislead however. My friends told me there were hours and hours of side quests and I got all excited. More stuff to do after you beat the game. That's awesome. Fable and paper mario did that and I loved it but here's the catch. The side questing doesn't take place after you beat the game. After you beat it the game sends you back to right before the final stage and then you can go back and do side quests like that. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING. I want to know what happens after the main story. Where do the characters end up and doing what. After the game ends that's it. Nothing. Not even a little cut scene after the credits. On top of that ( Warning may be a spoiler) it's a sad ending. Now not really sad but it leaves you with an empty feeling. It would have been nice to have something after the game.
Linear aspect:
Here's something I'm not sure of. That is whether I like the linearity of the game. Most people hate it and I see why. With all te beautiful places. I want to explore the darn place. See everything. Do stuff. But all you can do is fight and have the same empty ending at the end. What happened to all the side characters. We can assume like you do in law and order but that's why I hate that show and hate this part of the game. At first I thought people were being too harsh on the linearity but after thinking about it and finishing the game I agree it need to be more open and have more variety. It looked like an interesting world. One that you'd want to explore but they don't give that option. This factor alone kept it from being a Great game and so it was only good.
Creatures:
Some creatures I loved and some I hated. I really didn't like the "odians" (or whatever they were called). Lightening's knight one was cool and so was Snows but the rest weren't that theatrical and so I never used them. The gave too many options of fighting that no one wants to use. However for the most part all the creatures were done very well.
PLayers:
This was only one player with no online option which was annoying. I love RPG's that are two player and I wish this one was.
Final thoughts:
Despite all the negative things I have to say, I think you should still get the game if you're a fan of RPG's. I believe that we're entering a new form of gaming graphics and I can't wait for the next final fantasy as it's an MMORPG meaning it's online and multiplayer which is great and the graphics look just as good. Final Fantasy XIII is still way better then most of the crap people are releasing now so if your looking for a game then I strongly recommend it.