Final Fantasy 13, the day has finally come

[shadowbolter]

I don't know about anyone else here but I don't think I've ever been more stoked for a game... ever. The only one that came remotely close is Modern Warfare 2 and Persona 4, possibly Bioshock 2. 2 of the 3 I greatly enjoyed, try and guess which one wasn't... regardless. Midnight releases all over and I am planning for a long night ahead of me.

Since its announcement at 2008 E3 I have counted down the days and it has been a completely agonizing 2 years since then. For this game I did something special, sort of. I strayed away from reading reviews other than the overall scoring. Other than a few character names I know nothing about the game and I want to keep that way until I pick it up tonight.

/early discussion go

[kurandoinu]

Since they just gave us a huge uni project for the next 10 weeks ish, I won't be able to pick it up until I submit my work. Which sucks because I wanna play it now

[vuzedome]

You sure about not reading the reviews.

But be sure to do so before buying it.

[Talapus]

After reading some reviews I trust, I think I'll just wait for XIV (and I was stoked about this game too).

[Proin Drakenzol]

My buddy bought the Japanese PS3 FFXIII edition with the Japanese game and I watched him start to play it.

Things I noticed:

• Graphics are gorgeous
• Music is amazing
• First female lead
• Afro dude has a baby chocobo in his 'fro
• It seems as if there is no magic, only "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" stuff (which I think is pretty cool)
• Playing a game with all the menus in Japanese is somewhat difficult.

I'm no Final Fantasy fan (hated VII and up) but XIII actually doesn't look half bad.

[shadowbolter]

You sure about not reading the reviews.

But be sure to do so before buying it.

I am quite sure. This is one of the few games I've done this for because, call me crazy, but I want it to keep that sort of 'magic' to it without knowing what to expect. I realize my expectations are really high and if it ends up sucking then so be it. But only time will tell.

My buddy bought the Japanese PS3 FFXIII edition with the Japanese game and I watched him start to play it.

Things I noticed:

• Graphics are gorgeous
• Music is amazing
• First female lead
• Afro dude has a baby chocobo in his 'fro
• It seems as if there is no magic, only "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" stuff (which I think is pretty cool)
• Playing a game with all the menus in Japanese is somewhat difficult.

I'm no Final Fantasy fan (hated VII and up) but XIII actually doesn't look half bad.

i no rite?

[DaggerLite]

Please, the critics can't really be trusted much with a franchise like Final Fantasy any longer. The latest ongoing trend (past few years) is that a game has to be innovative to score high, while a game like Final Fantasy, where you know what to expect for the most part (gameplay terms), the enjoyment factor depends on the story.

I won't say that FF XIII is the best game this year, and I haven't - nor will I be able to play it for quite some time. I just don't quite trust the critics on this one, because it seems they've burned themselves on FF XII and want to play it more safe this time. FF XII was a flop in my eyes, though it received an average meta score of 92% (user rating 78%). FF XIII has currently a meta score of 83% (user rating 85% - too early to be reliable, but it doesn't seem like many were disappointed).

Just to bring some of the data to light, EDGE (pretty renowned game magazine) gave FF XII a score of 90/100, and *shock* FF XIII 50/100. There can't really be that much of a difference between them, and I'm fairly sure XIII is better than XII. Critics got burned, got angry, revised their scoring systems for J-RPGs. I'm sure XIII is great if you like the genre and the story gets to you.

[SeventyX7]

The biggest complaint I've seen levied against it, that it's linear, doesn't really concern me at all.

(1.  Every game made these days is "sandbox" and I'm tired of it.  It will be nice to play a game that has a strong structure to it, that will allow the developers to have more control on what the experience is.

(2.  It can't have a more boring story or characters than 12.  In other words, no matter what it will redeem the franchise for me.   

(3.  It does concern me, however, that the player can't choose the party members.  Typically, I could just remove the people from my party I don't like and pretend they don't exist (I'm looking at you, cast of FF VIII).  Now if there is a particularly annoying character, I'm stuck with him/her.

After reading some reviews I trust, I think I'll just wait for XIV (and I was stoked about this game too).

XIV will be a MMO, you know.  XV would be the next one to wait for.

[Natheria]

XIV will be a MMO, you know.  XV would be the next one to wait for.

No, more like Versus XIII will be the next one to wait for.

I personally cannot wait to get my hands on this game. The best part is my spring break is next week. Guess what I'll be doing all week.

Edit: ZOMG! I just checked Newegg again and it's showing that they charged me for my pre order! *squee!* 

[shabutie]

All I wanna know before I pick it up tomorrow is...  (haven't don't much reading up on it)

Did they keep the fail combat system from XII? or did they revert back to the original?  (or like the original)

[lx4]

Did they keep the fail combat system from XII? or did they revert back to the original?  (or like the original)

I guess its more like the old games then XII but I would say its really something new.

[Nikran]

i still have Dragon Age and Demon's Souls to finish before i can go start a new rpg =/

[fohfoh]

i still have Dragon Age and Demon's Souls to finish before i can go start a new rpg =/

You're still playing Demon's Souls? I beat it once and got bored.... Fat princess is a good alternative.

[Meomix]

So when's Final Fantasy Infinity coming out.

[Sakubo]

Ive been waiting for this game as well. I already preordered it months ago. I should get it in the mail sometime today so I will play it then. I saw some of the reviews but I dont really care what they write anymore. I mean almost every JRPG anymore they talk about how bad it is and give crappy scores to it yet almost all of the ones I have played I have enjoyed enough to get my money's worth so I pretty much gave up on reviewers.

[Proin Drakenzol]

I just ordered it, Newegg had a $5 off coupon, and it really did look damn impressive.

Hopefully this'll be the first numbered FF I like since VI (I've only liked I, III, IV, V, and VI of the main series).

[shadowbolter]

I haven't slept. At all.

The short and sweet: I love this game.

[Crimson13]

I have to hold off a bit 'til i have freed up funds.  But i must have it!

[nstgc]

This is how you kill a franchise.

FF 13 is bad. I eagerly awaited its arrival and stood in line last night in the cold for the doors to Game Stop to allow people in. I have played it for 5 hours, am on chapter 4 of 13, and am far more disappointed than I expected.

The game is far more linear than I expected. Yes, FF games tend to be pretty linear, but this beats them all. You also can't change the party leader until chapter 10. I got pissed off so I decided to look it up. They brought back the sphere system and made it worse. The combat itself is just a bunch of rinse and repeat.

Anyway, I'm pissed. I wasted $60 and 7 hours of my time.

[Mikan]

Just got my copy! I thought casing was white background but its like a light silvery color o: Shiny? ps3 not with me though Fail.
@ the reward system at Enix is down right now T.T" (wonders what reward is o.o)