Final Fantasy XIII Reviews

ShaneU

The review embargo just lifted, so here's some reviews....

Eurogamer http://tinyurl.com/y9ealgm

8/10

CVG http://tinyurl.com/y9zs3ek

9.2/10

IGN UK http://tinyurl.com/yahugd6

8.3/10

Edge http://tinyurl.com/yhoaw27

5/10

Gametrailers: http://www.gametrailers.com/video/re...62720?type=flv

8.6/10

1up http://tinyurl.com/ydbs2qc

A-

Gamespy http://tinyurl.com/yevy98t

4.5/5

Gamespot http://tinyurl.com/yckyvza

8.5/10

I knew what eurogamer would give it before I even read the review, their scores have become so predictable when reviewing high profile titles.

joe123

Jese that Ign one is really low. And usually they have a tendency to over rate games.

ShaneU

Edge review http://tinyurl.com/yhoaw27

5/10

:rolleyes:

Vokes

That Edge score is just plain bizarre given some of the good comments they had to say about the game - "...a battle system that stands among the genre’s finest...". Reads more like a 7/10.

Was it Edge that gave FFX a score of 6/10? Hmmm.


I think knowing now FFXIII's shortcomings with regards to its RPG-ness, ill probably still enjoy it regardless.

Retr0gamer

I'd never trust a review from edge. This sums them up perfectly

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0I4_A8STEo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGR3-CPngJ8

Mr. K

Gametrailers: http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-final-fantasy/62720?type=flv

8.6/10

Aurongroove

game reviews are such a waste of time for games as big as final fantasy.

too many reviews will try either over compensate for weither they like it or not and give it a 10 or a 5, or they'll give it a standard grade to appear level headed in the face of such a big release, so 8 and a halfs all round.

FFXII was riddled with short comings, so was X, IX, VIII & VII etc. etc.

I expect FFXIII will be no different, the amazing coupled with the misguided.

the only feature I'd like to see in new FF's are an option for Origonal Japanese voicing with english subtitles:
I hate listening to mediocre voice acting.

Burning Eclipse

Aurongroove wrote: »

FFXII was riddled with short comings, so was X, IX, VIII & VII etc. etc.

You shut your mouth!!! IX was a masterpiece... a flawless masterpiece.

*blocks ears and refuses to listen to reason*

Xyo

Going from what I've read already and reviews it seems to be most akin to ff x, which sounds awesome to me cause I loved that game.

super_furry

Edge reviews have just been bizarre recently and this is one of the strangest I've read. Starts talking about how good the battle system is, then praises the story and hails the 'visual marvel'. The only real criticism I can see in the review is that there's no stand out characters outside the main party.

So great battle system, strong story, graphically stunning - 5/10.

noodler

FFX was amazing. Simple as.

Did EDGE really give it 5?

Jesus.

Burning Eclipse

noodler wrote: »

FFX was amazing. Simple as.

Did EDGE really give it 5?

Jesus.

Edge gave Final Fantasy X 6/10... I still remember reading the review.

joe123

Damn it anyways. Its not so much the poor scores thats dissapointing but the sheer lack of RPGness in the game. After playing Mass effect I thought yeah that was a great game but definitely not an rpg.

I was thinking well at least ive FFXIII on the way for some wandering and exploring and going round to different towns/villages.

But no its buy your weapons at save points we dont need shops. Who needs villages and towns we have a set path for you.

I read this a few weeks back but when one of the lead creators on the FF team said "we want to make it more an interactive movie and less rpg" I was like for **** sake :mad:

Xyo

I'm overjoyed there isn't towns.. nothing more annoying than getting lost in some gigantic town and all you want to do is find the key character to progress the storyline on :mad:

joe123

Xyo wrote: »

I'm overjoyed there isn't towns.. nothing more annoying than getting lost in some gigantic town and all you want to do is find the key character to progress the storyline on :mad:

:eek: is all. If you dont like that sort of thing why play rpgs??

Xyo

Rpgs don't equal gigantic towns.

ShaneU

1up http://tinyurl.com/ydbs2qc

A-

Gamespy http://tinyurl.com/yevy98t

4.5/5

Gamespot http://tinyurl.com/yckyvza

8.5/10

Memnoch

I'll be buying and playing XIII, it looks like there are some aspects of it that will be fun.

Looking forward to drop dead final fantasy gorgeousness in full HD on the ps3.
I like that the gameplay is more X like and slightly more traditional than the MMO wannabe XII, which I didn't even bother finishing (first time with a FF game).
The lack of towns does suck, but I'll get over it.
The story doesn't seem to be great, which suggests to me this will be more like 8 or 9 than a 7 or 10, which IMO had superior stories.

SIGH SIGH SIGH at Square Enix. When will we return to the series traditional roots such as a proper turn based system, awesome minigames, a truly sprawling story with an epic unrivalled villain, beautiful towns to explore, each with their own identity, history and almost like a nation in their own right?

GAH, What are the chances I can apply for a job at Square Enix and get appointed the head of their creative team for XV? (I gather XIV is already firmly in the pipeline).

Retr0gamer

I'm bloody tempted to buy this on release day now!

noodler

Retr0gamer wrote: »

I'm bloody tempted to buy this on release day now!

Sheep.

super_furry

Think I'll be picking it up on release myself now. Just noticed that Edge gave Dragon Age 5/10 too, if I enjoy their latest 5/10 as much as I enjoyed that it'll be great.

Vegeta

noodler wrote: »

FFX was amazing. Simple as.

Did EDGE really give it 5?

Jesus.

Well they probably let someone like me review it

noodler

Vegeta wrote: »

Well they probably let someone like me review it

Naturally

http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/finalfantasyx

joe123

Xyo wrote: »

Rpgs don't equal gigantic towns.

Never said they did. Towns dont always = gigantic.

Retr0gamer

I actually really hate massive towns with loads of NPCs in RPGs so I'm happy. It's what really puts me off bioware games because I have to talk to everyone even though nobody has anything interesting to say.

noodler

I think we are going to extremes on the town issue i.e.: people saying "well theres no towns but that cool because I hate massive towns with loads of people".

There is a compromise.

Xyo

I just don't see the need to have a town, all you ever do in them is stock up on items and run into peoples houses and search for stuff?..

joe123

noodler wrote: »

I think we are going to extremes on the town issue i.e.: people saying "well theres no towns but that cool because I hate massive towns with loads of people".

There is a compromise.

Exactly. I always think towns/villages add a sense of atmosphere to the game. Something which I consider important for rpgs.

norrie rugger

Burning Eclipse wrote: »

You shut your mouth!!! IX was a masterpiece... a flawless masterpiece.

*blocks ears and refuses to listen to reason*

Damn right
Well said this man

Memnoch

joe123 wrote: »

Exactly. I always think towns/villages add a sense of atmosphere to the game. Something which I consider important for rpgs.

Yup,
I love the towns in FF games, they have so much personality and are fun and a nice break from the action. Most of the towns are just the right size too and not too big.

PC RPGs on the other hand are a different matter, with their massive sprawling towns that can seem a bit pointless form time to time.

Vokes

Joystiq review

No scores given but an interesting read.

Fringe

Towns were great! Even the irrelevant dogs that bark at you when you interact with them added a little to the atmosphere. It's sad to see it all gone.

ShaneU

Teamxbox reviewed it and gave it a 5/10, the reviewer didn't play any of the third disc. The review has since been removed (probably due to the backlash) but you can still find it here

page 1 http://tinyurl.com/yfk6vrv

page 2 http://tinyurl.com/yhhrt35

Xluna

joe123 wrote: »

Damn it anyways. Its not so much the poor scores thats dissapointing but the sheer lack of RPGness in the game. After playing Mass effect I thought yeah that was a great game but definitely not an rpg.

I was thinking well at least ive FFXIII on the way for some wandering and exploring and going round to different towns/villages.

But no its buy your weapons at save points we dont need shops. Who needs villages and towns we have a set path for you.

I read this a few weeks back but when one of the lead creators on the FF team said "we want to make it more an interactive movie and less rpg" I was like for **** sake :mad:

Wait! Are you telling me there's no towns and villages in this game? If I wanted to watch a movie I'd put on a De Niro DVD.

Xluna

Xyo wrote: »

I just don't see the need to have a town, all you ever do in them is stock up on items and run into peoples houses and search for stuff?..

It creates/adds an athmosphere,culture and history to the games location. For me an RPG without any towns is like an RPG without any stats. Towns are one of the ingrediants that make a game an RPG imo.
Meh, I'll buy it but I'll be expecting Square to deviate farther and farther from the things that made the final fantasy series great. Still,we can always hope for a FFVII remake.

carbonkid

Id say FFVII remake is their trump card...only made if the series completely bombs out!

Retr0gamer

And when they do make it it will review badly because people will realise that it's wasn't that great and dated badly.

noodler

Retr0gamer wrote: »

And when they do make it it will review badly because people will realise that it's wasn't that great and dated badly.

Again.......................................................I think it is a poor point anyway. Nothing (99% anyway) gamewise holds the same appeal now it did 13 years ago.

Xluna

Retr0gamer wrote: »

And when they do make it it will review badly because people will realise that it's wasn't that great and dated badly.

Banned.:pac:

Retr0gamer

noodler wrote: »

Again.......................................................I think it is a poor point anyway. Nothing (99% anyway) gamewise holds the same appeal now it did 13 years ago.

Super Metroid begs to differ.

noodler

Retr0gamer wrote: »

Super Metroid begs to differ.

Its exactly as good as it was when you first played it?

Retr0gamer

Yep, in fact it could be even better since you can sequence break it and time trial it. It hasn't aged a bit.

There's plenty of games that are as good today as they always were and there's some that have dated or are a product of their time.

noodler

I think that is absolute horse**** to be perfectly frank.

I am sure you are going to go for the gameplay mechanics argument but there are other factors which matter whether you believe it or not.

If you played a game 13 years ago, there is no way you can get as much joy from it today as you did then. I love FF7 but even I admit playing it now is boring as I know the story,world,battle mechanics, secrets etc inside out.

You are just bending your argument to include a game you are incessantly advocating - you love Metroid Prime - thats why you think it hasn't aged a bit.

Stating an RPG you played to death 13 years ago doesn't quite have the same appeal to you today is a bit of a given.

ShaneU

noodler wrote: »

I think that is absolute horse**** to be perfectly frank.

I am sure you are going to go for the gameplay mechanics argument but there are other factors which matter whether you believe it or not.

If you played a game 13 years ago, there is no way you can get as much joy from it today as you did then. I love FF7 but even I admit playing it now is boring as I know the story,world,battle mechanics, secrets etc inside out.

You are just bending your argument to include a game you are incessantly advocating - you love Metroid Prime - thats why you think it hasn't aged a bit.

Stating an RPG you played to death 13 years ago doesn't quite have the same appeal to you today is a bit of a given.

This is the same guy who said Boy and his Blob had the best graphics of 2009 on ANY console. I've pretty much stopped taking anything retrogamer says seriously. He lets his nintendo fanaticism blind him from the truth.

Retr0gamer

I didn't say that. Muramasa Demon Sword had the best graphics with a Boy and his Blob or Bowsers Inside Story close behind.

Why don't you think they look good, because they are 2D? Out of all the 3D games out last year none of them come close to those 3 games. All 3 have by far the best 2D animation and art in any game since Street fighter 3 but if you want to discount them because they lack a 3rd dimension then go ahead and be ignorant.

I also didn't say Metroid Prime I said Super Metroid and ask anyone that has played and they will tell you it still is one of the greatest games ever made and hasn't aged. It's really a game that every gamer should play. I also didn't play it until over 10 years after it's initial release in 1994 and it still blew me away.

Xyo

Either way that remake is never getting made

Mr. K

Super Metroid is a very good game! Even though I'd get a FFVII remake at launch, I'm not too fussed about it. New FF games are the way forward!

On topic: I'm quite excited to play FFXIII now.

d'Oracle

Given that most game sites/Magazines are operated by Fanboy twats, I expected this to be vastly overrated.

After Final Fantasy XII I would be massively sceptical, to the point of dismissal about anyone giving over maybe a 6/10 or equivalent.
Reason Being that FF12 was boring, had an lazy story, pretty mannequin carachters with no semblance of personality, and lack of anything beyond run and kill. It was lauded by most of the "reliable" games media.

Given the problems raised by one or two honest sources I have read, (i.e. the ones who aren't still busting a nut over Vii) I will not be purchasing.
Pity that, cos I would have actually bought one of the next gen systems over this had it sqeenix even tried to fix things.

Gummy Panda

I was listening to a podcast with Jeremy Parish talking about it. After his review, I'll be buying this tomorrow.

It just seems like a really linear FF game with a great battle system. He did say it can be exhausting to play due to the lack of break in story e.g. No towns with NPCs talking crap

Retr0gamer

I'm still not getting the annoyance some people have over the linearity of the game. It never stopped FFX being spectacular and practically every JRPG is linear with a world map giving a false impression of non-linearity.

The towns thing I can understand but for me one of the biggest turn offs is a town that is too big with too mnay people to talk to. I find it slows the game right down like in Lost Odyssey. How I see the game is a further refinement of FFX. What FFX did was take the JRPG and distill it into a purer experience by focusing on what made them good, the story/atmosphere and battle system. It did this by trimming the useless and archaic parts of the JRPG formula. I can see FFXIII refining it further. Maybe it doesn't need towns either to create it's world and atmosphere. Other games have had compelling universes without the need of towns and silly NPCs.

landsleaving

I like the false impression of non linearity, for me all the slowing down and exploring adds to the game's atmosphere. I liked that the dungeon/quest parts would be broken up with quiet bits where you can just relax and take in your surroundings, maybe find out some extra backstory. Without that it's just one long dungeopn crawl occasionally broken by a cut scene. I'll probably still enjoy it, but I don't imagine it'll be anything close to it's predecessors.

We shall see tomorrow I suppose.