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Product Features

Genre
Role Playing
Publisher
Square Enix
Release Date
March 09, 2010
Available Platforms
PlayStation 3, XBox 360, XBox 360

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Final Fantasy 13

Final Fantasy XIII - From the creative minds behind FINAL FANTASY VII and FINAL FANTASY X comes the latest installment in the critically acclaimed series. As FINAL FANTASY VII was for PlayStation, and FINAL FANTASY X for PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, FINAL FANTASY XIII will be the first numbered FINAL FANTASY title for the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360, and will look to once again reestablish the series as the RPG brand. Players will follow Lightning, Snow, and the other heroes who are dealt a hand of fate by the god-like fal'Cie. Cursed and regarded as enemies of society, they have the world against them and nobody to rely on but each other. Will they find the strength within themselves to break free of their curse and determine their own fates, or...

  • Ben Dodd January 30, 2012 360
    ****

    The 13th installment in the Final Fantasy follow suit with where the others claim there greatness. It's got a wonderful story that embraces the player to an extent where they don't know when to put the controller down.

    Also similar to the previous installments it requires plentiful hours of gameplay and 'grinding' to successfully complete. However 'grinding' is not overly necessary due to the appropriate amount of enemies being placed about the story plot missions.

    The graphics in this game are impressive and made even more so through a HDMI cable (for those who have one). Square Enix have clearly put in there full effort into making this 'Final Fantasy' as detailed and compelling as possible.

    The story kicks off from the very moment you insert disc and throws you into the action packed adventure where it gradually introduces the characters to you. Meaning there's no unnecessarily long cut-scenes where we learn about one individual.

    However it is possible to find yourself somewhat dismayed with main character known as 'Lightning' as she has a rather negative personality, the glass is always half empty with her, and she makes sure the other characters and the player knows it. Which is different to the protagonists of previous installments. On the other hand the further into the game you play the more you can respect her.

    Square Enix have taken a step outside the box with this game in trying to present the player with a story that they cannot predict. They succeeded mostly, any veteran of the Final Fantasy series knows to be prepared for drastic events however Final Fantasy XIII keeps you on edge and shocks you with its epic-scale plot twists.

    Enix have also aimed outside the box with the new innovative battle system. The battle system is no longer 'turn-based' and based on selecting the right moves to combine together with the given 'Action Bars', the higher your level the bigger the combo's or the more powerful the move.

    The 'paradigm shift' is also new and genius in that you can easily control your other party members tactics. Unlike in games such as 'Dragon Age: Origins' which requires you to spend countless hours allotting 'team tactics'. Final Fantasy XIII removes this large learning curve and presents the play with a simple easy to use and easy to play game.

    Overall Final Fantasy XIII is a must-play for any RPG veteran and any gamer that is compelled by a game with moving story. For gamers new to the series though I'd go for a 'try-before-you-buy' approach, purely to see their response to the characters presented to them. So in the end this 9.6 rating RPG (in my personal opinion) has but one flaw, the ability to embrace the characters.

  • Tobias Green April 18, 2010 360
    ****

    Square Enix's new entry into the final fantasy series is certainly a fresh approach for the franchise. In the beginning, I was sceptical of the new style of gameplay, but it did eventually grow on me. This review will examine several components of the game, and how they can affect the overall experience.

    Sound and Music:
    From the opening theme to the end credits, both the sound and the musical choices that have been made fit perfectly with the futuristic style of the game. I really cannot fault the developers for their choice regarding the music, especially in the cut scenes. As always, Square Enix have been especially good at building tension and drama through the sounds in the game.

    Graphics:
    While I have seen my fair share of great-looking games in my time as a gamer, final fantasy 13 is easily one of the best. I found myself completely amazed by the capabilities of the developers. Every minute detail of the game is perfectly crafted to look amazing. The graphics are so good that I often had trouble finding differences between the in-game graphics and the graphics used in cut scenes! If you like good graphics in a game, this one will not disappoint.

    Story:
    The story of this game, much like all the others in the series, is centred around a group of misfits trying to save the world. Granted, it isn't stellar writing compared to a movie script or book, but it does keep the player interested enough to keep coming back. At times, the story can seem very confusing, but the addition of a library feature helps clear this up.

    Gameplay:
    Without giving away much of the game, I can safely say that the gameplay in this game is a step above the rest of the series. It feels much more fast-paced and streamlined compared to previous games, and while it can take a bit of time getting used to, it does eventually feel very natural. If you didn't like the slow paced, turn-based combat of the other final fantasy games, this one is the one to go for.

    Criticisms:

    While the overall game is very good, there are a few downsides. For one, the game does take a while to get to the good gameplay, with the first few hours being a tutorial, and the next few involving travelling through corridors. It does eventually open out into a big area you can explore.
    Another criticism I have is with the Xbox360 version of the game. This version does not come on one disc like the PS3 version. Instead, it appears on 3 discs. While this is a small issue, it is still a bit of a nuisance to change discs a few times during the game.

    Overall, this game is very engaging and will take up a good 40 hours of your time. I have greatly enjoyed the new feel of the gameplay, and I am sure you will too!