There's a lot to like in the new Tokyo Game Show floor demos of Square Enix's upcoming epic,
Final Fantasy XIII. We thought we might tell you what we liked about the demo rather than give you a boring play-by-play recap.
What's being shown here is quite a bit more deep than the short demo that was released in Japan earlier this year alongside the
Final Fantasy VII Advent Children Blu-ray release. From the looks of the demo stations, these demos are running discs on PS3 slims, meaning that they're probably in the later part of development. Good news, I'd say.
There's actually two demos playable here between the various booths showing it. One features Snow and the other features Lightning. Both are fantastic. I played through both twice to really get a feel for the demo.
I like that summoned creatures are also vehicles
We've already seen fighting alongside your summoned in an earlier Final Fantasy game, but XIII ads a twist in that you can also transform this helper into a vehicle. I love that someone came up with an insanely crazy idea and was happy to throw reason out the window to see it through. In Lightning's demo, I was able to summon Odin. He'll fight alongside you as a powerful ally, but it's much more fun/funny to see him transform into a horse. A tap of the square button brings about this riding mode, and his horse gallops in on a bed of rose pedals from the sky in a perfect spiral.
Surely you're already familiar with Shiva's menage a trois motorcycle action. It's two guys and one girl in this case, as Snow was the summoner. Finally seeing the union in person on Sony's high end displays was both hilarious and strangely arousing. After assembled, one battle command lets you ride your woman-bike up onto the face of your enemy. How great is that?
I'm glad that over-the-top is back
It seems like the Final Fantasy team threw up their arms and said "screw it, we're doing what I want." I think the game is better for it. Final Fantasy XIII embraces the series' former over-the-top feel with everything from the previously mentioned crazy transformations to the big sounds and sparkling visuals. They did not hold back, and it shows.
I like that battles are fast and simple
For as much as I liked Final Fantasy XII, one thing that held it back for me was that I had to think too hard about the battles. It took me out of the game and its setting a bit. Final Fantasy XIII's battle system gets back to fast-paced battles and yet still manages to keep strategy and balance in mind. Taking away the need to think about positioning in battle has let Square Enix make FFXIII's battles more dynamic and cinematic. One sub-boss battle I played started out in a constricted area, but then later moved to a more open space, keeping things interesting. All I had to worry about was my attack choices.
I like the cutscenes
Are we done badmouthing games with lengthy cutscenes? Apparently the folks at Square Enix weren't worried about that at all. All three of the Final Fantasy XIII demos I've played have proudly put forward their impeccably crafted story clips. Are they good story clips? I don't know yet, as they don't give enough context to judge. They sure are beautiful, though. Square Enix has embraced Blu-ray, and the new (and somewhat lengthy) scenes I saw were a multimedia tour-de-force. The Japanese voice acting was exemplary and the motion-captured characters brought a level of immersion unseen in previous titles.
There's still that old treasure box trap
In Final Fantasy XIII's futuristic world, treasure boxes look completely different. Now they're floating orbs with a handle on them that dispense goodies. What hasn't changed is that old trick where you'll go up to and open that tempting treasure box only to find that a monster was hiding in wait, ready to attack you. That' never gets old.
So you're probably wondering: What didn't I like? Click here to find out!
Contest:
12:00 PM on 09.27.2009
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Exactly what you said.
Anyway, I want to be excited for FF XIII, but I don't know... without Matsuno, I really don't think lightning will strike twice, and I've been very underwhelmed and for quite a long time I've been dissatisfied with everything from SE that doesn't have "Dragon Quest" in its title.
The summons sound so crazy and awesome. Especially Odin, I loved him before already, but now he turns into a horse!? Perfect!
Which reminds me, on a scale of 1 to OMG, how awesome would a Gurren Lagann RPG be?
Exactly what you said, but my future PC will be occupied by ME2
I was never on the trash lengthy cutscenes bandwagon. I love story in my games; if I didn't, I'd play puzzle games exclusively. I am so excited for this game.
Honestly, I am more interested to hear about what you didn't like though...
Honestly, I am more interested to hear about what you didn't like though...
yet another good thing ruined. IF IT AINT BROKE DON'T FUCKING FIX IT.
I generally prefer short, sweet and to the point, but I'll watch the scenes and summons at least once.
I don't necessarily associate FF with being over-the-top. I mean, I've played most of the series excepting XI, but nothing (playable) really struck me as HOLY FUCK WOW.
For as much as I liked Final Fantasy XII, one thing that held it back for me was that I had to think too hard about the battles. It took me out of the game and its setting a bit.
Though weren't most games prior just..."Hit Attack/skill until enemies die"? FFXII was most people's first encounter with actually having to move around during battle. I dunno, that's an obvious nitpick, I know.
Maybe I'm lashing out because it's damn unlikely I'll ever get to play this. =P
And i don't care if it's on 300 DVD's.
There's a glaring contradiction here Mr. North. *Phoenix smug pose*
From "What I didn't like about Final Fantasy XIII" by Dale North
"I can't take the sensory overload in battles
What. The. Hell. Is. Going. On?"
From "What I liked about Final Fantasy XIII" by Dale North
"I like that battles are fast and simple"
Seriously, which is it? Are they simple or confusing?
Let me see if I interpreted this correctly; the actual battle system and gameplay mechanics distracted you from...eh...the game? I don't usually worry about the end of the Western civilization, but if we don't even know what an RPG is FOR anymore I'd say we're in pretty deep trouble...
Balls, I loved XII because of the complex battle system, my favourite battle was the giant Behemoth hunt in the snow place (Can't remember name now played this game a while ago) quick and fast/cinematic is cool. Complex, deep and damn hard is better, of course 90% of people who played XII probably thought it was piss easy but they probably didn't finish many hunts. The story posed the least challenging gameplay in any FF game I've played, but XII was about the hunts. I'm hoping XIII's story actually poses enough of a challenge that I feel satisfaction when I finish the game. Barring that I'm sure it'll continue the JRPG tradition of ridiculously hard sidequest boss battles.
Here is my impression of you; "I LIKE PRETTY SHINY! I DON'T WANT TO PLAY MY GAMES OR HAVE A DYNAMIC EXPERIENCE JUST SHINE A LIGHT INTO MY FACE!"