Square Enix cut a game's worth of content from Final Fantasy XIII

[Absentia]

Re: Square Enix cut a game's worth of content from Final Fantasy XIII

No you don't get it. by RPG and Final Fantasy standards, FFXIII is pretty hollow in things to do besides fighting and triggering the next cutscene. even too shallow for a basic rpg formula.
Add the fact that the story isn't as good like previous FFs and it really doesn't even deliver as a interactive movie.



Even just the story playthrough was enough to see how badly designed the game is. It's very shallow in activities compared to previous games.

Just imagine The Bouncer but as long as a Final Fantasy, and with a battle system like FFXIII, and some treasure items, and of course cutscenes, that basically summarizes FFXIII. There is virtually nothing to do besides fighting.

the side missions are basically FFXII's Mark Hunts, except with an annoyingly simplified battle system. in FFXIII you need to switch optima often to win most battles, but to me it really breaks up the pacing and gets annoying. You will be left begging for the fights to finish already.

There are no secret characters like FFVI and FFVII. It's just one long string of battles. and the story and gameplay as a whole doesn't feel rewarding. The only good selling point is the quality of the cutscenes, but that's all.

And the fact that the story and dialogue is below average doesn't help either.

Reading your comments make me think you wanted this game to basically be FFVII-2 and since it isn't, you will pick it apart until there are no remains. I think I'll hold my judgement of the game for when I PLAY it, not WATCH it.

[Firewind]

Re: Square Enix cut a game's worth of content from Final Fantasy XIII

Reading your comments make me think you wanted this game to basically be FFVII-2 and since it isn't, you will pick it apart until there are no remains. I think I'll hold my judgement of the game for when I PLAY it, not WATCH it.

This is exactly the reason why I'd rather be forced to look at /b/ for the rest of my life than listen to yet another a Square-Enix fanboy bitching about a Final Fantasy game being the worst thing since Hitler thought that this final solution thing being a good idea months before it even comes out.

And then they still buy it anyway...

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Square Enix cut a game's worth of content from Final Fantasy XIII

Just because the story is predetermined doesn't mean it's not story-driven

Read what you just typed here, it doesn't even make any sense.

An RPG with a pre-determined outcome is a linear, story-driven experience. I can't say that about Elder Scrolls because while there is a main story, I never have to actually pursue it. There are tons of factions to join and there are only more of them as they add expansions to those games. If I choose to pursue the main story, I've certainly made a huge point of deciding how I eventually get there.

In the forthcoming SMT:Strange Journey, Choices I make affect my alignment. My alignment affects what demon allies will be most effective with me, as well as what quests become available to me, how that path is going to differ and what the final boss might be. If I exploit an enemy's weakness or land a critical hit, demons that share my alignment get a free shot at him, those that don't won't bother. I can choose to fight every random encounter or negotiate my way out of them, possibly gaining a new ally, an item or the jerk just runs off the the money or items I negotiated with

Those two games are giving gamers what they really want. I won't deny that RPG developers have very much retreated to handhelds and I don't begrudge them for doing so, its good business sense, but many Japanese developers - SE included - just are not getting with the time and continue to serve up linear experiences. To SE's credit, the combat and skill growth of Final Fantasy characters remains very diverse, but that's as far as the freedom goes - many people want a bit more than even that. They want more freedom and control.

[jenova_9]

Re: Square Enix cut a game's worth of content from Final Fantasy XIII

Reading your comments make me think you wanted this game to basically be FFVII-2 and since it isn't, you will pick it apart until there are no remains. I think I'll hold my judgement of the game for when I PLAY it, not WATCH it.

You think wrong about what I wanted, I wasn't expecting a FFVII-2.

You don't need to play an rpg like this to know what it's like. videos and streams are no different from being next to someone in the same room that's playing it.

It's funny how when someone critiques a game they have witnessed from beginning to end,
people who know and seen far less than they do bash them for it. Maybe out of fear that the reasons might be right.

In any case, I simply stated my opinions, if you have to be hateful towards me for being honest about my reaction towards the game and story, then whatever. FFXIII isn't without it's positive aspects, I would still recommend it to those that want any new big budget rpg with nice cutscenes. Though my time and money is better spent on other things.

[Absentia]

Re: Square Enix cut a game's worth of content from Final Fantasy XIII

Read what you just typed here, it doesn't even make any sense.

An RPG with a pre-determined outcome is a linear, story-driven experience. I can't say that about Elder Scrolls because while there is a main story, I never have to actually pursue it. There are tons of factions to join and there are only more of them as they add expansions to those games. If I choose to pursue the main story, I've certainly made a huge point of deciding how I eventually get there.

In the forthcoming SMT:Strange Journey, Choices I make affect my alignment. My alignment affects what demon allies will be most effective with me, as well as what quests become available to me, how that path is going to differ and what the final boss might be. If I exploit an enemy's weakness or land a critical hit, demons that share my alignment get a free shot at him, those that don't won't bother. I can choose to fight every random encounter or negotiate my way out of them, possibly gaining a new ally, an item or the jerk just runs off the the money or items I negotiated with

Those two games are giving gamers what they really want. I won't deny that RPG developers have very much retreated to handhelds and I don't begrudge them for doing so, its good business sense, but many Japanese developers - SE included - just are not getting with the time and continue to serve up linear experiences. To SE's credit, the combat and skill growth of Final Fantasy characters remains very diverse, but that's as far as the freedom goes - many people want a bit more than even that. They want more freedom and control.

If we continue to get more and more freedom and control, they may as well just make a basic canvas and give us the tools to create the game we want. But then I guess we'd complain that the canvas wasn't implemented to our personal liking.

[Armando]

Re: Square Enix cut a game's worth of content from Final Fantasy XIII

@BBQ: A game isn't story driven just because it has a plot that's set in stone and unchangeable. Some RPGs have excuse plots, or a very sparce plot. Good examples are Pokemon and Super Mario RPG. Doesn't matter what you do, the plot in SMRPG is always going to go the same way, and they tell you in advance how it's going to go: You're gonna travel the world and fight bosses for 7 star pieces and then you're going to go back to Bowser's Keep and kick Smithy's ass. There aren't very many surprises along the way but it has good gameplay and charming characters. Pokemon pulls more or less the same thing - you already know there's going to be 8 gym leaders, 1 rival, 1 champion, and a Team Something trying to mess up your world in one way or another.

Additionally there are generally two different usages for the term "linearity" and you're not distinguishing between the two. The game can have a linear plot but not necessarily a highly linear gameplay. There are places in Pokemon that are optional to visit, and there are a lot of things to do between plot points. Linear gameplay is when there's practically nothing to do between going from A to B to C to D, which is what Jenova was complaining about.

Finally

Those two games are giving gamers what they really want.

I thought we concluded a long time ago that what you want and what I want are very different things, so broad statements like these are strange. I don't really care if the game has linear plot or not - my two favorites (Xenogears and FFT) are strictly linear. If it's non-linear, that's nice, if it is, that's nice too. I care more about the plot not sucking, and more still about the gameplay being more pleasurable than scraping my eyeballs with a cheese grater. There's certainly nothing wrong with non-linear plots but you say it as if they're inherently better rather than a matter of preference.

[Juriri]

Re: Square Enix cut a game's worth of content from Final Fantasy XIII

she is not EVEN at the level of Terra Branford's significance in Final Fantasy VI.

Forgive me butting in and not contributing wholly to the thread, but, last I checked, Terra Branford was central to the plot of FFVI. After all, none of it ever would have happened had Terra not been alive. So far as I'm concerned, the plot revolves primarily around Terra, and then Locke and the gang.

If you're going to use an 'unimportant female character', try Penelo or Rinoa - the plots and stories could have gone on just fine with the two of them in the background, or gone all-together.

[Firewind]

Re: Square Enix cut a game's worth of content from Final Fantasy XIII

Additionally there are generally two different usages for the term "linearity" and you're not distinguishing between the two. The game can have a linear plot but not necessarily a highly linear gameplay. There are places in Pokemon that are optional to visit, and there are a lot of things to do between plot points. Linear gameplay is when there's practically nothing to do between go from A to B to C to D, which is what Jenova was complaining about.

This is why I don't consider FFI-III, FFV, FFX, FFT, the Disgaea series, Pokemon and the SMT games as "linear" despite them being very railroading with little to no chance to walk off the standard path. Because of the character customisation (FF1-III, FFV, FFX) or the 'mons system (Pokemon, SMT) no two games you will play will be exactly the same as the last one.

On the other hand I consider FFIV, FFVI, FFVII and FFIX very linear since while you can do subquests every game will play more or less the same as the last one did due to either no character customisation (4, 6 and 9) or the games "customisation" makes absolutely no difference to your character at endgame since they all end up the same anyway (7 and to some extent 8)

[Clever Ninja]

Re: Square Enix cut a game's worth of content from Final Fantasy XIII

You don't need to play an rpg like this to know what it's like.

Yes, cause it's a game, not a movie. Games are meant for playing. Stop acting like you know what you're talking about, you NEVER do.

[Kailea]

Re: Square Enix cut a game's worth of content from Final Fantasy XIII

You think wrong about what I wanted, I wasn't expecting a FFVII-2.

You don't need to play an rpg like this to know what it's like. videos and streams are no different from being next to someone in the same room that's playing it.

It's funny how when someone critiques a game they have witnessed from beginning to end,
people who know and seen far less than they do bash them for it. Maybe out of fear that the reasons might be right.

In any case, I simply stated my opinions, if you have to be hateful towards me for being honest about my reaction towards the game and story, then whatever. FFXIII isn't without it's positive aspects, I would still recommend it to those that want any new big budget rpg with nice cutscenes. Though my time and money is better spent on other things.

I am sorry but no... you can not judge ANYTHING, let alone games by images and video alone, you need to experiance it for yourself.

Your judgment is based off nothing but a long video, and poor, rushed translation notes. You can not form a valid opinion about the game just off this. Infact all you really have done, is ruined the experience for yourself, since you already seen most of the game from the video.

[Ziero]

Re: Square Enix cut a game's worth of content from Final Fantasy XIII

All RPGs are incredibly boring to watch other people play. Fact.

[Absentia]

Re: Square Enix cut a game's worth of content from Final Fantasy XIII

All RPGs are incredibly boring to watch other people play. Fact.

False. I found it funny watching my friend get frustrated playing Digital Devil Saga. Never have I seen so many random battles in such little walking distance.

[hexx]

Re: Square Enix cut a game's worth of content from Final Fantasy XIII

You don't need to play an rpg like this to know what it's like. videos and streams are no different from being next to someone in the same room that's playing it.

OMG, seriously, hello foot, meet J9s mouth

You CANNOT pass judgement on a game by just watching it be played. A game may look boring when watching another play, but once you get your hands on it, you realize it truly is a fun game to play. Quit making assumptions about something you have even touched or gotten any hands on time with ok? Seriously, you're making yourself seem like more of a joke than you want to be.

[Malacite]

Re: Square Enix cut a game's worth of content from Final Fantasy XIII

Yes, cause it's a game, not a movie. Games are meant for playing. Stop acting like you know what you're talking about, you NEVER do.

FFX was pretty damn close to being an interactive movie lol. I believe that was the running gag among all the reviewers at it's release.

[TheGrandMom]

Re: Square Enix cut a game's worth of content from Final Fantasy XIII

Final Fantasy, as a series, is known for having strong gameplay and an engaging, powerful story. In JRPGs, a good story is a massively important part of whether the game is good or not. Far moreso then it is in WRPGs, where more interactive game play and customization allow you to decide how the actual story plays out. With JRPGs, we're pretty much watching an interactive anime movie, and if the story isn't worth watching then the game is most often not worth playing. You can't really separate the two because JRPGs aren't sold on their gameplay, they're sold on their powerful and moving stories.

This.

I was discussing FFX-2 and not Dungeons and Dragons, Mario RPG or other stuff. The story is a HUGE part and if the story sucks then 50% of the game sucks. Watch the commercials in Japan. They don't focus on beating up monsters, they are showing you parts of cutscenes and dramatizing the storyline. FFX-2's story was fluff, and I'm being kind. It was fan service plain and simple and I pray they never do it again.

FFX was pretty damn close to being an interactive movie lol. I believe that was the running gag among all the reviewers at it's release.

LOL That was what flew out of my mouth 10 minutes into the game "What is this a god damn interactive movie!?"



I got FFXIII for my birthday from my friend in Japan. I tried to tell him to just get me a figure (Lightning please!) or some of the manuals but he went with the game. I doubt I'll even open it...well I probably will for the code. lol But playing an rpg in Japanese when your really limited on your understanding isn't very fun. But I can say this, you can NOT get the feel of a game by only experiencing one aspect of it. Watching a video, but not being involved in the characters development and earning the adrenaline of staying alive in boss battles, is NOT the way to review a game. The same as saying the story isn't important but leveling and boss battles are. Either way you are only getting 50% of the entertainment value.