Have you got FFXIII yet? Whatcha think?

[Firewind]

Re: Have you got FFXIII yet? Whatcha think?

Stuff

I don't understand why people moan about the game being linear.

FFI-X were all linear. People never complained until FFX.

Squeenix did something about it and made FFX-2 non-linear. People complained.

FFXII nice and open ended and quite non-linear. People pissed and moaned.

Squeenix went back to linearity for FFXIII and people are crying again...

Sorry, it just keeps sounding like you guys are saying "all the hints are correct. but don't listen to the first one because it's not the way to do it." Do you understand these are contradictory sentences?

Oh well. I don't care. Have fun with your $60 games, folks. My friend got a new computer, so he can play starcraft again (waaa no SC2 beta key!).

Are you even listening to a fucking word we are posting or are you doing this on purpose? I will make this easy to read and understand for you because it's clear you and Dak need someone to hold your hand throughout the game.

• The scans tell you two ways to increase the Gestalt bar
• In the case of Shiva, mitigating damage through your tank abilities will make the Gestalt bar go up very quickly.
• Attacking will always make it go up but not as quickly as the other hint.
• You are supposed to attack when the boss goes into Sentinel mode because it keeps your Gestalt bar slowly ticking up and your Doom timer doesn't wait until the Boss stats attacking again.
• You have to press Square once the bar is full like it says in the tutorial otherwise the victory won't count .

Seriously go back to Dragon Age or Fallout where they hold your hand throughout the game and leave games where the fights require actual thought to people who understand how to follow basic instrucions.

[Malacite]

Re: Have you got FFXIII yet? Whatcha think?

When you transform a weapon from tier 1 to tier 2, it's stats will be much lower so don't do it until you're ready to upgrade it further along. Also, make sure to pick the right one; you need them all to tier 2 for one of the games trophies, but only one of them needs to be tier 3. Not to mention it's very expensive, so choose wisely. You can start upgrading equipment in chapter 4.

[Jei]

Re: Have you got FFXIII yet? Whatcha think?

When we talk about linear, it's not the story progression. Of course all FF's stories go from start to end linearly. But it's the map designs, the dungeons, the places that are all linear. There's no more exploring. Combine that with Crystallium, the most linear character developement system ever implemented into FF, and the linearity get emphasis even more.

Oh yea we also have the linear weapon development on top of that.

[Pwnagraphic]

Re: Have you got FFXIII yet? Whatcha think?

When you transform a weapon from tier 1 to tier 2, it's stats will be much lower so don't do it until you're ready to upgrade it further along. Also, make sure to pick the right one; you need them all to tier 2 for one of the games trophies, but only one of them needs to be tier 3. Not to mention it's very expensive, so choose wisely. You can start upgrading equipment in chapter 4.

Well I got my gladius to lvl 10..so I guess I should wait to upgrade anymore?

[Firewind]

Re: Have you got FFXIII yet? Whatcha think?

When we talk about linear, it's not the story progression. Of course all FF's stories go from start to end linearly. But it's the map designs, the dungeons, the places that are all linear. There's no more exploring. Combine that with Crystallium, the most linear character developement system ever implemented into FF, and the linearity get emphasis even more.

Oh yea we also have the linear weapon development on top of that.

Even though FFI, FFIV, FFVI, FFVII, FFIX, FFX and FFT all had character development systems much, much, much more linear than FFXIII

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Have you got FFXIII yet? Whatcha think?

Even though FFI, FFIV, FFVI, FFVII, FFIX, FFX and FFT all had character development systems much, much, much more linear than FFXIII

FFVI, FFVII, FFIX, FFX and FFT didn't have linear character development at all.

FFVI, FFVII and FFT were slow to get started on it, but you had the ability to build characters however you pleased after you got rolling. FFVII's materia system was all about customization on a per character basis, the "jobs" of the characters determined little else but what limit breaks they could do.

FFVI and FFX characters' had skills unique to each of them, but you built on what other skills they could have.

The complaint about linear weapon upgrades is weird. Perhaps they could have go with what they did in FFVIII, but apparently they didn't want you to skip tiers this time.

But you are right about FFX-2 and FFXII - they were totally non-linear in terms of how you explored the game and JRPG gamers seem to need to have their hands held in this regard. Big, open worlds are scary, especially ones that have areas that might not even pertain to a story element.

But just when we get a FF that is bold, different and sets the series in a new direction, anime purists crybitch. Ironically, the Japanese didn't.

Kitase really just needs to step down as a writer and producer. He has totally lost his edge. I'm starting to think the parts of FFVII's compilation that were salvagable was because of Nomura. Kitase peaked at FFVI and FFVII and its just declined from there.

FFVIII actually had the potential to be an interesting story, its just everyone surrounding Squall was a total fucking nag. Its like being single and going to visit the family on Christmas. Every character in FFX was great except the two lead characters. And in both FFVIII and FFX, the subplots told in flashback are better than the main plots.

I think the people behind the stories of I think the FFXI/FFXIV team has great writes, I think the people that helped Matsuno with FFXII did great, too. Nomura, while having a big love for convoluted stories, spins a real good yarn, too.

Kitase is just bringing this series down, though.

[Pwnagraphic]

Re: Have you got FFXIII yet? Whatcha think?

This online guide is saying not to advance in the story till I beef up some.. And if I continue, I won't advance. Does this mean I will be stuck to the point of no return? lol. Can I at least get to Oerba and be able to grind more? I've been grinding all day lol.

[Malacite]

Re: Have you got FFXIII yet? Whatcha think?

When we talk about linear, it's not the story progression. Of course all FF's stories go from start to end linearly. But it's the map designs, the dungeons, the places that are all linear. There's no more exploring. Combine that with Crystallium, the most linear character developement system ever implemented into FF, and the linearity get emphasis even more.

Oh yea we also have the linear weapon development on top of that.

Slight nitpick, in Chapter 11 you get to explore Gran Pulse which is fairly large. It's still linear in terms of the story progression, but you can actually break off and explore the area as well. It's also one of the only 3 zones in the game you can backtrack to - everything from 1-10 is one-time onry. That kinda pissed me off actually, as I was sure that Nautilus was going to be at least one side quest area but alas no.


How the hell is XIII's weapon development linear? You have one final tier 3 weapon for each character who's final stats are determined by which of the 6 or 7 base weapons you decide to fully upgrade.

[Pwnagraphic]

Re: Have you got FFXIII yet? Whatcha think?

It's also one of the only 3 zones in the game you can backtrack to -

Answers my question lol.

[Caspian]

Re: Have you got FFXIII yet? Whatcha think?

Couple thoughts:
Have to agree on the linearity thing. Yes, most Final Fantasys are a lot more linear than other RPG's, but this one is far moreso than any other FF I have played. I think one of the biggest things that gives such a strong impression of linearity is the maps. Hell, after the wasteland area when you're in the blue zone with Lightning and Hope, the map might as well be a straight line. There's virtually no room for exploration.
I also don't care for having party members forced on you for so long. Most have it for a little while on specific side quests and such, but the majority of the game being forced to use certain characters (like Hope, I've drained so many phoenix downs on him its not even funny). Also don't like seeing the mobs I'm about to fight. I also have difficulty believing peoples real problem with FFXII was not having a battle screen. Yes its nice having it, because getting adds in XII sucked, but I never cared for seeing mobs from a ways off, and when I'm farming them for xp and gil, having to wait for respawns. I've always just enjoyed the random encounter system. Also miss to an extent the ability to spend a couple hours just killing stuff over and over just destroy everything in the storyline for awhile. Its really easy to max out the crystarium every chapter so the only thing to really do to help is level up your weapon which is apparently infinitely easier much later in the game. Last thing I don't like is the hover cycle at the beginning of chapter 7. Wtf is up with a normal mob that can oneshot either character and there's nothing you can do about it? Had to keep doing it until it picked Hope both times and I could just res him.
Things I like: Getting rid of MP. Agree with Mal on that one. Especially when you go back to max hp after every battle (another thing I really like). I do like how the summons work and I do like that any player, after a certain point, can be any class at any time. The pace of battles does keep it interesting, but I wouldn't mind it slowing down a little bit and being able to micro-manage everyone in the party. But I don't mind only being able to control one character as much as I thought I would. Other than the fact that your synergist buffs one person completely before buffing another can be annoying when you really just want protect on everyone, but its really not that big of a deal.

Couple questions: When do you start making real money? At chapter 7 and at most I could have less than 4k. Do the monster killing missions really give you that much?
And for anyone that's finished it or near finished it: So far maxing out the chrystarium every chapter has been trivial. Is it the same way the rest of the game, or do the optional missions become required to get the later levels finished? Mainly I'm looking for a way to essentially outlevel he storyline content. Would doing all the missions make the final boss a lot easier?
Ribbon, Super Ribbon, the other super awesome accessory, can't remember the name right now: Are they drops or do you give certain items enough experience to turn them into these?

As far as the storyline goes, its a bit of a mixed bag. The whole Hope thing is just boring and I can't wait for it to end. Curious about Vanille's history, have some theories. Hated Sazh at first, but he's growing on me, same with Lightning, now that she's starting to come to her senses she's a lot more likable. Don't know Fang well, yet. Snow is so optimistic and full of himself I'm ready to puke. Overall storyline seems pretty interesting.

Definitely not the best FF out there, but its still a good game. Knowing it reaches a point (atleast for a short while) where its not completely linear keeps me going at times.
And this post was way longer than I originally intended.

[jenova_9]

Re: Have you got FFXIII yet? Whatcha think?

oh wow look! 5 pages of fanart.
Pictures by fangvanille - Photobucket

lol! the one where Vanille uses Fang's clothes as a hankerchief is soo kawaii! ^.^

[Pwnagraphic]

Re: Have you got FFXIII yet? Whatcha think?

After all the FF's, I am used to it being linear, and I expected it to be. It isn't Dragon Age, and it isn't an MMO..

[JoetheAwesome]

Re: Have you got FFXIII yet? Whatcha think?

Couple thoughts:
Have to agree on the linearity thing. Yes, most Final Fantasys are a lot more linear than other RPG's, but this one is far moreso than any other FF I have played. I think one of the biggest things that gives such a strong impression of linearity is the maps. Hell, after the wasteland area when you're in the blue zone with Lightning and Hope, the map might as well be a straight line. There's virtually no room for exploration.
I also don't care for having party members forced on you for so long. Most have it for a little while on specific side quests and such, but the majority of the game being forced to use certain characters (like Hope, I've drained so many phoenix downs on him its not even funny). Also don't like seeing the mobs I'm about to fight. I also have difficulty believing peoples real problem with FFXII was not having a battle screen. Yes its nice having it, because getting adds in XII sucked, but I never cared for seeing mobs from a ways off, and when I'm farming them for xp and gil, having to wait for respawns. I've always just enjoyed the random encounter system. Also miss to an extent the ability to spend a couple hours just killing stuff over and over just destroy everything in the storyline for awhile. Its really easy to max out the crystarium every chapter so the only thing to really do to help is level up your weapon which is apparently infinitely easier much later in the game. Last thing I don't like is the hover cycle at the beginning of chapter 7. Wtf is up with a normal mob that can oneshot either character and there's nothing you can do about it? Had to keep doing it until it picked Hope both times and I could just res him.
Things I like: Getting rid of MP. Agree with Mal on that one. Especially when you go back to max hp after every battle (another thing I really like). I do like how the summons work and I do like that any player, after a certain point, can be any class at any time. The pace of battles does keep it interesting, but I wouldn't mind it slowing down a little bit and being able to micro-manage everyone in the party. But I don't mind only being able to control one character as much as I thought I would. Other than the fact that your synergist buffs one person completely before buffing another can be annoying when you really just want protect on everyone, but its really not that big of a deal.

Couple questions: When do you start making real money? At chapter 7 and at most I could have less than 4k. Do the monster killing missions really give you that much?
And for anyone that's finished it or near finished it: So far maxing out the chrystarium every chapter has been trivial. Is it the same way the rest of the game, or do the optional missions become required to get the later levels finished? Mainly I'm looking for a way to essentially outlevel he storyline content. Would doing all the missions make the final boss a lot easier?
Ribbon, Super Ribbon, the other super awesome accessory, can't remember the name right now: Are they drops or do you give certain items enough experience to turn them into these?

As far as the storyline goes, its a bit of a mixed bag. The whole Hope thing is just boring and I can't wait for it to end. Curious about Vanille's history, have some theories. Hated Sazh at first, but he's growing on me, same with Lightning, now that she's starting to come to her senses she's a lot more likable. Don't know Fang well, yet. Snow is so optimistic and full of himself I'm ready to puke. Overall storyline seems pretty interesting.

Definitely not the best FF out there, but its still a good game. Knowing it reaches a point (atleast for a short while) where its not completely linear keeps me going at times.
And this post was way longer than I originally intended.

Nearing the end of chapter 8 but, none of my characters have ever been one shotted (not even bosses have done this either). Try giving him bangles that give HP+ or the Black Belt which is -10% phys. damage (or both, when you get 2 acc slots). Also, try to upgrade the roles that give the most HP+. Hope is a great character, imo, and I adored his storyline. But gotta say, I am completely loving this new FF.

[Omgwtfbbqkitten]

Re: Have you got FFXIII yet? Whatcha think?

oh wow look! 5 pages of fanart.
Pictures by fangvanille - Photobucket

lol! the one where Vanille uses Fang's clothes as a hankerchief is soo kawaii! ^.^

Fang apparently likes teens.

[Malacite]

Re: Have you got FFXIII yet? Whatcha think?

Just beat the game. Good ending, the final 3 chapters were a complete pain in the ass for me though, because I was apparently playing the game wrong LOL >_>


FYI - Light + Fang + Hope = unmatched as the best team in the game and I'm not kidding. Holy crap that combo is unstoppable. Fang is the strongest physically, Hope Magically, and Lightning is great offensively in both categories (which is offset by her low HP). I had been using Lightning Snow & Sazh right up until the very end where I just could not take it anymore. Honestly, my jaw hit the floor when I took did about as much damage as I did with my original team (L/S/S) in like 2-3 turns with L/F/H instead of 10+ what the fuck it's that broken.

I also know just what the logo for XIII is now, and I gotta say it's pretty cool.