Please mark your spoilers!
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What are your thoughts on Final Fantasy XIII?
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Got my copy for XBox 360 late last night (damn UPS) and am around the end of chapter 7/beginning of 8. Still in the introductory "linear" portion of the game.
Even so, I absolutely love it. So glad I avoided reading others' opinions before I played.
The battle system is incredible--I love the idea of switching "roles" instead of having to manually input commands. No more Attack, Attack, Cure, Attack. The Paradigm Shift system actually makes combat a lot faster-paced, as well as more tactical and challenging. You feel more like a commander issuing orders to your squad than someone micromanaging each move. It's going to be difficult to go back to other RPGs that use the traditional command input system. If FFXIII will change the RPG industry in any way, I hope it's in the modernization of combat, as brilliantly realized here.
Also loving the characterization. S-E made a bold move by having a small, tight-knit main cast, and it pays off tremendously. The characters feel believable, likable, and it's satisfying to watch them grow and change as the plot moves forward.
I feel like the opening section of the game may linger in the linear phase a bit too long (I'll be skipping a lot of cutscenes and battles on my second playthrough, certainly), but it's still top-notch.
Pleasantly surprised with this title--and love the subtle homages to other Final Fantasies.
---
What are your thoughts on Final Fantasy XIII?
---
Got my copy for XBox 360 late last night (damn UPS) and am around the end of chapter 7/beginning of 8. Still in the introductory "linear" portion of the game.
Even so, I absolutely love it. So glad I avoided reading others' opinions before I played.
The battle system is incredible--I love the idea of switching "roles" instead of having to manually input commands. No more Attack, Attack, Cure, Attack. The Paradigm Shift system actually makes combat a lot faster-paced, as well as more tactical and challenging. You feel more like a commander issuing orders to your squad than someone micromanaging each move. It's going to be difficult to go back to other RPGs that use the traditional command input system. If FFXIII will change the RPG industry in any way, I hope it's in the modernization of combat, as brilliantly realized here.
Also loving the characterization. S-E made a bold move by having a small, tight-knit main cast, and it pays off tremendously. The characters feel believable, likable, and it's satisfying to watch them grow and change as the plot moves forward.
I feel like the opening section of the game may linger in the linear phase a bit too long (I'll be skipping a lot of cutscenes and battles on my second playthrough, certainly), but it's still top-notch.
Pleasantly surprised with this title--and love the subtle homages to other Final Fantasies.