PS3 Review – Final Fantasy XIII
While levels aren’t given like some standard RPG titles, the Crystarium functions in a similar fashion. The Crystarium is available for each character and each individual Paradigm can be leveled. Crystal points, or CP, are earned after every battle in Final Fantasy XIII, and the points are used to upgrade any of the 3 stats (Strength, Health and Magic), learn a new ability, level up a Paradigm and more. Since each character has some abilities more readily accessible than others, each character is best suited for certain Paradigms and setups. The Crystarium does allow for some flexibility and options, and while incredibly streamlined, it serves its purpose well.
From the very beginning of Final Fantasy XIII the game is incredibly linear. Square Enix seem to have trimmed all of the extras and what is left is the story, combat, and simple platforming. The platforming is as easy as walking up to pre-designated “jump” spots and being jumped to the next platform. One of the most surprising things about the title is that there are very few rest points found throughout the experience. While there are towns found in Final Fantasy XIII, they aren’t towns by standard definition. They are just as linear as the dungeons throughout the game, but are very welcomed. The problem is that up until later in the game, it feels like there is no break to gather thought or do something different. While this is obviously intentional by design, it makes for an experience similar to a single-player shooter experience where the variety lies in the combat.
One great thing about Final Fantasy XIII is when the game finally opens up at around the 25 hour mark. At this point the team is introduced to a huge open area filled with monsters and treasure. The best thing about this area is that not only is it completely non-linear, but there are hunt missions available which send the player to hunt and kill a particular foe for spoils and high CP. The hunt missions are a huge change of pace and are both challenging and a lot of fun, but are unfortunately the only additional content in the game. There are no card games, Blitzball or the entertainment filled Gold Saucer like previous titles. Fortunately, the combat, story and characters drive the experience on their own shoulders.
Final Fantasy XIII is simply a breathtaking game to look at. Each of the 6 main characters are some of the most detailed ever seen in a game. Hair and accessories move with character movement, and animations make each character realistic as well as believable. Although the texture resolution isn’t very high, the draw distance and backdrops make for stunning environments. The most impressive detail about the graphics is how many environments there are. Final Fantasy XIII is a huge game, and to have so many different environments that are all equally look as great is a huge accomplishment. On top of that, the presentation of menus and the UI are both great and function immaculately. The sci-fi world of Final Fantasy XIII has a lot of personality and makes a huge impression the second a player selects “New Game”.
As with the visual presentation, Square Enix did a remarkable job with audio as well. Voice acting is a premium in Final Fantasy XIII, with both friendly and enemy characters acted at a high level. While there are some strange dialogue moments, and several characters are seemingly annoying at first, character interaction is lifelike and makes it easy to become immersed in the story. The music is beautifully composed and while not as memorable as previous Final Fantasy titles, many of the scores are catchy and help drive the experience. Boss themes and the main theme for the game are both excellent tracks and some of the best in the series. Both the music and voice acting both play a huge role in the great storytelling that Final Fantasy XIII offers.
Final Fantasy XIII is simply a massive game. From beginning to finish the game clocks in at around 60 hours in length. As stated before, there are no real extras other than the hunting missions, so almost all of the experience lies in the story and combat. However, leveling characters and upgrading weapons add some flair to the game and allow for some degree of customization and drive. Also, several of the trophies for Final Fantasy XIII reward themes for the PlayStation 3 XMB which is definitely a nice addition. Final Fantasy XIII delivers roughly 100-120 hours of content as well as a deep story which is more than enough for the sticker price.
Overall, Final Fantasy XIII is a high-quality RPG experience that is like no other. Square Enix has gone in a bold new direction with this latest installment and has delivered something that feels like nothing else on the market. Many traditional Final Fantasy themes such as summons and chocobos are all here, and while the linearity and lack of variety is disappointing, the presentation is simply spectacular. The story, characters and combat are all some of the best in the series and help invigorate the gameplay which the game depends so much on. While the first instructional hours are a rollercoaster ride, the bulk of Final Fantasy XIII is a challenging experience and an unorthodox but worthy addition to the Final Fantasy series.
PlayStation LifeStyle’s Final Score
Challenging fast-paced tactful combat. Terribly slow start and a lack of variety. |  |
Pages: 1 | 2 |
36 Responses to “PS3 Review – Final Fantasy XIII”
i was wondering why RPG’s take too long to complete,hell its 100-120 hrs of gameplay.i completed crisis core in 25 hrs,very long for a handheld title..hmmm
I don’t know what is up with me and this game. I see one set of videos and I am so excited and what to get it. Then I see another set of videos and I am so turned off by this game. I am borrowing it from my friend next week. I want to play a good 20 hours before deciding whether or not to buy the game and beat it, or just finish the game and give it back to my friend.
I’m enjoying the game a lot but I’m finding that it’s liberality is the real turn off for the fans.
@ TheHater
I highly recommend the game but be warned, you’re gonna need to put more than 20 hours into it before you truly see it’s worth. I’ve played it close to 30 hours and I’m just starting to see the potential.
Good review. Unfortunately I won’t have any time for FFXIII due to God of War III.
@Gumble
“I’ve played it close to 30 hours and I’m just starting to see the potential.”
See that the problem. I don’t want to play 30 hours before getting interested in a game.
My friends’ review went something like this: “If I am forced to play a game in Hell, this will be that game.” LOL
@thehater
actually its the first 18 hours and before that its fast paced.. the slow start is in every game. The variety aspect being limited? i wasted almost 2 days in 1 world bullshitting around and there are different combinations of items and things you could do to your character with the system, weapon and materials… it all depends on what you consider a story line pick up… for me it was after 6 hours after that ive been hooked. im on 55 hours or more and haven’t completed every mission just saved and started going forward.I cant give away the story but theres a reason why there arent multiple shop towns. You do see 2 cities but its more a 1 stop than move on (some events happed, everyone auto talks once upclose). Heres an example: when it finally starts opening up the ones that were raving over the story being awesome and the implement of linearity to an extent were turned off by the openest your given. Now you have to think in advance, prepare, search and go multiple ways to get from 1 area to another (this includes hidden roads, weapons etc).. before that your presented with little side roads here and there. You also have a free roaming camera and smart people would scout the area before going there. Ive heard nothing but positive things about this game since December. My recommendation to you is dont buy it.. your not even giving it a shot based on random people since forever and it sounds like you want to buy it but than find something to dislike..
@ The Hater.
I would agree with your decision to invest some time into the game before you decide if you want to buy. I would also add on to that as one of the above posters said your going to have to put more time into iit.
To be honest Its very linear for the first part of the game, but it keeps you moving from one locale to the next and the story is great with its progression. I haven’t made it to the part where it opens up yet, as I’ve been taking my time and school. I’m going to put in some hours after I get back from class tonight, so hopefully by tomorrow morning or so I’ll have opened it up.
I’m in chapter 7 or so probably more towards 8. What I can say is this….it feels different in terms of a FF game. I keep waiting for something to click in my mind that gives me that ole FF feel. It hasn’t at this point and I think its because It hasn’t opened up yet. Though to be honest It really doesnt matter to much to me because I think the game is great.
Giver yourself until it opens up that would be my suggestion, and what I mean by that is give it a little bit after your able to change your party members on your own. I would assume that is when things start to pick up. Take into account however I have not gotten that far yet but hopefully again by tomorrow I will be because honestly I really want to grind a bit and see the other nuances of the game.
Good luck man.
I think I have decided that I need to rent this game before I can invest any significant money into it. I have never played a Final Fantasy game before so I don’t need to worry about it being different from past titles, but I usually find it hard to get into JRPG’s. I like the Mass Effect style of RPG that is a lot more action and limited role playing elements. But I honestly can’t say I have ever given a JRPG that much of my time to really give it a chance. I’m like TheHater though, I watch some videos and the characters and environments look so impressive that I’m not sure I want to miss the experience, but then sometimes I watch battle sequences and get turned off…
Any input by someone else?? Is Final Fantasy different from most JRPG’s? The Japanese style of making games, like Yakuza for example, kind of bothers me.
I’m about 15 hours into it and really enjoying it. I’m currently grinding for spoils to upgrade Lightning’s weapon. This game is a grinder’s dream.
It’s a chore in the beginning, I want to get to Pulse and get it over with. I also don’t like the scenarios, always switching back and forth between characters, I want to use Lightning, Sazh, and Vanille but my party is always splitting up. Hope whines to much.
I am having fun with the Crystarium and upgrading my weapons. My favorite part of RPG’s is the tedious systems. I haven’t gotten to a point where I can grind, and I love grinding. We need random encounters back in RPG’s it’s about the only way you can truly grind. Right now I clear an area of monsters and that’s it.
@studious
walk out of there view and walk back.. they reappear.
@Studious
Try exiting and re-entering an area, it will bring back the monsters. Idk if you’ve gotten this far but in the area with the large tree looking things where you ride the elevators up and down. It’s a good idea to take out the six leech/snail looking enemies in one of the sections, go back a little bit and ride the elevator down and back up, take out the six enemies again, repeat, repeat, repeat. Each fight is 156 CP as well as a rare drop that adds +14 to your weapon bonuses multiplier when upgrading.
great review and i am really loving this game
Just the score I’d thought this game would get. Still, I’m interested enough to buy it with GoW3 tomorrow.
How did I get a double post?
So I have just put reached the 70 or 80 hour mark in the game. I want to bring something up for those on the fence about this game. The game changes after you beat it. Without spoiling anything I wanted to point some things out.
While you can attempt the marks when you get to Gran Pulse, you will not get very far through them. The game has the hardest content after the story line, like many FF games. There just happens to be more of it in FF13. I kinda thought of the game as a 45hour tutorial for the real endgame content the game has to offer.
l’ll rent this
I totally loved this game although I’m not a big FF fan. The story is the best thing about it, also the combat system is great!
ive never played any final fantasys and i enjoy this one… although i dont know the characters that great… chocoba is the best :b for the first ff game i played…graphics are nice, i can def. say rpgs have come a long way since i played them years ago…ive played a few hrs and i dont think i can upgrade my weapons yet… ive equipped a few new ones but cant upgrade them…is there something im missing
Seriously, because of 12, I don’t know if i can do it. I loved 7 8 and 10, and the combat and…style/bounciness of 12 was nauseating to me… Not to mention i just want a FF game to return to it’s roots and stop dickin around with the combat system! Maybe you dont like it, but i thought 1-10 had fantastic styles, especially 10.
Maybe I’m getting too old for this new age free roaming squeenix….
also for giese- why don’t you consider purchasing 7 on the PSN? I hope you’re not one of those types who wouldn’t play a gem because of something as trvial as graphics….
As far as japanese style games and your tastes, from what I’ve learned of you by your posts over the while, you probably wouldn’t really dig them- but everything’s worth a shot, no?
I’m just looking at it like I’m playing an interactive FF movie for the first 15-20hrs. In which case it delivers and is awesome! Almost all of the cutscenes(rendered or in-game look as good or better than Advent Children) I have been very impressed by this game so far. I only bought it because I found a used copy for $37. Thanks to that person that didn’t give it a chance.
[...] of Final Fantasy XIII, many gamers have complained that the title featured two of the worst opening hours of any RPG [...]
[...] released with God of War III and Final Fantasy XIII, both of which are consider to [...]
[...] big stunner at the 2008 E3 Microsoft press conference announcement that Final Fantasy XIII was scheduled for a simultaneous release on both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in the United [...]
[...] for role-playing games: “But it is quite awkward, particularly for example in Final Fantasy XIII, which came out last March in Europe. That kind of interface is quite difficult to be included in [...]
I love this game, unfortunately both of my 60 GB PS3s died on me. Lots of fun to play with the Crystarium.
[...] and Japanese developers have been hit with flak for behind behind with the times. Games such as Final Fantasy XIII, Silent Hill: Homecoming, and Resident Evil 5 have been prime examples of Japanese companies not [...]
Great review Jonathan Leack. I simply love Final Fantasy 13 and I honestly can’t wait in till the sequel of Final Fantasy 13 releases. Also in my opinion I would of gave Final Fantasy 13 a 9/10 just from my personal experience with the game.
[...] extremely confounded.Final Fantasy XIII wasn’t exactly well received. We kindly gave it an 8/10, mostly due to its outstanding presentation and audio, but not all critics were so merciful. After [...]
[...] Fantasy XIII wasn’t exactly well received. We kindly gave it an 8/10, mostly due to its outstanding presentation and audio, but not all critics were so merciful. After [...]
[...] series has ever seen a trilogy. What would prompt Square Enix to make such a bold move after the par reception of FFXIII is left only to the deepest of imagination. What makes this most startling is that unless [...]
[...] has ever seen a trilogy. What would prompt Square Enix to make such a confidant pierce after a par accepting of FFXIII is left usually to a deepest of imagination. What creates this many extraordinary is that unless [...]
[...] a polished title on the PlayStation 3 (Portal 2), and most of all, Square Enix has been in a slump. Final Fantasy XIII has been just one of several causes of concern for one of the world’s best RPG series, and [...]
[...] pretension on a PlayStation 3 (Portal 2), and many of all, Square Enix has been in a slump. Final Fantasy XIII has been only one of several causes of regard for one of a world’s best RPG series, and while a [...]
[...] pretension on a PlayStation 3 (Portal 2), and many of all, Square Enix has been in a slump. Final Fantasy XIII has been only one of several causes of regard for one of a world’s best RPG series, and while a [...]