[Multiplatform] Official Final Fantasy XIII Thread

I am personally ver excited about FF13, while gameplay is still vague, it at least looks promising, and finally we have a kick ass girl as the main character, no more Sterotype feminine looking heros again, we now have HEROINES.

The graphics naturally look breathtaking, this game is gonna be one of the reasons why I need to get a PS3.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Mercury

Whew! That's even better than I first thought, the battle pace is "débile", and express next-gen, it's much better than just better graphics, really if we can get that kind of pace and interactivity, and still have 30 hours of gameplay (not counting side quest), it will be great.

Now, I wondering why Square did pulll this off this early, even before FFXII releases in America, do any of you guys remember when they pulled off the first details about FFX? How many months it was before the PS2 launch?

I mean there must be a specific reason, we're talking abut mutli-mutli million dollar projects here, they sure don't want to mess anything up...

Probably because FF12 was delayed for way too long, they have to announce something for the PS3, since its one of the main focus on E3. And I bet FF13 has been developed for a while, but FF12 held back whatever annoucements they had planned, be it just an annoucement of production, some showings of art, or even a ready made trailer.Besides, FF12 may not be doing as well as one would think, since I've heard the Japan market is saturated with 2nd hand copies of FF12. FF12 may not be enough to get good impressions in E3, since FF12 is likely to get mixed reactions, what with its revamped online style gameplay and a story that is political based than character based.

KH2 is out, AC is out, aside from some unrevealed FF7 compliation games (like PSP Crisis core) and mana and valkerie games, there isn't anything else that gives that large BANG people would want, those games would be nothing compared to what other companies are showing, like MGS4 for Konami.

While its questionable if 13's announcement is too early, at least SE is getting alot of good exposure and media press for the game.

If FF13 plays and looks as good as the trailer, I'm defintly skipping 12 and right on to 13.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by SOLDIER

Kairi, where did you get those hi-res screens from? I need to find a better picture for my avatar.

IGN FF13 images page. All the shots there are HIGH resolution!

And looks like alot of people are using this girl as a avatar, and the sigs look so much better than mine... Sadnesss.... I dunn how to photoshop to save my life.

B4-Hunter, your sig looks AWESOME! Reckon you can make one for me with another FF13 girl image? I'll PM about it later, gotta head out.

I also made some mediocre wallpapers out of those shots.

Go here: http://s24.photobucket.com/albums/c13/KairiKH2/

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I was talking to Xaldin from KH-vids.net on MSN, and he noticed that Nomura had hinted his next project for a good damn while, and not just in Advent Children which was where he told fans to look out for hints, which he stated in the KH2 Ultimania interview.

We can say he's been hinting this since the Deep Dive trailer from Kingdom Hearts Final Mix.

The 13 ansem reports, 13 floors in Castle Oblivion, Organization XIII.

All are number 13.

And check out this shot from Advent Children:



Conclusion? Nomura's been hinting on this for a damn good while, and the concept was probably underway and development was going on before FF12 was even announced!

What do YOU think?

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Mucknuggle

I think that you're thinking too much. Those are just coincidences.

Okay, then what was the hints that Nomura said that appeared in Advent Children, hinting his next project? It was from the interviews, so this is not something I made up. When asked about his next project, he told us to watch AC again to look for hints.

And I doubt this is all a coincidences, the fact the number was used so many times in KH2 seem to indicated that KH2 hinted FFXIII VS project moreso than Advent Children did, unless it was some other hint?

Also, I'm sure it was also mere coincidence that Nomura was not in involved with FF12 but FF13 instead?

I was speaking idiomatically.

I still don't see why they didnt give the names of either main leads in both FF13 and VS 13. I mean, unlike Roxas in KH2, I doubt the names are spoilers. They withheld Roxas name till its released for plot reasons, but since this is a new game, theres no reason to conceal the names.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

I think people need to learn that not all image hosting sites will host pics forever, its best to save them immediatly, and host it somewhere that you cna rely on. I use photobucket.

FELIPE NO

Indigo-2 is saying that we shouldn't determine the name is Lightening cannot be her name just cause its in a different font, and he used the PS3 as an analogy cause its in the Spider Man font instead of the original font.

Personally, the name Lightening could be a codename and that her real name means lightening.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by soulsteelgray

Looks more Chinese in origin to me, unless Famitsu also publishes in China...

There are Chinese versions of Famitsu on sale here in Hong Kong, I believe they are published in Taiwan.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Isn't most scans from the Japanese forums like 2ch or other Japanese sites and sources? Cause thats usually where you find them first.

And a playable demo at Next years E3? Hmmm, and I might be able to get in next year, I only missed it this year cause I wasn't able to get to USA on time...

If they are making a FFXIII Fabula Nova Crytallis movie, hope it has a better plot and story development than the fan service that Advent Children is.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Considering that V13 is Nomura's work , I expect no less from the man who made KH. He knows how to set a mood, and his story dealing with dark characters are superb. (C'mon, Riku has to be the most developed character in KH1 and 2.) Judging from the Shakespearen quotes, it looks like the story sis going for that kinda of shakepearean tragedy style. If its political, it might be on the lines of Macbeth or Hamlet, and those stories can be fleshed out more into a tragic character piece, and Nomura handles characters well. (even though KH2 does suffer the Chrono Cross pacing, which I hope they learned from.)

And its also been a while since I've heard a Yoko vocal piece. Very somber tone and in much her style, like a tragic version of Dearly Beloved and Deep Dive.

Its only a concept CG, but thanks to Deep Dive, I am almost certain this will become something amazing, whether is gameplay or story. Recently went back to kill the final boss of KH2 and I just get excited of what V13 will become, since the final boss of KH2 was so... epic, beautiful, tense and just plain awesome.

And the main character is designed by Nomura, so unless he changes his style we will be stuck in the pretty boy thing again and again.... But hey, its not as bad as Vaan's character model in FF12.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Its a chosen one story, except the chosen one brings doom to mankind, not save it. A rare one from FF. And the Lightening is still frigging bad ass.

Most cliches have a pure white mage like girl who is kind, sweet, maybe a klutz and shes chosen to save the world using her pue magic powers, which is to me, ick.

But Lightening, she's a bad ass, shes a rebel as shown in the trailer of invading a train transporting the people in this harsh migration, she kicks a whole troop of soldiers and andriods asses, and she's supposdly brings doom to the world, making her actions a bit of a juxtaposition, which can lead to character development and good plot elements. And all this in a female character for once. Now imagine more characters that can have good development in this game.

And it doesn't have to be religion, could be a goverment thing like a Royal Cospiracy with the migration. It might related to religios type attitudes, but I doubt its anything like FFX. It might be an enforcment from a imposing Kingdom/culture or anything. Like some darker version of Robin Hood's world, theres no major religous element in that story, just oppression. Cept unlike FF12's empire, they are kinda helping people but also screwing them at the same time, instead of invade, they imported them in.

So personally I see potential in FF13's story, and the fact they finally have a male that looks attractive Dante DMC style instead of Jpop magazine boy idol style is fresh and more appealing. And a story that seems to be breaking away from the typical FF or even JRPG norm.

As for FFVS13, like the concept, but its still rather vague at this point.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Metal Sphere

They could be bringing a bag of Sun Chips and dip to mankind, as long as they're some "chosen one" it knocks the game down quite a few pegs for me. XII was a surprising breath of fresh air for the series, and now from what we know, it's going back to its regular self.

Also, don't expect that "doom" thing to last to the end, as a reversal will likely occur, revealing that it's actually the source of salvation/hope for the world.

Well I will admit the chosen one thing is getting old. Then again, Ashe is kinda of a chosen one herself in FF12, she didnt have some crystal ball tell her this, but her Royal blood and obligation was clue enough that we dont need it. FF12 was more about the world, where as the usual FF is more character focus. And I prefer character focused stories.

And it could end up as a ray of hope thing, though the fact they are pitching this as a bringer of doom thing, we might get something very different, perhaps something morbid or we in the end play the role of an inevitable villianess. Who knows at this point? I think this could be a fresh story personally, a darker path.

How ya doing, buddy?

Roots of complain being that it focused too much on characters or just simply bad writing?

I personally like to see a little more character interaction in FF12, I mean c'mon, the great TV shows like Lost, Galatica, 24 or alot of movies and anime wouldn't work if it wasn't for character interactions and development as well. FF12 had a different focus, but it doesnt' mean it needs to diminish the characters that much, half the party didnt get much development, just back stories.

Games like FF8 and prob others I'm not too familiar with had bad writing or bad characters and developments, but that doesn't mean character moments/interaction/development hindered FF, its all simply boils down to writers not knowing how to get out of the sterotypical characters arcs, rather than the element of character development hindering the story. And I feel that FF13 has a potential to take characters, ESPECIALLY the main female lead into a different path than the usual cliche, I mean her job class is already different, and she's far from a sweet and timid girl.

Its probably all a matter of opinion, but I still believe character is an important element in any story, and it should be toned down if its getting old or the focus is shifted, but not diminished like FF12 did to Vaa or Penelo and others. It still has a plot surrounding these characters, not a anthology of different sets of groups/army like FF tactics. As long as you have a permanent party of characters that you have to control, you have to give them some sort of development, otherwise they might as well be mute puppets. I see FF12's style of story telling work better in Tactics, cause we control a large range of characters that don't need much development, cause they are just part of a huge tale of the world and not part of the whole story from start to end.

Though this is just my view on how any story should be written. Take it as you will. You have raise alot of good points though with the bad cliches and bad writing that FF seems to have gotten stuck in for a damn long time, but from what I have seen from Lightening, I'm rather optimistic.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

The synth quality was lacking due to the sound programmer, KH1 had the guy who did Chrono Cross, and we all know CC had one of the best sound synth quality during the playstation era. They got something else for KH2 and he did a horrible job, the POTC theme is marred. Thank god some tracks were orchestrated.

And I am interested in what formula Metal Sphere meant in the FF series that seemed to make it all the same to him. From what I have played, FF6 is very different from FFX. FFX-2 was also different from FFX itself. If you're referring to anime like cliches, well, it only started in the PSX era, FF6 and before didnt have the anime character stuff in it. For me FF12 had a so so plot that bounced from political to man VS god and it wasn't focused, and the lack of character interaction also hurt this.

The idea that we play a part in destroying mankind in FF13 (perhaps either for greater good like purifying the world or we're just plain evil) sounds intriguing and appealing to me. And the idea of a character not just summoning a summon, but BECOMING one makes it sound even more bad ass. Also love the idea of each character having a specific element in their power, makes it so each character HAS to be unique unlike FF7-12 (minus 9) which the only unique element is overdrives attacks.

And her codename could be something the people gave her, she was using more gravity elements than Lightening in the trailer (and fire attacks too), so I think they gave her that name cause she's fast as lightening, which she was. She took down a whole group of soldiers in a few seconds!

FELIPE NO

News on FF13 battle system!

And its just as I thought too when I saw the trailer. Chained up attacks that people can customise and choose, meaning the animation each time is DIFFERENT!

Thats hot.

Source: http://ff-xiii.net/

Quote:

March 2, 2007 - We've gotten used to seeing Tetsuya Nomura, Yoshinori Kitase and Motomu Toriyama in interviews regarding Final Fantasy XIII, but a new face joined the executive staff for the latest feature on Japan's most anticipated PS3 title. The latest issue of Japan's monthly Ge-maga magazine is home to an interview with the three FFXIII mainstays, along with a newcomer, Tosirou Tsuchida. Following his work on Front Mission and Final Fantasy X, Tsuchida is taking charge of the battle system in Final Fantasy XIII.

Before getting into the details of his latest creation, Tsuchida gave some insight into his previous work with the Final Fantasy series. Back at the start of Final Fantasy X's development, he was told that he could do whatever he pleased with the game's battle system. He ended up asking if he could do away entirely with the ATB (Active Time Battle) system for which the Final Fantasy series is known. This caused an emergency meeting within Square. The result was that Tsuchida wasn't allowed to completely do away with the ATB system, resulting in that game's CTB (Count Time Battle) system.

This time, Tsuchida was asked from the start to create a flashy, speedy battle system. He felt that the command-based systems that have been used for previous Final Fantasy games wouldn't allow for this. However, Square Enix wanted a battle system that was as fast as an action game while allowing the player to input commands. That's apparently what we'll be getting in FFXIII.

The battle system is still considered an ATB system, complete with time flowing by as you input commands. However, the actual means of input has changed a bit and, according to Tsuchida, will now allow for more control options. You'll be able to, for example, select between carrying out a simple slash, or charging and then slashing. Some characters will be able to combine magic with standard attacks. And all of this is somehow connected to a new animation system that will blend individual motions to result in a single smooth motion.

Final Fantasy XIII's battle system may share a few points in common with the Final Fantasy XII system. Rather than a standard encounter-based system where battle begins with the allies and enemies in a face off, Tsuchida suggested that FFXIII's battles will begin with the player noting, "Oh, here's an enemy."

Players will be able to change the battle conditions to an extent. Tsuchida gave the example of a player considering what can be done in order to create a winning situation for an upcoming battle.

This doesn't mean we'll be getting an evolved version of the FFXII system either. Toriyama stated that the FFXIII battle system will be something that's not quite encounter based and not quite seamless. Players will have a new way of getting into fights with enemies.

Although Ge-maga got a couple of pages worth of comments from him, Tsuchida managed to keep most of the specifics on the battle system to himself. He wouldn't even confirm if players will be inputting commands for ally characters, or if they'll just be in control of a single character (his response to this question was "no comment.").

Toriyama did, however, refer to the battle system as a "party battle system" as he went on to describe how he wants the game's cast to appear in battle without straying away from their roles in the scenario. This latter point seems to be of prime importance to the FFXIII combat system. It seems that battles in FFXIII are going to be more meaningful than those of previous FF games.

Outside of your main party characters, Tsuchida wants to make the enemies that you encounter in battle more wholly connected to the main game. Scenario and battle should be more closely connected, he feels, and so the enemies will change based on the conditions of the scenario. As an example, he mentioned players moving through an area that's being searched by the army. You'll end up encountering the appropriate type of enemy for this situation, and may even get shot at.

An enemy's specialty and habitat will change based on the location. In the case of an enemy requiring thought and feelings, you can expect to encounter things that aren't strictly "monsters."

In addition to moving differently based on the situation, an enemy's "category" will also change. Enemies in FFXIII are categorized with much detail, Tsuchida revealed. Kitase (who didn't speak much during the interview) made it clear just how much detail we can expect. Battalions will have their own personnel chart, with each soldier having his own background story.

Closing off the Ge-maga feature, Kitase made mention of the fabled "White Engine," the next generation engine Square Enix is using for Final Fantasy XIII. He hinted that Square Enix is considering using the engine for games after Final Fantasy XIII. The recent announcement of the company's plans for the Unreal Engine 3 caused some concern that Final Fantasy XIII would be the first and last sighting for the internally developed toolkit.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Quote:

I think a Wii FFXIII would be interesting (maybe one in the style of Kingdom Hearts?).

We already HAVE a FF13 that will be like KH, Versus XIII, its gonna have enhanced KH style action gameplay and its directed by Nomura san.

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I never understood close door trailers, its like they're saying they have little faith in what they're showing. People actually WANT to see this stuff Square, instead of relying on fan translated scans and trailers caught on video at a game store in Akihabara.

Most amazing jew boots

Brief trailer summaries from SE party.

Final Fantasy XIII

- Shiva is summoned, by the mysterious male
- Shiva creates a passage of Ice for Lightning
- Shiva then becomes a motorcycle and the mysterious male gets on it.

Final Fantasy Versus XIII
- The Prince returns after the fight for the crystal, to see a new
white haired male, only his back, and his mouth is seen.
- The trailer ends with the Prince, and the new mysterious male
running at each other with swords!

HD screens of both Versus and FF13 were released. Knocked up some crappy wallpapers.

Original





1280X800





1024X768





Weird, why is it original screenshots from the source look so desaturated in colors...

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Final Fantasy XIII/13 ~ FF-XIII.net

This site has two BRAND NEW trailers up for veiwing. And no, its not just 5 seconds of new footage.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I just love the fact I get to hear the extended music in the FFXIII trailer. Oh and seeing Lightening kicking more ass extended edition style is ok in my book.

Need to see more of Versus XIII before I can fully judge to see if I would be interested....I mean, still no gameplay footage dammit. Though I do enjoy the music and the psuedo Deep Dive fight.

Trouble with both games though is that we are behind in trailers, Square needs to stop the whole "behind closed doors during press events and Japan Public Cons" bullshit to even try to garner my interest, or other's. God forbid there are plenty of people and press out there who WANT to see some new footage. I hate that it takes fans to be doing Square's marketting when they should be doing it themselves, but they're either too lazy or too busy being xenophobic. If someone didn't rip the videos from the CLOUD Visual book DVD, we wouldn't even get those two trailers.

And even then, development is still going snail pace. MGS4 and GTA 4 have a set time and release of sorts, Square can't even try to think of one and claims both are 1.3 or 13% complete (Ha ha really witty...) Is it really nessacary to take this long to develop? Didn't FF12's massive delays and lack of marketting for a year teach them anything? I just get this urge that their company computers are too busy rendering hot looking CG FMVs for trailers instead of doing actual gameplay programming.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by Inhert

There seem to have a lot of CG or it's me that failed to notice which part was in real time or not XD.

From 00:25 to 1:06 is real time, the rest of the trailer is FMV, including the Shiva bikes.

And while I heard Matsuno did get sick, I heard other things that claimed that there was a major shift in staff, alot of people were fire and there was an emegercy call for programmers etc to apply at Square... And that Matsuno's illness was a PR excuse... It was all really shady, so its difficult for me to trust what Square claims to be reasons for FF12's delay.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Graphically the game still looks preeetty and Lightening still looks cool as ever. The new girl in Versus is good looking.

Other than that... Not much to say about the GAME itself....

FELIPE NO

Final Fantasy XIII/13 ~ FF-XIII.net

So called track from Versus OST is release on the net, from Yoko's new VGM compliation album. BUT.... (Look Below)

Regarding the album itself, Yoko has handpicked a number of tracks and will be performed by an overseas orchestra.

EDIT: According to NEOGAF, its fake. Its a piece called Makubex from Get Backers anime.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Versus 13 put on hold

Square Enix: Final Fantasy Versus XIII Put On Hold

Yeah, after months of no news, they dropped a bombshell like this.

Annoucing a compliation was a bad idea to begin with, since they haven't even broken in their new hardware yet from the looks of it. Agito is all but officially cancelled, and now a major title that is said to be FF's version of KH is now put on hold. Gameplay wise this was the title I was looking forward to more, despite Lightening look cool in FFXIII.

But watching the compliation production is like a watching a slow train wreck. All cutscene and no gameplay makes me a dull girl. MGS4 had several demos for the past year, while FF has shown nothing but cutscenes and more cutscenes of new characters that only the JP people can see. Versus 13, be it before KH3's production or after, should have been announced after FF13 is close to being finished, or out the door.

And this can only mean one bad thing for me, KH3 will be delayed even further. Though I think Nomura should push KH DS and PSP out the door before even starting pre production on KH3. Still, this could mean I have to wait 5 years to even hear anything on KH3. And that makes me a sad panda.

Square needs to get their act together. Enix is still going good, since their games actually have a release date (Undiscovery) or a time frame (SO4). Konami has done well with MGS4 and its out now. Capcom did DMC 4 and is well into way for RE5, which has actual gameplay footage in its latest trailer. Out of all the major companies Square is the slowest in the next gen departement despite being practically the king of graphics.

Oh that's right, haveing awesome graphics doeesn't do jack if you suck at everything else, like slow development, milking something that's not broken in or shitty xenophobic marketing.

Jam it back in, in the dark.