[Multiplatform] Official Final Fantasy XIII Thread

Not surprising, since the team behind Kingdom Hearts is working on VersusXIII.

The whole Emo/goth thing doesn't really bother me at this point (Or maybe I'm just ignoring it) because HEY A SLEEK LIMO CAR & A MODERN DAY CITY AT NIGHT :3

FELIPE NO

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.

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

Originally Posted by Kairi Li

And even then, development is still going snail pace. MGS3 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?

While I agree with you, I should point out that FFXII's delay was not a usual case of backups and testing and stuff. FFXII's producer, Yasumi Matsuno (FFTactics, Vagrant Story) fell ill and had to recover from his sickness, so while I'm sure there were other reasons, that was the main one, at least publicly. As a result of his illness (Nothing I could find mentioned what exactly it was) production got delayed and so it got released when it got released.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

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.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Final Fantasy 12 was also completely scrapped very far along in development because they decided on a completely different approach for the game. That more than anything was what accounted for the extremely long development cycle for FF12.

FF13 is coming along nicely though. Remember that the final PS3 development hardware just came out a little over a year ago and if FF13 makes 2008 at least in Japan, that puts the game at a very short two year development cycle.

The extended trailer for FFXIII Versus has me pretty excited though. It looks like the gameplay might largely end up exactly what I was hoping for --Sora's Final Form in KH2 on steroids.

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

There are no words beyond this:

Fuck you, Nomura. Fuck you in the ass. You're the worst designer I've ever seen.

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

the Nomura case as already been brought up a lot of time and never ended good so please just don't start again >.>

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by Inhert

the Nomura case as already been brought up a lot of time and never ended good so please just don't start again >.>

It's been brought up a lot of time, has it? And it never ended good? Where did you go to school, clown college?

Both of these games look like more rehashed modern Square-Enix rubbish. I just hope that one day they figure out how they've left storytelling far behind, instead settling for pumping out things like Final Fantasy XIII: The My Chemical Romance Years. I get it, idiot teenage angst-cases buy video games. I understand the economics of it, but good lord. We've had enough of this. We can mix it up from time to time, couldn't we?

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

XIII Versus looks comically emo, but XIII will probably be pretty awesome, frankly.

At any rate you can't say that they've left storytelling behind, since a) you can't tell shit about the story from a minute-long video; and b) bwahaha yeah, as if Final Fantasy ever had amazing storytelling. Don't even mention VI. SNES-era RPGs trying to present deep story is like a puppet troupe acting out Shakespeare.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Aardark

XIII Versus looks comically emo, but XIII will probably be pretty awesome, frankly.

At any rate you can't say that they've left storytelling behind, since a) you can't tell shit about the story from a minute-long video; and b) bwahaha yeah, as if Final Fantasy ever had amazing storytelling. Don't even mention VI. SNES-era RPGs trying to present deep story is like a puppet troupe acting out Shakespeare.

Yeah, I appreciate that argument, Megalith.

I'd also point out that actually, puppets are a very viable form of theatre, and there have been some very successful marionette-based Shakespeare productions over the year. But hey, good swing, Casey at the bat.

It will be pretty awesome, frankly? So, you're of the opinion that it's going to be good. Fair enough, that's your call. But I'm of the opinion that SE hasn't given us any reason in the recent past to assume this will be anything but utter garbage. And if you can see the trailer for Final Fantasy: The Crow and assume they're turning things around, you're a bloody delusional, you are.

How ya doing, buddy?

Haven't you heard, Deni? Less expositional dialog means the story is worse. An artfag such as you must know this.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

We better see a gothic/emo Donald Duck in Versus XIII. As much as I like these games, I think Japan should stop this emo faggotry used in their games. I just hope the story line is better than FFXII's, I mean that game was in development for 999 years and the story wasn't even that great. Final Fantasy XII was a great game but the storyline of it wasn't as great as some of the other FF games.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Aardark

XIII Versus looks comically emo, but XIII will probably be pretty awesome, frankly.

At any rate you can't say that they've left storytelling behind, since a) you can't tell shit about the story from a minute-long video; and b) bwahaha yeah, as if Final Fantasy ever had amazing storytelling. Don't even mention VI. SNES-era RPGs trying to present deep story is like a puppet troupe acting out Shakespeare.

A common problem with judging a story is the relation between "deep" and "amazing" (though that's commonly the case.) Certainly people have read/watched/played stories of a simple nature, but have had an amazing outcome and a lot of enjoyment. imo Final Fantasies were never "deep", but their stories certainly were a blast. (XII's story was ridiculous.)

Regarding the trailers, I can't say I'm impressed at all with the character art, or the style of fighting. Actually, I'm not really impressed with anything except the music x.x (especially XIII, I can't wait for some Hamauzu music.)

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

Originally Posted by :beardmode:

It will be pretty awesome, frankly? So, you're of the opinion that it's going to be good. Fair enough, that's your call. But I'm of the opinion that SE hasn't given us any reason in the recent past to assume this will be anything but utter garbage. And if you can see the trailer for Final Fantasy: The Crow and assume they're turning things around, you're a bloody delusional, you are.

I'm not expecting them to turn anything around, but yeah, I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy the game regardless -- judging from the only thing I can judge from the trailer, that being the art direction. It looks a lot like Final Fantasy VIII. Whether VIII was overall a good game is... debatable, I guess, but its setting is probably my favourite out of all the FF games. If XIII looks like that, but with 3rd generation PS3 graphics, and the story and gameplay are at least passable (they will be, I don't doubt that), then the game'll definitely be worth my sixty dollars.

As for 'The Crow', I already made two posts stating that I think Versus looks like bullshit. At any rate, it's not even an RPG.

Quote:

I'd also point out that actually, puppets are a very viable form of theatre, and there have been some very successful marionette-based Shakespeare productions over the year. But hey, good swing, Casey at the bat.

Well, yeah, Final Fantasy VI was very successful as well, right? That doesn't mean I have to take it seriously. To me, Kefka makes great villain in the same way as a sock puppet makes a great Hamlet. I'm not saying VI isn't a good game, I just don't think it's some shining masterpiece of storytelling that still makes all the following games pale in comparison.

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

Originally Posted by Aardark

Well, yeah, Final Fantasy VI was very successful as well, right? That doesn't mean I have to take it seriously. To me, Kefka makes great villain in the same way as a sock puppet makes a great Hamlet. I'm not saying VI isn't a good game, I just don't think it's some shining masterpiece of storytelling that still makes all the following games pale in comparison.

Final Fantasy 6 is what it is because it's a SNES game. People appreciate it for what it is, a great work on a limited medium, the same as people still appreciate black and white movies. Look what they got that old 16 bit pixel machine to do!

The reason Squeenix is such a joke these days is because their storytelling has not improved since FF6. They have these vast resources to bring to bear on the PS2, the PS3. There's essentially no limits on dialogue, no Nintendo forcing them to water down their plots for a children's audience. Full access to voice acting, a giant CG farm to render whatever scenery they want. The sky is the limit.

And what do we get? The same old shit they were doing back on the early consoles. It's the same console RPG template over and over again, just with new costumes and different backdrops. Same cliches, the same straightforward kill the bad guy, save the world plot in every game. Emotional conflict has easy resolutions, and all the problems in the world can be solved by finding the right evil bishonen and beating the tar out of him. They substitute complexity for depth, and blind you with pretty FMVs and summon effects so you don't notice the difference.

I'm not asking for Shakespeare here, just a plotline that doesn't insult the player's intelligence. The only thing really remarkable about Squeenix's games these days is how expertly they pander to the target 10-16 demograph.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Quote:

I'm not asking for Shakespeare here, just a plotline that doesn't insult the player's intelligence. The only thing really remarkable about Squeenix's games these days is how expertly they pander to the target 10-16 demograph.

Or you know, the most consistently high production value found in the entire industry.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Aardark

I'm not expecting them to turn anything around, but yeah, I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy the game regardless -- judging from the only thing I can judge from the trailer, that being the art direction. It looks a lot like Final Fantasy VIII. Whether VIII was overall a good game is... debatable, I guess, but its setting is probably my favourite out of all the FF games. If XIII looks like that, but with 3rd generation PS3 graphics, and the story and gameplay are at least passable (they will be, I don't doubt that), then the game'll definitely be worth my sixty dollars.

As for 'The Crow', I already made two posts stating that I think Versus looks like bullshit. At any rate, it's not even an RPG.


Well, yeah, Final Fantasy VI was very successful as well, right? That doesn't mean I have to take it seriously. To me, Kefka makes great villain in the same way as a sock puppet makes a great Hamlet. I'm not saying VI isn't a good game, I just don't think it's some shining masterpiece of storytelling that still makes all the following games pale in comparison.

I've discovered our impasse. You think it resembling FF VIII is a good thing, whereas I see ties to FF VIII and try not to dry heave. VIII is by far the worst game in the series for me. Beautiful music, but unbelievably terrible story and characters. So it's just that we like different installations of the series. See how nice I was? I didn't even refer to it as Final Fantasy VIII: Dawson's Creek or anything. God did I loathe that game... Same orphanage? Worst twist in the history of gaming.

How ya doing, buddy?

I wasn't really talking about the story. I didn't even finish the game, since I was playing it on an emulator, and something got fucked up at the end of the second disc. I meant the setting, as in the futuristic style. Less games set in standard pseudo-medieval fantasy worlds is always a good thing to me.

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

Originally Posted by :beardmode:

I've discovered our impasse. You think it resembling FF VIII is a good thing, whereas I see ties to FF VIII and try not to dry heave. VIII is by far the worst game in the series for me. Beautiful music, but unbelievably terrible story and characters. So it's just that we like different installations of the series. See how nice I was? I didn't even refer to it as Final Fantasy VIII: Dawson's Creek or anything. God did I loathe that game... Same orphanage? Worst twist in the history of gaming.

Just wondering. How do you equate graphic styling to the storyline? You seem to have this ability to know the storyline of a game just based on its style which I admit is an amazing feat.

FF13 does remind me of FF8s setting as well and actually the setting in FF8 was one of the few things I enjoyed from the game. The cyber-punk style was interesting and a nice detachment from the steam-punk styling normally found in Final Fantasy games and it looks like FF13 is going with this style.

The simply fact that the main character already cracks a smile at the end of that short trailer leads me to believe that we aren't dealing with a Squall or Cloud personality clone. But of course these are just guesses and I'm at least willing to give the game a chance rather than condemn the story and the game itself based on some of the strangest correlations I've ever come across.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Aardark

I wasn't really talking about the story. I didn't even finish the game, since I was playing it on an emulator, and something got fucked up at the end of the second disc. I meant the setting, as in the futuristic style. Less games set in standard pseudo-medieval fantasy worlds is always a good thing to me.

Oh, fair enough, sir. Yeah, the setting to VIII was pretty boffo. I mean, if flying around an entire Garden wasn't cool, I don't know what is. And hell, if the whole game (or at least the majority) had been like the beginning, all fantasy-tech with the military, I'd have been all over it. Though I don't mind pseudo-medieval (being the rabid FFT fan I am).

Originally Posted by Cetra

Just wondering. How do you equate graphic styling to the storyline? You seem to have this ability to know the storyline of a game just based on its style which I admit is an amazing feat.

FF13 does remind me of FF8s setting as well and actually the setting in FF8 was one of the few things I enjoyed from the game. The cyber-punk style was interesting and a nice detachment from the steam-punk styling normally found in Final Fantasy games and it looks like FF13 is going with this style.

The simply fact that the main character already cracks a smile at the end of that short trailer leads me to believe that we aren't dealing with a Squall or Cloud personality clone. But of course these are just guesses and I'm at least willing to give the game a chance rather than condemn the story and the game itself based on some of the strangest correlations I've ever come across.

I'm not drawing anything from the trailer outside of Nomura being a fucking terrible character designer. What I'm culling from is the fact I haven't liked much of anything Square has done recently in terms of story, so until they prove otherwise, I'm assuming they're going to keep up with this trite bullshit they've been feeding us. XIII hits us with a good bit of storytelling, I'll stop saying they've been useless for years. But I'm not holding my breath.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Okay I LOOOOOOVE the dark/goth/emo look in FF vs XIII - it's beautiful, different, exciting and dark! The main character is kickass! FFXIII is well neat and all - the female looks like a show-off (the guy in FF vs XIII is kick-ass but doesn't strike me as a showoff)

And I kinda had enough with Y-R-P (or whatever their acronyms are)... even the dude in FFXIII looks annoying


One thing that kinda bothers me on both games is the "over-jumping-gymnastic" movements that dun really strike me as a traditional RPG but rather an action RPG... which I am kinda expecting in VS since KH team is behind it... but with FFXIII it's kinda bothering me

I expect the dude from vs to be single - but I'm hoping in FFXIII it's not the case... I mean the blondy guy was shown for just a few seconds and it doesn't feel like many other characters play a big role in FFXIII


What I'm trying to say is - remember the add with the throne and everything up till now has been "lighting" (for the sake of argument) by herself... in previous FF like FFX and FFXII they always shows 2 characters or more... and to me a FF (if it's gonna be less action and more traditional) should be "party" based

Anywayz I'm really behind on all this FFXIII and FF vs XIII news - just saw the new trailers and I really should be studying for my finals since I'm crazy behind (probably none of the text I wrote above makes sense - my brain is jumping from one thing to another)

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

Originally Posted by Tsunade

Okay I LOOOOOOVE the dark/goth/emo look in FF vs XIII - it's beautiful, different, exciting and dark!

Really.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Monkey King

The reason Squeenix is such a joke these days is because their storytelling has not improved since FF6. They have these vast resources to bring to bear on the PS2, the PS3. There's essentially no limits on dialogue, no Nintendo forcing them to water down their plots for a children's audience. Full access to voice acting, a giant CG farm to render whatever scenery they want. The sky is the limit.

And what do we get? The same old shit they were doing back on the early consoles. It's the same console RPG template over and over again, just with new costumes and different backdrops. Same cliches, the same straightforward kill the bad guy, save the world plot in every game. Emotional conflict has easy resolutions, and all the problems in the world can be solved by finding the right evil bishonen and beating the tar out of him. They substitute complexity for depth, and blind you with pretty FMVs and summon effects so you don't notice the difference.

I agree with this, and I'd make the argument that Square has never really grown into the technology that have. FFX was pretty well liked, but the big problem people had with it, aside from Tidus looking like Meg Ryan if she got dressed in the dark, was too much dialog and too many cutscenes. "If I wanted to watch a movie, I woulda rented LOTR", etc. It was a little too tedious overall. Then in FFXII, they cut the script in half, integrate a lot of movies into gameplay, and people complain that the narrative was weak and undeveloped. It seems like they're trying to both please everyone and stay within their corporate frame of "what do kids find hip today?" and shoehorn it in whenever possible.

There's gotta be a middle ground somewhere that Square can get a foothold on and make a good RPG that's a good mix of new technology and classic storytelling. XIII does look kinda cool, but to be honest, I'm not really getting an FF vibe off of it yet - which may actually be a good thing considering how split the fanbase has been since Wada and Nomura took the reigns. Kind of like FFVIII I guess, not like anything before it, really.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by :beardmode:

PICTURES TAKEN OUT

Really.

Different as in not your happy-merry-go-around Final Fantasy! I'm not comparing it to KH actually <.....< Since last time I checked it was called Final Fantasy vs XIII - I do understand that the makers of KH are working on it - but even so it still should pretain a "FF" element somehow especially since talks of "KH3" are out there (and it would really look bad for S-E to have 2 similiar games that are part of a "different series")... FFXII to me is closer to FF than it is to VS... not sure if I'm making sense but I dun know how to describe it... it's just Final Fantasy game are on a somewhat different scale than games like Kingdom Hearts

MOST FFs take place in a time/place of conflict - sure! But the SETTING and LIGHTING of this game is dark ^__________^

And it feels like the story isn't going to be all light-hearted... I mean previous FF yeah a bad guy, world ending, gotta save this and do that... but this game doesn't feel like the story is gonna be "basic/lightly-dark" (I guess that's a weird way of putting it...)


Oh and FF: DoC is BLEH! Sry just dun wanna compare the two.... to me that game could have been great... but now it's just a big mistake so I'm not gonna count on it (now on that note I hope FF vs XIII won't be a dissapointment)

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Dagobert

We better see a gothic/emo Donald Duck in Versus XIII.

I hate crossovers.

FELIPE NO