Final Fantasy XIII Review: A Flawed Yet Ultimately Entertaining Experience
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by Shaun El-Ters on March 11, 2010 at 12:43 am under A&E, Blogs, Press Start
Rating
4.0
Final Fantasy XIII is a really big deal. Not only is it the newest installment in one of the most prolific franchises in gaming, but it is being hailed as the savior of the Japanese style RPG. Recognizing the magnitude of this release, I stressed about how I was going to write this review. I wrote a bunch of openings, trying to achieve the perfect introduction. Some were cutesy; some serious. In the end, I figured you all just want to hear about the game itself, so I decided to just skip the pleasantries and jump right into it. I have broken the review up into different sections (which admittedly helps me organize things more than it helps you), and I will discuss how each changes through the course of the title.
Gameplay–Yes, the rumors you heard were true; the first half of Final Fantasy XIII is very linear. The structure of the levels provides only one main path that offers few divergences, and every few steps seems to initiate a new cutscene. However, I think the journalists that say the game is “on rails” are going a little overboard. XIII is linear, and sticks to one main path for most of the first half, but it’s not “broken game linear” like some would have you believe; often, players are rewarded for exploring their surroundings, or finding small branches off the main path. The game really opens up in the final chapters, embracing an open design and providing the player with plenty of space to explore and things to do. It eventually evolves into what you would expect from the Final Fantasy series, it just takes a while to get there. So while it is true at times that the game doesn’t seem to even need you to progress, the linearity didn’t really strike me as a glaring problem, thanks in part to the excellent battle system, and… some of the characters. Which leads me to…
Story and Characters–I wonder at times how much mainstream media reviewers are out of touch with the consumer, or maybe how influenced they are by a title’s prestige. All reports seemed to nail XIII for the same issues, but showered the story and characters with praise. I’m here to tell you this praise is not exactly deserved.
The plot is entertaining enough, and undoubtedly has that Final Fantasy charm, but I miss the mature writing and acute characterization of Final Fantasy XII (and X, to some extent). XIII’s story is filled with juvenile, overly dramatic dialogue and characters that don’t seem to ever act logically. For every scene that tugs at the heart strings, we are treated with five that have characters expressing their thoughts with grunts, sighs, or high pitched giggles. With the exception of Sazh and Lightning, it’s hard to relate to any of these characters in the first half of the title. Snow seems oblivious to the fact that he is fighting in a war and not in some bar with his buddies…and the fact that his fiancé is turned into (expletive) crystal. Vanille is just one of those standard JRPG optimists, who spouts cheerful dialogue that doesn’t make sense half the time. And Hope is a whiny kid who seems to move on fairly quickly after seeing his mother plunge to her death. Oh, and his name is “Hope.” The only reason I don’t question Lightning’s motives is because she’s a badass soldier who manipulates gravity. Eventually, all of these characters develop nicely and experience rewarding story arches, making the player substantially invested in each of them. It just takes some major growing pains to get there.
As far as the plot, it evolves from its initial information overload to be a nice, character driven story, even if half of it doesn’t make sense. Seriously, it some parts in XIII make the incoherent babble in VII seem like One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish.
Presentation–This section is the easiest to write. From the introduction to the closing, Square Enix delivers an artistically stunning title. The graphics are jaw dropping, delivering CGI level visuals throughout the entire game, and the music is stellar. Done and done.
Battle System–Finally, we reached the redeeming quality of Final Fantasy XIII, and the reason to ignore some of its other shortcomings. From beginning to end, the battle system of Final Fantasy excels. Players control only the party leader in a turn based, active time system that combines a little of FFX and Chrono Trigger. Fights are turn based, and actions are dictated by a segmented “active time meter” that continually refills after use. Players can choose to use a filled meter to unleash a single, devastating technique, or split the meter into smaller, multiple attacks.
Adding even more complexity to the system is the introduction of the “paradigm shifts,” which basically designate the role of the party members on the fly. Examples include changing party members into heavy attackers when the enemy is vulnerable, or healers when your running low on HP. These shifts offer another layer of strategy, and mastering them is key to your success.
In the beginning, the system is fast, but very simplistic; the game allows you to learn to the ropes of combat, slowly introducing new concepts once you have mastered the earlier ones. This escalation builds so that by the time you reach the second half of the title, you are treated to one of the deepest and most rewarding systems in Final Fantasy history. XIII offers some of the most complex and tactical battles in the series, making each encounter an engrossing experience in and of itself. Criticize its other shortcomings if you must, but XIII raises the bar for turn-based combat, and breathes new life into JRPG battle systems.
Final Verdict–Ultimately, Final Fantasy XIII gambles with the conventions that the series established so many years ago, and in my opinion, it wins…at least the short-term battle. The battle system is completely engrossing, and the presentation is incredible, but the style of gameplay concerns me only because I’m worried it will set precedent that future entries will emulate. The game is mostly linear because Square Enix was trying so hard to push the technological envelope. This tradeoff creates some of the best graphics I have seen to date, but also eliminates the possibility of constructing large towns or dungeons like the ones seen in previous installments. While I’m happy with the end result of XIII, I eventually want to experience the open ended gameplay design and the ability to explore wander around dynamic towns and castles and what have you. XIII was an enjoyable title that lives up to the Final Fantasy name, but I hope it does not become the standard by which all future Final Fantasy installments are built off.
12 Comments
Sly review. Since when did ANY final fantasy become the standard for which future installments are based upon? I dont remember seeing any XII influences in XIII. I dont remember XII following anything from X or XI (minus the “I wish I was an MMO” feel). XIV will be different from XIII, Im sure, and XV will be completely new, with a fresh new battle system, world, and story to feast on. For now, enjoy what SE has made for us.
I agree with most of the review, except the concept of characters. You have to keep in mind that character personality design, is very different in Japan. The relation lacks in the western countries, because the design of characters are meant to relate to their native country. Its one thing that gets overlooked a bit when it comes to JRPGs, that these games are made with the background influence of where it came from. Could be why reviews praise characters and story.Final Fantasy XII was more mature than any other previous installment, I agree. The character’s mannerisms can resemble a bit from European influence, the only thing that seemed “Japanese” was its humor. Square Enix did a good job on it, but for some reason not many people liked it too much.
This game is a little too linear; however, the battle system is entertaining enough that I can get past the “linearness”. Not my favorite FF but it will do. My favorite still is (and probably always will be) FF 6. My least favorite was FF 8. I thought they did a great job with FF 12. I think Square Enix was smoking something when they planned this game. I am only half way through though and I hear that the second half is better than the first half. As long as my FF games keep me entertained for 80+ hours I am happy!
You my good sir are full of shit. There is nothing new to this game there is only constant rip offs of previous final fantasy titles. The only new thought that they have put into this game was making the decision of what feature everybody hated the most about the last game, so they could put it right into the game. In conclusion final fantasy is a dying franchise that should have been taken out back and shot about 3 games ago.
I agree mostly with this review.
I was sad to see the number of things they had changed and taken out, like not being able to run from fights, how after each battle your hp is back to full, theres no towns, hardly any communicating with people, way less to do, etc
but im hoping when they get comfertable with graphics like that then the game will re expand back into the massive worlds we all love to explore
and sabin, sorry i must ask, what did you not like about FF8?
it was one of the top 5 FF titles in my opinion. the only single thing i disliked was the ending. it was a great story but the ending was just awful. Im very suprised you didnt like it, and im ever more suprised you like ff12. i thought that 12 was one of their worst games. along with 9, imo was terrible. 6,7,8,10 are the best in my honest opinion.
I will be very dissapointed if they keep the games so linear
Wow, tim. You, sir, are probably one of the few people who thinks this is a ‘dying’ franchise. In case you didn’t know, this series has a huge fanbase that isn’t going to go away anytime soon. Why else do you think Square keeps making these games?
Anyway, I think this game is great.
I haven’t picked up a FF game since FFVII…maybe it’s because my tastes took me into FPS and 3rd person action games such as GEARS OF WAR 1 and 2. Just recently I have gone back to my old standard of RPG’s…gone are the days when I would get so excited that a new Zelda game was approaching…but I’m glad to say that with game such as DRAGON AGE ORIGINS…I am back in a big way!! Now Dragon Age is a game with MASSIVE exploration and discovery…it is so non-linear that it can come off as imtimidating to most…and personally I have logged over 60hrs in the game and barely scratched the surface of the main quest….so when FFXIII came out and the reviews said LINEAR…that was all I needed to hear to want this game!! I WANT a quest pointing me in the right direction…I want a system to hold my hand for a long time while I enjoy the beautiful graphics and stunning story…basically I wanted a game that I really didnt have to think too much but could enjoy it for all that it is…and FFXII is just that game!!
I disagree.
I find XIII to be rather enjoyable, and not from the standpoint of a fan of the franchise but as a writer and gamer in general. They did precisely what I was hoping for – they took the systems of XII and X and combined them. They had a great concept with XII but it was, regrettably in the hands of novices to the genre. The team was experienced, yes, but not in the manner of the mainstream Final Fantasy titles.
You see, while I liked XII, mostly due to the mature plot and the introduction of political intrigue on a mass scale (without us being shown the ‘greater picture’ of the masses it would effect, it sorely lacked in character depth. Some might argue that point, but as I said, that’s how I felt. Of all the characters in XII, perhaps only three had even the slightest touch of depth and it was lacking at that, something I found most displeasing and it left a terrible gap between myself and the characters.
Without some form of bond to a character, you don’t feel compelled to play it. That’s a simple fact. At least, from an RPG standpoint (as if the term RPG doesn’t say that already ^_^)
The combat was broad but likewise, it was no where near as compelling as the traditional Final Fantasy line and lacked that certain, shall we say, umpgh? Never mind the fact that your characters would practically run themselves for you in their entirety, needing not even the slightest assistance.
The result? In a combat/character driven game, when the characters have failed, and the combat has become inane and not the least bit interesting? Of course it lacked a fanbase…The reason why should be obvious. The games greatest redeeming factor was the main plot itself which was quite feasibly the greatest in the franchise beside VI (though this is a matter of opinion)
Over all, XIII took what XII started and made it what XII should have been. Active combat that keeps things interesting, while still having you maintain a critical role in both the individual actions, as well as the strategy and flow of the entire fight. The result was the most engrossing system to date in the franchise and I agree with you wholeheartedly on this matter.
What I disagree with you on thus far is not that of course, but the characters. Where you say they are, shallow and one dimensional, I believe they are much more complex. Granted, there are far too many speeches, but only if you take things out of context. Hope doesn’t get over his mother quickly…He broods, and he does so for a ridiculously long time. It takes him a long time to snap out of that ya know? And even then, it takes an incredibly near death experience and a lot of trauma to bring him full circle and at least accept what has happened. And even then, he never really does get over it now that I think about it.
If you’ll recall his main conversation with Snow when he snaps, you might understand what I’m referring to. I’ll avoid much more for the sake of spoilers. And the others, they’re in the same predicament in some way or another. Afro man probably has the most depth, in my own personal opinion, but they all have a lot more depth to them than the previous FF.
Truthfully, it’s something the genre has been lacking for some time. In ten, only three of the characters you controlled really had a solid measure of depth. Wakka, had a little, but in all consideration, it was minor at best and ended just as quickly. His development practically died before it began. Auron, much the same…though that one is a bit more literal. You find his past and what not, but as a character, he does not develop in the entire story via the events that occur. Same with the others. The only two to develop were Tidus and Yuna. That’s all.
And don’t get me started on the other FF before it. IX, seemed to start turning the tables on this matter, but it only touched the tip of the iceberg as far as well rounded and interesting characters. VIII, I won’t even touch that with a ten foot pole. VII was a joke, with only three characters having ANY solid development as a character throughout the entire game (and it was a long game, that is unacceptable).
Now VI, that was what Final Fantasy SHOULD have been. That was the first, and the only game in the entire series to be almost entirely character and story driven. The battle was entertaining enough for it’s time to keep us from cringing away, but the characters, the story, the constant flow and development. This was the jewel of the genre from a writers perspective. And to me, XIII is finally touching home with the roots of Final Fantasy and merging it with the next generation so that we maintain a tradition of what truly began the series for most of us and taking it the the next level.
Now, that said, yea, it’s pretty linear. I do miss towns and what not but honestly, I can’t really complain too much either. A small sacrifice at best if I had to say. Really, when you think about it, most final fantasy are similarly linear for the first half of the game or so. The only times exploration served any purpose was of course in towns…rummaging through every single villagers homes for all the shiny loot they hide and what not. When it came time to move to the next place, sure you could explore…but there was never anything out there now was there? Not in VII, not in VIII, not in VI…none of em. Until you had world wide access, the game was always pretty dang linear. So I can’t fault XIII for that. It’s just the way FF runs ya know?
The music, yeah, it was awesome. Nuff said.
The GFX, yeah, same here, it’s SQX’s grand entrance to the PS3 (as what I consider their first solid mass media release on the PS3 from one of their largest franchises to finally port to the next gen console, so I expected nothing less than one of the most beautiful games I’ve seen thus far…And they delivered in spades. More than that, what surprised me was the seamless transitions. The load time of this game is non-existent on the PS3 and I was quite pleased with this fact.
The plot, well, I haven’t finished yet. I’m almost there, so I’ll get back to you on that. But so far, I’ve found it quite entertaining. Not the greatest, mind you, since, as I said XII and VI probably have it beat as far as the main plot goes. Even so, it’s quite good and most certainly not bad in the least.
So, I’ve ranted long enough I suppose –
Story & Characters – 9/10
Gameplay – 9/10
Music – 9/10
Presentation – 10/10
Combat Mechanics – 10/10
As one of the most engrossing FF to date, in both combat, and character design, I have been quite pleased. It has the greatest combat system thus far, and the game has once more become character centric, as it SHOULD be. It’s not perfect but it’s a step in the right bloody direction at least. Overall rating 9.4/10 (and the first game since VI to gate a rating above 7/10 from me.
I’ve been a long time fan of the Final Fantasy series and my personal favorates are IX(although I know it’s not very popular) and X. I think FFXIII is “meh” most of the people who are giving Final Fantasy XIII great reviews and scores of 9 out of 10 or even 10/10 are being suck-ups or fanboys/girls. I agree with most of this review however. I dont think it’s quite on par with the other Final Fantasies, and it’s a HUGE rip-off of VII and VIII, and they’re not nods at the other games like IX did either (in my opinion). It’ battle system is what really makes the game worth it, I suppose. Although I miss random encounters, I thought if it as one of Final Fantasy’s staples. And at least this game is a step up from the trainwreck that is Final Fantasy XII. And as for FFXI and FFXIV, I dont think they should be roman numerials, but Final Fantasy Online I & II, as I dont think they are on par with the I-X, much like FFXIII is. I think I would be much happier if FFXIII was Final Fantasy Gaiden, same goies with FFXII.
I personally loved, and or love the game… I just got into the open world chapters and it is amazing. I have never played a final fantasy game before, but of course I have seen them and know what they are based on. I love the turn based attacking, and the ability to quicken and slow down both ally and enemy attacks and defenses, or whatever… I wanted a title that I could just watch the special effects and enjoy a smooth gameplay. So the linear part of the game didn’t bother me at all, again I am a 1st person shooter game guy, so that’s what I like. Probably the first game I have bought that didn’t freeze my Xbox too..? Anyway I am off to go upgrade Lightning’s sabre to whatever it’s called, only need 2000 more gil. Love the bantar tho guys. If you haven’t played it, I think it’s a must. But what do i know?
At Scott:
Why are you writing a review on top of this one? Save it for GameFaqs or something.