Viewing Thread:
"Final Fantasy XIII Discussion Thread"

Big name, big game and big fan following...it's bound to be a game widely discussed!

As we seem to have a thread for most of the big games, I thought we may as well have one for this behemoth of a game - so if you have any ideas, favourite ways to play the game or just want to pass comment on what already appears to be a fantastic and absorbing game - please post here.

If you want to discuss the plot or other aspects of the storyline - remember to use the tags to hide it from people who want to play the game without ruining it for themselves.

first off...I'm liking the combat system now - no definite turn based combat? Action seems to be constant even though you have to select your moves. Brilliant?

Yeah, I can understand, there was a big section of chapters where I felt I was just going though a prolonged tutorial.

Discrepancy wrote:
> Also, datalog. God this has me caught between the worst design
> element in any game ever or maybe the best. It's like an updated
> pokedex, it records everything that's happened. Sounds good, it
> falls flat, however, when you start to realise it also holds
> vital story line information that at no time does the game
> reveal is pretty essential to understanding what the hell is
> going on.
>
> I found myself after 5 hours in having to go back and read all
> the information as I was simply at a loss for even the
> terminology at this point.
>
> Once you do read up however, it's a lovely little tool that gives
> you some nice understory to characters, zones etc. It's a nice
> touch, just a shame I found it so mandatory at the start.

I feel exactly the same about this and had to go back and read through it all after a while for the very same reason.

I think you have picked up on the major gripe people are having with the game, it took too long to get going. However once you hit a certain bit it really ramps up and becomes more interesting (I feel) and has made me want to push on further.

Saying that though, I'm currently doing all the side-missions instead of carrying on with the story...

So, I got this yesterday... or perhaps it was the day before...

I've slept once since buying it and am now 20 or so hours in.

Good lord it's addictive!

My issues with it are mainly the god damn boss battles. I'd call myself a pretty decent FF player, and fairly good RPG player, but seemingly every major boss battle (especially the eidolons) cause me to die at least once through just not knowing what Paradigms to use before hand. I find myself longing for set roles.

I'm very very unhappy with the party system. I'm unsure if it changes, but only controlling one character per fight is highly underwhelming and the fact that the leader dies the party dies? Really? Who thought that was clever design!

To add to that, it's even worse when you're stuck without the option to choose your team and worse still when you're forced to only use two members. God damn the moments with just a SEN + RAV/SYN made me want to scream.

The pluses: The combat system. Whilst deceptively simple and plain at lower levels, this thing really kicks up a notch later on. Timing your Paradigm shifts becomes a lot of fun.

The graphics are gorgeous and a true triumph to this generation's console. On regular occasion I find myself in awe of the design in the worlds and combat animation.

My neutral territory: The story. It's only just now becoming even slightly engaging, the characters are mostly lame (I'm looking at you, Hope) and it's taken me a while to actually care for what they're doing.

Also, datalog. God this has me caught between the worst design element in any game ever or maybe the best. It's like an updated pokedex, it records everything that's happened. Sounds good, it falls flat, however, when you start to realise it also holds vital story line information that at no time does the game reveal is pretty essential to understanding what the hell is going on.

I found myself after 5 hours in having to go back and read all the information as I was simply at a loss for even the terminology at this point.

Once you do read up however, it's a lovely little tool that gives you some nice understory to characters, zones etc. It's a nice touch, just a shame I found it so mandatory at the start.

I've come across a little harsh here, but to be honest, I feel it's a little justified. This is the biggest love-hate relationship I've ever had in a game, and because it's final fantasy I've found myself slightly taken back by that.

I need somewhere to vent :)

I think that battle I was one you either do first time or struggle with.

I think SAB was the key, and other than that very hard fire focus to stagger. I remember staggering him just before he unleashed his bigger attack, and then keeping him juggled.

Incidentally if you really are in blank street and you see a big move coming- Quake and Summon cancel the enemies moves. So it is a good panic button.

Yeah, i had Snow has a SEN, mediguard is always helpful and it was one of them fights that was taking time but i was comfortable, then he healed himself 10,000 HP and killed me. It was unexpected and i think the game just did it because i said i hadnt been killed for a while lol.

Its not anything that will hold me up! But i might go have a few fights to build some more CP, as i guess i will be able to develop further after this and i aint finished where i am in the Crystarium (cant spell)

Emmie87 wrote:
> I dont know if i will get any done tonight, shame but with
> friends coming over and online back i think Battlefield may take
> a hammering

If you have the PS3 version, shoot McLong for me if you see him.

Anyway, best not go off-topic, WH will get mad!

Having a SEN for a large periods helped me on that fight especially when he starts blasting you every now and again. Also remember to use a summon if everyone is getting a little low :)

I think a SAB will be very useful, it was annoying, as i was comfortable and was keeping ontop of everything, then all of a sudden i died, and i was like.... what! how did that happen,

So guessing having a SAB in would probably help.

I dont know if i will get any done tonight, shame but with friends coming over and online back i think Battlefield may take a hammering

I don't remember having too much of a problem with him, my double SAB team did seem to help though so might be an idea to draft one in for this fight.

Didn't play myself last night, was busy watching the football. Am going to try to get a couple more hours in tomorrow though (day off).

Only went and jinxed myself when i said i havent died in a while....

Yeah, i guess thats the beauty of the game, you have a nice choice of options on how you want to build your team and play.

Think i will stick with what i got for the moment and keep an eye on Fang and maybe bring her in at times.

I always update everyone's stats as if they were in the team so its not an issue.