Ok, let me first say that I think I may have played with a PS2 installment of Final Fantasy, got bored of it real quick and moved onto something different. So it’s safe to say I’m not a fan of the series. In fact if it wasn’t for the publisher sending me a review copy, I would never have played Final Fantasy XIII. It’s just not my style of game.

But hey, I was sent a review copy, so I feel like I should give the series another go, who knows, it may be totally different from the PS2 days.

But lets first look at the premise of the game: 

Cocoon — a utopia in the sky. Its inhabitants believed their world a paradise. Under the Sanctum’s rule, Cocoon had long known peace and prosperity.  Mankind was blessed by its protectors, the benevolent fal’Cie, and believed that tranquil days would continue forever. Their tranquillity was shattered with the discovery of one hostile fal’Cie.

The moment that fal’Cie from Pulse — the feared and detested lowerworld — awoke from its slumber, peace on Cocoon came to an end. Fal’Cie curse humans, turning them into magic-wielding servants. They become l’Cie — chosen of the fal’Cie.

Those branded with the mark of a l’Cie carry the burden of either fulfilling their Focus or facing a fate harsher than death itself.

A  prayer for redemption. A wish to protect the world.

A promise to challenge destiny.

After thirteen days of fates intertwined, the battle begins.

Yep, I don’t understand a word of that either. So onto the game…

Huge intro video, absolutely stunning, eye candy. The video is running so long I don’t even have the controller in my hand when the game begins. But then the beginning is rather basic, you get to walk toward some people, they are the enemy, but you have no options but to walk up to them and engage them in combat.  Combat is simple, when you reach your enemy the combat dialogue opens and you can choose who to attack and how (if you’ve unlocked anything past ‘attack’) then you stand around whilst your attack power recharges, then you get to choose two attacks again. Hhhhm, okay.

Then you get to walk some more and you come across and obstruction, so you try and figure out what button is jump.  But there is no jump button.  Oh, right, you just walk up the the obstruction and your character automatically jumps.  So really the only control is to walk in a pre determined direction, occasionally interfacing with objects or enemies……

And of course there are plenty of beautifully rendered cut scenes making the whole experience feel like watching a fully CGI Anime film that occasionally gets interrupted with you having to make a few choices, keep an eye on your health and inventory.

I’m not a fan of Anime.

I’m obviously not a fan of Final Fantasy.

But I mentioned my thoughts to a friend who commented that it sounded very familiar and that he wouldn’t expect or want any different.

So obviously there is a fan base for this type of game. A little more digging was in order…

1UP gave it an A-
FFXIII is ambitious and daring, not to mention gorgeous and energetic. It approaches the concept of “role-playing games” with ruthless pragmatism, lopping off hunks of RPG tradition like a doctor operating on a terminally gangrenous patient.

IGN gave it 8.4
This is a staggeringly pretty PS3 game, and for all its faults, it is enjoyable and it is a meaty adventure… just not meaty in some of the ways we would have hoped.

What I can gather is that Square Enix took a slightly different route with this incarnation of their beloved series, one whose pacing might be off slightly, but if you (fans of the series) stick with it you will be rewarded for your patience with around 30 hours of brilliant game-play.

I didn’t have the patience for this, but it still sounds like (and is certainly visually stunning) a good solid game, for fans of the series, or this particular genre.

Reviewed on: PS3

Available on: PS3, XBox 360

Reviewed by:

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Rate this item Ok, let me first say that I think I may have played with a PS2 installment of Final Fantasy, got bored of it real quick and moved onto something different. So it’s safe to say I’m not a fan of the series. In fact if it wasn’t for the publisher sending me a review copy, I would never have played Final Fantasy XIII. It’s just not my style of game. But hey, I was sent a review copy, so I feel like I should give the series another go, who knows, it may be totally different from the PS2 days. But lets first look at the premise of the game:  Cocoon — a utopia in the sky. Its inhabitants believed their world a paradise. Under the Sanctum’s rule, Cocoon had long known peace and prosperity.  Mankind was blessed by its protectors, the benevolent fal’Cie, and believed that tranquil days would continue forever. Their tranquillity was shattered with the discovery of one hostile fal’Cie. The moment that fal’Cie from Pulse — the feared and detested lowerworld — awoke from its slumber, peace on Cocoon came to an end. Fal’Cie curse humans, turning them into magic-wielding servants. They become l’Cie — chosen of the fal’Cie. Those branded with the mark of a l’Cie carry the burden of either fulfilling their Focus or facing a fate harsher than death itself. A  prayer for redemption. A wish to protect the world. A promise to challenge destiny. After thirteen days of fates intertwined, the battle begins. Yep, I don’t understand a word of that either. So onto the game… Huge intro video, absolutely stunning, eye candy. The video is running so long I don’t even have the controller in my hand when the game begins. But then the beginning is rather basic, you get to walk toward some people, they are the enemy, but you have no options but to walk up to them and engage them in combat.  Combat is simple, when you reach your enemy the combat dialogue opens and you can choose who to attack and how (if you’ve unlocked anything past ‘attack’) then you stand around whilst your attack power recharges, then you get to choose two attacks again. Hhhhm, okay. Then you get to walk some more and you come across and obstruction, so you try and figure out what button is jump.  But there is no jump button.  Oh, right, you just walk up the the obstruction and your character automatically jumps.  So really the only control is to walk in a pre determined direction, occasionally interfacing with objects or enemies…… And of course there are plenty of beautifully rendered cut scenes making the whole experience feel like watching a fully CGI Anime film that occasionally gets interrupted with you having to make a few choices, keep an eye on your health and inventory. I’m not a fan of Anime. I’m obviously not a fan of Final Fantasy. But I mentioned my thoughts to a friend who commented that it sounded very familiar and that he wouldn’t expect or want any different. So obviously there is a fan base for this type of game. A little more digging was in order… 1UP gave it an A- FFXIII is ambitious and daring, not to mention gorgeous and energetic. It approaches the concept of “role-playing games” with ruthless pragmatism, lopping off hunks of RPG tradition like a doctor operating on a terminally gangrenous patient. IGN gave it 8.4 This is a staggeringly pretty PS3 game, and for all its faults, it is enjoyable and it is a meaty adventure… just not meaty in some of the ways we would have hoped. What I can gather is that Square Enix took a slightly different route with this incarnation of their beloved series, one whose pacing might be off slightly, but if you (fans of the series) stick with it you will be rewarded for your patience with around 30 hours of brilliant game-play. I didn’t have the patience for this, but it still sounds like (and is certainly visually stunning) a good solid game, for fans of the series, or this particular genre. Reviewed on: PS3 Available on: PS3, XBox 360 Reviewed by: