[demonkaze]

Was hoping my copy would come before Tuesday, GAME are normally good with that but it's Saturday now and it's still only picking and packing. Won't be using GAME anymore thats for sure, had problems with Bad Company 2 also.

[Merovin]

Was hoping my copy would come before Tuesday, GAME are normally good with that but it's Saturday now and it's still only picking and packing. Won't be using GAME anymore thats for sure, had problems with Bad Company 2 also.

When did you preorder? Because mine was dispatched yesterday and I only ordered it on Thursday! o.O Just because Amazon wouldn't deliver it in time for Tuesday though.

[sam27368]

That's the biggest kick in the nads ever :lol My copy should arrive Tuesday :)

A bigger kick in the nads would be if the copy next door was ff13

[demonkaze]

When did you preorder? Because mine was dispatched yesterday and I only ordered it on Thursday! o.O Just because Amazon wouldn't deliver it in time for Tuesday though.

I ordered it on Monday with express delivery, so I guess GAME just hate me haha!

[Rez]

the actual mechanical side of this game (simplified leveling up system/stats, paradigm shifts etc) just sounds like so much fun to me.

I'm worried I'll be driven mad by the lack of freedom in party makeup and battle options that is supposedly denied to me in the first 10-20 hours, though.

[hamchan]

Was hoping my copy would come before Tuesday, GAME are normally good with that but it's Saturday now and it's still only picking and packing. Won't be using GAME anymore thats for sure, had problems with Bad Company 2 also.

GAME in Australia is awesome. Package always arrives the day after I order it or day 1 of release, without fail :lol

[duckroll]

the actual mechanical side of this game (simplified leveling up system/stats, paradigm shifts etc) just sounds like so much fun to me. I'm worried I'll be driven mad by the lack of freedom that is supposedly denied to me in the first 10-20 hours, though.

It's not really like that though. I think a better way to explain it would be to say that the game doesn't really have much "freedom" like one would think of in a larger sense, but you always have freedom within the constrains of what you're going through at that moment. Think of it like playing a SRPG, or a mission based RPG. The game is very well paced in terms of having almost no "down time" and once you're actually playing the game if you enjoy the mechanics enough you'll be kept busy enough not to worry about the lack of certain staples in the genre.

[Peff]

the actual mechanical side of this game (simplified leveling up system/stats, paradigm shifts etc) just sounds like so much fun to me. I'm worried I'll be driven mad by the lack of freedom in party makeup and battle options that is supposedly denied to me in the first 10-20 hours, though.

Actually I think it was mixed-up pretty well. You're constantly unlocking new stuff the first several hours and visiting pretty different places, which keeps things fresh. The battle system, even early on, it's a lot of fun, though the game starts a bit too easy until the later chapters.

[Llyranor]

It's not really like that though. I think a better way to explain it would be to say that the game doesn't really have much "freedom" like one would think of in a larger sense, but you always have freedom within the constrains of what you're going through at that moment. Think of it like playing a SRPG, or a mission based RPG. The game is very well paced in terms of having almost no "down time" and once you're actually playing the game if you enjoy the mechanics enough you'll be kept busy enough not to worry about the lack of certain staples in the genre.

Heh, I might actually prefer it this way if it keeps the pacing brisk. I'm only here for the combat mechanics.

[Raist]

Looking at the review scores... is that the lowest scoring FF game ever?

[L0st Id3ntity]

Looking at the review scores...

[IMG]http://i27.************/mc9dlu.gif[/IMG]

[spats]

Nice thread. Can't wait to play this.

[miladesn]

Looking at the review scores... is that the lowest scoring FF game ever?

who cares, it's not like FF games come out every year, it's a must buy anyway.

[Castor Krieg]

Ok, difficulty just went x3. I was in Whitewood bio-zone, fighting last boss, Bulbasaur. OMFG, 10 minutes boss fight because I cannot use 2xRavagers at once, before I can Stagger him I need to switch to Medic and heal. Ended up doing it the hard way, managed to stagger him only once in the fight.

[LiquidMetal14]

Just seen the commercial, probably the worst RPG commercial I've ever seen. Stupid girly singing. Now, that may fit what 13 or Lightning is all about but damn it is annoying as hell. I will at least say it's the worst of any FF ad I've ever seen, maybe not the worst but I can't of any other game with as bad a commercial for the North American market.

[C.T.]

I play the japanese version I bought for cheap and was sceptical I'll enjoy the game. Still, after about 10 hours it grows on me. (Still hate Vanilla, she symbolises the evil of modern jrpgs, IMO) Some dialogues are cringeworthy as had been said, but the battlesystem is top notch. But I don't feel the story yet. I like the music and some backgrounds (the frozen lake) are beautiful, but why is it such a huge departure from the FF formula? I liked the open world exploration aspect of FF :( What doesn't help is, that I'm playing on a SD tv, kanji are blurry, small and hard to read.

[nny]

I love the feeling of a new FF coming very very soon. Can't wait to dig in.

Dispatch Estimate: 8 Mar 2010 Delivery Estimate: 11 Mar 2010 - 17 Mar 2010

aaaaah; come on.

[SolidusDave]

getting a bit worried the CE will be sold out before it drops to a more reasonable price point (= not 170% more expensive than the standard version...), don't want to pay £60/80€ (especially if it's considered to be a bad entry in the series) but some shops are already out of stock :/

(yeah, I could just buy the standard version but I'm a sucker for CEs of games I want, plus I want the classic box-cover + the OST)

[Doc Evils]

Glad to see we finally have a proper thread.

[henhowc]

Looking at the review scores... is that the lowest scoring FF game ever?

Not that it matters, but Final Fantasy I-III have the lowest metacritic scores of the main line series (for obvious reasons). I think this game will be closer to FFV in terms of reception. Albeit you flip flop the story for game play.

[2San]

who cares, it's not like FF games come out every year, it's a must buy anyway.

This is the arrogance I dislike. How is it a must buy? This the month where, GoW3, Yakuza3, Battlefield BC2, is coming. It probably isn't even highest rated rpg of the month. It Japan Resonance of Fate was better received then FF13. Likwise with Infinite Space.

[Castor Krieg]

This is the arrogance I dislike. How is it a must buy? This the month where, GoW3, Yakuza3, Battlefield BC2, is coming. It probably isn't even highest rated rpg of the month. It Japan Resonance of Fate got more favorable reviews then FF13. On the DS Infinite Space had more favorable reviews.

Because it is a FF game. Sorry, there is no arrogance here. I can still remember the day I had food poisoning, because it was the day I got FFVIII for PC. It is a series, like it or not, that lasted for 25 years now. You can complain about it, but for me this is something to be experienced. Kinda like Star Wars - I knew Ep. I is going to blow, I still went and saw the movie. Because it's Star Wars. Same thing applies to FF.

It's not really fanboyism or blind devotion, I simply think FF games always did things differently than the majority of jRPGs. That spark of brilliance I got in FFX and FFXII I only experienced with Persona 3 & 4. I believe Megaten is the only jRPG franchise that can compete with FF, unfortunately Atlus doesn't have so much money for gorgeous CGI.

[Fuu]

Considering that both characters have their full names listed on the OP and official site, the fact that Fang and Vanille are related in some form isn't supposed to be any sort of in-game revelation, right?

[henhowc]

This is the arrogance I dislike. How is it a must buy? This the month where, GoW3, Yakuza3, Battlefield BC2, is coming. It probably isn't even highest rated rpg of the month. It Japan Resonance of Fate was better received then FF13. Likwise with Infinite Space.

To be honest, if you're an RPG fan I don't think you're going to skip FF13 for any of those games you've mentioned. I think most people will take into consideration their past experience with the series and give it a shot on that alone regardless of some of the more mediocre reviews out there.

Personally I think Yakuza 3 is going to bomb. :lol

[Durante]

It probably isn't even highest rated rpg of the month. It Japan Resonance of Fate was better received then FF13. Likwise with Infinite Space.

I don't really want to have this discussion, but I have to ask: what metric of reception are you using that leads you to this conclusion?

[Rahxephon91]

This is the arrogance I dislike. How is it a must buy? This the month where, GoW3, Yakuza3, Battlefield BC2, is coming. It probably isn't even highest rated rpg of the month. It Japan Resonance of Fate was better received then FF13. Likwise with Infinite Space.

I fail to see how any of those games detracts from a FF game.

Yakuza 3-Not worth $60. way to late to be asking that price.
Battlefield BC2-All the demo told me is this that this is way more BFBC.
GoW3-lol
Fate-Tri Ace deserves a wait and see stance.

[henhowc]

I don't really want to have this discussion, but I have to ask: what metric of reception are you using that leads you to this conclusion?

Amazon.co.jp reviews probably? :lol

[Dedication Through Light]

Those unlocks for themes, are any of them dynamic themes?

[Mandoric]

Amazon.co.jp reviews probably? :lol

But Amazon.jp reviews are a great judge of game popularity in Japan! After all, we all know Modern Warfare 2 outsold Dragon Quest 9, but Burning Impregnation Breast Exam ~Everyone Creampies their High School Best Friend During a Checkup~ destroyed both in the charts and critical opinion.

[N30RYU]

I've read the "Keep all console comparison discussion IN THE DISCUSSION THREAD." posted this, clicked the link and closed this thread.

[zerokoolpsx]

Very Nice OP Kagari. I was wondering where this thread was going to go up.
Somewhat surprised at the lower review scores.

[2San]

Because it is a FF game. Sorry, there is no arrogance here. I can still remember the day I had food poisoning, because it was the day I got FFVIII for PC. It is a series, like it or not, that lasted for 25 years now. You can complain about it, but for me this is something to be experienced. Kinda like Star Wars - I knew Ep. I is going to blow, I still went and saw the movie. Because it's Star Wars. Same thing applies to FF. It's not really fanboyism or blind devotion, I simply think FF games always did things differently than the majority of jRPGs. That spark of brilliance I got in FFX and FFXII I only experienced with Persona 3 & 4. I believe Megaten is the only jRPG franchise that can compete with FF, unfortunately Atlus doesn't have so much money for gorgeous CGI.

Yeah, but not everyone is rich have money to blow. I'm just saying just because it's called Final Fantasy # doesn't make it a must buy. I'm just saying it might not be worth your money as there are a lot more options out there.

So you are saying with Star wars even if it wasn't good you'd still go, I on other hand would actually go as well, since going to the movies is dirt cheap anyhow. However when talking about $60 purchase, it's a different story and with a gaming month like this I'd say money is spent better else where. Remember I never said Final Fantasy XIII was bad.
Yeah and FFX/FFXII where positively received by people and reviewers mind you.

To be honest, if you're an RPG fan I don't think you're going to skip FF13 for any of those games you've mentioned. I think most people will take into consideration their past experience with the series and give it a shot on that alone regardless of some of the more mediocre reviews out there. Personally I think Yakuza 3 is going to bomb. :lol

Again so you overlook other possibly better games just because it isn't a Final Fantasy?

I don't really want to have this discussion, but I have to ask: what metric of reception are you using that leads you to this conclusion?

There's no metric, all from user impressions. I don't see how this any different as to why you think it's worth it? Remember I never said FFXIII was worse as a fact.

I fail to see how any of those games detracts from a FF game. Yakuza 3-Not worth $60. way to late to be asking that price. Battlefield BC2-All the demo told me is this that this is way more BFBC. GoW3-lol Fate-Tri Ace deserves a wait and see stance.

Thank you for your expert opinion. I'll take it into consideration next time I buy a game.

[LiquidMetal14]

I fail to see how any of those games detracts from a FF game. Yakuza 3-Not worth $60. way to late to be asking that price. Battlefield BC2-All the demo told me is this that this is way more BFBC. GoW3-lol Fate-Tri Ace deserves a wait and see stance.

Agree on everything except BFBC2 and GoW3. GoW3 may outsell FF13 WW. BF is awesome online.

[dramatis]

Because it is a FF game. Sorry, there is no arrogance here. I can still remember the day I had food poisoning, because it was the day I got FFVIII for PC. It is a series, like it or not, that lasted for 25 years now. You can complain about it, but for me this is something to be experienced. Kinda like Star Wars - I knew Ep. I is going to blow, I still went and saw the movie. Because it's Star Wars. Same thing applies to FF. It's not really fanboyism or blind devotion, I simply think FF games always did things differently than the majority of jRPGs. That spark of brilliance I got in FFX and FFXII I only experienced with Persona 3 & 4. I believe Megaten is the only jRPG franchise that can compete with FF, unfortunately Atlus doesn't have so much money for gorgeous CGI.

I'd say you're currently still in the honeymoon period. The first 20 hours of the game are actually fine, they're the rush when it comes to combat. After 30-35 hours you just want the game to end.

By placing FF on some pedestal and holding it to a different set of truths is exactly why this game hasn't been rated lower. It is arrogance. If it were an original IP, yet the exact same game, you can bet people would had bashed it to bits for its tunnel vision. It's stupid to set FF above other games when it comes to evaluation—I experienced the same enthrall for a different FF game but with a series that changes every iteration it's hardly something to hold for all other installments. Can you consider every installment a polished and good game in its own right? Yes. But there are equally polished and even better games out there. The spark of brilliance does not belong to the franchise, it belongs to individual games. "Doing things differently" applies to every game, because developers strive to differentiate from the pack.

Say Demon's Souls and FF13 came out in the same month, and you can only buy one. It's possible that FF13 may appeal more to you personally, but let's just say you're evaluating this from perspective of "better game". Can you honestly say you'll buy FF13 over DS because it's an FF? If that's the case, then what you do have is indeed blind devotion.

[CrankyJay]

does this game have trophies/achievements?

[LiquidMetal14]

does this game have trophies/achievements?

Yes.

[Lyonaz]

Got the game this morning. :D

[Stahsky]

I know nothing of this game, and the only Final Fantasy game I've beaten was the tenth one.
Can anyone give me a quick and fanboy free opinion on what I should expect and if they think I'd like it? Because this game is looking quite nice.

I've never really got into turn based RPGs (If it's that) but I won't shy away just because of that. I'm expecting more of a grand adventure with this game. Is that what I'm getting? I want it, but i'm afraid to just throw money around at this current time. =(

[Philanthropist]

does this game have trophies/achievements?

We aren't in 2008 anymore.

[CruxisMana]

I know nothing of this game, and the only Final Fantasy game I've beaten was the tenth one. Can anyone give me a quick and fanboy free opinion on what I should expect and if they think I'd like it? Because this game is looking quite nice.

Reading some of the reviews might help.

I liked the 1UP review; http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?pag...cId=3178230&p=

[Rahxephon91]

Thank you for your expert opinion. I'll take it into consideration next time I buy a game.

Do try and maybe you wont waste money anymore. Besides none of the games you listed provide the kind of experience that a FF does.

Agree on everything except BFBC2 and GoW3. GoW3 may outsell FF13 WW. BF is awesome online.

Well maybe BC2 is fun online ,but it still isn't doing the awesome things the BF2 did years ago. When I want to play BF online, I'll just sit down on my pc.

As for GoW3. Well I tried the demo and I was meet with some of the worst and sluggish gameplay in a supposedly AAA action game ever. I don't remember 1 or 2 feeling this bad. On top of that Kratos is one of the worst game characters ever and in these games a good character is kind of a must.

[Stahsky]

I play BFBC2 online on my pc. It's fun.

Reading some of the reviews might help. I liked the 1UP review; http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?pag...cId=3178230&p=

I'll do just that. Thank you.

[ACE 1991]

Although the metacore (I know, hate me) initially shocked me, the more I actually read the damn reviews the more I realize that the complaints made against this game are simply things that don't bother me. The linearity is perfectly okay with me; I've never been one to really do sidequests and explore the world with games like Fallout 3 or Oblivion.

[Erasus]

When I want to play BF online, I'll just sit down on my pc.

So do I, playing BF:BC2 :lol

This month I am getting both FFXIII and BF:BC2^^ Probably wont afford much next month, but that wont matter

[Wazzim]

I know nothing of this game, and the only Final Fantasy game I've beaten was the tenth one. Can anyone give me a quick and fanboy free opinion on what I should expect and if they think I'd like it? Because this game is looking quite nice. I've never really got into turn based RPGs (If it's that) but I won't shy away just because of that. I'm expecting more of a grand adventure with this game. Is that what I'm getting? I want it, but i'm afraid to just throw money around at this current time. =(

It's alot like FFX because it's linear and has some anime influences.
The combat system is a extremely fast version of the action turn based gameplay in previous games with some extra things thrown in the mix.
And it's Final Fantasy, if you like jrpg's, you just have to get it.

[2San]

Do try and maybe you wont waste money anymore. Besides none of the games you listed provide the kind of experience that a FF does. Well maybe BC2 is fun online ,but it still isn't doing the awesome things the BF2 did years ago. When I want to play BF online, I'll just sit down on my pc.

Ok thank you, I'm so glad I have you. It's obvious you played every game that is released and that aren't released. Just wondering what do you think of Cheer We Go! Oh infinite source of knowledge, thank you for taking time to talk to peasant like me.

The tag you have is obviously a joke, since you have incredible taste.

[zoukka]

On top of that Kratos is one of the worst game characters ever and in these games a good character is kind of a must.

What the sfuk.

[Castor Krieg]

Although the metacore (I know, hate me) initially shocked me, the more I actually read the damn reviews the more I realize that the complaints made against this game are simply things that don't bother me. The linearity is perfectly okay with me; I've never been one to really do sidequests and explore the world with games like Fallout 3 or Oblivion.

This. 90% of the review scores come down to "Linearity is bad, give me fantasy ME!", the other 10% are from those who didn't notice tutorial ended pretty quickly. Keep jRPGs linear, keep wRPGs open-world, I don't understand why we have to do East vs. West stuff. Kitase is not helping, moron.

Anyway, 10hrs in and having a blast.

[Vanille]

Considering that both characters have their full names listed on the OP and official site, the fact that Fang and Vanille are related in some form isn't supposed to be any sort of in-game revelation, right?

Actually, it's a pretty big revelation.

[Durante]

There's no metric, all from user impressions. I don't see how this any different as to why you think it's worth it? Remember I never said FFXIII was worse as a fact.

Well, I've played 11 hours now and I think it is :P