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[RPG_Fanatic]

I just found out that Best Buy Canada has the preorder book as well. Must resist urge to preorder. Why must there be so many RPGs being released in the first four months of 2012.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

100% this. Mainstream media has been out of touch recently. I hardly seek out reviews except for big budget American releases, as that's where all their energy goes. They ignore Japanese games for whatever reason, citing artistic choices as design flaws (clearly exemplifying ignorance: JRPGs, visual novels, etc).

RPGFan has always been my go to source for everything RPG: western or otherwise. I find my opinion more often than not coincides with theirs. Take their top 5 RPGs of the last gen as an example:

1) Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga 1 and 2
2) Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3
3) Final Fantasy X
4) Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4
5) Final Fantasy IX

I agreed with everything. The titles, the positioning. I would have ranked them the exact same way.

yeah it's crazy how much I side with them as well. For instance I feel their reviews for Eternal Sonata and Nier were ESPECIALLY spot on, to the dot.

 

[R_thanatos]

you guys have it easy .. i love RPg fan but there are some moment whee i can disagree with their views ..their list are fine ..but some of their review tried ( recently ) too much to to be as neutral as possible when their target as a website are rpg fans ( people who are accustomed to rpgs )

As for the trailer, it was fine. as for serah not leaving marks behind i'll just say that it was maybe hard sand ( sand as hard as normal earth ) and you don't leave marks when walking on this.

 

[Basch]

yeah it's crazy how much I side with them as well. For instance I feel their reviews for Eternal Sonata and Nier were ESPECIALLY spot on, to the dot.

I haven't played Nier, sadly. It's sitting in my backlog. But oh my god Eternal Sonata... so good! The backgrounds are so beautiful. The game looks like a painting. And the music... glorious! I hope Tri-Crescendo makes their return to consoles. I miss them dearly.

you guys have it easy .. i love RPg fan but there are some moment whee i can disagree with their views ..their list are fine ..but some of their review tried ( recently ) too much to to be as neutral as possible when their target as a website are rpg fans ( people who are accustomed to rpgs )

Well, I still disagree on occasion as well: Final Fantasy XIII and Mass Effect 2 to name a couple. But more often than not, I do tend to side with them as they put a huge emphasis on story and character development, which is why I play RPGs. And they clearly favor more linear ones, hence why my views tend to align with theirs. I don't enjoy games where there's a million and one things to do; where the focus is on the avatar rather than the characters.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

I haven't played Nier, sadly. It's sitting in my backlog.

............you've brought great shame to the discussion.

 

[Electivirus]

Okay yeah, I love Naoshi Mizuta now. :B

 

[Basch]

............you've brought great shame to the discussion.

:'( It's college, man. I don't have time to play games as much as I used to. Calc III, Discrete, Programming Languages (senior level course), is all bearing down on me in this final week. But thankfully, that'll all be over in a couple of days. And then, it's back to the backlog!

If it wasn't for my insane standards, I'd be gaming way more than 12 hours a week. I still haven't played Catherine or Ghost Trick either. I feel so guilty! >_<

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

:'( It's college, man. I don't have time to play games as much as I used to. Calc III, Discrete, Programming Languages (senior level course), is all bearing down on me in this final week. But thankfully, that'll all be over in a couple of days. And then, it's back to the backlog!

If it wasn't for my insane standards, I'd be gaming way more than 12 hours a week. I still haven't played Catherine or Ghost Trick either. I feel so guilty! >_<

school? Keep your priorities straight brah!

 

[Dark Schala]

Tubed: FFXIII-2 Environments Trailer

Seems to be missing the big open fields seen in the latest screens.

Looks nice. As I said before, it's nice to see more diversity in the locales.

yep Cross has yet to be beat and probably never will. I just listened... its good, but I liked FXIII's soundtrack better. There is too much vocals.. :/ That shit will get old after 100 hours. Also the Steppe music.. :/ wtf

I'm getting the feeling that I'm going to like FFXIII's soundtrack better as well. While I don't think it's Hamauzu's best work (that might go to Sigma Harmonics or Unlimited SaGa, actually), what I liked about FFXIII's soundtrack was the musical genre diversity present throughout. Every single track was something new, and it didn't feel like a homogeneous mixture of sorts. This soundtrack seems to feature vocals and ambience a lot. I caught... one jazzy theme in there, so I'm hoping that the tracks that were not revealed to us are more diverse.

FFXIII had jazz, ambience, acoustic, pop, dancy/trancy stuff, etc. So I'm hoping the FFXIII-2 soundtrack features more diversity than what we've heard from it. However, I don't think it will since this game seems to delve a lot into the sci-fi/futuristic range of things and the audio will have to reflect that. I'm sure a lot of stuff will fit their given situations, but we'll see if it gets even better.

I like Mizuta and Hamauzu a lot, and I'm glad Suzuki's getting a chance to show what he's made of, so I'm looking forward to the full soundtrack.

If it wasn't for my insane standards, I'd be gaming way more than 12 hours a week. I still haven't played Catherine or Ghost Trick either. I feel so guilty! >_<

Do you commute? I used to take the bus, train and subway when I used to go to school in the city, so I took my DS or PSP with me to keep me company. I ended up going through my portable games pretty quickly as a result.

As for console games... well, I only play them on weekends because of school, lol. But I try to get everything school-related done on weekdays so I can have most of the weekend to myself. But it's December, so it's crunch time now. Good luck, especially for discrete. Remember to practice practice practice practice practice for that one.

 

[ZephyrFate]

FFXIII-2 is less diverse? From the samples so far it has even more diversity that FFXIII had. There's rap, jazz, ambience, techno, downtempo, rock, classical music, pop...

 

[Reveirg]

Just as I predicted, Mizuta and Suzuki are doing the bulk of the work.... but their work is impressive!!

 

[Dark Schala]

FFXIII-2 is less diverse? From the samples so far it has even more diversity that FFXIII had. There's rap, jazz, ambience, techno, downtempo, rock, classical music, pop...

I'd like to see the distribution between instrumentals vs vocals in the end, actually. I honestly think it needs more raw instrumental acoustic/string sets (solo or dueling) for full enjoyment on my part, lol. I don't really go for downtempo much at all since I'm so used to dance music/trance music being fast-paced. It was a bit of a pleasant surprise to hear Hope's themes and motifs played with an acoustic guitar in mind (save for one, "Sustained By Hate", which was a piano/violin piece). I don't particularly care for the vocals much yet (I say "yet" because these are samples, and thus I don't have a good barometer for how the rest of the themes would sound like).

I'll say this, though... Joelle has excellent diction. I could listen to Yeul's Theme all day. I like my share of vocals (I should... since I took conservatory vocal for years), but I hope this soundtrack doesn't lean on them too much, and that the unheard instrumental tracks showcase just as much beauty (no doubts about Mizuta's work, though).

I don't care much for the rap theme, unfortunately. There's something about it that I don't like about it and I can't put my finger on what it is. And I like my share of rap. Hm.

I'm still going into this with cautious optimism. I've learned from Suikoden Tierkreis, Appeal to Reason, and The Phantom Menace to stop going into anything with lots of hype. Er, though I guess I never really had much hype for this game outside of the tweaked battle mechanics and new Hamauzu music. Heh.

Edit: I just noticed that no one really bothered to translate some of the tracks revealed so far. Here ya go. Adding spoiler tags in case it spoils plot info.

Disc 1

Spoiler

1. Final Fantasy XIII-2 Overture - Hamauzu
2. Beautiful War Hero - Hamauzu
3. Final Fantasy XIII-2 ~Wish~ - Hamauzu
4. Knight of the Goddess - Hamauzu
5. Eternal Strife - Hamauzu
6. God of War - Hamauzu
7. Arrow Passing Through Time - Hamauzu
8. Paradox - Mizuta
9. Giant Impact - Mizuta
10 . The World Without Cocoon - Hamauzu
11. Dash - Mizuta
12. Noel's Theme - Mizuta
13. New Bodhum - Mizuta; Vocals: ORIGA
14. New Bodhum ~Aggressive Mix~ - Suzuki; Vocals: ORIGA
15. Paradigm Shift - Mizuta (alternate battle theme of FFXIII-2)
16. Honour's Fanfare - Suzuki
17. Groovy Chocobo - Arranger: Suzuki
18. Final Fantasy XIII-2 ~Future~ - Hamauzu
19. Historia Cross - Suzuki; Vocals: ORIGA
20. Colliding Worlds - Mizuta

Disc 2

Spoiler

1. ???
2. ???
3. Last Hunter - Mizuta (main battle theme of FFXIII-2)
4. Victory Fanfare - Suzuki
5. The Battle's Miracle - Mizuta
6. Missing Link - Suzuki
7. Memories of the Future - Mizuta
8. Eclipse - Suzuki; Vocals: Michiyo Honda (er, did I romanize that right?)
9. Eclipse ~Aggressive Mix~ - Suzuki; Vocals: Michiyo Honda
10. Hope's Theme ~Confessions~ - Hamauzu
11. ???
12. Destroyed Hometown - Mizuta; Vocals: Joelle
13. Destroyed Hometown ~Aggressive Mix~ - Mizuta; Vocals: Joelle
14. The Labyrinth of Time - Suzuki
15. ???
16. Caius's Theme - Mizuta
17. Etro's Student - Mizuta
18. Parallel World - Mizuta; Vocals: ORIGA
19. Parallel World ~Aggressive Mix~ - Mizuta; Vocals: ORIGA

Disc 3

Spoiler

1. Space-Time Interval - Suzuki; Vocals: ORIGA
3. Beyond the Limit! - Suzuki; Vocals: ShootieHG
4. Starting Over - Mizuta; Mixing: GOH HOTODA; Vocals: Joelle
5. Starting Over ~Aggressive Mix~ - Mizuta; Vocals: Joelle
7. Eternal Steppe - Mizuta; Mixing: GOH HOTODA; Vocals: Joelle
8. Eternal Steppe ~Aggressive Mix~ - Mizuta
10. Rodeo de Chocobo - Arranged by Kengo Tokusashi
11. Make It or Break It - Mizuta
13. Followers of Chaos - Mizuta
14. Yeul's Theme - Mizuta; Vocals: Joelle
16. Augusta Tower - Suzuki
17. Augusta Tower ~Aggressive Mix~ - Suzuki
19. The Academy's Theme - Hamauzu

(I'll update this one later cuz I'm kind of busy.)

 

[Thoraxes]

So far it's like 12, 17, 20 for track splits.
We'll see what happens when the 4th disc's list is revealed though.

 

[RussellXV]

pictures of CE OST.

Wow! Wish we were getting this in the US Collector's Edition.

 

[Ixion]

FFXIII-2 received a 40/40 from Famitsu. Via Kagari....

http://www.novacrystallis.com/?p=2339

Famitsu, Japan’s most famous video game magazine, has finally weighed in on FINAL FANTASY XIII-2.

If you recall, the magazine awarded a near perfect score to FFXIII. Two years later, hopes are high for the sequel, which has been built from criticisms the last game faced.

So how does the sequel stack up? Famitsu has given the game a 40/40 (10/10/10/10). Not too bad, all things considered. The real judging will, of course, be up to the fans. A large majority of which will be playing the game in 9 more days.

 

[Kagari]

There's a new field video on the JP official site. Getting it now...

 

[jimmypython]

There's a new field video on the JP official site. Getting it now...

Historia Crux video shows this.

is this the complete layout? and does this serve as an "over world" map for the game?

 

[Kagari]

Those are the different gates you can go to at the Historia Crux. You must unlock them first, of course.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

There's a new field video on the JP official site. Getting it now...

psotpostpostpost

 

[Kagari]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqAMEpEnEfY&feature=player_embedded

Youtubed.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqAME...layer_embedded

Youtubed.

oh god...that looked glorious on multiple levels.

 

[Nora Kisaragi]

I'm going to go ahead and guess that "Lightning" is the final guest character to join your party when you fight the final boss, kind of like Riku was in KH2.

...huh. actually, the guests characters in ff13-2 are kind of like the world characters in KH now that I think about it. Huh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqAMEpEnEfY&feature=player_embedded

Youtubed.

Beautiful.

 

[Majukun]

so,it's this game any different from FF XIII?

 

[Yoshichan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqAMEpEnEfY&feature=player_embedded

Youtubed.

To watch or not to watch... how much spoilers ._.?

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

To watch or not to watch... how much spoilers ._.?

it's just footage of fucking gloriousness of the world map and chocobo riding and whatnot. I watched most of it so I'm not 100%.

 

[MooMoo]

I do not like Serah's walking animation. Put yo hands down girl!

 

[Nora Kisaragi]

To watch or not to watch... how much spoilers ._.?

It spoils the towns and environments for the game. Personally, I hate having towns spoiled for me as it basically hints me as to how far I am into the game..but other than that, no real spoilers.

 

[Yoshichan]

FUCK IT, gonna watch! I can't handle it, especially after:

it's just footage of fucking gloriousness of the world map and chocobo riding and whatnot. I watched most of it so I'm not 100%.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

FUCK IT, gonna watch! I can't handle it, especially after:

how was it

 

[RyougaSaotome]

Looks beautiful. One of my favorite activities in XIII was having my character stand dramatically in frame whenever I found a beautiful area. Looks like I'll be doing that again here. Hahaha.

 

[Alucrid]

So will there be an American release of the soundtrack like there was for 13?

 

[george_us]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqAMEpEnEfY&feature=player_embedded

Youtubed.

Probably late to this party but FUUUUUUU they got Origa!!!!

And sweet jesus it looks like they actually hired level designers for the play fields!

 

[Kagari]

So will there be an American release of the soundtrack like there was for 13?

You can get it if you buy the collector's edition of the game for $80.

 

[ULTROS!]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqAMEpEnEfY&feature=player_embedded

Youtubed.

The city at 3:30 looks fantastic.

 

[Alucrid]

You can get it if you buy the collector's edition of the game for $80.

:lol oh. Well looks like I'm set then...that just shows how in the dark I am about this game.

 

[demosthenes]

............you've brought great shame to the discussion.

As an American that speaks only English, which version should I get? (PS3)

 

[Kagari]

:lol oh. Well looks like I'm set then...that just shows how in the dark I am about this game.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0062VM8LU/?tag=neogaf0e-20
4 disc ost + artbook. Ends up being cheaper than buying the game and OST separate.

 

[Yoshichan]

how was it

One of the most beautiful things I've seen this generation, no hyperbole. This was my face throughout the whole video ":O". God damn it, I can't wait for this game anymore...

 

[XANDER CAGE]

I'd really like a modern JRPG soundtrack that wasn't butt-rock and strings. Just once.

Game looks good though, I might even give it a shot. FFXIII burned me hard, though.

 

[Dark Schala]

I do not like Serah's walking animation. Put yo hands down girl!

Seriously. SE, girls don't usually run like that. :lol

Looks really nice, though. Yeah, this is most certainly what I wanted from FFXIII in terms of aesthetic and environments. But where was that snow environment I liked so much that we saw before? :O

(To be honest, I'm secretly hoping for a town that's like ToS's Flanoir or Quebec City in the wintertime -- mostly like that pic of Château Frontenac or any places like Place Royale.)

 

[Yoshichan]

Game looks good though, I might even give it a shot. FFXIII burned me hard, though.

I got burnt out the third time I beat it (just a month ago) :lol but this trailer made me go HYPE again!

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

As an American that speaks only English, which version should I get? (PS3)

just get the normal version, on ps3, and then bask in the amazingness of the funtastic localization, great story, outstanding soundtrack, and cool style.

 

[Kagari]

Yoshichan going to hype himself into eventual disappointment.

I've got the OT done... just waiting to put it up now.

 

[R_thanatos]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqAMEpEnEfY&feature=player_embedded

Youtubed.

thanks ..it was awesome . i enjoyed what i saw ..

 

[demosthenes]

Yoshichan going to hype himself into eventual disappointment.

I've got the OT done... just waiting to put it up now.

Oh god, can't wait.

And anyone answer on Nier?

 

[Rahxephon91]

Holy shit that video.

Wow, why wasn't this the original XIII? Watch thus game take people by surprise. It's giving Xenoblade a run for it's money.

 

[-Pyromaniac-]

Oh god, can't wait.

And anyone answer on Nier?

loook UPPP

 

[Yoshichan]

Yoshichan going to hype himself into eventual disappointment.

No chance in living hell that this game will disappoint me. NO CHANCE IN HELL (even though Dragon Age 2, Catherine, Dark Souls, BF3 and Uncharted 3 were all a disappointing this year, I'm NOT gonna let it happen with XIII-2!)

I've got the OT done... just waiting to put it up now.

GO FOR IT Screw the rules!

On a serious note, when CAN you put it up?

 

[daffy]

so,it's this game any different from FF XIII?

I think they added chocoboas and time travel.

This wiki should help you while we masturbate to field video
http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/Final_Fantasy_XIII-2

 

[Kagari]

No chance in living hell that this game will disappoint me. NO CHANCE IN HELL (even though Dragon Age 2, Catherine, Dark Souls, BF3 and Uncharted 3 were all a disappointing this year, I'm NOT gonna let it happen with XIII-2!)

GO FOR IT Screw the rules!

On a serious note, when CAN you put it up?

Thursday... or 12 hours for Japan time.

And if you were disappointed by all those games this year... I truly fear for you...