I am here to cast my name into the XIII being objectively better than X hat. The disproportional panning XIII received was ridiculous, the consensus could have been "this is a linear story, just know that going in" or "I prefer a more open-ended RPG so this isn't for me", but instead all the "hallways" jokes went on ad nauseam until the game became a punchline. The game accomplished what it set out to be, it's highly entertaining, tight, polished package. I played it from beginning to end because it kept impressing me and I couldn't wait to see what would come next. With X on the other hand, I forced myself along under the hope that it was eventually building up to something better, which it never did. I even dropped the game for a long period of time, only picking it back up to finish up because I happened to unexpectedly receive X-2 as a gift.
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Why is Final Fantasy X considered much better than Final Fantasy XIII?
- Thread starter TheDanimal
- Start date
Peroroncino
Member
Better story, characters and pacing.
FFXII had a story for like half of the game, and the protagonist seems pointless, seriously, the game without him would be better off. As much as I also dislike Tidus, the game wouldn't be the same without his relationship with Yuna.
Oh shit, I misread and thought it's about XII, back to sleep I guess. xD
FFXII had a story for like half of the game, and the protagonist seems pointless, seriously, the game without him would be better off. As much as I also dislike Tidus, the game wouldn't be the same without his relationship with Yuna.
Oh shit, I misread and thought it's about XII, back to sleep I guess. xD
Moms are tough!
I also prefer XII to both of the games mentioned. Gameplay and world design are much better. However, I think character development is a weakness in XII, and X does it a bit better.
That being said, XII is probably top 5 or 6 for me, while X and XIII are somewhere towards the bottom half. I'm just not a fan of the direction they went with these games.
ArkhamFantasy
Member
The games are pretty similar, i think there's a couple of things that X does better (such as back tracking and mini games.) But overall i think XIII is the better game. The battle system is alot more creative and unique than X and the music and visuals are pretty amazing.
I think the main reason why people view them so differently is because they came out in different era's.
I think the main reason why people view them so differently is because they came out in different era's.
LizardKing
Member
X for me laid the groundwork for what XIII became. It's better than XIII but when I first played X my reaction was "I enjoyed it but I don't like the direction this is heading" and then XIII fully went there.
I did like the art direction, graphics, OST and battle system better in XIII. Everything else was better in X though, even if it wasn't what I'd always call great compared to some other FFs. But yes, I think XIII followed the same direction that X really laid out, just didn't execute as well and as a result showed what a poor choice of direction it was. Seems like the re-releases of this and XII showed one was maybe overrated and one underrated (I've always felt XII was significantly better than X though).
I did like the art direction, graphics, OST and battle system better in XIII. Everything else was better in X though, even if it wasn't what I'd always call great compared to some other FFs. But yes, I think XIII followed the same direction that X really laid out, just didn't execute as well and as a result showed what a poor choice of direction it was. Seems like the re-releases of this and XII showed one was maybe overrated and one underrated (I've always felt XII was significantly better than X though).
The real kicker is that your reasons for hating Lightning make her sound like a more interesting character than she actually is. You can totally make that work too; Velvet from Tales of Berseria is essentially Lightning done right.
There are two key reasons for why Velvet works and Lightning doesn't:
First, Velvet is shown as a good hearted girl before
having her brother sacrificed in front of her
Second, the game treats Velvet like a time bomb waiting to implode and when she does
it's grounded in her emotional instability rather than any demonic power gobbledy-gook.
Contrast that with Lightning:
She's introduced as an asshole and never sheds that impression. Even though she does ease up a little by the end, it doesn't feel like she's undergone any change at all.
More damningly, however, is the fact that the game really wants you to believe Lightning is in the right at all times, even when she's being completely unreasonable with everyone around her.
It's "Worst birthday ever", by a country mile.
That one scene makes Lightning the most childish little shit possible, and because it's a flashback you don't even have the "Stress of being hunted/L'Cie" to justify her actions.
PokéKong;244526046 said:
OK.
But seriously, it doesn't matter if it was linear or open with those awful stories and characters. I'm not here to defend FFX, because it's not great either (bar Blitzball).
It's not a tight game at all, it's a meandering mess that is stretched out for reasons that I can't understand other than "more hours plz" and one of the main jokes from defenders of the game is it gets good after 20 hours. Fuck that for most people and since I was really ill and off work one week, I decided to see and I couldn't see much of a difference except I was wondering how nobody had choked Vanille for hurting the ears of everyone when she talked.
Thank god we had the refreshing greatness of XII between X and XIII because good lord.
CaviarMeths
Member
It's kinda telling when people gotta talk shit about Lightning to prop up the cast of FFX. It's like talking shit about Thor 2: The Dark World to prop up Batman v Superman. It's not a relative W. It's a big collective L all around.
ScientificPizza
Banned
X does this weird thing where the battles are almost immediately engaging and it's actually fun to play
Give it up, plenty of people like the characters in X apart from Tidus
CaviarMeths
Member
Plenty of wierdos!
Ya idk, I'll give up. I'm not trying particularly hard anyway. Unlike Auron.
FFX will always hold a special place in my heart as the first FF game I properly played.
The cast
The story
The setting
Blitzball is my favourite minigame in any game ever
The summons
Sphere grid
Despite its linearity I love everything else about it.
It's not the best FF game (that probably goes to FFXII or FFVII for me) but it's my favourite still to this day.
The cast
The story
The setting
Blitzball is my favourite minigame in any game ever
The summons
Sphere grid
Despite its linearity I love everything else about it.
It's not the best FF game (that probably goes to FFXII or FFVII for me) but it's my favourite still to this day.
XIII is miles better than X, but we're not far enough away from XIII yet for people to admit it.
Story, characters, music, acting are all better in XIII. The only thing X has on it is the fact that you fight more of the antagonists than you do in XIII, where characters who you really want to fight just get offed in cutscenes.
Story, characters, music, acting are all better in XIII. The only thing X has on it is the fact that you fight more of the antagonists than you do in XIII, where characters who you really want to fight just get offed in cutscenes.
TitanNut88
Member
You nailed it.That's what summarizes my feelings about X and XII (my first FF was X). I know that XII is a better game, but there is something about X that makes it unique.
The linearity doesn't bother me, in fact I think XIII gets worse once you get to Pulse
XIIIs problem for me is that it's streamlined to the point it barely even feels like an rpg. No towns, no npcs, barely any world building, minimal stats with completely linear progression for most of the game, nothing to break up the endless fighting, no sidequests other than the boring request things, trash weapon upgrade system
I assume by this you already know what she thinks
XIIIs problem for me is that it's streamlined to the point it barely even feels like an rpg. No towns, no npcs, barely any world building, minimal stats with completely linear progression for most of the game, nothing to break up the endless fighting, no sidequests other than the boring request things, trash weapon upgrade system
I assume by this you already know what she thinks
The reason XIII got bad rep is probably because it was released during the peak of everything must be open world craze. It isn't perfect, but it is a lot better than its reputation. For me X and XIII are about equal in overall quality.
I'm still playing through Berseria and Velvet is still an annoying unlikable lame character. I played through XIii again not too long ago and I actually find Lightning to be a much better character now. Still not great by any means though.
Sazh is the best damn character in FF XIII.
No, they're just not. X's characters are not great, but at least they're not XIII level. I don't know how you can say acting when Vanille negates every word anyone ever says by making ears bleed.
It has nothing to do with time. On my deathbed I'll still be saying "fuck XIII" if asked.
I don't know how you can say that when Halo and Gears were still doing gangbusters. It got a bad rep because it is not enjoyable to play.
If we are talking about dungeon design yeah both sort of suck.
X even has a problem with bad puzzles which XIII gets around by having no puzzles.
Everything else X does better, the game still has problems, the main character, some of the character designs, the terrible mini games, nonsense story moments. However some of the nonsense is fun, it certainly is more memorable than XIII. When events happen you may feel something.
X even has a problem with bad puzzles which XIII gets around by having no puzzles.
Everything else X does better, the game still has problems, the main character, some of the character designs, the terrible mini games, nonsense story moments. However some of the nonsense is fun, it certainly is more memorable than XIII. When events happen you may feel something.
Mediking
Member
I assume by this you already know what she thinks
Hahaha there's still a chance that Kagari might agree with me that FFX is a good game but Seymour and a few other things totally ruin it.
FF13 wins.
We will never be far enough away from FFXIII to get to the idea it's a good idea to do storytelling through encyclopedia entries.
RurouniZel
Asks questions so Ezalc doesn't have to
To add on to a lot of the already great reasons given, FFX's linearity is more acceptable not only because you can backtrack if you REALLY want to, but even if you don't, FFX's linearity is supported by its story. 4/5 of the story of FFX is about Yuna's pilgrimage and it kinda makes sense that outside of one detour (the trip to Luca for a Blitzball tournament that is told to you well before you arrive), the trip would be in a virtual straight line.
And surprise surprise, once the pilgrimage is over, an airship appears and the world effectively opens up (though not to the scale of Pulse in XIII to be completely fair).
And surprise surprise, once the pilgrimage is over, an airship appears and the world effectively opens up (though not to the scale of Pulse in XIII to be completely fair).
BibiMaghoo
Member
Can't really add much that hasn't been said, but the characters in 13 were wooden blocks. I could not give a single shite what they were up to, and why they even mattered. This is so far from the core of what an FF game is, that it does not deserve the title. When the game does open up it's just a boring grinding plain almost at the end of the game. Add onto that a sequel with a cliffhanger ending, and I couldn't even bring myself to play the third game, that seems to only exists so that they could squeeze more game out of assets long ago created.
FFX in comparison is a masterpiece. Alone it is a really good game. FF13 is neither of these things. The linear nature is comparable, but the quality of what is contained beyond that is not.
FFX in comparison is a masterpiece. Alone it is a really good game. FF13 is neither of these things. The linear nature is comparable, but the quality of what is contained beyond that is not.
GAF's GOTY the year FFXIII was released was Uncharted 2 for goodness sake. So much for penalizing non-open world games.
Imp the Dimp
Member
Great characters and just a very memorable game overall. Terrific Final Fantasy really.
Clear
CliffyB's Cock Holster
FFX vs FF13 is not a flattering comparison for the latter game.
X has a better story, a mythology that is actually interesting and not needlessly obtuse, characters are better defined and on the whole more likeable.
X is far better paced, and although it takes its time introducing all its gameplay elements it doesn't feel as painfully (and artificially) drawn out as XIII. It also has lots more side content and a far more substantial and appealing end/post-game.
I don't hate XIII, but it has a lot of issues that make its first-half in particular a drag. I feel like at some point they looked at FFXII's scale and thought "we have to top that" but unfortunately the mechanics of the game (which are actually fine, in themselves) don't really suit that sort of expurgation/elongation.
X has a better story, a mythology that is actually interesting and not needlessly obtuse, characters are better defined and on the whole more likeable.
X is far better paced, and although it takes its time introducing all its gameplay elements it doesn't feel as painfully (and artificially) drawn out as XIII. It also has lots more side content and a far more substantial and appealing end/post-game.
I don't hate XIII, but it has a lot of issues that make its first-half in particular a drag. I feel like at some point they looked at FFXII's scale and thought "we have to top that" but unfortunately the mechanics of the game (which are actually fine, in themselves) don't really suit that sort of expurgation/elongation.
stenbumling
Unconfirmed Member
They're completely different in my opinion, and have different strengths and faults. I have to say though that the remaster really soured me on FFX the whole pilgrim part, even if it makes sense story wise, is just badly paced. Even worse: it's very often boring.
I can understand the hate for FFXIII, but I really enjoyed it at the time, even if the characters and story was underwhelming. It was fun to play.
In the end, they're both subpar compared to the PS1-trilogy.
I can understand the hate for FFXIII, but I really enjoyed it at the time, even if the characters and story was underwhelming. It was fun to play.
In the end, they're both subpar compared to the PS1-trilogy.
Rellik
Member
Yeah it was the Resident Evil 4 of Final Fantasy. Great game, but it set the series off in a certain direction that wasn't great.
tiebreaker
Member
I can't get over Yuna's eyes. Ruined the character design for me.
OmegaJonny
Neo Member
Blitzbawl!
Knew this horse shit would appear before too long
cj_iwakura
Member
Yet people love Mass Effect.
Mass Effect puts deep lore in codecs, it does not do its storytelling there.
cj_iwakura
Member
Same with XIII.
Because in Mass Effect it was entirely optional flavour to add to the game. I, at least, could follow the story well without ever checking the Codex. Nothing of the sort was possible in XIII.
Nah, everything in FFXIII is in datalog. They even have to give basic exposition to you through datalog.
Ditto character motivation and background. Take Lightning for example. Instead of establishing what sort of women she is through her actions, slowly teasing elements of her past out for you, they just have to give you this info dump.
They literally tell you she called herself that to "outgrow painful memories". That's because they don't know how, or don't care, to establish this as part of Lightning's character through dialogue or events.
This is atrocious storytelling and violates pretty basic rules of show don't tell. No wonder she barely feels like a character, they couldn't figure out a better way to convey her to the player than to give what reads like an internal Square Enix document for her storyboarding.
Contrast this with the first Mass Effect; we learn everything we need to know to set up the basic motivations of Shephard, the Citadel, Saren, the Council, the Systems Alliance, through dialogue and scenes on Eden Prime and the Citadel. We are shown not told.
Then you have codecs that tell you how often Turians fuck or how the Normandy stealth system works but they have zero importance in communicating Mass Effect's story. They are simply flavour.
TannerDemoz
Member
It doesn't have Hope in.
I bought the PS4 version of X recently, never played the game before, and I was completely aghast that I couldn't change the audio to Japanese. It's got some of the worst English VA I've ever heard and it's practically unplayable for me, I'd rather it just be text-based than have to listen to this.
I loved XIII, it was my first FF.
I loved XIII, it was my first FF.
I can't think of a single thing FFXIII does better than FFX. It's prettier, although with the HD version of X you can argue that it's now better there too.
FFX was made in a time before SE completely went off the rails, and decided they knew what their fans wanted more than the fans. This resulted in gems like FFXIII-2, Lightning returns, and FFXIV 1.0.
It wasn't until they lost a shit ton of money that they realized they needed to stop being so fucking arrogant.
Battle system - FFX wins handily
Music - FFX wins
World - FFX wins
Story - Can't help but laugh at FFXIII story- there's no comparison
Equipment upgrade system - I love the customization in FFX although wish they had let you do it sooner than Guadosalam. FFXIII upgrade system is horrible- it's shocking that in 2010 that's all they could come up with.
Characters - Tidus is annoying.... but so are Hope, Snow, and Vanille.
Sidequests - FFX has so many, I would have trouble remembering them all. Monster arena being the big one. FFXIII has the cieth stone missions, and a short quest to fix a toy robot. I can't think of anything else.
FFX was made in a time before SE completely went off the rails, and decided they knew what their fans wanted more than the fans. This resulted in gems like FFXIII-2, Lightning returns, and FFXIV 1.0.
It wasn't until they lost a shit ton of money that they realized they needed to stop being so fucking arrogant.
Battle system - FFX wins handily
Music - FFX wins
World - FFX wins
Story - Can't help but laugh at FFXIII story- there's no comparison
Equipment upgrade system - I love the customization in FFX although wish they had let you do it sooner than Guadosalam. FFXIII upgrade system is horrible- it's shocking that in 2010 that's all they could come up with.
Characters - Tidus is annoying.... but so are Hope, Snow, and Vanille.
Sidequests - FFX has so many, I would have trouble remembering them all. Monster arena being the big one. FFXIII has the cieth stone missions, and a short quest to fix a toy robot. I can't think of anything else.
I'm replaying FFX now for the first time in 10 years and i feel like it has way more charm and easy-to-follow story than FFXIII. It was also a technical marvel on release, compared to when FFXIII was released and that corridor style just felt lazy and outdated.
FFX is a great game, but at the same time it's a huge step towards the demise of the series. So much of the magic from FF5-FF9 is lost in the corridor design and the horribly dumb characters with lousy voices. Rikku is probably the only character that would last in a real world for more than an hour without being sent to a mental institution. It's tough to care about them and it doesn't help that i replayed FFIX last summer and once again realized how amazing that game still is.
People saying that FFX is not a real Final Fantasy should probably elaborate the 'real' part. But i can't really say i don't understand where they're coming from.
FFX is a great game, but at the same time it's a huge step towards the demise of the series. So much of the magic from FF5-FF9 is lost in the corridor design and the horribly dumb characters with lousy voices. Rikku is probably the only character that would last in a real world for more than an hour without being sent to a mental institution. It's tough to care about them and it doesn't help that i replayed FFIX last summer and once again realized how amazing that game still is.
People saying that FFX is not a real Final Fantasy should probably elaborate the 'real' part. But i can't really say i don't understand where they're coming from.
LegendofDragoonLives
Member
XIII will remain the worst mainline FF by a country mile due to its garbage cast. I'm starting to think anyone who thinks FFXIII has great characters probably loves some of the worst animes that have ever come out. Ever.
Risk Breaker
Member
Dude how can you be a Persona 3 fan and a FFXIII fan at the same time AKA good taste/bad taste??!1 Does not compute
Prophane33
Member
Never has been by me. I liked XIII many times more than X. In fact, the only FF worse than X is II.
Randomizer
Member
I enjoyed both games but they are certainly on the low end of the series for me, down there with VIII & II. The both have major problems with unlikeable casts, bad stories and their very linear design.
I haven't finished Berseria yet, I'd say I'm midway since I just got the snowboard thing. But I fully agree.
I think Velvet is a really good character. She is edgy, has short temper, is focused on her revenge and likes to act as if she is a bad person. Yet a lot of her interactions are about the clash between the person she thinks she should be in order to fullfill his objectives and the person she was in her past, which resurfaces quite often (there are a lot of mom-Velvet moments, when she shows genuine worry about other people).
I fully expect her to be challenged about her views and behavior soon. Wonder where it'll go. So far the cast has polar opposites views with the Abby. The latter is about "the group over the individual", while the cast is about "the individual over the group". Both until the last consequences, which make both of them look bad. Like, when the cast is in Southgand (the Tropical part of the setting) and
they remove a therion from the temple, turning a whole village, and possibly all the people in that island into daemons.
Velvet running out of prison turned all the prisoners in daemons, since she was what was keeping the malice at sustainable levels in Titania.