Am I insane enough to actually defend Final Fantasy XIII, one of the most reviled Final Fantasy games of all time? That’s a definite maybe.
Ah, Final Fantasy XIII. Just mentioning this game around most gamers, especially JRPG fans, will cause them to suddenly acquire Tourette syndrome and go on a verbal tirade just before their heads explode. As a fan of JRPGs and the Final Fantasy series, I can understand why there is so much nerd-rage fueled hatred towards Final Fantasy XIII. However, I actually kinda enjoyed the game and feel like I should give it some much needed love that RPGers (at least here in the West) won’t give it. Before I do that, though, let’s take a look at what the critics said about FFXIII upon it’s release and compare that to what the gamers had to say. Trust me, this will be great fun.
Oh, I should probably note that the only differences between the Xbox 360 and PS3 ports are the amount of discs and the graphics. I played FFXIII on my PS3; one disc, better visuals.
FFXIII's cast. From left to right: Sazh, Snow, Hope, Lightning, Fang, Venille.
Here are some choice user reviews for the PS3 version of FFXIII found on MetaCritic:
User: Breck Score: 0/10
“Quite possible the worst final fantasy in the entire series. It shouldn’t even be considered a true final fantasy. Nothing about this game is good, I returned it. Something that took 2 years to make, was delayed for ps3 for another 2 years and downgraded so they could put it onto 360. Pathetic. Besides that, graphics still are bad with ps2 style environments. Annoying characters, and the same damn plot you’ve heard 100 times. Unless your a 6 year old girl, avoid at all costs.”
I think six-year-old girls should avoid you at all costs. Oh, and I’d love to see this game run on a PS2. You’ve got to be kidding me, dude.
User: JD Score: 5/10
“Worst Final Fantasy ever. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a fanboy for sure, but this has got to be the worst in the series. First, it isn’t a “game” per se, since you can get through the whole game mostly using “x” and a few directional keys. Second, the RPG element has been removed. It is hard to believe that Final Fantasy has been dumbed down to pretty graphics and awful, boringgameplay. This is basically a game for the attention deficit disordered millenial generation, and I’m afraid for the future.”
I’d really like to know how you beat those bosses, especially the Eidolons, just by pressing the “X” button. Hell, just pressing the “X” button won’t get you through most of the normal battles. The RPG element has been removed from it? So, leveling-up, upgrading weapons/accessories, character classes and casting spells aren’t RPG elements? That’s right, I’m mistaken – those are rhythm-game elements.
User: MrZ Score: 3/10
“Attention gamers! Want to win your battles by outmatching and outwitting your enemies? No need! Just select ‘Libra’, mash ‘auto-battle’ and watch the pretty colours fly. Want any sort of say in the powers of your characters? Forget it! Hold down X and the thinking is done for you. Want hours of entertainment exploring a fantastical, otherworldly universe? Ever considered holding the left joystick in the ‘up’ position for hours on end instead? If you fancy doing nothing for ages and paying a few hours of wages for the privelege, then FFXIII is you. By a bored and previously avid FF fan. Apparently it gets better around the 25 hour mark. Usually the reward for 25 hours of play is something other than relief of boredom. As someone who got into gaming mainly because of FFVIII, I am in disbelief. Looks nice, though. Then again, so do flowers and fairies and lots of other boring crap.”
Wait, wait, wait. Final Fantasy VIII was what got you interested in gaming? You mean the Final Fantasy game where you just “hold down the ‘X’ button and the thinking is done for you”? The Final Fantasy game with the horrible load times, annoying characters, convoluted plot and easily broken battle system that makes the game a breeze? No, sir – FFXIII is you.
Here are some quotes from professional critics that gave FFXIII obnoxiously high scores:
Author: Carolyn Gudmundson Score: 10/10
“The streamlined, focused structure eliminates potential tedium without dumbing anything down, and the battle system strikes an elegant balance between strategy and fast-paced action. Stunningly beautiful graphics and a pervasively meticulous level of polish throughout only add to the experience.”
I’m with you on the great battle system and gorgeous graphics, but “streamlining” the game and removing JRPG tropes ironically lead to a lot of tedium; trudging through monster-filled hallways just to get to the next cut-scene for 25 hours gets is certainly monotonous.
Author: Joe Juba Score: 9.25/10
“ […] Final Fantasy XIII is a phenomenal RPG destined to be remembered as a technical milestone for the series.”
It certainly is the best-looking Final Fantasy game, but “phenomenal” is hardly the word I’d use to describe FFXIII.
Author: Jeremy Parish Score: A-
“Like Mass Effect 2, FFXIII seems to be an attempt to answer the question of how to create an RPG for the modern, console-owning masses. Square Enix’s solution is certainly different than BioWare’s, but it’s arguably just as effective in its own way.”
If by “effective” you mean turning off most console gamers and only appealing to it’s core audience (barely), then yes FFXIII certainly was “effective.” Mass Effect 2 merges RPG and shooter elements beautifully, providing gamers with a huge game that doesn’t feel too much like an interactive movie, which is all FFXIII is for the first 25 hours.
After 25-30 hours of linearity, FFXIII really opens up in the huge world of Gran Pulse.
I’ll admit, I was being completely unfair here. The vast majority of user reviews for FFXIII (Xbox 360 and PS3 versions) are very positive, and there are a decent amount of critics that gave FFXIII more rational reviews. However, Destructoid’s Jim Sterling was the only reviewer featured on MetaCritic that completely trashed the game, giving it a 4/10. However, when you check out the user reviews and sort them by “most helpful”, the top reviews (the same ones I quoted) are negative. Furthermore, just go to any website that has articles or videos on FFXIII and you’ll find that most of the comments are from gamers that just fucking despise the game.
I understand the game’s flaws: linearity; no backtracking; muddled narrative; no towns; useless summoning magic; forgettable music that only provides atmosphere; and character actions/emotions that don’t really make sense in certain scenes. However, while the linear levels throughout the first 25 hours of the game can feel like a chore, the outstanding combat, great character development and jaw-dropping visuals provide a huge incentive to reach the point where the game really opens up and finish the storyline. Sure, there are a couple of characters that I find annoying early on (Hope and Venille), but all of the characters become interesting as the game’s story progresses. The story didn’t really bother me, either. I expect my JRPG stories to be ridiculous and unbelievable; that’s part of the reason why I enjoy them so much. Oh, and FFXIII is probably the best Final Fantasy game to be released since FFIX (I have yet to play FFXII). Yes, FFIX, not FFX. Seriously, fuck Tidus.
Chocobos will always remain one of the best aspects of the Final Fantasy franchise.
FFXIII did very well in Japan, and it appears that it’s mostly North American and European gamers that complain about the game. Don’t believe me? Well, not only did the Japanese gaming magazines Famitsu and Dengeki give FFXIII high praises, but a reader poll on Dengeki’s website called FFXIII the second best game of 2009, and another reader poll on Famitsu named FFXIII the best game ever (though Famitsu might not be trustworthy). Furthermore, FFXIII sold over 1 million units when it was released in Japan, and is the fastest selling Final Fantasy game to date.
Fang doing what she does in FFXIII's solid battle system.
Square has always tried to make Final Fantasy a different experience with every new title. Sometimes these changes work, sometimes they miss the mark. Obviously, FFXIII missed the mark in many ways, and certainly isn’t worthy of near-perfect review scores, but it is by no means a horrible game. I’m not a fan of “grading” games, but if I was I would probably give this game a 7/10. Sure, FFXIII is no FFVI or FFVII, and it will only appeal to it’s niche audience, but it’s definitely playable and can be downright enjoyable if you’re just patient. If you wind up hating it, though, I can understand.
Lightning and Fang cosplayers. I like where this is going. You're welcome.
This sounds about right.
I liked XIII. I would have liked a more steampunk atmosphere a SHIT TON better… as is though I did indeed spend over 60 hours on the game. The second one was better.
I’m currently playing through XIII-2, and so far I really like it. Yeah, time traveling stories can be fairly hackneyed, but I really dig the Paradox system in XIII-2. I’m a sucker for being able to replay sections of a game to change the outcome and obtain multiple endings, kind of like Chrono Trigger or Chrono Chross. And, as a fan of the Shin Megami Tensai series, I absolutely love monster collecting.
A steampunk Final Fantasy would be awesome. I think the closest there’s been to a steampunk FF title was FFVI, but I guess you could say most FF games have some steampunk elements.
i really like the game personally the game as a whole was very, mediocre. but when you break it up into parts i really like it. the storyline though confusing at first is very interesting, if one took the time to read the datalog as it filled up they would understand the story much much better. I did infact read hte datalog which greatly expanded my knowledge of the characters and objects in the game. The battle though dull in button play is very flowing and graphicaly beautiful. Another aspect of the battle system i liked is the break away from the same old tank,DPS,support main stay that has been in almost every FF game. The linearity really bugs me but i do like that after the game is over you can go back and complete all the missions and stuff which is nice i like that. Also a cool thing is that you can gauge your sucess in the game by how fast you can beat the boss because you can fight him over and over. over all i loved the game and with a few tweaks i think this could have been an amazing title -more amazing than it was-.