Square-Enix Addresses Lower Review Scores For FFXIII

telly
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:16:23 PM

Not all, but most of my favorite games are linear -- Uncharted 2, Gears of War 1 and 2, all the God of Wars, etc. I love GTA too but "freedom" for the sake of it more often than not hurts a game.

2 up, 2 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:44:02 PM

We're badgering Square-Enix right now.

7 up, 1 down

darxed
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 10:02:39 PM

Yeah! I'm looking forward to your review as well, even if FFXIII is a day one buy for me, at least if all these rumors about exclusive DLC aren't true... If they were, I'd have to give it a lot of thougth... I mean making DLC is one thing but giving PS3 owners the incomplete experience would be too much even for a FFFanboy like me (My favorite series for 20 years now! still remember when I got FFI for the NES back in 19990... good times..)

0 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 10:19:02 PM

Same here. I don't like freedom in a game. Looking forward to that review ben!

0 up, 0 down

Vitron
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 5:03:26 AM

well,I do like to get my freedom after I beat the game

3 up, 0 down

big6
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:17:59 AM
Reply

Well, for some games, there is a level of linearity that is acceptable, given the style of game.
For example, Uncharted 2 needs to be linear to tell its story. You can't power-up Nate's abilities, because that's just not the type of game for it...and the story does not require it.

However, with RPGs, this is somewhat different, I think. RPGs are inherently dependent on a level of customization and 'freedom' to do this at a pace the player chooses. Some people (like me) don't usually progress the story until my character is sufficiently leveled-up. Others would go with the story and level-up as the the story unfolds. To each their own.

I'm just saying RPGs, by their nature, should allow the player a decent degree of 'freedom' to explore (towns) and level-up (battles).

If that's taken away, then is it still an RPG we are playing?

12 up, 0 down

Nynja
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:24:54 AM

"If that's taken away, then is it still an RPG we are playing?"

No.

Exploration will still be there, just not in the form of cities or towns we are accustomed to with the FF series. It seems SE is taking the trend they started with the portable versions of FF (Crisis Core & Dissidia) and are collectively removing shops from their games. We'll have to wait and see if the 'new' shopping method will suffice.

Leveling is obviously there along with a gambit/grid like system for character development. It'll still feel like an RPG, I'm sure of it.

4 up, 0 down

bridgera
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:57:38 PM

It's not that I had problems with just FFXII, it's also that I had problems with FFXI.

Sure, it's not quite in the same class since it was an MMORPG, but that game was ridden by huge problems which SE took YEARS to fix. A lot of the problems that they had to fix were VERY obvious. They were still doing major job revisions at year 5 of release.

How they handled FFXI was really what made me start to seriously dislike that company. FFXII sure didn't help.

I think they've been on this path for a long time, long before they ever announced FFXIII was going multiplat.

1 up, 0 down

Nynja
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:19:53 AM
Reply

I couldn't agree with Ben more. The complaints I've heard thus far regarding FFXIII;

- Linear gameplay: which Kitase and Ben have hopefully cleared up
- Main character dies = game over even if party members are still alive
- Lack of towns/shops

I can understand and accept the first two. I still stand firm on lack of towns/shops, until I play the game.

The reason for the "game over" if Lightening (and Snow?) dies is the attachment the developers wanted the player to have with the character.

I've been waiting for a solid SE RPG with a compelling story for way too long. As release day gets closer and closer, I find myself more and more interested in FFXIII.

5 up, 1 down

johnld
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 2:38:27 PM

i think character attachment to final fantasy characters will be there no matter if the character lives or dies. I dont like the fact that the game ends if one specific character dies. if you look back on vii, a lot of people got attached to aeris and she died without the game ending. Out of all the final fantasy games, i got attached with one or more characters, all except XII but mostly because it was a political type of story.

2 up, 0 down

Omnipro
Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 11:35:33 AM

THANKS FOR THE SPOILER ! ! ! !

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:22:16 AM
Reply

Lets say it together now.

Mul-Ti-Plat-Form.

17 up, 4 down

maxpontiac
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:54:01 AM

Ya think? LOL

4 up, 1 down

bridgera
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:00:55 PM

So you guys really think this is all just a multi-plat issue?

After playing FFXI,FFXII, and seeing Final Fantasy:Series Within, I think the series was headed downhill long ago.

Seems to me like SE wants to make digitial movies, not make an awesome playable RPG.

I think it would still have these issues if it had not gone multiplat, but that's just my opinion.

7 up, 2 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:26:41 PM

Yea but you didn't like FFXII so you have had complaints with the way Square has conducted themselves since. FFXII wasn't my favorite in the series but it was still very good IMO.

I really believe we would be getting a very different, larger, better Final Fantasy XIII if Squares number one priority was a ground breaking game and not maximizing profits. They still would have profited had this game stayed a Sony exclusive. But they got greedy and had to sacrifice the games potential quality as a result. Remember Square used to be the bar lifter. They would release a new Final Fantasy and everything else would pale in comparison. That's not the case any more. Sony's 1st party devs are doing what Square did with such ease last gen. I just find it a little too coincidental that this game, along with many other games has received a less then perfect reviews after going multiplat. Could just be a coincidence, but i doubt it.

5 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 1:09:03 PM

lol @ "Series Within"

3 up, 1 down

darxed
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 10:05:10 PM

Ya mean Spirits, do ya lad?

1 up, 1 down

Gone
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:27:00 AM
Reply

Is every character going to be able to summon a monster like FFVII, or is going to be a Yuna style summon?

0 up, 0 down

piratedrunk
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 1:55:12 PM

I'm pretty sure each character has their own specific summon

0 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:34:45 AM
Reply

ok I think the lower scores are coming from the direction the game went. FF13 is not the same FF we've come to expect. And it apparently doesnt hold up to what FF was in the past. I blame this in whole to being muliplatform.

The FF we were going to get when it was exclusive sounded like a dream. When that dream became reality we get what? A linear experience buffered down to feed the need of money and greed. I dont blame the 360 for it has nothing to do with SE choice, although M$ obviously played a part but really it's SE own fault this is happening.

I will say that it being treated like a western RPG could play a small part. But as you pointed out Ben even these critics have reviewed past FF very high. What this conludes too is that FF13 simply isn't what it was meant to be! Had it stayed exclusive I think we'd see a different game, and different review scores.

Last edited by bigrailer19 on 2/16/2010 11:36:27 AM

8 up, 3 down

mbg77
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 1:27:41 PM

I'm sorry bigrailer19 but your argument is a bit flawed.

"The FF we were going to get when it was exclusive sounded like a dream." - I'm sorry but at the "loose ideas" stage of game development almost every game looks great, even Lair - and then the execution happens.

"I will say that it being treated like a western RPG could play a small part." - I think it should be treated at least a bit like a western RPG. After all SE was telling us about dumping parts of their jRPG heritage for the sake of western audience.

"Had it stayed exclusive I think we'd see a different game, and different review scores." - and why would it be any different. Why do you blame the low scores among critics on the game being a multi-plat. Would you say ACII is a bad game because it is a multi-plat. Maybe FF, staying exclusive to PS3, would have better graphics, but the story, gameplay, characters and everything else can be done on any platform - including Nintendo DS.

Let's stop pretending - SE just dropped the ball and now they are blaming everybody around for not understanding their vision.

Take care.

3 up, 3 down

bigrailer19
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 2:15:21 PM

Yea I understand its flawed to you. but thats my opinion thats how I feel. I'm not sitting here saying thats the way it would have been thats just how I feel.

And I love multiplat games, I have nothing against any game out there. AC2 was great, so was Fallout 3, DMC4, RE5. You're talking to me like im a fan boy, even though I stated this isnt all to blame on the 360. But I know what the PS3 can do, I know the storage on the blu-ray, and if SE used all this to their advantage I think we'd see a very different game. Thats just me though. Look what ND did with UC2. They've already said the game wouldnt have been the same if multiplat, same goes for KZ2, even infamous. So yes I will stand by that and all what I said and say FF13 was going to be a dream game, a game that would re-shape the genre. Thanks to the curtain of lies, and it going muliplat, its slumping a little.

Also I just want to add your argument about it being treated like a western RPG, style is flawed. If you read the article this is the quote it contained. "We think many reviewers are looking at Final Fantasy XIII from a western point of view. When you look at most Western RPGs, they just dump you in a big open world, and let you do whatever you like... [It] becomes very difficult to tell a compelling story when you're given that much freedom." Sounds to me like SE and the director of the game, is blaming the low scores on it being seen or viewed towards western RPG's. Its obvious from that quote SE still insists FF13 is a jrpg. All i was stating is that yes most western RPG's are open, and we've become accustomed (well most have) to that, and it COULD sway a score between the two styles.

Sorry if you have something against my opinions, but its just an opinion. BTW I liked LAIR.

Last edited by bigrailer19 on 2/16/2010 2:32:04 PM

2 up, 0 down

darxed
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 10:25:40 PM

Sooo Square droped the ball with this game which you haven't played and that has had mixed reviews, let's see some data from other FFs and compare shall we?...

FFVII: worst review: 75, best review: 100
FFX: worst review: 60, best review: 100
FFXII: worst review: 62, best review: 100
FFXIII: worst review: 79, best review: 93

These are just some examples but you can see that every game in the FF series has been just like FFXIII. They've all had mixed reviews, they've all been heavily critized for the changes they've made over the last game(s) in the series, and with time, they've all been heralded as some of the best games in the industry that, while not being perfect, have revolucionized and changed the way games are developed. Quick anecdote.. what was more critized about FFVII? Square droping the ball replacing all the mediaval setting for a sci-fi future one, the critics said "It's not FF without castles"... what was more critized about FFIX? Square droping the ball replacing the sci-fi future setting for a medieval one, the critics said "I doesn't innovate, It feels like we're playing in the NES again"... My thougths? before jumping on the FFXIII is tha shet bandwagon, at least wait till it's released in NA, try it an then bi*** about it, let's not spread rumors and say, but all the japanese gamers that bougth the game say it's bad!, really!, all 2 million of them! or Famitsu didn't even gave them a perfect score! It was JUST 39/40 (which means three out of four people reviewing it gave it a perfect score by the way)! It's pure crap!

Sheesh...

2 up, 0 down

spiderboi
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 4:40:40 AM

whoa, someone back then gave VII a 75? Unreal!

0 up, 0 down

main_event05
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 6:57:54 AM

I too say that the bad reviews stem from Multi plat. IMHO, tradional(ish) hardcore RPGs (or anything that isn't fast action) don't do well on the Xbox, their audience doesn't have the attention span for it.

0 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 11:16:48 AM

Way to stick to your guns, bigrailer. And you weren't even offensive back. I like that kind of rebuttal.

0 up, 0 down

Qubex
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:39:47 AM
Reply

Its all rather sad... this "backlash" of sorts was bound to happen, the current raft of criticism underpins the very fact that FXVIII has lost its true spirit of what it was supposed to have been... i remember the first time i layed eyes on FF running on the PS1, from then on I knew something incredible was about to happen... FFVIII waa supposed to have done similarly this gen, but it was not meant to be...
Q!

"i am home"

2 up, 1 down

Highlander
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:54:23 AM

FFXIII or FFVIII? (13 or 8?)

0 up, 0 down

WolfCrimson
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:03:17 PM

FFVIII (FF8)? Don't you mean FFXIII (FF13)?

0 up, 0 down

Qubex
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:13:57 PM

Cruddy mobile phone, yes i meant "FFXIII", and not "FFVIII".... Thx for the heads up guys :)

Q!

"i am home"

1 up, 0 down

Alienange
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 1:11:21 PM

I thought you meant Final Fantasy Versus III. Damn reading comprehension...

1 up, 0 down

rossinator_99
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:27:32 PM

final fantasy versus iii, or final fantasy versus xiii? lol

1 up, 0 down

rossinator_99
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:31:46 PM

nevermind... i just re-read your post so i could laugh at you again, and then realised what you were saying. damn reading comprehension.

1 up, 1 down

Gone
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:40:38 AM
Reply

Final Fantasy Versus XIII looks better than FFXIII, trailer wise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cWU-M9EpEg&feature=related

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:47:48 AM
Reply

Another thought, i personally don't mind that its linear. But i dont buy this argument that its needed to tell the story. Final Fantasy VII, VIII and IX were pretty open. As much as it could be being on multiple discs. Same with XII. Open. The story was still told well. I think they are just trying to cover up that fact they had to make drastic changes that made the game suffer since they decided to make it multiplatform. These guys Squeenix don't seem to have any integrity left. Another 3rd party developer falls victim to MS buy outs in influence.

This went from my most anticipated PS3 game to another crap, mediocre watered down Xbox multiplat. Dagnabit im so sick of MS and companies that kowtow to them.

Last edited by Jawknee on 2/16/2010 11:50:03 AM

10 up, 4 down

johnld
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 2:44:25 PM

lets hope this backlash would put square back in line and keep Versus XIII exclusive in order be the best game they could make. Firing wada is a nice first step.

Last edited by johnld on 2/16/2010 2:45:04 PM

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 2:48:40 PM

Great first step.

2 up, 0 down

Roach721
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 5:06:16 PM

We need to write SE though and let them know this,since their so out of touch with their faithful followers(us).The big mistake they made by loosing exclusivity in Sony.

1 up, 0 down

Vitron
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 5:54:19 AM

Best possible firststep

0 up, 0 down

Brklynty1
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:52:30 AM
Reply

I bet Square is highly disappointed in themselves for this. Never has a FF with roman numerals been criticized to such an extent. But really, they can't blame anybody but themselves. You had the oppurtunity to put FF to its greatest peak with all that power waiting for you in that beautiful black box. But no. You saw the money and destroyed the game just for some people to play it on their traffic light.(Sometimes green, little yellow, mostly RED!) There is really no excuse for them. The only way they can redeem themselves is with Agito and Versus. And hopefully they think about the fans this time around. Well GI gave it a 9.5 so, its money in the bag for me.

7 up, 1 down

WolfCrimson
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:05:52 PM

"play it on their traffic light.(Sometimes green, little yellow, mostly RED!)"

Funniest description of the Xbox I've ever read. dude, patent it!

5 up, 1 down

Qubex
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:19:24 PM

Love it... Amazing post... "traffic light"... Hey, i got an idea... Why not replace real traffic lights with failing 36o's boxes, they will show off their "traffic light" prowess ever so nicely in bright bold colours... lol, just couldn't help myself *chuckle*chuckle*

Q!

"i am home"

Last edited by Qubex on 2/16/2010 12:20:08 PM

1 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 1:15:01 PM

Just further proof that Square Enix ends with this generation.

5 up, 2 down

darxed
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:31:12 PM

Actually if I remember correctly FFVII was as critized as XIII is now. There were even the same cries of disloyalty out of Nintendo Fans... "Final Fantasy was built on nintendo consoles and is known to be a Nintendo franchise" and the "If it doesn't have castles, It doesn't feel like a Final Fantasy" comments come to mind. Really people have no memory... this is just what happened to the PS3 up to last year when just about everyday you'd read "The PS3 is doomed" articles while no one rememberde the same exact things (sales, criticism for introducing a new media for games, lack of games, complaints about difficult development, etc) happened to the PS2 and the PS1 early on... Soo here's hoping FFXIII will turn out to be as good as VII, even if It's as heavily critized... Oh and here's to the PS3 saling more than 100 million units in ten years!

Cheers

2 up, 0 down

JackC8
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:55:18 AM
Reply

That's getting to be the universal excuse these days - it's not that there's anything wrong with the game, it's that those stupid Westerners can't understand it.

4 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 1:16:17 PM

haha, yeah, suddenly all of us hardcore JRPG and FF fans just suddenly don't "get" it anymore.

4 up, 1 down

bridgera
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:57:59 AM
Reply

Oh sure, blame the customers, wonderful approach.

If it's linear like FFX was linear, then it shouldn't be a problem, although I do miss free roaming in an airship.

Maybe Square-Enix, it has nothing to do with the regional differences and has EVERYTHING to do with the changes that YOU thought were necessary to the Final Fantasy series.

Maybe the screw up lies with YOUR company, and not with the customers.

7 up, 1 down

Highlander
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:59:41 AM
Reply

Linearity is one thing, it rather depends on how it's dressed. A game can be as linear as a yardstick and yet not seem that way because of the way it's dressed. If you spend the first half of the game being funneled directly from one fight to the next with no let-up (as has been described by several sources), then the perception of the user is very different. In FFVII you have no choice regarding the events that unfold in Midgar. What will happen, will happen. But you have plenty of time to interact with other characters and NPCs and do things other than run from one battle to the next. That's the additional dressing that hides the strictly linear story underneath. That's what appears to be (by design) missing from FFXIII.

The poor (or at least poorer than expected) reviews that SE is worried about have come because - IMHO - they have departed too far from the FF formula. The consumer response in Japan beyond the initial purchase has been revealing, it's not just western critics that are dis-satisfied. The western critics are not criticizing FFXIII for not being western enough, the majority of the criticism I have seen is directed at the removal of key elements of what has traditionally made a JRPG a JRPG. But, if SE wish to ignore that and blame western chauvinism about western RPGs vs JRPGs, that's fine. Though I think they are missing the point.

Last edited by Highlander on 2/16/2010 12:03:13 PM

8 up, 1 down

Alienange
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:25:29 PM

I agree with you all the way except the end. I don't think it's fine of them to do that. Pointing at "Westerners" as not 'getting it' because they don't know anything better than to "just dump you in a big open world" is downright insulting.

Square Enix puts themselves on a very high pedestal and many would say rightly so, but when things don't go your way, don't start flinging mud around. It makes them look childish and unprofessional.

Why didn't he just say something like "Play it and see. You will thoroughly enjoy the story we have concocted for you."

9 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 1:18:52 PM

The MS cash made them childish and swelled their heads.

4 up, 1 down

Highlander
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 4:30:43 PM

@Alienage,

Yes, you're right, and I agree with you it's neither right or fair to stereo-type western games and developers in the way they have. What I was getting at was that if that's the line they want to take, that's their prerogative. I don't have to agree with them, but it's their view and there's nothing I can do about it.

In the end adopting the view they have doesn't do much to elevate the discussion, but it is their opinion.

0 up, 0 down

Roach721
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 5:31:02 PM

Theres always something you can do about anything.Will you people stop saying that.(Theres nothing I can do about it)Thats a big problem here in the US.

Corporations,government and the media have us so hipnotized us that people actually belief theres no hope left by how we are being treated.Student loans,banks,health care,economy,corporations,politics,government, and now software publishers are all dicking us (dlc,expensive peripherals,online charges,crappy production,special editions,)and you know what they all get wealthier while we get poorer.

We simply justify it by some dumb excuse or action and keep taking it. (Sorry) am just saying,theres always a choice always an option. Sometimes i wonder why am so proud to be an American. Think about it.

4 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 5:52:04 PM

Roach I assure you, we could all huff and puff all day but SE would not budge.

0 up, 0 down

Roach721
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 8:07:43 PM

Maybe so but its not going to stop me from trying. If u were getting raped in jail are you going to try and stop it or are you going to loosen up and let it ride. lol. :(

0 up, 0 down

Alienange
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:12:27 PM

Ok I'm not sure what Roach is talking about, but of course Square Enix has it's own prerogative. But you and I are the customers. It is not only our right, but I'd say it's our duty to tell the companies we buy from that we don't like their attitudes.

That's all I'm trying to say.

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:19:48 PM

@Alienage,

I'm there with ya my friend. Like I said, fine, they have their opinion, but I don't have to like it, and I sure as heck won't be quiet about my opinion of them.... ;)

0 up, 0 down

coverton341
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:01:19 PM
Reply

Coming at it from a Western viewpoint? Seriously? The same type of people reviewed games like FFVII through FFXII and most of those games had linear beginnings as Ben stated with FFVII and they did quite well in the review area. Also, did they try to tailor this game to a more Western crowd? Seems to me that they should stop focusing on making a game that is going to appeal to the Western market so much and just make a great JRPG regardless of how they think it will be received over here. Understandably JRPGs don't sell by the millions on the 360 but it isn't the only freaking system available in the West.

Stick to what you know and do best and just do it regardless of how sales "might" turn out and watch the good reviews and acclaim role in. Take one from Kojima's book.

4 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:34:21 PM

Yea its displays a tremendous amount of jackassery on their part. When the game released, it held an average of 2.5 stars on Amazon Japan. Taken from 800+ reviews.

Even the Final Fantasy Fanatics in Japan were hugely disappointed in this game.

Last edited by Jawknee on 2/16/2010 12:34:49 PM

5 up, 0 down

Alienange
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:49:12 PM

Exactly. There is a certain expectation from FF games. When you run out and drop $60 on it on day one hopping for the greatest RPG experience of this gen and find out it's an interactive book, yeah, you're going to be pissed.

6 up, 0 down

johnld
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 2:50:32 PM

you gotta realize, when VII to XII came out, there werent really that much western rpgs as there are right now to influence these younger reviewers. Although the western point of view is bull. Its because they didnt release the final fantasy that everyone expected. Whatever the reason is up to you guys to decide.

Last edited by johnld on 2/16/2010 2:51:13 PM

0 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 3:41:10 PM

They're mad because there isn't a Master Chief look alike and more guns.

;)

0 up, 0 down

JohnnyGold
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:04:35 PM
Reply

although i am going to try the game out, most likely buy it and chase a platinum, and have to this point in time argued in favor of the game and the direction square is taking with it, i will say this:

when people buy halo, they expect a certain experience. i feel like that "experience," is one in the same with the xbox in general. it is a system with a certain feel, a certain style, a certain fanbase.

the same could be said for mario and zelda on the nintendo systems.

and of course, for final fantasy on the playstation.

now if halo went multiplatform, and completely changed its design... say, eliminating guns, and multiplayer modes, to focus on telling a story - all it would do would be to alienate long time fans of the series, and deviate from the formula that made it so succesful in the first place in order to appeal to a new sector of gamers, which would ultimately make it a lesser product.

thats what square has done here. change a brand that has been associated with playstation players for over a decade, in order to appeal to the microsoft market. theyre no reeping what they sowed.

10 up, 0 down

Roach721
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 5:44:20 PM

IF you know this (Jhonny Gold) why do you not care enough not to support that decision. Your still going to buy the game knowing they are alienating those long time fans you speak of, and turning a lesser product not to mention turning a cold shoulder to all of us playstation users who have faithfully supported them like you said for over a decade.

You care enough to write about it but not to do anything about it.The way i see it your part of the problem.

3 up, 0 down

main_event05
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 2:46:00 PM

Probably for the same reason we buy any bad game. For the continuity. Although FF titles are related I still think there is some level of it there.

0 up, 0 down

Brklynty1
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:17:38 PM
Reply

@WolfCrimson, Lmao I should huh? It just came out of nowhere.

0 up, 0 down

Alienange
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:20:29 PM
Reply

Though it is true that a good story in games is always nice, I dare say that the reason we play games is to have fun. If fun is sacrificed at the cost of a linear story, then shouldn't I just be reading a book?

FFVII had a good story. It moved along at a decent clip and all the while it gave the player 'fun' things to do. FFVII only tied you down to the story tunnel when it was time for it. Outside of that you had a world to explore and battles to choose and materia to collect. Fun.

Pointing out Uncharted 2 as a fantastic game that was linear is foolishness. Nobody wants their FF games or any RPG to play like Uncharted no matter HOW good the latter was.

I obviously haven't played FFXIII, but from all appearances and trusted points of view, it would appear that Square has forgotten that people want to ROLE PLAY in their role playing games.

4 up, 2 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 1:22:28 PM

Even books have their ways of not seeming linear.

1 up, 3 down

MyWorstNightmar
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 6:49:06 PM

World...whaaaa? The only non linear books I know of are Choose your own adventure books, and even those are linear to a degree. As a writer yourself, what do you mean?

0 up, 0 down

Alienange
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:16:00 PM

I think he means you can use your imagination with books. In games you're forced to see it the way the designers draw it.

1 up, 0 down

Mr Bitey
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:21:08 PM
Reply

I have to agree with SE on this one.

Keeping an RPG linear helps keep the story in the forefront of the game. "Linear" is not always such a negative thing.

But since it's not the preferred Bethesda or Bioware method, the western critics complain. I think it's pretty ignorant and narrow minded.

All RPGs have to be sandbox style now? If the critics have their way, the video game industry will become as homogenized and unoriginal as Hollywood and the music industry. It's already starting to happen.

Last edited by Mr Bitey on 2/16/2010 12:21:40 PM

1 up, 5 down

Alienange
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:47:37 PM

SE can have all the linearity they want, just don't call it an RPG.

4 up, 2 down

Buckeyestar
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:23:10 PM
Reply

I call BS, Square. You've released 12 previous installments that were reviewed with a "western viewpoint" and got overwhelmingly positive responses. This time you sold out, took Microsoft's bribe, and the game has suffered as a result of trying to make it fit on the least common denominator console.

8 up, 2 down

Shatterday
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:25:14 PM
Reply

I'm not sure I buy it. They're citing the linearity of the first part of the game as a reason for low review scores? I've heard that it's the entire game that's linear.

I can think of a few other points that people don't like. Maybe removing the whole cities and towns aspect of the game? I'm really not sure I care how much time it would have taken to get the graphics just right for a number of different cities. A BD has more than enough room and hell, if there wasn't enough, give us two discs and give the 360 eight discs. Sure, people will rant and rave but who cares. It'll be a Final Fantasy.

Another aspect that I hate that they've removed in the recent FFs is the world map. That was one of my favorite parts of FF7, 8, and 9. Square Enix has cheapened this generation. Just because a game has freedom at several points in the game, doesn't make it "western". You can have a story by limiting freedom and managing the availability of side quests.

In the future, if you're going to comment on negative reviews, at least cite more than one downfall that people think your game has. You need to listen to reviews. Sure, they're important to us because it helps us make decisions on whether or not to buy a game... but for Square Enix, they help make your game better.

You are not above us, by any means.

2 up, 1 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 12:57:50 PM
Reply

"Yoshinori Kitase said they "try not to listen to critics too much,"

They should listen to critics more, because these lower scores are coming from Japanese publications.

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 2/16/2010 12:59:28 PM

6 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 1:05:26 PM

yes, listen to their own ignore the Xbot shooter fanatics in the West.

3 up, 2 down

SvenMD
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 1:27:55 PM

They should listen to gamers more.

3 up, 0 down

bridgera
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 1:05:10 PM
Reply

Actually knowing the release of this game was coming to PS3 was on of the reasons why I bought a PS3 back in 2008.

I still am satisfied with my PS3 purchase, but it just sucks that one of the games I was somewhat looking forward to turned out like this.

Guess the days of great Final Fantasy games are gone.

I'm sure it's still a good game in and of itself, but just doesn't live up to what we've come to expect from the FF series.

Maybe I'll look at buying this game when it hits the $20 bin, which it should in about a year.

2 up, 0 down

Russell Burrows
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 1:10:20 PM
Reply

The problems are the story elements are not as cohesive as in past FF games, missing also are game elements like world map and towns.

Character customization is also problematic as advances were expected but at Screw-Enix its same old same old.

I think that three years in and SE found they had a nice movie and no FF game ready.

A very likely complaint is that this FF feels like a mostly movie project with a game taped on at the last minute.

Ehh my RPG fix is WKC and later Fallout Vegas.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 1:13:26 PM
Reply

Listen, even the the whole first FFVII disc in Midgar wasn't linear, it wasn't "a series of tubes", it let you go back and forth. I'm just sayin'.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 1:18:36 PM

Yea. Seems Final Fantasy VII, VIII and IX allowed allowed for more exploration and still told a good story.

1 up, 0 down

BeezleDrop
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 1:16:17 PM
Reply

Another reason why I am expecting much more from FF Versus XIII.

0 up, 0 down

NeoHumpty
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 1:36:57 PM
Reply

Haven't I heard that there are no stores or shops? If there isn't, then that is def more linear than VII. If you can't even choose your weapons? Yes. I remember even the first FF's made you go from one certain town to the next until eventually you found Cid and got your airship. I don't mind a set path, but it is sounding like this game is "on-rails", which I do not like the sound of. Screw it. I'm gonna get the old school remakes for my PSP and wait for A LOT of reviews. I am planning on picking up XIV already, anyway. Isn't that supposed to be this year, too?

1 up, 0 down

WolfCrimson
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 1:54:54 PM

Back when they revealed it at I think E3(?) they said it will release somewhat shortly after FFXIII, because being an MMO it didn't need a full-fledged story.

0 up, 0 down

Bloodysilence19
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 2:05:58 PM
Reply

reviews don't mean much to me, there just reviews. just cause the critics don't like the game doesn't mean someone else wont like the game.look at mag got low score and some people hate it but the game still selling and more and more people still playing.another is WKC got really low score but everybody ive talked to said its a great game and really fun to play.people need to just wait till its officially out in america for everyone and than give your opinion on it.

0 up, 0 down

rogergent
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 2:06:50 PM
Reply

notice how SE said this to an xbox magazine they are worried it wont sell on that platform now. Bet they wish they didn't release it in japan earlier than us an eu

2 up, 0 down

Darwin1967
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 2:14:50 PM
Reply

This will date me a bit...I used to work as a game counselor for Nintendo and one of my speciality games was FF (this was in the day before the "internets"). I've always had a fondness for the FF series (It's why I purchased my first Playstation) and to see SE take towns and shops away really made me shutter. The open environment is what really helped many a gamer feel connected to the game. It opened up a world for them to explore and map. This new approach has me somewhat skeptical about their newest installment. Add to that the fact that SE was forced to cut some pretty major corners in order to be able to port the game to the Xbox...well like many, I will give SE the benefit of the doubt and try it out, but my guess is that the lower scores aren't exactly un-justified, especially if you're a long time FF junkie.

0 up, 0 down

Mystearica
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 2:32:02 PM
Reply

S-E are wrong in the head!

1- They wanted to expand their scoop to appeal to "western players" - remember... so what are they complaining about... idiots

2- I DO believe most people who have played FFXIII, have played earlier FF.... so no we're not looking at it that way either...

3- There are more than enough JRPGs that have a good rating

OMG I have no time to list how stupid what they are saying is

7 up, 0 down

johnld
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 2:32:19 PM
Reply

well, look at how they reviewed white knight chronicles. i rather have a complete story than one with branching story lines. Its also because of these younger reviewers who are all caught up in open world WRPGS like mass effect. Most of us grew up when story and character development were the most important aspects of an RPG. But sadly, the time of jrpg, amazing rpgs story wise imo, are dying out thanks to westernization. Damn you wada, i want my squaresoft back.

1 up, 1 down

piratedrunk
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 2:42:59 PM

Wait so you are damning Wada because you are getting a story and character driven RPG even though those are the things you want?

0 up, 1 down

johnld
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 2:57:42 PM

from what i keep hearing about FFXIII, It doesnt sound like the kind of final fantasy game that made the franchise amazing for me. I'm blaming wada because hes the one pushing square enix to a more westernized approach to their games. A JAPANESE Rpg with a WESTERN approach sounds like a big mess to me.

1 up, 0 down

piratedrunk
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 6:41:52 PM

So what is it about this game that sounds western to you?

0 up, 0 down

Minishmaru
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 2:35:17 PM
Reply

My biggest complaint from what I've seen in trailers so far is the summoning vehicles idea...then again they had mechs to drive around in the other final fantasy...3 in america was it 5 in japan? Dunno :-P

0 up, 0 down

Oyashiro
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 10:43:09 PM

Magitech Armor, and its FF6 in japan. :)

2 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 2:40:47 PM
Reply

What a screw up

Poor squeeeeeeeenix
I could see this happening years away

2 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 3:49:19 PM
Reply

Anyone up for forecasting what Ben/Arnold give the game? I'm going with 8.8

1 up, 0 down

www
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 4:28:41 PM

True, maybe we wouldn't have a 9

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 4:31:35 PM

8.9

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 4:32:34 PM

8.5

0 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 5:01:20 PM

Im goin with jawknee and saying 8.5.

I'll b surprised if it gets above a 9! But that just means I should play it so...

Last edited by bigrailer19 on 2/16/2010 5:01:39 PM

0 up, 0 down

Roach721
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 5:51:33 PM

8.3 cause it left its roots.

0 up, 0 down

xxxGEOxxx
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 3:52:17 PM
Reply

In MY humble opinion, something like this NEEDS to happen to a company like Square-Enix. Though most of the Final Fantasies are largely praised, and score well, they are basically the same game with a few changes here and there to make it "new". RPG makers like Obsidian, Bethesda, Level 5, and From Software are taking the RPG in different directions, and people seem to be taking more of an interest in them now, because of the lax JRPG formula.

For as long as I remember, the standard JRPG formula is the same, turn based level grinding, with a story behind it. I'm not saying that it's a bad formula, some of my favorite games are JRPG's (Lunar, Suikoden series), but the JRPG's that tried something different never really got the follow ups they deserve (at least in my minds eye), such as Vagrant Story, and Parasite Eve. Hopefully this will be an eye opener for Square, because as much as people will try and knock them now, people forget that Square has a very impressive resume (that includes, what many consider, to be the greatest RPG ever), so hopefully this will be more of a lesson in what to do next. And never forget, just like life, history will repeat itself in the gaming world as well. Once we've all had our fill of western RPG's, we'll all clamor back to the JRPG's we would have forgotten about!

Once again, these are just MY two cents!

6 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 4:33:30 PM

I'll still be playing JRPGs as long as they survive but they won't for long with the way things are going. I would "clamor back" to a turn based RPG any day of the week.

0 up, 0 down

Arvis
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 10:06:19 AM

"Square has a very impressive resume (that includes, what many consider, to be the greatest RPG ever)"

You speak, of course.... of Final Fantasy Tactics. :)

-Arvis

1 up, 0 down

Fane1024
Saturday, February 20, 2010 @ 7:03:58 PM

@ Arvis

Indeed.

0 up, 0 down

soli
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 4:30:03 PM
Reply

well having finished the game, so far id give it an 8 with a big plus for the battle system.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 4:39:43 PM

The battle system was good was it?

0 up, 0 down

soli
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 5:25:06 PM

tis great!

0 up, 0 down

Roach721
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 5:53:04 PM

Well thats half the battle i guess.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 6:43:58 PM

knowing is half the battle

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 6:30:10 AM

World you're hiding around tonight and jumping out with all these corny 80s/early 80s lines. What gives?!

0 up, 0 down

www
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 4:38:44 PM
Reply

You lie! Hold a gun to his head and he'll admit FFXIII was initially going to take 50GB+ of space, they just couldn't exceed the 3 dvds the 360's already having. No content was cut out the towns were simply burnt down cause of the Xbox. I hate to blame my 360 but that's just what I feel deep down.

IF they weren't hiding the truth, they woulda come out and clarified that "hey all you fanboys, the 360 dvds is not to blame"...but they haven't done that, which leaves you with the obvious

9 up, 2 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 4:51:34 PM

"the towns were simply burnt down cause of the Xbox"

I regret that I can only give you one thumbs up for that.

0 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 5:03:06 PM

But I'll give you my thumbs up and World can count it as his!

0 up, 0 down

www
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 6:18:40 PM

Yep I know.. ;)

0 up, 0 down

Kai200X
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 4:40:05 PM
Reply

Just how low are the western reviews? Can someone give me an idea?

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 4:50:19 PM
Reply

Maybe if we keep grumbling and expectations are low we will think it is fantastic.

Also maybe we should be grateful, if this game was exactly as it is and was exclusive, well then we wouldn't have anyone to blame :)

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 2/16/2010 4:53:15 PM

0 up, 0 down

www
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 6:22:20 PM

I doubt it was going to be as it is if it was exclusive, look at Uncharted 2. I'm playing ACII now and the cinematics are so bad looking, though the overall graphics during gameplay looks mediocre, that's one of numerous examples of multi-plats suffering from being what they are. Mind you am loving ACII am not bashing it, it coulda been better if it was exclusive, heck every other multi-plat.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 6:46:03 PM

ACII was simul-devved, FFXIII is a port on 360. And U2 was fantastical because Naughty Dog is a better dev than SE, who has completely lost it.

2 up, 0 down

Karosso
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 4:53:03 PM
Reply

:( I was hopping FFXIII would feel like when i first played FFVII, you know the shock and excitement... Guess that's not happening...

0 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 5:03:53 PM

I'm sorry, although I shouldnt be the one appologizing!

2 up, 0 down

Karosso
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 5:57:50 PM

I still appreciate the sentiment and sympathy :)
I'm waiting for the review and see if I'm still gonna give this one a chance.
Anything below a 9, will be the last nail in its coffin for me.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 6:48:04 PM

I was hoping it would be the same feeling, big jump to the next gen and all. But it looks like we are toast.

1 up, 0 down

cLoudou
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 5:32:41 PM
Reply

Stick to making JRPGs, S-E. If I wanted to play a WRPG, I'd play Fallout or Dragon Age.

Last edited by cLoudou on 2/16/2010 5:33:41 PM

1 up, 0 down

karneli lll
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 5:50:41 PM
Reply

This game is just begging to be rented!

3 up, 1 down

www
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 6:23:12 PM

Sometimes I feel like its begging to be picked up later...

1 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 8:06:09 PM

in the $20 bin!

Joking aside, I should, say I will be playing this game, just not right away!

Last edited by bigrailer19 on 2/16/2010 8:08:12 PM

0 up, 0 down

NoSmokingBandit
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 9:27:17 PM

I'll buy it when its in the bargain bin, but im not spending $60 on it.

2 up, 0 down

LittleBigMidget
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 5:58:42 PM
Reply

My friends at school started comparing Sqaure to Activision. Thats how bad they think it is.

0 up, 0 down

kokoro
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 6:15:13 PM

Comparing something like Final Fantasy with Call of Duty is like comparing fine food with Macdonalds (which sadly is the case in most western countries).

1 up, 1 down

kokoro
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 6:11:20 PM
Reply

I think that, in a very implicit way, the lack of typical RPG elements (such as NPCs and towns) has hindered peoples' ability to fully immerse themselves in the game, not because such things are essential to an immersive RPG experience, but because they percieve it as being essential. I believe that I will immensly enjoy this game. As for the lack of back-tracking, it's inevitable that you will have a flying ship of some sort available to you by the end.

1 up, 0 down

piratedrunk
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 6:41:09 PM

I agree. When I think about the game not having those things I don't consider it a problem because they generally are not the most entertaining parts of the game to me. I personally like the direction they have taken. And when the game is over there will be pulse with all its missions if I feel like exploring.

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 6:50:31 PM
Reply

I am part of the problem since I'm buying it, but despite any poor critical reception this game will sell well because it is multiplat, SE will just go "Well we got us a winner! People love the new format!" Then keep on destroying the franchise with these changes.

I know I will enjoy it, but I don't like these changes.

1 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 8:53:33 PM

Meh, I despise the AVP franchise but I saw both on opening day simply because I'm an alien whore. I don't regard them as canon and I honestly think they're some of the worst movies EVER made but an addiction is an addiction. I will ALWAYS buy a FF game regardless of reviews.

0 up, 0 down

MyWorstNightmar
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 9:30:17 PM

LV, so you could say they were a "day one purchase"?

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 9:40:00 PM

No so I could feel good about myself when I do something bad knowing I've done plenty of bad things to myself.

0 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 9:50:43 PM

Don't they always try something new though for the FF series?

Last edited by SnipeySnake on 2/16/2010 9:51:04 PM

1 up, 0 down

Scotchio
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 7:17:30 PM
Reply

I've been looking forward to playing FFXIII for a few years now.

I have read a lot of these reviews that bash the game for the linearity and lack of this and that.

It hasn't put me off, after all, for me the story has always been one of the biggest attractions to playing FF games.

I've been watching the trailers quite a bit and have already begun to feel a connection to the characters.

At the end of the day, I will buy and play this game before I judge it. And I'm still looking forward to it. :)

0 up, 0 down

AceTatsujin
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 7:32:29 PM
Reply

Getting this game, dun give a sh** about the reviews what-so-ever. I GETTING THIS GAME. AND VERSUS, AND FF VII REMAKE. I KNOW THEY WILL REMAKE IT ONE DAY. On PS4 x.x;;

1 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 7:54:25 PM
Reply

It's interesting to see people wondering what we might give FFXIII...

Well, I'll end the suspense. It gets a 1. No, wait...a 10.

No...something in between. Yeah, that's it.

3 up, 1 down

bigrailer19
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 8:06:39 PM

haha nice!

End the suspense.

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 8:52:04 PM

8.8 bud

0 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 9:49:19 PM

Lol Ben.

I'm guessing 9+.

0 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:03:11 PM

Limited: Just for that, an 8.8 is the ONLY score it can NEVER get. ;)

5 up, 0 down

spiderboi
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 4:41:18 AM

8.81 FTW

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 6:29:06 AM

I will donate 20 bux to this site if you honestly give it an 8.81. Too funny!

0 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 8:24:18 PM

I'll lobby for 8.811. We should go to reviews that have thousandth points.

"I think that rock blinked...I think it was pop-in...first time in 1000 hours but...oh well, 8.810 instead of 8.811."

2 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 9:11:22 PM

LOL! Sure beats the stupid 5 star BS from various review sites.

0 up, 0 down

main_event05
Saturday, February 20, 2010 @ 7:11:32 AM

if i had to do reviews i'd only give 1s or 2s and use hundredths and thousandths just be difficult.

0 up, 0 down

Kr3sn1k
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 8:10:09 PM
Reply

there just making excuses

1 up, 1 down

SmokeyPSD
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 9:21:34 PM
Reply

What a serious crock of sh**.

I can't believe Square. Racism much? What's wrong with a spade as a spade? Plenty of compelling linear experiences out there, from western developers and eastern alike.

Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 2/16/2010 11:02:41 PM

0 up, 2 down

Jawknee
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 9:49:27 PM

Sorry dude. There's no racism in his statement.

3 up, 0 down

Snaaaake
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 9:31:01 PM
Reply

Well although Wada is already on my **** list, I'm looking forward to FFXIII and I won't make a judgement until I play it myself.

1 up, 0 down

Oyashiro
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 10:53:48 PM
Reply

"try not to listen to critics too much,"

Sounds like a used car salesman trying to make a quick buck.

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 11:25:21 PM
Reply

Wada load of hot steaming cow manure!

I guess this Brahma bull shitter had his head down grazing so long, he forgot that all his Japanese critics are from...Japan.

Stop trying to 4-flush us Westerners & putting the blame on us for those 5 Aces we've found up your sleeves.

Especially when it was yourself that took a stockyard full of Western Greenbacks, & took the saddle & bridle right off the game so it would fit MS's style of a stampeded 1/2 game. with tons of lassoed DLC that will come up for further harvesting a few sunrises from now.

Western viewpoint, my ASSSE!!!!!

0 up, 0 down

Robochic
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 12:53:54 AM
Reply

The only reason why it's getting poor reviews is cause SE deserted they're fans, plan and simple.

I'll wait to get this for my hubby after it's a lower price rather spend 60 bucks + on GT5 for him.

0 up, 0 down

Akuma07
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 1:06:09 AM
Reply

Okay my example for why Squeenix is talking from the asses...

Fallout 3

A Western-RPG entirely!
The first hour or so is spent in the Vault, learning about the game and whatnot.
You are in no way "thrown into it" straight away.
Even in most RPGs you dont have THAT much freedom, theres so many areas you cannot reach, or you might be able to, but monsters are way too strong for you, freedom is a point-of-view

0 up, 0 down

___________
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 1:07:39 AM
Reply

WTF?

"But Square-Enix believes it's simply a matter of the distinct Western viewpoint with which these reviewers are analyzing FFXIII"
that is the biggest load of .... i have ever heard!
ahhhhhhhhhhhh, HELLO $E THATS WHAT REVIEWERS AND FANS ALIKE ARE EXPECTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3 of my mates have played this and 2 said its the worst FF game ever released. one even said its almost as big a disappointment as RE5.
the other said it was disappointing, but decent.
its not looking good for FF XIII but that does not mean it will sell poorly.
ill bet my left nut this will sell easy 5M units by the end of the year.

typical lazy a$$ developers.
reviewers dont like their game, so its their fault its never the games fault.
am i the only one who thinks $E are ex tradesmen?
they sure have all the BS excuses!
as they say, a tradesmen is only as good as his tools.

0 up, 0 down

SmokeyPSD
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 1:20:13 AM
Reply

I actually think it is prejudice to hold a critics opinions in a certain light due to nationality, sure it's not ur usual flavour, but it still is.

0 up, 0 down

Sol
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 3:16:11 AM
Reply

I have to ask...

What the heck is a western point of view? If I'm told it exists, I need some explanations!

0 up, 0 down

b3mike
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 3:36:06 AM
Reply

Wasn't butchered to appeal to a "more Western audience"? Therefore, wouldn't these "Western reviews" be a bit more positive?

0 up, 0 down

Vitron
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 5:56:51 AM
Reply

After 13, they will learn... they WILL learn

0 up, 0 down

___________
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 6:35:54 AM

will they?
i doubt it, they will just rely on the brand name to carry them.

0 up, 0 down

main_event05
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 7:00:15 AM

I say they can milk crappy games on brand name alone for one or two games.

0 up, 0 down

Zorigo
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 7:50:25 AM
Reply

I'l take good linear story over freedom anyday, but strangely, fallout3 seems to do quite well in telling story and giving freedom.

1 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 8:51:16 AM

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. > Fallout3

1 up, 3 down

Bandit King
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 11:26:25 AM
Reply

There is a big difference between a game being linear and a game having a linear path. FF13 is linear in the hand holding sense,where your guided along a strict path and cant go back. Where previous games in the series had a linear path you could follow, but offered other quests and distractions to take a break from the "level grind, story sequence, boss and repeat" formula.

its getting lower scores because series vets were expecting a FF more like the PSone days and the Xbox folks were expecting Mass Effect or Elder Scrolls.

Still despite the bad taste in my mouth from E3 2008, Im starting to feel bad for FFXIII. Like many Japanese games its being sent out into an industry that no longer accecpts it for what it is or tries to be, and is now subjected to the critical view of the Xbox crowd.

If this game ends up being the lowest reviewed in the series, it will likely be because of it's larger audience this time. If FF13 stayed exclusive, most in the PS camp would have defended it tooth and nail. Much like each respective FF has its set PS followers, so would 13. Now though I feel the series is in for some harsh toungs and cold shoulders as the Xbox crowd, (ignorantly) compares a FF to Mass Effect or KOTOR.

Last edited by Bandit King on 2/17/2010 11:28:08 AM

3 up, 0 down

main_event05
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 2:34:14 PM

That is exactly what I have been trying to tell people.

In short, Microsoft is ruining gaming.

3 up, 1 down

kraygen
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 11:46:16 PM
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This article made me remember another article on this site in which it was discussed that some review sites would give positive or negative reviews simply to garner traffic to their website. Possibly that is what is taking place with these reviews for ffxiii? Considering the game doesn't come out for a few more weeks i think i'll wait and see for myself as most review sites seem to be less and less reliable these days. (psx not included of course)

I've been very fond of this site because they seem to be the only place that reviews games rather than slap down a score based on how much they're being paid to review the game.

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Bandit King
Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 10:52:40 AM
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Well, today is the day. S-E put out official 360 screens and the game looks terrible on 360, like almost PS2 bad. Also according to one of the Digital Foundry guys the 360 version runs in sub HD resolution. In a screen compairison the 360 version can't even measure up to the PS3 demo code, running at 1024x576p. You can check out the info here http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=19857881&postcount=12055

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Bandit King
Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 11:30:27 AM

As an edit to my last post, some are syaing that the screens are taken from a bad screen capture on S-E's part (though S-E syas those are the correct shots) but the screen analysis for overall resolution still stands at 1024x576p. Ouch.

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TheTenth
Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 11:42:13 AM
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is this guy joking? they westernized it to the max : real time battles with the Aeons, lots of combat, no towns to dilute the action ...
SE are jokes

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CreamCracker
Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 12:41:30 PM
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Im playing the Japanese version of FFXIII and Its not like the others FF (specialy the FFX, the better for me)...I am missing the towns, the itens stores (now you buy itens and wapons in the save point)...but I need to play more to finish my "personal rewiew" about this game...But my first "opinion" is...it remembers me MGS4, you play 30 minutes and watch 20 minutes...

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Irievibes
Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 1:02:13 PM
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oh so its my western opinion or viewpoint that is the problem right squeenix?

heres my "Western " response to your incredibly insightful and deflecting statements....

I will laugh and thank places like Gamestop, where i can buy used copies of games, and not only try them for half the price later on, but i can do so without providing your company A SINGLE CENT in the process, you think we westerners arent smart enought to "appreciate" your so called marvel of an *scoffs* rpg?

well appreciate that Mr. Wada, see how good you do on the awsome western market of threesixtyfixme's and their 14 year old FPS junkie demographic, lots of money there right guys? lol

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reub33
Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 7:09:44 PM
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It could be caused by the linear part of the game because some of the maps ive seen are literally a straight line. So it could be that critics found the linear part of the game to be annoying

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clank666
Sunday, February 21, 2010 @ 4:33:56 AM
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hmmmm ever noticed on a playstation controller it has x.square.o = x.box.360

Last edited by clank666 on 2/21/2010 4:34:57 AM

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Square-Enix Addresses Lower Review Scores For FFXIII

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