FFXIII Director: Missing Elements Like Towns Will Return

geovanwitdakick
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 11:02:36 AM
Reply

Of course it'll return, as long as FF vs 13 stays PS3 exclusive.

13 up, 7 down

LimitedVertigo
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 11:08:21 AM

::sigh:: FFXIII being a multiplatform game has nothing to do with the the reduction of towns in the game.

22 up, 22 down

coverton341
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 11:20:28 AM

I agree with Limited on this one. Lost Odyssey had towns and a world map and was a 360 exclusive. And deny it or don't that game was the bee's knees.

13 up, 6 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 12:23:29 PM

True, LO was fantastic and the lack of towns has nothing to do with the multiplatform status of FFXIII.

HOWEVER, LO wasn't true HD in my eyes, either.

18 up, 4 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 3:09:53 PM

It is very clear when you play XIII that it was never meant to be heavy on towns, even early on the script just doesn't allow for it.

6 up, 1 down

LimitedVertigo
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 5:16:07 PM

Well I can see by all the downvotes I have there are plenty of misinformed people on this site.

9 up, 6 down

tes37
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 6:32:03 PM

Having played FFXIII for myself, I am kinda shocked at how well LV and World are explaining the gameplay. They are pretty much dead on the money.

Edit: That's including things spoken of in previous articles.

Scratch that having played remark, I'm still playing. Just thought I'd clear that up, I am nowhere close yet.

Last edited by tes37 on 3/11/2010 6:36:07 PM

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 6:40:25 PM

Thank you TES

3 up, 1 down

Mr Bitey
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 8:54:55 AM

Obviously no one knows for sure, but when you look at the facts it's easy to see peoples reasoning for blaming the 360.

-360 development started late in the development process.
-360 has less memory than PS3
-SE acknowledges that they cut half of the game out.
-The game ships and is missing many classic elements.

I think it's mainly SE's fault for telling everyone that they had to cut half a games worth of content. What were people supposed to think?

I have no idea if that was the case or not, but I do understand peoples skepticism towards the subject.

I try not to think about it and just let the game speak for itself. I'm really enjoying it so far.

0 up, 0 down

Arvis
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 9:10:12 AM

So, is it really just a coincidence that the first Final Fantasy to arrive on a Microsoft console is also the lowest rated Final Fantasy in the history of the series?

-Arvis

1 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 9:28:00 AM

Adam,

I'm enjoying it as well. The more I play it the more I see why certain decisions were made, the story is IMO one of the best ever in an RPG.

Arvis,

YES, without a doubt on my end YES.

1 up, 1 down

LimitedVertigo
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 10:20:09 AM

Arvis,

Also just looked it up and technically FFXI is the first FF on a Microsoft system and its scores are lower than FFXIII.

Last edited by LimitedVertigo on 3/12/2010 10:20:30 AM

1 up, 1 down

Arvis
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 10:29:55 AM

Everyone knows XI doesn't count.

-Arvis

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 10:32:15 AM

LOL, you're right it doesn't unless I'm having a discussion with you; then it counts!

2 up, 2 down

Mr Bitey
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 10:48:10 AM

LV,

I'm not that far in yet, but after the 3 hour mark or so, the game's battle system really starts to shine.

Arvis,

Don't the the reviews deter you from giving it a chance. Yes, it is very different from prior games in the franchise. But it is a true Final Fantasy game.

0 up, 0 down

Arvis
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 11:34:25 AM

Hey, I never said I wasn't going to play it! :)

I'm going to buy it used once I've exhausted WKC and Resonance of Fate. I'm actually excited about playing it, but I'm choosing Resonance of Fate over it for now. They made me wait longer than was necessary because they had to port it to the Xbox. I'm not going to let that blasphemous delay keep me from other great games. Resonance of Fate, Tri-Ace, and Sega all deserve better than that.

-Arvis

0 up, 0 down

Mr Bitey
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 1:12:28 PM

Ha! Good point ;)

0 up, 0 down

tridon
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 11:02:39 AM
Reply

There was no reason for towns to go anywhere in the first place. Of course they'll be able to bring the towns back... if the game is a PS3 exclusive.

10 up, 8 down

LimitedVertigo
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 11:09:57 AM
Reply

16hrs in I must say the storyline in FFXIII is so far one of my favorites in the series. I can't help but think about a FFVII remake while I watch the lifelike characters on screen conversing. I'm really caring about the characters.

But I do miss towns, I love just wandering around and thus far FFXIII has not allowed this at all.

Last edited by LimitedVertigo on 3/11/2010 11:13:27 AM

7 up, 3 down

Jawknee
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 11:18:58 AM

When they said the game was relentlessly linear in the beginning they weren't kidding. Over all though, the game is growing on me hardcore.

5 up, 4 down

TEG3SH
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 1:57:36 PM

luck bastard ,lol
I still have 7 months to go to my ps3 :(

1 up, 0 down

godsman
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 2:16:05 PM

Yes, I'm a bit surprised that there weren't that many 1080p CGI cutscenes. Most of the cutscenes were generated in-game. I had to rub my eyes a couple times to tell the difference. It LOOKS amazing!

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 2:26:59 PM

the only graphical hitch that i cant seem to ignore when ever present, its how square their fingers are. haha. reminds of me the polygon work done in Dragonball Z Budokai Tenchaichi 3.

0 up, 3 down

OtisFeelgood
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 2:34:45 PM

@Jawknee

I noticed that during a cutscene with Vanille.

1 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 3:11:09 PM

Yeah the fingers remind of the block hands in VII :)

2 up, 1 down

totozero18
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 4:53:04 PM

@TEG3SH I know what you mean I'm actually working 10.5 hours a day, six days a week to get me a slim (I don't own a PS3)

1 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 7:44:45 PM

FFX was pretty linear too, remember. And it was early in the PS2's life. I remind myself that FF12 became much easier to explore and wander. I wouldn't be too surprised if the ability at the end of 13 to explore is similar to the ability in ff10 to explore. How fun would it have been to explore a city like Bevelle? The towns FFX did have were very small and still very linear. Luca was pretty much the only city you could legitimately explore. I don't find it that shocking at all the FFXIII is as linear as it is, having gone through FFX. Just compare the linear GAP between 9 and 10. 9 was super expansive, and comparatively, 10 was very much not. Just some thought.

1 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 7:47:36 PM

I got to play FF7 on PC at a friends house once... not fair... the graphical difference I mean. If you don't know what I mean, look up FF7 cutscenes on youtube... PC versions... no block hands...

1 up, 0 down

Thrill Kill
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 11:17:56 AM
Reply

I say do one 16 or 32 bit..classic but brilliant graphics and make it super huge. I miss the simple towns, I don't want huge cities where i get lost and it takes forever to go anywhere. How about making a world globe instead of a map. No more flat planets. A thing i always liked were mysterious side quests,weapons, and characters. I don't want just a story, i want to explore a world with a story to go along with it, and i want to pace the story not the story pacing me. I role play...not the game. That's the intent right?

Last edited by Thrill Kill on 3/11/2010 11:26:32 AM

8 up, 1 down

coverton341
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 11:18:09 AM
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All I really have to say to his argument is Lost Odyssey. Period.

That game was developed early on and it was a four DVD RPG with towns, a map, a great story, an intriguing battle system, likeable characters, and side quests.

That said, that game was a 360 exclusive so I am not sure I stand by the argument that the 360 significantly held back FFXIII, I think moreover they just wanted to try something new and fresh like they always have with FF instalments and this time the reaction to these changes was less than stellar and they realise that people wanted those elements in the game more than they wanted a paradigm shift battle system.

I will be picking up the game tomorrow so I can't say one way or the other if I like the direction or not, but from other readers here who seem to share my taste in games I won't be disappointed by what is in the game just a little nostalgic for what isn't in the game.

I have to give them credit for taking a chance and trying something so brashly different but it looks like the majority of fans have spoken out about wanting some of the older elements back and it is also good to see that they are taking that into account when thinking about the next iteration in the series.

12 up, 2 down

LimitedVertigo
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 11:20:52 AM

Great post, you're becoming a mini Highlander right before my eyes!

You're right I think they tried something knew and realize that towns is something fans want to see in their FF games.

6 up, 5 down

coverton341
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 11:53:22 AM

Thanks LV that's a huge compliment in my eyes as Highlander has some of the best posts I've read on the site honestly. But I digress.

I am glad to hear you are enjoying the game in particular as judging from most of your posts we have a similar taste in games.

Anyway, tomorrow after a long and gruelling day at work and class I will finally know what this game is all about.

4 up, 1 down

MyWorstNightmar
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 12:02:37 PM

Cloverton, if Lost Od being developed starting around 2004ish and fitting onto 4 discs a few years ago, with everything that would go into a FF game with towns being developed starting in 2010 or 2011, do you think it could realistically fit onto 4 discs? Would M$ allow 4 or 5 or 6 discs for a game? That would be my point as to why FF with towns would half to be PS3 exclusive.
Besides FF Versus, you might not see another FF this generation as it is with as long as these games take to develop.

Last edited by MyWorstNightmar on 3/11/2010 12:05:35 PM

4 up, 4 down

coverton341
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 12:11:10 PM

Why wouldn't they be able to fit that content on four discs like with Lost Odyssey? As time progresses people don't forget how to compress textures and utilise hardware. On the contrary, developers and software designers learn new tricks to package and compress and utilise with time. It is a fallacy to think that just because time progresses that the amount of information has to exponentially increase. If we have learned only one thing from the technology boom it is that if you can write something with 1000 lines of code in one language give it a year and there will be a highly refined language that lets you do it in 400 and have the exact same results. Look at C++ compared to Python.

I guess maybe I shouldn't get that deep into it but the point remains the same, if it has been accomplished before why couldn't it be done again? Lost Odyssey was a beautiful game that had all the elements that previous FF games had. Why then could it not be done by Square? The main man behind Mistwalker, the company behind LD is the originator of the FF series.

Doesn't seem like the game would necessarily have to be exclusive as long as they had separate teams devoted to each console.

EDIT: Good point about not seeing another one in this generation. If we don't then the exclusivity of the game may be a moot point anyway.

Last edited by coverton341 on 3/11/2010 12:13:03 PM

3 up, 1 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 12:24:20 PM

Geez...we might have to start paying certain posters.

Just please don't go anywhere. ;)

10 up, 2 down

MyWorstNightmar
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 12:25:49 PM

Coverton, for me to engage in a technical battle about coding and the like, I would have to pass as it would be like me showing up to a knife fight with a wet noodle.
However, if what you say is true, and these developers are learning all types of compression tricks, then why the need for a Blu-ray disc? Why do developers comment that they are using more and more of the Blu-ray's disc space and towting that as a good or impressive thing? I thought the benefit of Blu-ray was to give these developers a huge canvas of space to use, now we want them to compress everything so that it can fit onto a couple of DVD's?

Last edited by MyWorstNightmar on 3/11/2010 12:27:00 PM

3 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 1:17:27 PM

Aren't dvds incapable of true HD?

Also, doesn't having to design a game around multiple discs limit what you're able to do? No back tracking once past disc one.

Last edited by Jawknee on 3/11/2010 1:20:47 PM

2 up, 2 down

coverton341
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 2:28:05 PM

Nightmare,
You are completely correct about the need for Blu-Ray and the developers are commenting about needing more space out of a DVD but I think that is mostly heard in the sector of devs making games that would be severely crippled by implementing a multidisc option. Like for example the GTAs or Lost Planet 2 and the like. Changing discs when you went across or bridge to another island could become very tedious and take you out of the experience.

As for developers saying they are pushing the Blu-Ray to capacity you must take into consideration that they have the luxury of putting the graphics and sound directly on the Blu-Ray in a truHD uncompressed format so that no loss of quality is had.

I am not saying that the next iteration of FF would be identical on both systems as is not the case with this iteration. We can clearly see a bit of quality differentiation between the two, but I am saying that the inclusion of towns and side quests can be done for both systems albeit on the 360 it would take more discs and compression and most likely require, again, the game to run at a sub-HD native 576p or whatever it is running at now for FFXIII.

Would I like to see the next game be exclusive? Absolutely without question. Do I think it is possible to make a FF with towns side quests and also be HD. Yes and no. Again I don't think they can natively run it at 720p or 1080p on the 360 and stay at a reasonable disc allotment but upscaling has always been doable.

0 up, 0 down

rogers71
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 2:38:17 PM

@Coverton....

Ben said it earlier in the post. Lost Odyssey, as good as the game was, wasn't truly HD gaming. As we get further into this generation, more companies are going to try as hard as possible to hit the 1080P plateau. With that being said, I will not argue your points as you make great points. What I will say is that the amount of data has increased since Lost Odyssey.

If a truly HD version of Lost Odyssey was to come out now, how many discs do you think it would be on if the original was 4 discs? Just throwing out an opinion.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 3:06:59 PM

The fact that a game this gen would require 4 DVD's says it all. This isn't 1996.

Last edited by Jawknee on 3/11/2010 3:07:22 PM

1 up, 2 down

coverton341
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 3:16:02 PM

Very true statements from all concerned when speaking about LO not being true HD but in reality neither is FFXIII on the 360 and it was still made. All I am really getting at is the game didn't loss towns and side quests because of it being multiplat because then you would have to just ignore games like LO which unfortunately most people seem to be doing.

Anyway, I think I have made what point I wanted to and now I'm hungry so I'm going to get food and continue writing some code.

Also, on a completely unrelated topic, this is why I love this community. People can have logical and informed discussions about things without flame baiting and infighting for the sake of it.

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 3:25:47 PM

Jeez you guys are giving me diabetes

3 up, 1 down

coverton341
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 6:03:30 PM

It's because we're so sweet.

1 up, 0 down

DeathOfChaos
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 9:58:57 AM

Jawknee:
No, regular DVDs aren't capable of full, true HD. All a DVD can do is upscale an SD video to an HD video, which for the most part, is just stretching out the image and smoothing the edges. Take an image and 720x480. Now stretch that image to 1920x1080. Then make take a picture that is taken at 1920x1080. Take those two pictures and look at how different they look. Then take the one unscaled and try smoothing out the edges that occurred after the upscale process. Still not as great as the true, 1080p image that was made to be 1080 in the first place.

Also, about the multiple disc thing. You're right. After you get off that disc, no going back. Another reason fans blame the 360. The guys making FFXIII were trying to make the PS3 and the 360 versions as close as possible. So, to make the PS3 one like the 360, they had to make the game not backtrack where the discs switched. Thanks, XBox 360...

0 up, 1 down

Fane1024
Saturday, March 20, 2010 @ 5:42:57 PM

I think some of you are confusing DVD, which is a storage medium, with the codecs used on it and with the devices used to read it.

I'm no Highlander, but as I understand it, you could store HD video on a DVD-ROM, but you would need to use a high-def-compatible codec and you woud need a device capable of understanding that codec in order to play it.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 11:22:31 AM
Reply

So far I', enjoying the game. The story is top notch imo. The way the story is being told seems to work well with their long townless linear journey. I just hope it doesn't stay this way the whole game.

0 up, 2 down

mike rlz
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 12:16:03 PM

just wait until you get to gran pulse...it changes, trust me :)

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 12:55:36 PM

nice.

0 up, 2 down

Highlander
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 11:37:07 AM
Reply

" We can create additional downloadable content for people to add, too. It doesn't have to come with that game itself."

Dee Elle See.

7 up, 0 down

SvenMD
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 12:21:00 PM

Yeah, this comment in the article really pissed me off. Towns are not DLC...they are part of the world and should be part of the story. I don't want to pay extra just to walk around a town. And it DOES have to come with the game itself, because it should be PART of the game!

4 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 3:27:48 PM

Toriyama's eyes lit up with green dollar signs when he said that.

2 up, 0 down

Alienange
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 5:36:48 PM

Yup! Look for FFXIII downloadable towns packed with mini-games at the reasonable price of $14.99 per town! See? We satisfy all our customers!

1 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 6:43:58 PM

Unless its free....nah i cant see that happening

0 up, 0 down

Arvis
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 9:47:20 AM

Wouldn't his eyes light up with Yen signs?

-Arvis

1 up, 0 down

BigBoss4ever
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 12:01:04 PM
Reply

if the game has Lost Odyssey's town and world map system, magic, skill elements and music, plus Tetsuya Nomura's graphic and characters, then it will be the greatest JRPG of this gen, unfortunately, the removal of towns and free exploration and world map made FF13 just a little more than a button meshing linear action rpg, it is absolutely not forgivable by removing the towns, free exploration and world map, and magic, which are 3 essential elements of classic JRPG.

I'd rather wait for 7-8 years for them to build towns, world maps, mini game....and when it comes, it has everything.

Last edited by BigBoss4ever on 3/11/2010 12:02:59 PM

3 up, 3 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 3:28:32 PM

just wait about 20 hours or so and you'll be fine.

1 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 11:26:46 PM

Im 11 hours in,....9 more till hell.

0 up, 0 down

Button Masher
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 12:01:35 PM
Reply

I won't be getting to this one until the weekend, but I have to think the inclusion of towns, townspeople (redundant, I know), dialog and minigames would have stretched out the development time and expanded the X360 version to at least 4-5 discs.

0 up, 0 down

just2skillf00l
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 12:23:43 PM
Reply

LOL TheHighlander. Yeah Toriyama's comment was rather irresponsible IMO. I can only imagine the amount of time RPGs take to make nowadays given the new bar has obviously been set with high definition. However, does this "new bar" give video game companies the right to change what we know and love about the JRPG genre? Many comments have revealed this fact before this one but I dare not halt. Lost Odyssey incorporated towns into their game, so why is it that the same company is incapable of completing the same task with another game? I find this statement to be on the rather suspicious side of things. Despite FF13's shortcomings from on more of a definitional viewpoint, I'm about to start up for my first play-through. I'll remember to keep an open mind.

1 up, 0 down

XxNoir
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 12:26:04 PM
Reply

I know i said i would not get FF13 but um.....I kind of...bought it =X

And it is awesome!-As a final fantasy game it doesn't feel precise but as an experience its great.

3 up, 1 down

MyWorstNightmar
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 12:39:54 PM

You must have bought the XBOX version. Shame on you!

I kid, but I have looked all over the place for a PS3 copy. There are no PS3 versions to be had, but every store I have been to has buttloads of XBOX360 copies! Nice to see the PS3 version being supported.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 1:19:03 PM

Ha! i was in the mountains on release day. the local walmart had only 2 copies left of the PS3 version. Buttloads of the Xbox version. and this was in a town of only 30 thousand people or so.

0 up, 1 down

MyWorstNightmar
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 1:28:29 PM

Jawknee, what town and what store?? Maybe I can snag me a copy! =)

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 1:38:01 PM

Town of Dillon.

0 up, 1 down

SvenMD
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 12:28:42 PM
Reply

So far in the game (about 12 hours) I can see why you do your shopping from a menu - you're out and about for a majority of the time and it would seem weird to run across a town to shop for new armor/weapons while you're "running from the law".

However, this doesn't explain why they CAN'T do towns. But I will leave them alone for now because I haven't really MISSED towns too much (however, Rabanastre was an awesome town - just HUGE)

I'm also upset because I'm on call tonight and wont be able to play again until the weekend :(

This game is alot more fun than the reviewers make it out to be. People need to realize that some aspects of FF games change slightly with each new game...veterans learn to just roll with it and enjoy the ride...and it's one beautiful ride so far.

2 up, 1 down

shadowscorpio
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 2:09:59 PM

Yeah I'm about 7 hours into it. Funny how FF 12 and FF 13 seem like direct opposites when it comes to exploration. For now anyway.

0 up, 0 down

kraygen
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 5:02:43 AM

@Sven

Spoiler warnings man! Might not be much, but crap I didn't want to know that.

0 up, 0 down

SvenMD
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 10:15:10 AM

@kraygen - My bad...didn't seem like any spoiler - I figured it was FF - you're always running from something or chasing something else, or looking for some jewel encrusted thingamajig that does something really nifty.

Just go play it and you wont have to worry about spoilers! ;)

0 up, 0 down

kraygen
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 2:36:22 PM

yeah I was just waiting for Ben and Arnolds reviews. Wasn't sure if I had the money to get it right away anyway.

0 up, 0 down

FullmetalX10
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 12:36:28 PM
Reply

I was just scanning the article for those three letters.
Anyways, adding towns as dlc at this ponint would be kind of strange, seeing as they should fit into the story and thus wouldn't make much sense to the many people already playing the game. That said, I'm really looking forward to Versus XIII and hoping it does have all the exploration, towns and whatnot XIII didn't have.

PS: OT: did anyone see the Sony Press Conference yet? I must say, I'm really impressed by the SonyMove, that shooting demo they showed with *game I won't spoil, just in case* was very intruiging and it just looked cool overall.

Last edited by FullmetalX10 on 3/11/2010 12:40:39 PM

1 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 1:54:33 PM

Nope, but i want to. Must...see...more...move...I love the Wii. The controls worked great in Metroid Prime. The Move could work great with games like Killzone and Uncharted. I'm sure Sony will come up with some great motion games for the PS3.

2 up, 1 down

SvenMD
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 10:16:41 AM

Jawknee, are we the only 2 people on this site that have played Metroid Prime on the Wii and loved it?

With some updated graphics a new FPS Metroid would be really freakin' sweet.

0 up, 0 down

XxNoir
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 12:41:45 PM
Reply

Am i the only one who doesn't find vanilles voice annoying.

In all the reviews they make it seem as in that everytime you here her voice you want to jump off a roof,I don't get it lol.

4 up, 0 down

michiganfan1983
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 1:27:22 PM

No, your not the only one who likes Vanille, checkout yesterdays story about the 5 million copies shipped. There a bunch of us that like Vanille down somewhere in the comments.

4 up, 0 down

shadowscorpio
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 2:13:48 PM

I don't think any of the characters are annoying. What would be annoying is if all the characters were all one personality.

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 3:31:52 PM

Her accent makes my pants tight.

6 up, 0 down

tes37
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 7:01:42 PM

I like her voice too. Maybe something is wrong with those reviewers.

1 up, 0 down

wakkaoaka
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 8:51:27 PM

I love her voice, especially when she sighs ;)

1 up, 0 down

SvenMD
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 10:17:52 AM

wakkaoaka - she sighs ALOT...you must be LOVIN' this game.

1 up, 0 down

gumbi
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 12:44:45 PM
Reply

I haven't played yet, but I will, and I'm sure I'll enjoy it. But I still just can't see how a few towns would have made such a drastic impact on the dev time. Yes, of course it would have taken a bit longer, but not THAT much longer.

We're not asking for cities here, just towns. A staple of the genre. An inn, item shop, weapon shop, armor shop, a few houses, and some folks to chat with. The buildings don't need to be complicated models, that's the joy of buildings, they're simple. 4 walls and a roof, slap some nice texture maps on it and voila, nice lookin HD house. (I know I oversimplified that, but compared to character and landscape design, making small buildings is a snap)

I know they're perfectionists, and if they did it they'd want to do it up right. Maybe it really didn't work with the time constraints they put on themselves... It's just really too bad to see one of my favourite elements that's been in EVERY RPG I've ever played get dropped from this game.

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 3:33:07 PM

I agree, it is a foolish excuse. The environs in XIII are massive and beautiful, how hard would it really be to slap some textures on some polygons and call it a day?

1 up, 0 down

totozero18
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 7:26:01 AM

@Gumbi Remember that house on FFVII?, it was just a lonely house halfway between Gongaga and Gold Saucer even that house had it's function in the story (no spoiling here kraygen :P)

What would be the point in having towns where you have random people walking in circles says things like. "I like Moggles!" or "I lost my hat" or "Enlarge your p€#&s with Viagra" but no purpose at all. I mean sure you could run through the town but no matter how jawdropping the graphics may be, there will be nothing more to it.

I'm actually attending videogame design classes and believe me there's a lot harder than you put it up ther'

P.D.:No, I can't stop talking 'bout FF-VII that game was mah first RPG.

Last edited by totozero18 on 3/12/2010 7:28:32 AM

1 up, 0 down

NeoHumpty
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 1:00:29 PM
Reply

Ok. S-E is saying that with more power comes more restrictions??? Maybe they should have stuck with an engine or formula they could use, then. I'm not buying the reasoning. I'm playing the game right now, and I'm not complaining, but it sounds like excuses for trying something different to me.

1 up, 0 down

KillerBrew
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 1:20:10 PM
Reply

Bring back Knights of the Round Table... I always like the whole wondering around thing just to find all the secrets and stuff. The towns and mini games were fun too. FF7 was my favorite FF game of all time. With RPG's to me its not about the high tech graphics and eye candy, its about the story and the mystery behind everything.. I do like the way the battle system is now even though I can't control what I want each player in my party to do.

0 up, 0 down

darxed
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 1:24:54 PM
Reply

Well I guess history repeats itself... remember last gen? FFX launched and boy was it beautiful. Then everyone noticed the linearity, the fact that you were in a corridor for almost half of the game (sidequests not included) and sure it had towns, but how big were them? most had only the mandatory shops and two or three houses you could enter. A couple of years later FFXII hit and It seemed it was night and day with X. A huge world with huge towns ready to be explored, so much freedom people complained they got lost over and over. My theory is that each new generation games graphics become harder and, mainly, more expensive to make, so the first game out in any given gen suffers from content cuts to make the game development affordable, then as time passes and engines, design and models are already built they can be reused for further games in the franchise, so costs are diminished and the development team can add more content to the games... Well at least that's my theory.. what do you guys think?

Anyways, just one more week and my copy will finally arrive, then I can see If all that FFXIII defending I did was right or not...

Last edited by darxed on 3/11/2010 1:28:32 PM

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 4:08:43 PM

Nice reasoning my friend, you make a solid point, thumbs up.

1 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 11:39:48 PM

I'm a fan of your comments. +1

0 up, 0 down

FM23
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 1:37:18 PM
Reply

Man these developers must have wasted alot of time complaining about making towns during development time and thats probably why they had no time to make towns at all. Fallout 3 was a RPG and it had everything in it, so why can't these developers, who have the money, take the time to just throws town into the mix if this is what Final Fantasy is known for outside of its story. I mean seriously they must have been preparing to release a game on the new consoles, so they should have had a enough time to develop a piece of work of their caliber. I think alot of time went towards the graphics of course, and really graphics are nice, but not at the expense of wanted content. I have never played a Final Fantasy game, I'm 22 now, and the last time I heard about this type of game was when I was back in middleschool and I was never interested. So saying that, I have no ties to the series and I will buy FFXIII because RPG have become my favorite genre and I don't mind trying new things (Heavy Rain). So I can love it for being great, or hate it because it is weak, not because my FF fan expectation weren't met. I'm going to pick this up next week with GOWIII.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 4:09:09 PM

*Falls into text wall haze and dies*

5 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 5:52:34 PM

Paragraphs.

2 up, 1 down

totozero18
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 7:35:37 AM

Do remember that FFXIII was originally a "farewell-PS2" title, then they moved on to PS3 they changed from White Engine to Crystal Tools, so the game (excluding the plot) had to be redone from scratch.

0 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 1:47:09 PM
Reply

Translation:

"If we weren't making 360 version of it we would have had time"

My message to squeeeeenix:

Sounds good! Can't wait to get Final Fantasy XV!

1 up, 1 down

Irievibes
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 3:32:55 PM

didnt i read somewhere in here that it took em longer to actually port ( or remake w/e ) the 360 version after the ps3 one wich was made first?

stands to reason that if the above is true, then yes, in the same time span it took them to release the game on multi, they could have released it single for ps3 and added a few hubs or sidegames etc.

so i guess by that one could say that in the future its more possible for next ff to have towns and sidequesting if its single plat as oppossed to multi as that would allow them that extra time ? i agree its not the same, and forgive if im mistaken but if thats true i just hope VS stays xclusive, i have nothing against xbox, but microsoft is like the cancer of our gaming generation , wish they would stick to making reliable versions of windows instead of that vista fiasco

1 up, 0 down

soli
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 8:04:31 PM

well good luck waiting

1 up, 0 down

geovanwitdakick
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 1:50:55 PM
Reply

Thank you Ben, it's pretty obvious that exclusives bring out the best in games, such as towns in Lost Oddysey. Which is why I say FF vs 13 needs to stay exclusive. Cuz FF13 IS HD, & to have FF vs 13 have towns, & play in full/true HD, it needs to stay exclusive, prefferably to the PS3.

0 up, 0 down

KillerBrew
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 1:52:59 PM
Reply

@Scarecrow

Don't you mean FFXIV lol

0 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 2:16:09 PM

FFXIV is a MMORPG

1 up, 1 down

shadowscorpio
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 2:20:26 PM

Don't you mean Versus 13?

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 4:10:12 PM

Killerbrew failed.

4 up, 1 down

cLoudou
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 1:56:35 PM
Reply

Yay, now bring back turn-based battle system.

I have to say FFXIII is in every way a step up from XII besides the linearity of course, IMO.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 3:45:34 PM

So far im liking the battle system in XII more. I don't like only being able to control one character. and if the party leader dies game over? kinda lame

2 up, 1 down

SnipeySnake
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 11:36:29 PM

I can't imagine how frustrating the game would be if you had to control more than one character, do to it being so fast-paced. But i don't like how if the party leader dies, its game over.

0 up, 0 down

kraygen
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 5:10:27 AM

@Jawknee

Couldn't agree more, haven't played it yet, but thats just a dumb idea. what are the other party members doing after you die, running like cowards?

Sounds like you might as well only have 1 character who can do everything since you can only control 1 and if they die you lose.

0 up, 0 down

totozero18
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 7:46:06 AM

@SnipeySnake MULTIPLAYER BATTLES FTW!!! just like FF-IX,

POWER CAPS!!!

0 up, 0 down

Mystearica
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 2:11:01 PM
Reply

I am sorry to say... but that is a dumb excuse. "To much time"

Let's see - I'll take a simple example: Tales of Sonata... not a whole lot of towns but a decent amount. The towns/villages were GORGEOUS! So.... this excuse coming from the ALMIGHTY S-E FATHER OF RPGs just sounds lame. This excuse I would let pass with a smaller/less known company. But S-E is big, they have experience, RPG in THEIR thing and people have high expectations from them. They should know better.

Either way, towns or no towns I'm STILL buying FFXIII

3 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 4:10:51 PM

Eternal Sonata?

3 up, 0 down

Naztycuts
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 2:12:20 PM
Reply

Downloadable towns! FTW
Seriously though FFXIII is awesome I'm 10 hours in and I like it, I don't like the summon system as well so far but I don't hate it, I just wonder if there are going to be any secret places to find or special bosses or Eidolons to find and fight.

SPOILER
I hear they "turn you loose" about 30 hours in so I'm stoked

0 up, 0 down

godsman
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 2:13:15 PM
Reply

It's true that it takes too long to develop. Remember back then in older final fantasy games, there are little things that make you laugh, a dancer in the bar? That jumps and twirls around when you talk to her?

Now imagine you do that in the HD console. She'll have to look beautiful and perfect dance motions. It's just not practical for a 2 second chuckle.

3 up, 0 down

Scarecrow
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 2:18:47 PM

Didn't Last Odyssey manage to do it?
I'm sure Star Ocean 4 managed to do it as well

So no, sounds like excuses to me

2 up, 2 down

Highlander
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 3:37:24 PM

WKC does it...

And you know what? I'll sacrifice some HD resolution for additional game play elements. I'm playing a game not watching a movie. If making a game with the production values of a movie is too costly and starts to make implementing game features impractical, then stop spending so much time making movie quality visuals and give me something to play!

Last edited by Highlander on 3/11/2010 3:39:10 PM

8 up, 0 down

Lotusflow3r
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 4:07:16 PM

And i'll say this...

The city of Greede in WKC is one of the finest towns i have ever roamed in an RPG. It's up there with The Golden Saucer in FF7 and Esper in FF8.
Everyone had something interesting to say and sometimes, what they said was kinda philosophic or moving, the look of it, the look of the characters, the feel of it...just absolute golden era....erm, gold! The music to go with it is heart soothing too.

if this is how town roaming makes me feel in an RPG, then i can't really fathom one without them.

Last edited by Lotusflow3r on 3/11/2010 4:10:08 PM

5 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 4:12:23 PM

WKC NPCs FTW Lotus and I finally agree on something.

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 3/11/2010 4:12:39 PM

2 up, 0 down

piratedrunk
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 11:50:16 PM

I actually did not like the towns in WKC at all. They were massive and boring to walk through for me. My ideal towns were the ones in FF 7,8, and 9 because they felt big without taking forever to go from one side to another.

0 up, 0 down

WolfCrimson
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 3:51:50 AM

Lotus: Correction: Esthar, not Esper.

0 up, 0 down

kraygen
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 5:18:45 AM

I love the WKC towns. They are huge, beautiful, lively, lifelike. They make me feel like I am roaming an actual village, there are so many people to talk to and listen to their stories.

@piratedrunk

Gotta say I don't understand, do you get boring exploring the world outside of towns? Real cities are big, towns are small. Parma and Albana are very small and quick to get around, while Balandor and Greede are large cities.

Roleplay must have some forms of realism.

Sorry you didn't like them, as I enjoyed them so much.

1 up, 0 down

Irievibes
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 3:26:33 PM
Reply

i dont mind the towns, so much as the loss of "depth" to sidequesting and shopping,i still remeber that shop in ff9 where you could duel big bosses and stuff for prizes and special items, THAT is the stuff i like and will misss, the tetra master card game, getiing everyone their ultimate limit breaks in 7 , that kind of stuff, sure the towns are where you did most of the sidequesting but for me is more the loss of depth you know?

like ....yeah you shop at a save , wich is cool and all, but that kinda breaks the involvment for me, like all of a sudden your mind goes " oh right, this is just a game and this isnt really happening" you understand what i mean?

guess its kinda hard to describe, but thats the deal killer for me , not the loss of towns themselves, also those expansive minigames have always been awsome, loved blitzball too but after a point your guys just get ridiculous and its repetition , nothing like tetra master or the monster arena

3 up, 0 down

kraygen
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 5:20:10 AM

I understand what you mean, lacks realism, yes it's a game, but I want to believe it's real so that I can enjoy that world.

0 up, 0 down

shindelion
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 3:54:33 PM
Reply

A bit off topic a little. I'm playing the game and it feels like I'm playing a clean PS2 FF game. don't feel like an HD game, graphic wise its an ok. just feel like they could have push it a bit more in terms of look.

2 up, 8 down

aaronisbla
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 3:59:03 PM

gonna have to disagree with you, if it wasnt for games like uncharted 2 and GoW 3, i think people would be saying its the best looking game to come out in a very long time.

Hell, just check out some of those vistas while you are in some of the forests somewhere in the game and tell me that looks like a clean ps2 game

4 up, 0 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 4:10:56 PM

Uhhhhh.......

Maybe my TV's super special or something.

7 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 4:13:37 PM

I must have the best TV around cuz I've never witnessed an in game engine that so closely matches CGI.

7 up, 0 down

shindelion
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 4:20:06 PM

I should have been more precise, i meant the character models. the environment is damn sweet, but the character model on the other hand i feel that they could have pushed more. I was thinking maybe it would be too much to port or compress to other systems or even lack of time to do more. Not hating on the game just feel like there could have been more done to the character models.

3 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 5:10:08 PM

Yea Sony's just set a new bar in terms of graphics. Square used to be number one but no more. With that said, FFXIII DOES look like a nice HD game on my TV. Uncharted good? nah, but still better then most. This is the best multiplatform game to date.

2 up, 3 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 5:41:50 PM

People, bear in mind the character models aren't supposed to look like real people like UC2, they are stylized with anime flair, you aren't supposed to see every pimple and pore on their face like UC2 or Heavy Rain.

3 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 5:53:30 PM

I think the game looks great. Much better then WKC. Square fingers aside, Square did a good job on graphics.

3 up, 3 down

convergecrew
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 10:10:18 PM

shindelion, are you using the AV cables that came in the PS3 box on your HDTV again?

1 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 11:33:37 PM

...I have a cruddy tv......and the graphics still look amazing...

1 up, 0 down

aaronisbla
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 3:56:43 PM
Reply

Game just gets better and better ( just made it through the city of palumpolum ), but i just realized they are no limit breaks....

0 up, 0 down

totozero18
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 8:13:16 AM

palumpolum? Heh reminded of Palom Porom (the twins from FF-IV)

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 4:19:16 PM
Reply

I'm gonna break with the theme here and actually go on topic.

(Love the game btw) But I'm not a big fan of SE's excuses because they make no sense since SE is supposed to be able to do just about anything in the form of pushing technology and graphics.

This is madness! . . . THIS IS SQUARE ENIX! Not squaresoft. I'm sorry I just don't buy it. While it is clear that towns aren't needed much for this experience, I can't reconcile the excuse that HD towns are too hard when everyone else does it just fine. Fire Wada and let's get back down to business. The game should be able to have all it has AND more. It's epic, but when I hear from them that they just couldn't hack it, my eyebrow goes up. Why the hell not?

Hmmm... shopping at menus instead of brick and mortar stores... sounds like that thing called the internet. Weird huh? ;)

Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 3/11/2010 4:19:26 PM

7 up, 0 down

Highlander
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 4:34:11 PM

Yes, but when I shop by Internet I have to wait for that nice FedEx man to deliver my stuff. At least with a bricks and mortar store, I can pick up my purchase right away.

3 up, 0 down

maxpontiac
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 4:34:59 PM

Agreed World. This is the first FF on the PS3. There should be nothing missing.

2 up, 0 down

Irievibes
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 4:44:22 PM

totally agree with you W.

its not a matter of space , discs or any of that, the single fact that they had to separate time and people to port or remake it w/e on the 360 is what made them take so long in the first place, i think that if that team was used for ps3 development , we could have seen a somewhat fuller experience than what we got,on perhaps an equal , if not shorter, amount of time.... not hatin on the game as i havent tried it yet, just saying..

the real culprit in the stuff they ended up cutting towns and whatnot, was Time constraints i do believe that part, but as far as taking too long to actually design all the towns and maybe a sidegame? not sure i buy that.. think its again more of a case of split resources....but pointless now i guess as the games already out how its gonna be out, bet we see a lot of stuff on VS though, hopefully the numbers discourage a multiplataform release and they devote the whole time/schedule to a single version of the game next time around ;)

Last edited by Irievibes on 3/11/2010 4:46:15 PM

2 up, 0 down

Nynja
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 8:45:57 PM

As much as I was disappointed to hear about the lack of towns and mini-games for FFXIII, I can see where S-E is coming from. Think about this.

Aside from Crystal Chronicles series found on Nintendo platforms, when someone says Final Fantasy and Square-Enix, people think stunning visuals. They have a reputation to live up to. If they were unable to achieve the visual fidelity they are known for, should they include it anyways or delay the game even longer to develop these towns? I say no.

Another issue is this was their first HD FF game originally developed for PS3. I think they miscalculated how difficult it would be and had spread themselves too thin by working on multiple titles all at once. Wii, DS, PSP, PS3, 360, and PC games. FFXI, FFXIII Agito, FFXIII, FFvXIII, FFXIV, Last Remnant and Crystal Chronicles. Remember hearing about the FFvXIII team getting pulled away from their work to help with FFXIII development? This was partly their fault for spreading themselves across multiple products all at once. Had they had the entire team working on the one title, I think they may have been able to develop the towns in a timely manner.

The rate they were going with development, 4 years, people were beginning to think vapor ware. We should applaud S-E for taking such pride in their work and how they try to make not only the best looking, but some of the deepest RPGs we have ever played.

I'm sure I'll still find enjoyment in the game with or without towns. Though lets hope the next one has everything we have come to expect from a FF game.

EDIT: @Highlander... I hate getting shipments from FedEx. They have never been on time with my deliveries. Next time try ordering from Amazon and get the free release day delivery. They have always shipped via UPS for me and shipping to work guarantees early delivery.

Last edited by Nynja on 3/11/2010 8:49:01 PM

1 up, 0 down

wakkaoaka
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 9:01:21 PM

Not enough time? Recruit more workers.

1 up, 0 down

SvenMD
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 10:30:08 AM

@World - In talking about shopping from a menu - what about O'aka from FFX??? He was a merchant man with a nap-sack that pretty much just showed up where your party was and sold you stuff. He was all over the ENTIRE world at the same time you were. So isn't that just like going up to the save station and going to "shop"?? what are your thoughts?

0 up, 0 down

shindelion
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 5:15:11 PM
Reply

I remember a while back SE said this game would be like FF7 on PS. Man were they so wrong, taken out the exploring and shops, who knows what more. This is nothing close to FF7. Cloud is turning in his 32 bit bed right now.

2 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 5:24:46 PM
Reply

I'm glad to hear that even without the stolen game's worth of content in FFXIII, that every one is still able to have a good time with it.

But I'm really surprised nobody's asking the question...

How high will SE's DLC extortion demands be for a safe return of all your ransomed beloved's(gamenapped towns, side-quests, etc)????

Come on, this is "Ali Baba Wada" I'm talking about here, so I'm sure they don't intend on giving up any pilfered goods back to it's rightful owners, freely.

1 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 5:59:57 PM

Square has said they have no plans for DLC because the game is already 100% massive. I hope they don't rescind on their word...again...if they do DLC better be free!

3 up, 1 down

Alienange
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 5:54:55 PM
Reply

Well Ben you certainly maintained your journalistic cool in this article. If I'd have to write an article about this clown's retarded comments about FFXIII I'm pretty sure I'd rip him a new one.

He comes off as clueless, immature and greedy.

1 up, 0 down

www
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 7:25:05 PM

and hungry....

0 up, 0 down

totozero18
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 8:43:42 AM

you both forgot asshole, but I forgive you

0 up, 0 down

DemonNeno
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 6:59:30 PM
Reply

That sounds feasible. I don't know how all this xbox talk keeps becoming the coffin for the game. In fact, I think it's the opposite. It's graphically less favorable, but I don't think that should stop the xbox'ers from enjoying a genre that gets less attention to consoles and more attention from the PC gamers.

I'm curious to see how this DLC deal unfolds, though! I don't want to make any more educated guesses at this game! haha.. If it weren't for the fact that I'm trying to keep my $$$ steady for buying a house, I would've already had this game... I'm a FF Junkie, man.. Yeeaa...

0 up, 0 down

www
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 7:26:26 PM
Reply

I was trying to avoid any FFXIII related article as to dodge spoilers but can't help it. Need to pay my psxe friends a visit.

Well I see a lot of positive user reviews from all of you so how come the critics think its 82.

Last edited by www on 3/11/2010 7:27:46 PM

0 up, 0 down

OtisFeelgood
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 8:50:41 PM
Reply

I'm a PSXE l'cie.......just wanted to throw that out there.... ;x

4 up, 0 down

tes37
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 9:04:12 PM

Do you know what your focus is ...... yet?

4 up, 0 down

OtisFeelgood
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 9:17:57 PM

To get banned by Ben............cie'th here I come! ;o

5 up, 0 down

SnipeySnake
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 11:28:44 PM

My Focus is....i dont know...all i saw is me getting slaughtered by a behem-.

2 up, 0 down

just2skillf00l
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 10:39:41 PM
Reply

My focus...! As a ravager class and as a teenager moving into his 20's in a few months...my focus as Farron coined it while amidst a very engaging activity...as..."Lightning strike"!

0 up, 0 down

___________
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 12:06:18 AM
Reply

wait i dont get it.
FFXIII did not have towns and such because its "too hard" (even though god knows how many developers have done it, AC2 anyone?) but now that the games out and dusted their next game will have them?
but i thought it was "too hard"
unless their saying there not doing any HD games anymore.
nah, theyd never do that.

2 up, 0 down

XxNoir
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 4:38:46 AM
Reply

How long have i had this profile picture for!...

*Turns into a ugly fail L'cie*

0 up, 0 down

kraygen
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 5:59:26 AM
Reply

It seems common that when developers deal with a new platform it takes them time to adjust to all it's new complexities. I'm willing to believe that this could be part of the cause for developmental time constraints put on ffxiii.

I still don't know whether to believe the claims that the xbox 360 version had nothing to do with it. I'm not claiming the 360 couldn't have handled the towns, more that it's possible SE's agreement with M$ may have hindered the development in some way.

Perhaps M$ required SE to use no more than 3 disks, or to have the game completed by a certain date. Most likely we will never know the truth of the matter. It's possible M$ had nothing to do with their decision to remove content at all.

After these comments by Toriyama we should definitely expect the full FF experience next time around, however from the sounds of it, SE may be willing to attempt the all too common practice of trying to ride the dlc money train.

Personally I feel SE is handling the entire situation poorly. With the quality of games available now, to remove content in exchange for HD graphics, I feel said graphics should be 1080p. SE is know for having the best graphics after all.

On the other hand I never feel that content should be removed for the sake of graphics. A rpg should should contain the element of role play or else it cannot carry the genre title and should be named something else. I hope as I'm sure most of us do that the next installment will not let us down.

From what I've read from everyone on here who has played they game they enjoy it quite a bit, however I still hear in your comments the disappointment from what is not there.

I say to SE, though this game may be enjoyable, bring back our towns, our mini games, our role playing, bring back our Final Fantasy.

0 up, 0 down

Arvis
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 9:57:29 AM
Reply

Really great hands-on preview of Resonance of Fate up on VG Chartz. They take a few jabs at FFXIII in it, but all in good fun. :)

http://news.vgchartz.com/news.php?id=7349

-Arvis

2 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 10:02:26 AM

I try to shy away from posting links before Benny has had his breakfast.

1 up, 1 down

LimitedVertigo
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 10:31:14 AM

"Along with the exploration is of course the important JRPG staple of towns! That’s right, there are towns. Within towns are shops. Yes, they can be done, even on HD consoles."

Thanks for the link Arvis, I'm really looking forward to this game and you're right they do take a few jabs at FFXIII :)

2 up, 1 down

Arvis
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 11:35:46 AM

Yeah, I can't wait. Amazon should have it to me in a week or two. :)
You and I will be the only people playing it... :(

-Arvis

1 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 12:05:08 PM

No worries, word of mouth will spread like wildfire and more and more people will try it out. Many PS3 owners have been complaining about a lack of JRPG, should be interesting to see how many of these people put their money where their mouth is.

2 up, 1 down

tes37
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 8:22:41 PM

Resonance of Fate was a pre-order for me until a better deal surfaced. I'm going to use the $10 from FFXIII and $10 from GOW 3 to get $20 knocked off of the game.

Amazon didn't offer release day delivery so I figured there was no sense in pre-ordering if I can't get it that day. Besides that I'm not giving my money to Gamestop, so Amazon gets it instead.

0 up, 0 down

Jonesy555
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 11:28:54 AM
Reply

Honestly, I don't miss the towns. Wandering around, talking to people I really don't care about just don't appeal to me. Now if I was like Kratos and could kill the towns people on the spot, that's something different, but that's what we have GoW3 for.

Don't miss the towns one bit.

0 up, 0 down

LimitedVertigo
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 11:35:37 AM

You murderer.

0 up, 1 down

Digital
Friday, September 24, 2010 @ 12:45:20 AM
Reply

What a lame excuse, stop being a sony fanboy and wake up and smell the coffee.

The real reason the [i]TOWNS[/i] got cut from the game is because Square-Enix was dealing with a very difficult development process.

Like it or not, PS3 is not easy to develop for and the process takes a long time.

It had nothing to do with 360, either.

Lost Odyssey if it was in full High Definition would be no more than [b]five[/b] discs, which some games are.

Also Square-Enix, the same company which designed Final Fantasy 13 designed the video game "The Last Remnant" - its in HD.

Alot of the graphics in town are not as good as FF13, yet with composite compression techniques - do you know how easy it is to make it look as good!!?!?

The Last Remnant lasts for 100 hours, its bigger than FF13 and is on only 2 discs. It could have been on 3 discs and still beat out FF13.

So the real problem, that may have led to lack of towns....is possibly the learning curve with ps3 development. It's not as easy to make seamless loading times, at least if not comrpessed, as it is on PC.

Look at all the PS3 RPGs released thus far.

Folklore and Demon Souls don't exactly have seamless loading of towns....

There is one game which does have it, The Last Guardian, though that is first party and Square-Enix does not have the same tools as they do to begin with.

Again, Versus 13 will most likely be multiplatform but it will contain plenty of towns as well. As to what caused the ultimate issue with FF13's lack of content, I think they may have cut it in favor of DLC....and possibly some of the towns were getting bogged down with loading times on either console.

Last edited by Digital on 9/24/2010 12:46:15 AM

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Digital
Friday, September 24, 2010 @ 12:50:56 AM
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PS:

Sony fanboys need to stop jumping the gun to thinking the "360" DVD format is the problem.

Star Ocean 4 was also basically in HD, and that's bigger than final fantasy 10, 7 or 13 with ease. Yet it was only on 2-3 discs.

So the first place anyone should be looking at, is the difficulties with their development tools when it come to loading times IMO.

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FFXIII Director: Missing Elements Like Towns Will Return

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