Impressions: Final Fantasy XIII [Joystiq]

[DP ServBot]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/06/finalfantasyxiiishiva1020609580.jpg

Final Fantasy XIII (http://www.joystiq.com/tag/final-fantasy-xiii)? That's so yesterday (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/02/final-fantasy-xiv-online-is-due-out-in-2010/). Despite the announcement of Final Fantasy XIV, XIII still isn't out yet and much of the game is still shrouded in mystery. We were given a very brief demonstration of the title behind closed doors at Square Enix' booth, where we were shown more of the combat system. Specifically: summons. More specifically: Shiva.

The demo -- which, we reiterate, was very short -- was taken from an early part of the game. Motomu Toriyama, who was controlling the demo, took control of Snow in order to show us his partnered summon, Shiva. Each character has a partnered summon and it seems this is story specific, rather than a Final Fantasy VIII style "Junction" system.

Toriyama quickly initiated a battle and explained how the new "assault" combat option automatically selects the most approprate combat option for you. In other words, it's an autopilot for the smaller scale combat situations you're likely to come into contact with while grinding -- and if we know Final Fantasy, there'll be plenty of that.
Gallery: Final Fantasy XIII (01/09/09) (http://www.digitpress.com/photos/final-fantasy-xiii-1-9-09-1/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/01/ff13jan-top_03_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.digitpress.com/photos/final-fantasy-xiii-1-9-09-1/1272748/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/01/ff13jan-c_02_05_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.digitpress.com/photos/final-fantasy-xiii-1-9-09-1/1272747/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/01/ff13jan-top_12_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.digitpress.com/photos/final-fantasy-xiii-1-9-09-1/1272746/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/01/ff13jan-top_08_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.digitpress.com/photos/final-fantasy-xiii-1-9-09-1/1272745/)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.joystiq.com/media/2009/01/ff13jan-top_09_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.digitpress.com/photos/final-fantasy-xiii-1-9-09-1/1272744/)


Continue reading Impressions: Final Fantasy XIII (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/03/impressions-final-fantasy-xiii/)
http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif (http://www.joystiq.com)Impressions: Final Fantasy XIII (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/03/impressions-final-fantasy-xiii/) originally appeared on Joystiq (http://www.joystiq.com) on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).



Permalink (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/03/impressions-final-fantasy-xiii/) | Email this (http://www.joystiq.com/forward/19055624/) | Comments (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/03/impressions-final-fantasy-xiii/#comments)

More... (http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/03/impressions-final-fantasy-xiii/)

[heybtbm]

This is my most anticipated game. Final Fantasy XII revived my love for the FF franchise a few years ago. I've been eagerly awaiting FFXIII ever since.

[c0ldb33r]

I'm interested in the 360 version. I wonder if I'll need to upgrade my 20GB drive. I'd like to install it to the HDD if possible.

[Arcade_Ness]

I like the art direction in the game, and a return to a more sci-fi fantasy setting. Also the lesbian-esque fusion that Shiva does to turn into a motorcycle is awesome.

[kupomogli]

The battle system looks good. What I'm not really impressed with is the style they set everything in. While I've only watched the early game videos and what we've seen at E3, it overall really doesn't look that great in comprison to any of the FF games(graphically yes, but the level design and art design, no.)

Obviously the game will look much better once more gameplay footage is released.

I'll most likely be picking this up though. I'll pick it up on the PS3 so I get the one disc version instead of the five disc version.

[Nebagram]

VII was my first FF and while X ranks as easily my favourite of the series, XII left me cold. I'm looking forward to XIII though, even though S-E's other ventures (namely Infinite Undiscovery and Last Remnant) haven't exactly inspired confidence that they aren't 'doing a Sonic Team' (though that is admittedly a little harsh).

XIV has got me utterly bewildered though. Another MMO? Seriously? :-/

[chicnstu]

I'll most likely be picking this up though. I'll pick it up on the PS3 so I get the one disc version instead of the five disc version.

I'll be getting the PS3 version too. But hopefully the 360 version is packaged better than Lost Odyssey and doesn't feel like the case is going to break when I open it (if they do a collector's edition like FFXII).