Final Fantasy XIII-2 Debuts to Lackluster Sales
- Thread starter Marshall Honorof
- Start date
Okay, I kinda liked FFXIII. I did. I liked the story. I loved Lightning, and the rest of the cast, was just there. I generally hated Hope and found him to be the bane of my existence (and even the game seemed to agree), at first, and figured Vanille was there to be cute and hold space. However, they all changing in time and became more likeable. Yes, even Hope became a better character that I didn't hate whenever he opened his mouth (I didn't even wanna punch him when he spoke anymore). Of course, the game was beautiful. I didn't even dislike the linear pathway. Every game is linear when you come down to it. FFXIII just didn't hide it as well.
But I couldn't care less about FFXIII-2. Because the combat looks completely unchanged. At first, I didn't mind the combat. But as time passed, I found that all I did was select auto-attack (it took too long to select abilities in the fast paced combat) and occasionally change party set-ups. On top of that, the most balanced group was Lightning, Hope, and Fang. There was no reason to use another group. Ever. And I like switching up my party members as I go. So it felt like a waste of the other three members.
I wanted to beat FFXIII, but all my data is lost, so I'll have to start over. And, looking back on the game, it's just an interactive movie. I want to play games. I don't mind cutscenes, but the game play has to be fun and/or challenging. FFXIII kinda lost that point. So, I might go back and beat it later, but not now. For that matter, FFXII did, too. Setting up gambits, basically made it so all you had to do was run forward and manage equipment. The only difference is that the allies in XIII were a little bit smarter and didn't need you to program them.
Are you listening, Square? Go back to the type of gameplay you had n FFX or previous Final Fantasy games. Or make the combat closer to Kingdom Hearts. Something. Anything. Just let me enjoy fighting and playing. I don't want to have to entertain myself with TV or a book while "playing" your games. I love your games. Square used to be a company that could do no wrong. Earlier Final Fantasy games, Brave Fencer Musashi, Einhander, Xenogears. All great games! What happened Square? Your games used to be great. You still publish some good ones, but I don't care about your flagship anymore.
Oh, and I never got out of Chapter One on FFX-2. I just couldn't stand that game for some reason. I'm not too sure why. The mood? The dress-spheres? Something just didn't sit right.
This is why I'm not buying or playing FFXIII-2. It's why I'm not waiting for the next game in the FFXIII franchise (which seems a little wrong to say). Sorry, but maybe FFXV will be better. Please?
But I couldn't care less about FFXIII-2. Because the combat looks completely unchanged. At first, I didn't mind the combat. But as time passed, I found that all I did was select auto-attack (it took too long to select abilities in the fast paced combat) and occasionally change party set-ups. On top of that, the most balanced group was Lightning, Hope, and Fang. There was no reason to use another group. Ever. And I like switching up my party members as I go. So it felt like a waste of the other three members.
I wanted to beat FFXIII, but all my data is lost, so I'll have to start over. And, looking back on the game, it's just an interactive movie. I want to play games. I don't mind cutscenes, but the game play has to be fun and/or challenging. FFXIII kinda lost that point. So, I might go back and beat it later, but not now. For that matter, FFXII did, too. Setting up gambits, basically made it so all you had to do was run forward and manage equipment. The only difference is that the allies in XIII were a little bit smarter and didn't need you to program them.
Are you listening, Square? Go back to the type of gameplay you had n FFX or previous Final Fantasy games. Or make the combat closer to Kingdom Hearts. Something. Anything. Just let me enjoy fighting and playing. I don't want to have to entertain myself with TV or a book while "playing" your games. I love your games. Square used to be a company that could do no wrong. Earlier Final Fantasy games, Brave Fencer Musashi, Einhander, Xenogears. All great games! What happened Square? Your games used to be great. You still publish some good ones, but I don't care about your flagship anymore.
Oh, and I never got out of Chapter One on FFX-2. I just couldn't stand that game for some reason. I'm not too sure why. The mood? The dress-spheres? Something just didn't sit right.
This is why I'm not buying or playing FFXIII-2. It's why I'm not waiting for the next game in the FFXIII franchise (which seems a little wrong to say). Sorry, but maybe FFXV will be better. Please?
You may have been quoted already but, yes it is. It's only been released in Japan so far, the localized releases are coming out between the end of January and the beginning of February next year.lacktheknack said:
Unlike many other posts in this thread, while I absolutely hated XIII I'm actually hopeful for this title. I hope that it actually lives up to what they said about "fixing" the problems from the first one. At the very least, information that has been released about it up to this point makes it sound very much more interesting than the previous game.
Your girlfriend is my new best friend. Good!The Human Torch said:
I liked FFXIII but seeing how fans reacted, what else does Square Enix expect? Of course it's not gonna sell as well as the first.
Let's just see how the sales do over here.
well since it's not out in the west, it seems like it may get the rest of those sales... yknow if they advertise it. I'm not buying it, but it may be decent
Oh, come now, you must admit that JRPGs are not aging gracefully. They've stuck to many of the tropes that rose out of the limitations of the NES memory restrictions (like the turn-based combat for the biggest example) that aren't as engaging as modern gameplay is capable of, and many of them (Squeenix being the biggest offender) have forgone the depth that the original JRPGs had in favor of huge cutscenes.j-e-f-f-e-r-s said:
Games have evolved considerably since Final Fantasy was at the height of its games, but JRPGs are stubbornly refusing to evolve with it.
And this is coming from a guy who still calls Final Fantasy 6 one of his favorite games.
Really, I don't understand why they're called J*RPG*s. There's never really been much roll-playing in them.
I refer you to the first 15 seconds of this video:
But for the record, I really enjoy some JRPGs. Just not Final Fantasy.
But for the record, I really enjoy some JRPGs. Just not Final Fantasy.
You could also bring up the fact that every single direct sequel Final Fantasy game has turned out to be fucking awful, like X-2 and Dirge of Cerberus.
To be fair, this game had a serious lack of advertising compared to the first one. Anyways I liked XIII enough to finish it but not enough to give it more than one playthrough, however the changes they've made to XIII-2 with regards to exploration and NPC's and whatnot make me think that it's worth giving a looksee.
EDIT: Also, for those of you wondering, it's only out in Japan at the moment. It won't be out in America/Europe till around February.
EDIT: Also, for those of you wondering, it's only out in Japan at the moment. It won't be out in America/Europe till around February.
What research is there to be done? Even this article talked about how the reviews for the game were favorable.Shark Wrangler said:
The only thing you can do is wait a while and start to hear word of mouth from people who have played it... like... oh... I don't know... exactly what's going on right now with the sequel?
Being cautious with your money is never a bad thing.
Well i'll be buying it. Loved XIII and can't wait for more. i just hope SE don't get discouraged by this and revert to old stuff and hope that they will not waste time capturing old fans with stupid FFVII remake.
Finally, I've found someone else who has been able to track the decline to this point. Although this sounds like something Moviebob should do a show on.teqrevisited said:
I like the way Final Fantasy main series plays around with its own tropes. There's nothing wrong with being up front about the level of stylization and repetition in art and entertainment. Kabuki and Noh do it all of the time. Western entertainment does it too, though it often pretends otherwise.
I enjoyed FF XIII, and I plan on buying XIII-2 at or near its US launch. I also wouldn't call 500,000 in sales a lackluster first week even if I am paraphrasing Gamasutra. S-E already had experience with X-2 as a somewhat smaller follow-up title and likely anticipated a similar sales pattern with XIII-2. Rather than parroting someone's speculative doom and gloom, let's see what S-E eventually says. Better yet, let's have a few intrepid games journalists actually ask them for a reaction and perhaps do a little digging on Japanese gaming forums.
I enjoyed FF XIII, and I plan on buying XIII-2 at or near its US launch. I also wouldn't call 500,000 in sales a lackluster first week even if I am paraphrasing Gamasutra. S-E already had experience with X-2 as a somewhat smaller follow-up title and likely anticipated a similar sales pattern with XIII-2. Rather than parroting someone's speculative doom and gloom, let's see what S-E eventually says. Better yet, let's have a few intrepid games journalists actually ask them for a reaction and perhaps do a little digging on Japanese gaming forums.
Eh, I'm still getting it. FFXIII was the first FF game I've ever played and I enjoyed it, and I even got all the trophies, as much of a pain in the ass that was.
Sucks it didn't see as well as XIII over there, but I'm sure the lack of hype had something to do with it since XIII was supposed to come out when the PS3 launched. I've heard very good things about XIII-2 and I will get it, and enjoy the hell out of it, despite what some of you naysayers think of the game.
Sucks it didn't see as well as XIII over there, but I'm sure the lack of hype had something to do with it since XIII was supposed to come out when the PS3 launched. I've heard very good things about XIII-2 and I will get it, and enjoy the hell out of it, despite what some of you naysayers think of the game.