Introduction
When the new Final Fantasy came out, I was literally in "meh" state. I'd just finished Bioshock 2, and was sure no game could ever top it. And the reviews poured in. Eights, sevens, sixes, and even fives, but no nines or tens. I was curious as in why it sucked, so I tuned in to reviews. Here's a resume of all of em: "It is linear, characters are annoying, the combat is failed and the upgrade system does not make sense. Also, I'm the biggest FF fan ever." I respectfully disagree. Maybe you simply weren't chosen as the game's l'cie. It happens. It happened for me.
Summary
Final Fantasy XIII, an RPG from the RPG-awesome-maker Square-Enix, is a story about six people, completely different form each other, that are made slaves from giant god-like beings called the fal'Cie. The fal'Cie can choose people like those six to be l'Cie, which would be their servants. Once a l'Cie, a person can wield magic and is forced to do a Focus, an objective, before turning into a monster (Cie'th). Completing the focus would end up in eternal slumber by crystal. With the only ways out being either mutation or vegetation, it's no wonder everyone's so terrified of fal'Cies. These six people must struggle to find their focus, to put up with each other and, most of all, decide if they would rather save themselves or save a whole society.
Final Fantasy XIII, an RPG from the RPG-awesome-maker Square-Enix, is a story about six people, completely different form each other, that are made slaves from giant god-like beings called the fal'Cie. The fal'Cie can choose people like those six to be l'Cie, which would be their servants. Once a l'Cie, a person can wield magic and is forced to do a Focus, an objective, before turning into a monster (Cie'th). Completing the focus would end up in eternal slumber by crystal. With the only ways out being either mutation or vegetation, it's no wonder everyone's so terrified of fal'Cies. These six people must struggle to find their focus, to put up with each other and, most of all, decide if they would rather save themselves or save a whole society.
Graphics: 10/10
I have played every single blockbuster game available for PS3. God of War, Killzone 2, Uncharted 2, you name it. But here's something that says exactly what I need with few words: FFXIII's gameplay graphics [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ly_jLFuU40] is the same as most games' cutscenes. FFXIII's cutscenes [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_Pe8TB1aLM&hd=1] are the same as most games' CG scenes. And FXIII's CG scenes [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nONnUEI_NCc&hd=1] can be compared to a summer blockbuster.Sound: 7/10
Final Fantasy was always known for it's fantastic soundtrack. It's no surprise this is full of beautiful voice-acting, melodies and sound effects but there are 3 things that bug me, each worth 1 point on the score:1)Lack of prelude: Are you high? It ain't FF it it ain't got prelude, dig?
2)Lack of classic Victory Fanfare: This is serious, who was the dumbfuck that decided that XIII's current fanfare would be better than the classic fanfare melody we've grown out of?
3)"My Hands" , my ass!: Leona Lewis? REALLY? Of all the songs in the world, you went on to match an obvious JRPG with an english song that is simply CRAP?
Gameplay: 6/10
The game's capital sin. And it's not even the linear gameplay. Actually, I can't picture the game outside the linear path on the beggining. It serves as a tutorial (Was still getting the hand on some of the gameplay mechanics by the time I got to Gran Pulse) and as a way to tell the story without having players to create ramdom story paradoxes or curve from the path that needed to go, that really differs depending on the character(They split sometime after Chap. 3). Nor it is the gameplay mechanic that, although a little messy, it is somewhat rewarding and innovative. If you guess it's the Crystarium], wrong again. I mean, FFX had the Sphere Grid](And mostly linear gameplay also, mind you) and it's regarded as one of the best JRPGs for the Playstation 2. No, it's the upgrading system, which takes 3 points off because of so bad it is. Well, in short words, you kill bad guys, get remains of his dead body (IE components) and use 'em to upgrade your WEAPON and your ACCESSORIES. I mean, really? There are dozens of weapons, and the accessory number goes over 30, and you are suggesting I upgrade em?Goddamn you, Square-Enix.
Story: 10/10
This is the most beautiful and engaging story I have ever seen. Annoying chars? The hell they are! They are realistic, for once in FF games. The main protagonist isn't an emo that fights so that he doesn't have to cry for it oh-so-terrible past. These characters have issues. Have personality. Are different. Unique. And so is the story. Do yourself a favor, and play the game for the story. If you don't get emotional in the game's last scene, you are a psicopath.Replayability: 8/10
The whole story is going to net you 50+ hours without doing a speed-run. If you are going for a platinum, that's another 50+ hours. If you are going skyhigh, getting a perfect save is gonna cost you 300h tops! And there is no necessity to grind if you're going to just complete the story. Isn't it good when you notice you have reached ~50h on a game without killing an enemy over and over again? \o/Overall: 7+6+8+10+10=41/50=
[HEADING=1]8.2[/HEADING]
This is, by far, one of the best games I've played on the PS3. It ain't perfect, and by no means is the best Final Fantasy ever to grace humanity, but it's over-the-top story, simple-yet-complex gameplay and graphics that surpasses anything you have ever seen, this hidden pearl is one of review's biggest mistakes. If you don't feel like buying it because you don't believe me, at least rent it. Please. For the sake of your mind, a good non-anime story will do good for your head.
