I have mixed opinions about FF XIII and the changes they made for it, combined with the very Japanese excuses like "Blu-ray is better, but is so awesome we can no longer make RPG cities in it" (WTF?) when questioned about certain things. That and touting more linearity than ever before as an "advantage".
That said I think it's mixed reviews are largely it being picked on for being a "Final Fantasy" game to be honest. Simply because a lot of the desicians fall under the catagory of dumbing it down/making it easier (or at least faster/more approachable). "Mass Effect 2" got rave reviews despite doing a lot of the same kinds of stuff for example.
That isn't to say it's perfect, but for all of it's flaws and such I don't think it's any worse than some other releases which received higher scores. Though I suppose it could be argued whether it was underrated, or they were overrated.
I also will say that I did indeed notice the missing fanfare, and other little details that are series trademarks. Really, I think someone needs to be bopped in the head at Square-Enix. None of this really detracts from the game itself, but it's stuff that should have been there.
That said I think it's mixed reviews are largely it being picked on for being a "Final Fantasy" game to be honest. Simply because a lot of the desicians fall under the catagory of dumbing it down/making it easier (or at least faster/more approachable). "Mass Effect 2" got rave reviews despite doing a lot of the same kinds of stuff for example.
That isn't to say it's perfect, but for all of it's flaws and such I don't think it's any worse than some other releases which received higher scores. Though I suppose it could be argued whether it was underrated, or they were overrated.
I also will say that I did indeed notice the missing fanfare, and other little details that are series trademarks. Really, I think someone needs to be bopped in the head at Square-Enix. None of this really detracts from the game itself, but it's stuff that should have been there.