Is it worth it?

[Con Carne]

Okay, so I haven't really played a Final Fantasy game since the disappointment that was FF X-2.
I'm a little old school when it comes to my rpgs. I like point and click turn based combat with a compelling story. I know 13 isn't anything like the old games when it comes to the combat system, but I'm thinking it may time to broaden my horizons.
So Escapists....is Final Fantasy 13 actually worth it?
Give me your pros and cons.

 

[Chancie]

I haven't been able to try Final Fantasy XIII for myself yet but I don't see why not. I would suggest X, if not XIII, but since you played X-2, I'm assuming you played X too. So, the only one you've missed out on is XII...which is great but not for everyone.

Anyways, I'm totally beating around the bush here. If you want to try it, I say for it. It seems like a lot of people are really enjoying it, minus the "older" FF fans that can't see beyond FFVII and hate any FF that isn't like it (aka all).

 

[m.zajac]

Chances are if you can't tell for yourself, you won't enjoy it. Unless you are naive and easily persuaded by lots of people over the internet. Go with your gut.

 

[pantsoffdanceoff]

If you like JRPG turn based combat why are you still fooling around Final Fantasy? Go get Persona (where you can be jailbait for nurses!).

 

[elcamino41383]

Okay, so I haven't really played a Final Fantasy game since the disappointment that was FF X-2.
I'm a little old school when it comes to my rpgs. I like point and click turn based combat with a compelling story. I know 13 isn't anything like the old games when it comes to the combat system, but I'm thinking it may time to broaden my horizons.
So Escapists....is Final Fantasy 13 actually worth it?
Give me your pros and cons.

dude just wait till my bro beats it and ask if you can borrow it to see how you feel. lol. i'll be too busy with GoW3 to pick it up again. The little bit i actually played was fairly fun, i have to say.

 

[Axeli]

Okay, so I haven't really played a Final Fantasy game since the disappointment that was FF X-2.
I'm a little old school when it comes to my rpgs. I like point and click turn based combat with a compelling story. I know 13 isn't anything like the old games when it comes to the combat system, but I'm thinking it may time to broaden my horizons.
So Escapists....is Final Fantasy 13 actually worth it?
Give me your pros and cons.

It opens up slowly and you have to adjust yourself to the linearity, but it's quite good.

Honestly, the linearity isn't even bad if you are capable of enjoying the game for what it is, instead of getting a constant "Linearity? In an RPG? That's not how RPGs should be!" knee-jerk reaction.
Just try to remember all those times you had to fight twenty tedious random encounters to explore a maze-like open map to be rewarded with 5 potions for it, and enjoy a more streamlined JRPG.

 

[pirate64]

loving it so far. I personally think it's easier than some of the other games but it's still a strong game and I don't regret buying it.... not like A.V.P

 

[i2esol]

Pros: Beautiful story with detailed HD resolution. Combat is intuitive and requires quick thinking and reaction time. No more loading from saved games when you die, you can restart the fight. Characters are diverse and have their own stories. The FFX style leveling system makes a come-back, but with a more linear mode set in multiple class archetypes you can pick between.

Cons: Slow and linear for about two gameplay hours. Can become frustrating to find the one niche that the developers made for bosses. Lack of control on secondary characters and no quick-switch to switch to another party member. Characters often come off as too extreme with their emotions. Early gameplay often becomes chaotic and flipflops between two sets of stories trying desperately to tie them together. (The game really didnt make much sense within the first five hours).

 

[Axeli]

Pros: Beautiful story with detailed HD resolution. Combat is intuitive and requires quick thinking and reaction time. No more loading from saved games when you die, you can restart the fight. Characters are diverse and have their own stories. The FFX style leveling system makes a come-back, but with a more linear mode set in multiple class archetypes you can pick between.

Cons: Slow and linear for about two gameplay hours. Can become frustrating to find the one niche that the developers made for bosses. Lack of control on secondary characters and no quick-switch to switch to another party member. Characters often come off as too extreme with their emotions. Early gameplay often becomes chaotic and flipflops between two sets of stories trying desperately to tie them together. (The game really didnt make much sense within the first five hours).

To be fair, there's a fairly reasonable explanation for the extreme reactions the characters have

Spoiler

seeing how they all basically get the death penalty or worse in the beginning. They have only the options of fighting to destroy their own home and 'die' succeeding that (or die failing). Or then they can just sit down, give up and wait for death or turning into abominations.

That's for the first 7 chapters or so, anyway. I think it has gotten better from that, although I'm not too far from there... Really, the only thing that genuinely annoys me about the voices and writing is all that gasp-acting. Honestly, why do they have to loudly gasp in surprise, shock, relief, awe, etc. so often? It's not as bad as in FFX, but I really hope they would realize it sounds just silly when you overdo it.

 

[SwimmingRock]

If you like JRPG turn based combat why are you still fooling around Final Fantasy? Go get Persona (where you can be jailbait for nurses!).

I wouldn't consider the 'jailbait for nurses' Personas main selling point (Naoto fanboy myself), but this man speaks the truth. Persona > Final Fantasy; certainly for story.

However, based on its own merits rather than comparing to other games, I'd say FF13 was quite good. I felt some of the dungeons (areas?) were a bit too long, but the game's fun and has a decent story (albeit slightly clumsily told). Also, the battle system plays kind of like an amalgamation of Persona 3 and Xenosaga Epidose 2, which I rather like. It may not be your thing, but it's worth checking out.

 

[VonBrewskie]

Pros: Amazing Graphics, Very deep and involved battle system, New ideas in the FF universe, really engaging characters and a good story

Cons: Kind of linear, takes a good long while to get to a more traditional FF game, the opening enemies are pretty weak for a pretty good portion of the beginning of the game.