Zero Punctuation: Final Fantasy XIII
- Thread starter Yahtzee Croshaw
- Start date
As with most FF games I can remember, the advertising is all about the pre-rendered cinematics, never the actual gameplay. This, alone, is what makes me shy away from so many games. When their major selling point is how pretty & shiny the wrapping is only to find the game inside is blocky, klunky, and more often than not the same pixellated stuff one's seen in countless other JRPGs (granted, the newer ones look nicer, but still...) it's just not for me. Same goes for non-JRPGs, too.
Bravo to Yahtzee for toughing it out for the 5 hours that he did. That's 6 more than I'd have devoted to it.
Bravo to Yahtzee for toughing it out for the 5 hours that he did. That's 6 more than I'd have devoted to it.
Ahhh, that review reminded me of just about ever other 'epic' game of film produced within the last three or four years.
For some reason no one seems to understand that the audience/gamers would actually quite like a plot that doesn't need much extra effort to make sense. It's like the writers were trying to show off to one another.
For some reason no one seems to understand that the audience/gamers would actually quite like a plot that doesn't need much extra effort to make sense. It's like the writers were trying to show off to one another.
Yeah, frankly, I didn't even expect Yahtzee to bother with this. We all knew from the get-go he doesn't like JRPGs, so I figure getting it out of the way in as little effort as possible, while cheap, does count as a tickmark next to that box.
On the other hand, it's good to get some insight to the fact that he HAS played JRPGs in the past, and even enjoyed some. There seems to be the opinion that Yahtzee hates JRPGs out of some genetic disposition, or perhaps his mum was shouted at by one once. I didn't cotton to that, frankly, as I figure the man usually comes up with proper reasons for not liking, and a reason-less dislike seemed a bit out of character.
So, had you continued, Mr. 'Tzee, you'd have ended up discovering (as I have 20 hours down the line) that the only really relate-able and likable character is the black guy, Sazh. He's the only one who seems to have a sense of self-preservation, a rather obvious conflict over the choices he makes, and a simple, yet "makes sense" past to explain his motivations.
Like I said, 20 hours in, haven't even touched down on the "world at large", yet, so maybe my opinions will change once the game decides to give some flavor to the bland characters.
On the other hand, it's good to get some insight to the fact that he HAS played JRPGs in the past, and even enjoyed some. There seems to be the opinion that Yahtzee hates JRPGs out of some genetic disposition, or perhaps his mum was shouted at by one once. I didn't cotton to that, frankly, as I figure the man usually comes up with proper reasons for not liking, and a reason-less dislike seemed a bit out of character.
So, had you continued, Mr. 'Tzee, you'd have ended up discovering (as I have 20 hours down the line) that the only really relate-able and likable character is the black guy, Sazh. He's the only one who seems to have a sense of self-preservation, a rather obvious conflict over the choices he makes, and a simple, yet "makes sense" past to explain his motivations.
Like I said, 20 hours in, haven't even touched down on the "world at large", yet, so maybe my opinions will change once the game decides to give some flavor to the bland characters.
I gotta say i am that noone has mentioned Yahtzee likeing a final fantasy yet. Besides that little revelation it was a pretty good epsisode and he did not have to say "Like God of War but" at all.
Edit ninjad.=p
Edit ninjad.=p
I played for 30 hours, because I was really anticipating the game and oddly I enjoyed it, I intend to complete it too, someday.
But even I would be lying if I were to say that Yahtzee got most if not all points right on the money on this one.
Although I would've preferred an opinion built up on a worthwhile amount of time spent with the game.
Granted he hasn't got the time in a week for the full 50+ hour experience but somewhere between 10 and 15 hours would've been reasonable.
As for the exposition:
Yes I am aware it's in the game manual and the datalogs, but that doesn't excuse a lack of in-story exposition on the matter.
But even I would be lying if I were to say that Yahtzee got most if not all points right on the money on this one.
Although I would've preferred an opinion built up on a worthwhile amount of time spent with the game.
Granted he hasn't got the time in a week for the full 50+ hour experience but somewhere between 10 and 15 hours would've been reasonable.
As for the exposition:
Yes I am aware it's in the game manual and the datalogs, but that doesn't excuse a lack of in-story exposition on the matter.
I've reached Chapter 11 where the gameplay is supposed to have gotten better and, much like the fountain of youth or holy grail, haven't found it. If I can beat this game it'll be out of spite but I've been having more fun with a recently acquired copy of Final Fantasy III for the DS
Well, I'm still playing the game, but I agree, it takes a lot of conscious effort to make yourself go through the first few hours because every single character is unlikable at that point (with the possible exception of the chocobo chick) and the important story bits are held back far too long. Seeing how Yahtzee has a less-than-sunny predisposition for this genre I can't really blame him for tossing the disc out the window after 5 hours, especially considering all the Mana Bar business.
Eh I got damn far into this game (36 hours) and well what I played I enjoyed being a fan of turn based combat but when the bosses health started shooting into the mid hundred thousands the first warning light started beeping in the back of my mind.
Then when the bosses got passed 1 mil I started finding the boss fights mighty tedious.
Finally when the generic mobs started having over half a million hp and had spells to reduce my damage output to nigh on nil (I'm looking a you vetala) my interest disappeared.
Now I'm playing a much more satisfying game, namely Tatsunoko vs. Capcom
Then when the bosses got passed 1 mil I started finding the boss fights mighty tedious.
Finally when the generic mobs started having over half a million hp and had spells to reduce my damage output to nigh on nil (I'm looking a you vetala) my interest disappeared.
Now I'm playing a much more satisfying game, namely Tatsunoko vs. Capcom