Final Fantasy XIII Thread

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by Devils'Advocate

That's about where I'm at right now... he just poisoned and killed Cyan's country, killing Cyan's family and everyone else he knew.

I think it will be a while before I get to 13 (as mentioned previously in this thread I started with 1 and am building my way to 13). I think I'll skip 11 since I don't want to pay for online time, but will play X-2 instead.

The whole Cyan part is great. You're coming up to some great parts.

Another reason why I liked the older ones is they had WAY more characters and stories. FF3/6 has what, 14 playable characters? 12 with full histories.

And the parties were bigger too (until FF121 came along) You could run with four characters, FIVE in FF2/4. Made for some epic battles and interesting stratgies. Not just three characters running around together.

[I_H8_Crawford]

Originally Posted by Daradon

+1 to you and Lithium.

Kefka was the best villian in FF. And that laugh ROCKED!!!

Seph was maybe 2nd.

I can't believe so many people loved 7 and 10. I was quite disappointed with them. Again nothing against that, just finding out where I stand.

2/4 and 3/6 were my masterpieces. And I loved 12, which I'm beginning to sense I'm in the minority for.

As well, to the one who recommended a different series to me, I do agree that FF is generally very linear and I am beginning to like other less linear titles. But I just love the franchise so no worries there. But you are right, there are lots of other series that play differently.

I guess I just grew up in the 2D era and was used to being able to walk everywhere (even if you did get attacked a lot for doing it) and when they first made the transition to better graphics, it took out all the exploring and talking I liked.

I played FFI and was hooked. When FF 2(NA) came out for the SNES it was the first game I ever bought for that system.. loved that game, still do, and if you haven't yet, you should pick up the DS remake of it - brand new strategies and graphics - just fantastic.

FF III (6) was classic, and if Square were ever to do a remake with PS3 graphics of a game, that would be my choice - just imagine the Opera Scene with Locke/Celes for instance.

I also enjoyed 7, hated 8, never really got into 9, X was amazing, X-2 meh, I avoided XI, and once I got into XII it was OK, but definitely not memorable, I cannot even tell you what the plot was anymore.

[Lithium]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

I also enjoyed 7, hated 8, never really got into 9, X was amazing, X-2 meh, I avoided XI, and once I got into XII it was OK, but definitely not memorable, I cannot even tell you what the plot was anymore.

Plot in XII didn't matter when there were sexy bunny girls that spoke with accents?

I found 9 had a lot of potential that it failed to live up to, the characters weren't really that like-able. Going back to the medieval setting was really nice to see however.

I just picked up FF13 today, visually it looks amazing, but Square hasn't really wow'd me on a game since FF6 and Chrono Trigger.

[CokeMachineGlow]

just got my ps3 .. anything I shgoudl know about it like home brew for wii? Any cool mods etc that are free or Stuff like that?

[The Yen Man]

Hmm, having plowed through 14 hours of this game this past weekend, I must say I enjoy the paradigm system a lot more than the FF12 battle system (I forgot what they called it).

[czure32]

I was hoping to play FF13 this weekend, but I havent received it in teh post yet.
speaking of FF12:

[CubicleGeek]

Originally Posted by The Yen Man

Hmm, having plowed through 14 hours of this game this past weekend, I must say I enjoy the paradigm system a lot more than the FF12 battle system (I forgot what they called it).

At first I was really on the fence with the combat system, but after getting used to it I must say I really prefer this over the conventionaly system of choosing discrete actions for all your party members. In general, the party members are smart enough to do what they are supposed to do.

My biggest gripe is the buff/debuff order - i really don't like how the AI fully buffs one character (or debuffs one monster) rather than spread it out. For some hard hitting monsters, it would really help to buff physical defense to all party members first before other buffs let's say.

This levelling system is quite similar to FFX, which I quite liked as well.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

I played FFI and was hooked. When FF 2(NA) came out for the SNES it was the first game I ever bought for that system.. loved that game, still do, and if you haven't yet, you should pick up the DS remake of it - brand new strategies and graphics - just fantastic.

FF III (6) was classic, and if Square were ever to do a remake with PS3 graphics of a game, that would be my choice - just imagine the Opera Scene with Locke/Celes for instance.

I also enjoyed 7, hated 8, never really got into 9, X was amazing, X-2 meh, I avoided XI, and once I got into XII it was OK, but definitely not memorable, I cannot even tell you what the plot was anymore.

Yeah I played 1 as well. I've also played 5 which was originally Jap only but came out later on the PS in the bundle packs.

I can't really pick up the DS remake of 2/4 as I don't have a DS... But like I said, I have it on PS anyway.

I avoided XI as well. Only recently played X-2 which I found very easy, but a nice trip down memory lane. It was also more obviously geared towards female gamers but I didn't mind that terribly.

Yeah I think people here are right, there was more drama and fun in 3/6 compared to 2/4. The earlier one is still my fave of the two though because it was such a leap when it came out. Really not much like it at the time. Also, I preferred the combat in it because you could have up to five on your side at once, it seemed to be more difficult (IE a lot of bosses had to be figured out, instead of just throwing everything you had at them) and the characters specialties were all different. IE you had a fighter, a ninja, different types of mages. You had to play to their sterengths and specialties much more. Instead of 3/6 where everyone ends up using the ultima spell at the end and it gets kind of boring. I mean people did have different specialties, but they kind of lose it's importance when magic/espers gets introduced into the party.

[jeremywilhelm]

FF2 opened my eyes to what story telling could be in a game. FF3 took that even farther, it showed that it was possible for a game to be written as well as a book.

FF7 showed me that it was definitely possible to become emotionally attached to characters in a game (wow, that sounds super lame), like I do when reading a good book.

After 7 I thought the series got a little weak, I liked 10 but just couldn't make myself fully commit the time to finishing it, the characters were annoying and the story was just ok.

12 was really weak, stopped playing it after 8 hours because I just couldn't get into the story and the characters were meh.

13 has been interesting. I am 13 hours in now, the game is opening up (a little) I actually don't mind the linearity of the game so far. There is a story and the FF team is trying to unfold it at a certain pace. I don't mind the fact that I am not required to grind for hours just to be able to make it through the next part of the story (which was always a truly annoying thing for me when I played the other FFs, although it was strangely satisfying when characters would level up). The graphics in this game are by the far the best I have ever seen in any game.

Dislikes would have to be the characters, beyond Lightning, I find the characters and their interactions to be willfully obtuse, the character names are annoyingly stupid, the story for the first 5 hours is absolutely nonsensical, and the blaxplotation of the only colored character in the game is overly ridiculous.

It's like the FF team wanted to come up with a bunch of grand words, L'cie, Pulse L'cie, Fal'cie, blah blah blah, and then just throw the words in your face, at an almost suffocating pace, with little to no explanation.

Fal'cie are bad, no wait, thats just a pulse fal'cie, and the L'cie are bad, but what about l'cie from the Cocoon Fal'cie, and Pulse has it's own people and army, but pulse is a hostile wasteland, blurgh....

anywho, thats just my thoughts as of being near 13 hours in and still kind of confused about what the ffffk is going on.

[PowerPlayoffs06]

This is the first Final Fantasy game I've played. Aside from this, the only other game of this style I've tried was Lost Odyssey which I think I much preferred so far. Im only about 10 hours in, and the game has been super easy up till now. Suddenly I'm faced with battleing this thing that looks like the Bulbasaur pokemon that constantly whips my ass no matter what I do. Even with that stupid Eidolon pony thing I can't seem to get the thing staggered. ONE TIME I managed to do it and then summoned the pony guy and even with his help only got the boss to 1/2 life. After that I was screwed and looking at a good 30 minute battle to try and empty out the last half of his health bar until he two-shotted me and I gave up.

I think it's totally ######ed how the game has tutorials for every little thing except what seems to be one of the most important features of the game, the controls for fighting while in gestalt mode. Suddenly the controls are totally different and it gives zero explaination of them. The button combos, the red needle gauge thing, action chains with the Eidolon... none of it.

I agree that the characters totally act willfully obtuse, and all the terminology with fal'cie an l'cie and whatever else left me staggeringly confused and assuming it was because I was just new to the franchise. Apparently that's not the case.

If they're going to have the game play out in a completely linear fashion, on completely linear maps, they shouldn't have achievements or systems like the crystalarium and upgrading which require you to run back and forth along the line they've laid out to grind XP and items. Seriously, achievement to take 10,000 steps on the lower world? You'd have to just run around in circles over and over and over to do that. I checked every nook and cranny for treasure-ball things but apparently still didn't take enough steps to unlock that.

My biggest issue is only having control of one character, and if that one character gets defeated, it's game over, even if I have multiple other party members with full health. What the hell sense does that make?

I'm not impressed at all by my first venture into the fabled and much lauded Final Fantasy universe.

[I_H8_Crawford]

Originally Posted by Daradon

Yeah I played 1 as well. I've also played 5 which was originally Jap only but came out later on the PS in the bundle packs.

I can't really pick up the DS remake of 2/4 as I don't have a DS... But like I said, I have it on PS anyway.

I avoided XI as well. Only recently played X-2 which I found very easy, but a nice trip down memory lane. It was also more obviously geared towards female gamers but I didn't mind that terribly.

Yeah I think people here are right, there was more drama and fun in 3/6 compared to 2/4. The earlier one is still my fave of the two though because it was such a leap when it came out. Really not much like it at the time. Also, I preferred the combat in it because you could have up to five on your side at once, it seemed to be more difficult (IE a lot of bosses had to be figured out, instead of just throwing everything you had at them) and the characters specialties were all different. IE you had a fighter, a ninja, different types of mages. You had to play to their sterengths and specialties much more. Instead of 3/6 where everyone ends up using the ultima spell at the end and it gets kind of boring. I mean people did have different specialties, but they kind of lose it's importance when magic/espers gets introduced into the party.

Honestly - find a DS emulator if you can and play through FF IV on it - everything was updated including all of the strategies - haha Milon kicked my ass a couple of times until I figured it out.

What I will always remember about IV was Rubicante - he is actually one of my favorite villains because I remember the first time I fought him it was so epic. And the fact he was noble and would heal you first, haha.

[showtime]

Originally Posted by PowerPlayoffs06

This is the first Final Fantasy game I've played. Aside from this, the only other game of this style I've tried was Lost Odyssey which I think I much preferred so far. Im only about 10 hours in, and the game has been super easy up till now. Suddenly I'm faced with battleing this thing that looks like the Bulbasaur pokemon that constantly whips my ass no matter what I do. Even with that stupid Eidolon pony thing I can't seem to get the thing staggered. ONE TIME I managed to do it and then summoned the pony guy and even with his help only got the boss to 1/2 life. After that I was screwed and looking at a good 30 minute battle to try and empty out the last half of his health bar until he two-shotted me and I gave up.

I think it's totally ######ed how the game has tutorials for every little thing except what seems to be one of the most important features of the game, the controls for fighting while in gestalt mode. Suddenly the controls are totally different and it gives zero explaination of them. The button combos, the red needle gauge thing, action chains with the Eidolon... none of it.

I agree that the characters totally act willfully obtuse, and all the terminology with fal'cie an l'cie and whatever else left me staggeringly confused and assuming it was because I was just new to the franchise. Apparently that's not the case.

If they're going to have the game play out in a completely linear fashion, on completely linear maps, they shouldn't have achievements or systems like the crystalarium and upgrading which require you to run back and forth along the line they've laid out to grind XP and items. Seriously, achievement to take 10,000 steps on the lower world? You'd have to just run around in circles over and over and over to do that. I checked every nook and cranny for treasure-ball things but apparently still didn't take enough steps to unlock that.

My biggest issue is only having control of one character, and if that one character gets defeated, it's game over, even if I have multiple other party members with full health. What the hell sense does that make?

I'm not impressed at all by my first venture into the fabled and much lauded Final Fantasy universe.

What's the name of the boss? Their shoudnt be anything overly difficult like you're saying. Whats your strategy been?

First time you summon, you're given a tutorial on how the system works. I'm sure you can look it up in the database as well.

The game opens up a ton once you get to Chapter 12. I agree that its completely linear until then which is incredibly disappointing. The one character system is good I like it. If your one character keeps dying its definitely a strategy problem.

[Human Torch]

Originally Posted by showtime

What's the name of the boss? Their shoudnt be anything overly difficult like you're saying. Whats your strategy been?

First time you summon, you're given a tutorial on how the system works. I'm sure you can look it up in the database as well.

The game opens up a ton once you get to Chapter 12. I agree that its completely linear until then which is incredibly disappointing. The one character system is good I like it. If your one character keeps dying its definitely a strategy problem.

If that's the same boss I'm thinking of it changes elemental weaknesses/strengths based on colour. I think every jrpg has a boss like that. When he adapts you have to adapt as well.

[Rhyme]

Originally Posted by PowerPlayoffs06

This is the first Final Fantasy game I've played. Aside from this, the only other game of this style I've tried was Lost Odyssey which I think I much preferred so far. Im only about 10 hours in, and the game has been super easy up till now. Suddenly I'm faced with battleing this thing that looks like the Bulbasaur pokemon that constantly whips my ass no matter what I do. Even with that stupid Eidolon pony thing I can't seem to get the thing staggered. ONE TIME I managed to do it and then summoned the pony guy and even with his help only got the boss to 1/2 life. After that I was screwed and looking at a good 30 minute battle to try and empty out the last half of his health bar until he two-shotted me and I gave up.

I think I just played that boss last night. You have to be sure to use Libra to check out its elemental weakness because it will change up frequently. After you've Libra'd it, the AI should figure out its element weakness and make things easier. Also be sure to have Protect/Shell on your characters and heal immediately after it does the spinning leaf attack.

One thing to note about chaining that isn't completely obvious is that your spells (i.e. ravager) will fill the chain gauge fast but it will dissipate faster as well. You have to mix a ravager and commando to build the gauge as commando slow down the gauge's dissipation. Also if you're spending too much time healing, try to equip the accessories that provide 20% resist on elemental attacks.

Nerd out.

[PowerPlayoffs06]

Originally Posted by showtime

What's the name of the boss? Their shoudnt be anything overly difficult like you're saying. Whats your strategy been?

First time you summon, you're given a tutorial on how the system works. I'm sure you can look it up in the database as well.

The game opens up a ton once you get to Chapter 12. I agree that its completely linear until then which is incredibly disappointing. The one character system is good I like it. If your one character keeps dying its definitely a strategy problem.

Up until this one battle the only reason I've died is because I was cocky and didn't bother healing thinking, "I've got this before I die..." but was wrong. =P

It's the Aster Protoflorian thing at (I assume) the end of Chapter 5.

The first thing I also do is the Libra deal to expose it's stats and weaknesses.

I've tried going straight for the stagger, doing a round as Commando/Ravager then Ravager/Ravager to try and fill up the bar then switching back to Commando when possible to keep the bar from falling too rapidly but the thing does too much damage and I have to switch into a Medic mode and usually the stagger meter resets by the time I come out of that.

I've also tried buffing up by having Hope go Synergist for the first couple rounds too, but that doesn't seem to help much at all.

[Rhyme]

^^

Sounds like you did nearly the exact same thing I did, though I found Hope's protect, shell, barfire, barschock(?) were helpful. Maybe the chain gauge drops because Lightning doesn't get a physical attack in before you switch to healing. Maybe set-up a paradigm where Hope does the healing and Lightning continues with the physical attack.

[showtime]

Originally Posted by PowerPlayoffs06

Up until this one battle the only reason I've died is because I was cocky and didn't bother healing thinking, "I've got this before I die..." but was wrong. =P

It's the Aster Protoflorian thing at (I assume) the end of Chapter 5.

The first thing I also do is the Libra deal to expose it's stats and weaknesses.

I've tried going straight for the stagger, doing a round as Commando/Ravager then Ravager/Ravager to try and fill up the bar then switching back to Commando when possible to keep the bar from falling too rapidly but the thing does too much damage and I have to switch into a Medic mode and usually the stagger meter resets by the time I come out of that.

I've also tried buffing up by having Hope go Synergist for the first couple rounds too, but that doesn't seem to help much at all.

Use supersolider to get your buffs up and build the chain gauge. At the start use Libra like you've been doing. Once your buffs are up (If you have a whateverscope that you can use before battle that'd be a good idea then you can skip supersolider.)


Switch to Slash and Burn, once you have it around 25% staggered switch to Dualcaster to really up the chain gauge. Use War & Peace when necessary to keep your chain going and heal. Continue using potions, so you can stay in dualcaster as long as possible. Once staggered switch back to Slash and Burn. Lighting will launch from their. If you need healing while its staggered go back to War and Peace. Repeat till its dead.


(Spoiler Warning)

Wait till you get a bit father and face the Cocoon Fal-Cie, twenty minute battle just for him to wipe you instantly haha.

[Kerplunk]

Originally Posted by showtime

Use supersolider to get your buffs up and build the chain gauge. At the start use Libra like you've been doing. Once your buffs are up (If you have a whateverscope that you can use before battle that'd be a good idea then you can skip supersolider.)


Switch to Slash and Burn, once you have it around 25% staggered switch to Dualcaster to really up the chain gauge. Use War & Peace when necessary to keep your chain going and heal. Continue using potions, so you can stay in dualcaster as long as possible. Once staggered switch back to Slash and Burn. Lighting will launch from their. If you need healing while its staggered go back to War and Peace. Repeat till its dead.

That sounds about right for that boss. Buff first, heal to full, then go all out dual cast. Switch between as needed.

Originally Posted by showtime

Wait till you get a bit father and face the Cocoon Fal-Cie, twenty minute battle just for him to wipe you instantly haha.

THAT fight was bloody annoying.

[PowerPlayoffs06]

Finally beat the thing. I buffed up as suggested, then just stayed in Slash & Burn while chugging pots and switching to Yin & Yang when pots weren't cutting it. 5:36 battle and 4 stars. Maybe I was doing too much shifting before.

Thanks for the advice.

[The Yen Man]

Hmm, I'm on Chapter 11 now, and here's some of my impressions of the game so far.

1.) The linearity doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would. Maybe because I find the story to be pretty engaging. In fact, I was a little thrown off by the big expansive map in Chapter 11 after getting so used to the linearity. Now it feels like FF12.

2.) It really is too bad they don't have towns in this game. I think the world of Cocoon could be so much more fleshed out if they let us explore the towns. The one dream city, I forgot the name, it totally reminded me the Gold Saucer in FF7.

3.) I absolutely HATE the weapon / accessory level up thing. It basically takes the fun out of getting any new weapons, since the new weapons are crappier than my upgraded second weapon of the game. And after putting so much resources into upgrading, it'd be a waste to leave it by the wayside and start on another weapon. Thus, all the accumulated weapons are basically wasted.

4.) I do like the fact that every character gets crystal points even if you're not using them. One of my pet peeves with JRPGS are when idle characters don't get experience when you don't use them, and then when you have to use that character for a story driven part later on, they're so weak that you have to have your party protect the character all the time.