Final Fantasy 13

Final Fantasy 13 Review

The key features about Final Fantasy XIII game from Square Enix is the diverse set of interesting characters linked together in an interesting plot and engaging combat system along with amazing graphics of original world. The most important point about Final Fantasy 13 which is the latest version of the most reputed series of role-playing games is the impressive visual effects and tactical prototype system.

Final Fantasy XIII is available in both Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions. The game play is very good with turn-based battles against groups of fantastic creatures along with detailed story sequences similar to movies. But this game lacks the nonlinear adventure and sense of grand of usual RPG games which makes it different previous versions of Final Fantasy game. The story is very grand in this long-role playing game with exceptionally linear adventure and several illusions of choice. The battle system is very engaging and keeps you moving forward through the plot but gets slow during second half.

The cocky hero named Snow who leads the ragtag and bobtail group of rebels in Cocoon is the key character in the plot of Final Fantasy XIII. Another key role is the strong-willed, amiable beauty Lightning with a mission to save her sister who is helped by Sazh Katzroy, a kind-hearted gentleman and former pilot. Ultimately, four other characters join hands with this duo through a sequence of dramatic events to achieve the seemingly impossible target. The diverse cast makes the game play very interesting and keeps you occupied. The only character which is annoying is Vanille, a stupid waif with its sickening monosyllabic chirps and a bubbly voice.

As always, the plot is based on two worlds namely the Pulse and Cocoon where Pulse is a freaky and evil world and Cocoon is the dwelling place of good people. The two worlds are designed beautifully with Pulse being the dangerous underworld while Cocoon remains as the beautifully designed, crystalline, high-tech world which floats above Pulse. The finely molded buildings and advanced machinery are predominant in urban background with great attention to detail which is eye-catching. The decorative patterns spreading across the walls, the latticework on the fences and complex networks of planks and pipes makes the visual effects really attractive.

The music of the game which has been the hallmark of Final Fantasy series from Square Enix Corporation is also excellent in Final Fantasy XIII. The music composer Masashi Hamauzu has turned a beautiful score with blood-pumping melodies for battle scenes and interesting sounds during introduction of every character. Thought the game still remains cartoony, the pleasure comes from interesting character design with two worlds along with group of monstrous creatures. The visual effects have both variety and colors, moving between futuristic cities and wonderful natural environments. Through a sequence of up roaring misunderstanding and intrigues by evil characters, the six heroes of the plot are led to fight constantly wherever they go.

In earlier versions of game, the players could explore leisurely by searching through new locations and towns, talking with new people and buying equipments then and there before getting into a battle. But in Final Fantasy XIII, the exit of every battle directly linked to entrance of another battle without any chance for the player to slow down and play the game at their own pace. There is no time for relaxing in between fights and there is no fun of rising and falling action like earlier games. This is what makes RPG games to feel like epic journeys and makes them enjoyable but that feature is missing in this game. The game play is stretched and takes lot of time to ramp up. The ATB (Active Time Battle) system of Final Fantasy XIII has some fundamental flaws with some turn-based battles for thirty to forty hours which makes you irritated and you start avoiding battles just for reaching the chapter’s end.

In Final Fantasy XIII, you can control only one character at a time and remaining characters will be controlled by the computer. Fighting involves selecting actions from the menu and watching the character execute those actions increasing your hit points. Once the game goes to further levels, complexity of playing is increased making it more interesting. It takes more than 20 hours to reach this stage, and initial part of game is somewhat boring. Once you enter the world of Pulse with more tubes and small winding caterpillars everywhere with beautiful geography, you will start liking the game.

Overall, Final Fantasy XIII is an amicable game for any hard core gamer with its amazing graphics, mind blowing music, expressive movie sequences and an interesting battle system.

Final Fantasy 13 Information

Game: Final Fantasy XIII
Developer: Square Enix PDD 1
Publisher: Square Enix
Genre: RPG
Medium: Blu-ray Disc (Playstation 3), 3 DVD-DL (Xbox 360)
Platform: Playstation 3, Xbox 360

Final Fantasy 13 Release Date

Japan: 17 December 2009 (Playstation 3)
USA: 9 March 2010 (Playstation 3, Xbox 360)
Europe: 9 March 2010 (Playstation 3, Xbox 360)
Australia: 9 March 2010 (Playstation 3, Xbox 360)

Latest Final Fantasy 13 News

» Final Fantasy Versus XIII and Agito XIII Leaked Trailer!
» Final Fantasy XIII outside Japan
» Final Fantasy XIII releases in Japan, launch images
» Leona Lewis in Final Fantasy XIII on March 9!
» Once again, the TGS 2009 Final Fantasy XIII trailer!
» New characters and summons in Final Fantasy XIII
» Yet more images from Final Fantasy XIII
» TGS09: Final Fantasy XIII developer walkthrough
» TGS09: Lightning Edition PlayStation 3
» Final Fantasy XIII's 'Optima System'

Final Fantasy 13 Box Arts

Playstation 3
	Japan	USA	Europe


Xbox 360
	USA	Europe

[Top]