I didn't like the intro sequence for the game, it was like watching a trailer for the game and I was seeing CG cutscenes of events that looked cool but didn't happen yet and as such was being spoiled. The first chapter of the game is the demo I imported over a year ago, so I actually played the first hour which felt rather monotonous. I kept telling myself, gotta get through this because I want to see more of the game. I'm not judging it by the demo. Firstly the cutscenes at 1080p on the PS3 are gorgeous. Flat out beautiful. Visually in-game, I have honestly seen better this generation. Now, I'm holding back complete judgment until I see more locales. I'm still stuck in cocoon. Basically imagine living in a floating world above the real world. That floating world is a contained world I'm waiting till I bust down the boarded up windows before I completely judge the visuals. In-game however square, maybe its Nomura, but holy crap… some of the worst character models ever. This dude with blue hair popped up and I was like… really… really that's a guy? The dialogue is rather poor too, very cheesy… like too cheesy.
The game definitely does not start until about the 3rd hour in. I heard that from a local friend of friend who I was talking to about FF13, he was 55 hrs in and basically said after the 3rd hour is when the game starts. So I committed myself to making it to that 3rd hour, which by my estimation is the start of chapter 3. That is where I'm at right now and as of this moment I actually really just want to go home and play. However that being said… the game is incredibly linear. (So far) We'll see how it stacks up when the side quests open up. Like FF10 was linear but the storyline was more engaging from the get-go and the world felt more open. Part of the problem I think is I'm still in cocoon. So it really feels claustrophobic, but think about that notion… if that's the intent, the game is doing a good job of presenting it. But in respect to how the game plays, its like playing an action/adventure game that is a pseudo RPG. Especially for the first 2 chapters. Everything is laid out for you, you save/shop at the save points. You don't even need to press buttons to interact with NPC's. You walk up to them and they say stuff, its like a censor, so when you pass by you can over hear talk or stop and listen. It's cool, but I'd rather these NPC's just be talking and you hear the chatter nonstop. Its just the thought of pushing that little thing… further.
In respect to its linearity is you'll only miss treasure chests based on if you don't explore the area entirely. Everything is laid out for you, I haven't encountered anything too nefarious yet, again too early in the game. But that's the first 2 chapters. It's not till after a sequence of events that you unlock the game's sphere grid and really then you realize you've only been playing half the game. Actually that's a lie too because I still have to unlock the summons and how to upgrade weapons. So really I'm still playing half the game, I really want to upgrade my weapons, I want to grind. However there is no leveling up in this game.
Everything is based on the sphere grid, you just learn abilities and HP increases, etc. Based on points you accumulate during battle. The weapons themselves require EXP, but I don't know how you level the weapons yet. Battles are all contained from what I can tell. By that I mean what happens in the battle stays in the battle. You auto-heal after a battle is over. There is an auto-battle in the game too, so its like FF12 with the gambits. In FF12 you could be in a intense battle but if you set up your gambits properly which was a way you could let your characters auto-play. Literally you could take a shit be fighting omega weapon and if you were setup properly come back and you would've won. 13 isn't like that, auto-battle does stuff for you, its like this game is for newbie's. I'm not saying the battles are completely unsatisfying, but if you know how to play a FF, you then start to play the battle based on tactics. Based on how the system is, like 90% of the last hour or so of my battles were all pre-emptive attacks which you can setup if you do properly. One thing that's bugging me is how you make money… you don't get gil from the battles as far as I can tell. So I'm dirt poor in this game. I'm just relying on potion drops from enemies, etc. Anyway you do a lot more inputting during a battle than 12 is what I'm getting at. But I just learned about paradigm shift which is controlling your NPC's. That's another thing, you only ever control 1 person. Everything else is automatic. Basically watch your HP and hit auto-battle so far. So when I said the battles were contained, whatever you go into battle with is how you prepared before you got into the battle. The menu is your friend for setting up, equipping, etc. The strategy guide helps here because it lists out great roles you can have your characters play and if you utilize the guide early, you can build a powerhouse team. Which I always like to do, if I'm not cheating via gameshark. The moment I find a place to grind, I'm going to do it for HOURS.
Overall, it doesn't feel like there is enough in the game and knowing what I know without spoiling, it seems like that will not change. I'll know after I complete the game. I think I can do it within a couple weeks if I stay the course. The game is playable and fun but only once you hit the start of chapter 3. It's like them spoon feeding you bits as you always have to relearn a FF in some ways.
One thing that's bugging me is presentation of the story. You get dropped in this semi-war of what's going on in the world and they explain some bits of it. But are more focused on showing emotion from the characters as to why they're battling, you don't get told nothing. Instead you have to go into the menu and access the data log to read shit. Which I hate, but I find myself doing because I want to know what the hell is going on. Here's part of the problem though, this supposedly emotional stuff with these characters is happening but I can't connect with them based on I have no clue what's going on. I'm controlling them, I'm pressing X to attack, I'm healing them cause I want them to survive, I'm steering them to their destination. But why? So I press triangle to get into the menu and access the data log. The presentation is poor. If the game had started off with a simple "Once upon a time in a galaxy far far away…" hell make it a 20min CG scene, at least it would look pretty and I would know what's going on. Instead I feel like I'm studying. So I got this action/adventure game, then the pseudo RPG elements to make it seem RPG, then I'm reading, then you throw in the odd cutscene and there you have a Final Fantasy. Thinking back on it now, didn't reading crap in FF really pick up in 8, with all the SEED's and the schools? I can't remember how 9 was, other than 9 was really fun because it was old school.
But there you have it, I'm into the 3rd chapter… and I know how many chapters are in the game. So they have a lot to do to sell me this storyline yet. AND… and if this game is as linear as I'm feeling, then if this game wasn't an RPG. What if it was just more action/adventure with controlling NPC's in a different leveling system, maybe tightened to be more condensed. How long would this game really be? That's what I'm thinking right now in respect to the experience Square Enix is trying to give me. They removed the towns, I'm shopping at a save point… what else is lacking? To that extent what is changed and added as well? But right now it feels like I'm playing a Ninja Gaiden or a god of war type of action/adventure but with pseudo RPG elements. And if you're going to present me with a straight linear game, I know some better titles out there. But really, game does not start until chapter 3. Literally since that's the case… they should've treated the initial presentation better. Led into it more, than pow show the title of the game after 3 hrs of gameplay.
So that's where I'm at, I will definitely finish this one. I am liking it, it is fun where I'm at right now. I'm staying open to it, I like the sphere grid because I loved FF10. The battle system is like 12 but more refined with the active time system, so I don't hate it like 12. 12 was more MMO really. I don't mind the single character control, its simplistic but I think the management will kick in once I learn about upgrades, summons, etc. I think the meat of it will be outside the battles and in the menu. I feel as though I've set up a temporary tent in the menu, I'm in line ready to learn and want to. I think what might be missing and this is far off speculation, but Final Fantasy is losing its mysticism. Yes we have the fantasized worlds, but not since 9 have I felt the old school. 10 was simple yes, but fun in respect to the sphere grid and characters were awesome, I felt invested due to the presentation. I get what 13 is trying to do. However I also see the change Square Enix did and it feels more… lazy though. Like the reasons for the change are lazy ones. Like we can't do HD towns because its too hard. Again only about 3 hrs or so in. I started at
10:30pm, stopped at about 1:30am close to 2am I think. But yes, the game is curious based on what I said above… if they made FF to be a non-RPG. But more an action/adventure with the pseudo RPG stuff and it being a really tight 12-17hr investment. It's a strange though, but I see change in 13 so far. Its like I said game feels like it just started so I'm on the cusp of where I slightly anticipate things and am open to what comes. Again the game could change when the side quests open up.
Anyway, how's that for first impressions!
