Final Fantasy XIII

[Bobtheduck]

Um... While this looks lackluster (in realism) compared to other games out there, I'm sure that my lack of enthusiasm can slip away when I play it, but... I have to say... Gunblade? Anyhow, it looks interesting, but until some plot gets leaked, it's just vaguely pretty standard FF faire.

Ok, listen people


http://www.gametrailers.com Check out FFXIII, MGS4, and... Whatever else you want (anhilated empires looks interesting, though it's a PC game, and I don't feel like spending 1000 bucks for both a new processor and top of the line graphics card, thank you very much)

[Tommy]

The Gunblade made FFVIII cool and hopefully it will do the same for FFXIII.

[GrubbTheFragger]

The Gunblade made FFVIII

actually you should say it helped make it cooler because the story is what really sold FF8 (IMO) but anyways thats off topic. But the gunblade is like the coolest FF weapon

[Tommy]

No, the story made FFVIII an awesome game as well as character developement and battle system. HOWEVER, the Gunblade made it cool .

[GrubbTheFragger]

No, the story made FFVIII an awesome game as well as character developement and battle system. HOWEVER, the Gunblade made it cool .

Haha ok i gotcha anyways i can't wait for XIII it'll be another reason to buy a ps3

[Bobtheduck]

Well, Squeanix hasn't been faithfull to Sony recently, so this may be the first generation they go multi-system (not counting the lackluster PC editions of 7 and 8)

[Nate]

I'm still very wary of this game. The gameplay footage LOOKS cool, but I'm afraid that they're abandoning traditional turn based combat for good, in which case, I no longer care about Final Fantasy. It's too early to say. It was just footage, after all, we really know nothing about the combat system yet. But I'm very worried Final Fantasy is dead to me for good now.

[Bobtheduck]

FF previews almost NEVER show battle stuff, and this early in the game, they're probably developing characters and haven't done battle stuff yet...

[Gypsy]

I ... I just to play XII and not think about XIII yet.

[Arnobius]

There was always one problem with the Final Fantasy games...
http://www.flashplayer.com/animation/randombattles.html

[Bobtheduck]

I don't really consider that a problem... Except when I have to backtrack, hehe... But the random battles are a PART of the system, an inseperable component... It would definately be missing something without it. And that cartoon is very funny, but not as funny as the bonus features (Now we're going to make chococobo babies..." "That's INAPPROPRIATE!!!" not to mention the yuffie thing "And when you're asleep, I'll make sure to... steal your materia

[Arnobius]

I don't really consider that a problem... Except when I have to backtrack, hehe... But the random battles are a PART of the system, an inseperable component... It would definately be missing something without it. And that cartoon is very funny, but not as funny as the bonus features (Now we're going to make chococobo babies..." "That's INAPPROPRIATE!!!" not to mention the yuffie thing "And when you're asleep, I'll make sure to... steal your materia

Never tried the bonus material... didn't try the games needed to unlock them

[MasterDias]

I've never completely figured out why people complain a lot about random battles. Unless the encounter rate is very high or scores of weak enemies keep popping up and bogging the game down, I'm mostly fine with them, especially with a fun battle system. A number of RPG series now allow you to see the enemies on the map, but you are still going to have to fight a lot of them to keep your levels up to date.

But regardless...
SE has announced the teams that are going to work on the three FFXIII games:

Final Fantasy XIII, PlayStation 3

Producer: Yoshinori Kitase (Final Fantasy VIII, X, X-2, Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus)
Director: Matomu Toriyama (Final Fantasy VII, X, X-2)
Character designer: Tetsuya Nomura (Final Fantasy V - XII, X, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, Kingdom Hearts)
Art director: Isamu Kamikokuryou (Final Fantasy X, VIII)
Main programmer: Kazumi Kobayashi (Chrono Trigger, Xenogears, Chrono Cross, Final Fantasy XI)
Movie director: Eiji Fujii (Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, Final Fantasy XII)
Main theme composer: Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy series)
Composer: Masashi Hamauzu (Final Fantasy X, Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII)

Final Fantasy Versus XIII, PlayStation 3

Producer: Shinji Hashimoto (Kingdom Hearts series, Final Fantasy VII Advent Children)
Director and character designer: Tetsuya Nomura (Final Fantasy V - VIII, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, Kingdom Hearts)
Movie director: Takeshi Nozue (Final Fantasy IV, X, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, Kingdom Hearts)
Composer: Youko Shimomura (Parasite Eve, Seiken Densetsu: Legend of Mana, Kingdom Hearts)

Final Fantasy Agito XIII, cellphones

Producer: Yukimasa Itou (Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII)
Director: Hajime Tahata (Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII)
Character designer: Tetsuya Nomura (Final Fantasy V - VIII, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, Kingdom Hearts)
Art director: Yuusuke Naora (Final Fantasy VII, VIII, X)
Composer: Takeharu Ishimoto (Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII)

Taken from RPGFan.

[Bobtheduck]

Oh my gosh... multiple games right at the outset? Don't know what to think about that... Do those jerks know that American fans would like to experience the whole experience too (I don't see the cellphone ones coming to the US, and game-capable phones aren't as prominent in the US as in Japan) *sigh*

Things were getting out of hand with FFVII, but... As long as they don't get rid of turn based battles, I'll be happy... I'm sorry, but the battle system in XII just... *sigh*

Hmm... Wonder what Verses could be about...

[Link Antilles]

I'm really excited about this game. I'm all for the new Sci-fi setting and a new gameplay system. Say what you want, but I think the game will be a great time to be had.


Versus, however, is the title I'm concerned about... I'm having the feeling it'll be shallow follow-up or alternate story. As for the cellphone game... whatever.

[Nu-En-Jin]

Honestly, after having viewed the trailer at least a dozen times, and seen the two screenshots of "Versus", I must say that my Squeenix fanboyism is back in full effect. I like the future look, and the "title" for the set of games tends to give the impression that there's going to be some groovy sci-fantasy merging (I hope) like VI (which is still my favorite of the series, yes even more tha VII).

(In case you don't know what I'm talking about with the "Title" bit- I'm referring to the full series title "Fabula Nova Crystallis", which is latin I believe meaning "New Story of the Crystal" or something like that.)

[KBMaster]

They're already coming out with XIII?! I didn't even know XII was out...
I have no idea what's so wrong about the FFXII battle system. I haven't played the game nor have I read anything about it other than how bad it is. Can someone clarify for me?

[MasterDias]

Hmm... Wonder what Verses could be about...

Versus, however, is the title I'm concerned about... I'm having the feeling it'll be shallow follow-up or alternate story.

All anyone really knows about it is that it will be an Action RPG made by the Kingdom Hearts team.

I have no idea what's so wrong about the FFXII battle system. I haven't played the game nor have I read anything about it other than how bad it is. Can someone clarify for me?

I have a feeling this thread will now get derailed from discussing FFXIII to complaining about the FFXII battle system.
There was considerably mixed feelings when SE released the FFXII demo with DQ8. Frankly, I have no real opinions about the new system until I actually play the full game. Demos are not very good at showcasing all of the gameplay. But it is probably going to be one of those games that get mixed reviews/opinions, like FFVIII.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

There was always one problem with the Final Fantasy games...
http://www.flashplayer.com/animation/randombattles.html

Final Fantasy XI

[Tommy]

Anyways, I think this game will be good.
It looks like it has a turnbased play still but battles are taken into a cinematic view and it`s alot more than:

Punch: 80 damage

It looks like it will be more:

Complete cinematic fist fight: 80 damage

Hopefully if this is true you can press a button to speed it up.
i`m just praying this isn`t a solo RPG and that there are party members.

FFXII is out in Japan and will be out in the US soon. FFXIII is in production.

[Eskaflowne]

I wonder what versus could be about...

All anyone really knows about it is that it will be an Action RPG made by the Kingdom Hearts team.

Final Fantasy XIII Versus is the same story as the FFXIII, but u get to play it from the villains side of the story. How totally awesome is that.

[MasterDias]

Er....hold on a minute. That is incorrect information.

According to Square-Enix, Versus XIII is "not merely a sequel, but a wholly independent story unfolding in a different world with different characters."
In other words, the games will have similar themes but separate stories.

The first thing you have got to remember about information is to check to make sure it is accurate.

[Eskaflowne]

Er....hold on a minute. That is incorrect information.

According to Square-Enix, Versus XIII is "not merely a sequel, but a wholly independent story unfolding in a different world with different characters."
In other words, the games will have similar themes but separate stories.

The first thing you have got to remember about information is to check to make sure it is accurate.

I have checked sources and even my friends have found the same results, but u may be right I am not sure. When it comes to Final Fantasy my research is usually flawless much like my gaming skills.

A major aspect I can tell u about is the battle system if u want.

So, Where did u get your info?

[Shao Feng-Li]

I'm gonna need a PS3...

[MasterDias]

So, Where did u get your info?

How about the official site...

http://na.square-enix.com/e306/titles/fabula/versus/

[Tenshi no Ai]

I'm gonna need a PS3...

Likewise... of course I'm cheap and probably won't get it for quite some time after it's release (likewise the games...)

Hmmm not sure what I'll do about the FF7/FF13 games for PSP... don't really want one JUST for those couple of games (and don't have a friend I can mooch one off since I only know ONE person that even owns one :/)

[Tommy]

Wait, so it's not a spinoff of FF13? Then it should be just FF Versus.

Not a merely a sequel, but a wholly independent story unfolding in a different world with different characters. This title will appear alongside FINAL FANTASY XIII on the PlayStation 3 system.

Dias got that right.

[termyt]

"Kingdom Hearts like battle system" would make me nervous, but it wouldn't keep me from playing FF Vrs. It didn't stop me from playing KH, so it wouldn't stop me from playing FF. I certainly hope turn based combat isn't a thing of the past. Maybe I'm too old or something, but I likes it that way.

I'm actually looking forward to the combat system of FFXII. I am a compulsive leveler, so letting the AI control some of the more mundane battles seems like a plus to me. I hope it works well and becomes a regular feature in RPG's - as long as you can turn it on and off as desired.

[MasterDias]

Here is some more information about FFXIII.

In an interview with Dengeki Online, Square Enix's executive director Shinji Hashimoto, producer Yoshinori Kitase, directors Motomu Toriyama and Hajime Tabata as well as character designer Tetsuya Nomura talked about their work on the three announced Final Fantasy XIII titles and on Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII.

Hashimoto explained that Kitase's first production team began drawing up plans for Final Fantasy XIII three years ago, while Tetsuya Nomura was still busy working on Kingdom Hearts II. As previously reported, the project back then was still set to appear on PlayStation 2. Already at the time when Nomura and his team began working on Kingdom Hearts II, the company had decided to develop two Final Fantasy XIII games (Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII). Only later did Hashimoto propose the development of Final Fantasy Agito XIII. Since director Hajime Tabata and his team had just finished working on Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII, the two men sat down and decided to tackle Agito next.

Currently, the three games will only share a common myth. This common background was created by Kitase, Toriyama, Tabata, Nomura and scenario writer Kazushige Nojima. As always, the various games' logos are the works of Yoshitaka Amano. Staying in line with a long-standing series tradition, the image color of Final Fantasy XIII will be white, while in the case of Final Fantasy Versus XIII it will be black.

Asked about Final Fantasy XIII's battle system, director Toriyama confirmed that the development team will bring back the good old active time battle (ATB) system and hence a standard input of commands. In addition to this strategic element, Toriyama however emphasized the element of speed in explaining the concept behind the battle system. While the trailer shown at last month's Electronic Entertainment Expo saw the heroine beating down various foes on her own, she will get help from party members in the actual game. In cooperation with fellow party members, the heroine apparently will be able to unleash various chain attacks.

With Final Fantasy XIII, the development is also trying to offer battle scenes rivaling those of last year's CG movie Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children in terms of quality. Speaking of visuals, Square Enix's White Engine will power both Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy Versus XIII. In about six months, the development team will begin implementing online features. While Final Fantasy XIII will be a standard single player game, Kitase promised the implementation of some interesting online features.

Asked when media and fans will be able to get their hands on a demo of Final Fantasy XIII, Toriyama said his team was working hard to have a demo up and running by the time of next year's Electronic Entertainment Expo. At that point, players should be able to actually play the segment highlighted in this year's trailer.

Tetsuya Nomura explained that the world of Final Fantasy Versus XIII was an odd place. While his work on the heroine of Final Fantasy XIII was completed, Nomura admitted the silver-haired protagonist of Versus was still a work-in-progress. The game's story will be dark and sad. Since he prefers depicting friendships over love affairs, the former will play an important role in the game's story. The burden resting on the shoulders of the protagonist and his friends might be very heavy, but nonetheless Nomura also aims to realistically show the positive aspect of their friendship, too.

Furthermore, Nomura wants to do certain things in the game which he can't do in a numbered installment of the Final Fantasy series. He also highlighted the two meanings of the word "versus". On the one hand the meaning of the English word, on the other hand the meaning of the Latin word ("changing directions"). Thanks to the composition of the development team (members of the Final Fantasy VII and VIII teams working on the visuals, members of the Kingdom Hearts team working on the battle system), Nomura hopes to create a Final Fantasy game with an added action element.

Regarding Final Fantasy Agito XIII, Tabata mentioned that the game will make use of new cellphones' various functions similar to Before Crisis: Final Fantasy VII's materia creation system using a cellphone's built-in camera. The game is an online RPG offering both a stand-alone single player and an online mode. At the beginning of the game, players will have to choose one of the game's 12 protagonists, who all study at a magic school. The game itself is apparently already up and running on the PC platform, but since the hardware on which the final game will run on is not yet available, Tabata and his team are having trouble working on the connection environment.

At the end of the interview, the developers also shed some light on the fourth installment of the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. The PlayStation Portable game's story will center around one girl and three boys. The girl obviously will be Aeris and one of the boys will be her fiance Zack. Tetsuya Nomura did not disclose the identity of the remaining two characters, though. Nomura however did confirm that Square Enix is implementing voice acting. At the center of the action battle system will be the abilities of Shinra's elite unit Soldier.

Last but not least, the team promised concrete information on new developments regarding both the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII and Fabula Nova Crystallis in time for next year's Electronic Entertainment Expo.

Taken from RPGFan.

For those who are too lazy to read all of that, here are some highlights:
-More confirmation that the three games will only share a common myth.
-XIII will use the ATB system.
-You will definetly have party members and evidently some sort of chain attacks.
-Versus XIII's story will be dark, sad, and heavily based around friendship.

[Tommy]

Nice info, MasterDias.

Well, FFXII looks like an amzing game, this looks even amazinger!